Originally posted by sonar:
Both block the re-uptake of dopamine, other than that though I wouldn't really compare them. I have found ritalin to be FAR less euphoric than cocaine. Ritalin is more of a speedy buzz than a damn I can kick the worl'd ass feeling of cocaine.
One significant difference between the action of cocaine and methylphenidate is the slower brain uptake of methylphenidate compared to cocaine. The fast brain uptake produces subjective impressions of euphoria but the slow brain uptake does not.
On behaviorally active doses, both drugs occupy >50% of the dopamine transporters. The high degree of dopamine transporter occupancy alone does not seem to be sufficient to cause an intense stimulant effect. For example oral methylphenidate does not produce "high" due to aforementioned slow brain uptake. Orally given methylphenidate does not achieve peak uptake in the brain until 60 minutes after administration.
But then cocaine isn't a very strong SRI in the first place, who knows about ritalin. Still postloading with cocaine is far less cost-efficient than say Prozac.
Cocaine blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin with similar potency. The interaction of cocaine with serotonin system has a major impact on the function of brain. Methylphenidate binds weakly to the serotonin transporter and has appreciable effects on norepinephrine reuptake.
In my opinion, the short half-life and other pharmacological, mainly monoaminergic properties of cocaine makes it very questionable neuroprotectant against the possible MDMA neurotoxicity on humans.
I'm too tired to give any journal references, but they are available if someone is interested.
[ 02 June 2002: Message edited by: Drug Dustbin ]