Actually the typical first line drug is methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Aderall is prescribed less because it has more “abuse potential” for neurotypical people. It’s a mix of levo and dextroamphetamine. The mix of chiralities is useful because your body has to convert the left handed version to right handed before it can cause any neurological effects. This means a significant part of the dose doesn’t even kick in immediately which reduces negative side effects and allows the therapeutic effects to last longer. The anions used are also typically varied to slow the uptake.

Methamphetamine may look similar to dextroemphetamine but that extra methyl group makes it significantly faster acting and much much stronger than dextroamphetamine. Both of which contribute to its use as a recreational drug and its potential for addiction and withdrawal. The use of HCl as the anion (crystal meth) rather than a sulfate or sugar also significantly reduces the uptake time which further increases the acting speed and strength of the effect. That’s why meth isn’t prescribed for ADHD, and why you would need to take a shit ton of Adderall to come even close to it.

It is fascinating how the word “amphetamines” conjures up images of junkies, when most people I know on adderall forget to take it or just don’t take it because they don’t like the side effects like having a dry mouth. People were always warning me “You can get addicted” bro I have to constantly remind myself to take it and if I stop taking doses I get the opposite of withdrawal where I know I should take it but also I don’t really want to.

It honestly weirds me out that adderall can be abused in the first place. Like I know my meds are wearing off because I’ll start laughing more easily. That’s like the complete opposite of what this is supposed to do…? Or sometimes I’ll take a dose and get sleepy which again tf? Brains are weird.