I have heard that many American students use these when they are studying.<p>Do HNers use these when they are programming or studying? Does it work?<p>EDIT: I am asking because this kind of medicine is not in wide use by students in Denmark.
I was recently diagnosed with ADD. I would have trouble staying focused on tasks, drift to something else and lose an hour or so. Procrastination and underachieving were a constant theme throughout my life (child and adult). I've been taking Adderall twice a day for the past month. It's a huge improvement. I can stay focused on a project for an entire workday and not have the desire to drift. For me, it feels like time is slowing down. I can process my inbox and check the daily websites in say 15 minutes, where some days it would last an hour or more, due to not being able to stay focused. It takes a few days to get used to the initial rush (30 minutes in).<p>If you think you're having trouble, go see a Psych.D and be evaluated. I should have gone 15 years ago.
I tried the stuff as a kid and in undergrad -- I was diagnosed with ADHD. It very much helped me concentrate, but stopped me from thinking creatively, clamped down on my ability to think socially, and gave me damned irritating headaches.<p>Today, I'm more successful with no drugs and an improved work ethic. And less headachey.
My sister is a pharmacist and she told me that in her pharmacy school years, it was common for students to take Adderall to help them study. She swears the pills work like magic.
For me, I smoke 1 hoot of pot in the morning, 1 after lunch, and 1 on the drive home to make notes. I've been doing so for 8 years now. I find great concentration, as an extrovert it helps me think inside my head. I always have notes that I write in pen, and bang them off as if everyday is the supperbowl
> Do HNers use these when they are programming or studying?<p>I mean, focus is focus no matter how you use it.<p>For anyone who wants to consider Adderall or Concerta, please do yourself a favor and look into Vyvanse. No crash, no jitters, much smoother delivery - at least for me.<p>I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has about (any) stimulants.