vi24v_
Bronze
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2026
- Posts
- 1,685
- Reputation
- 1,910
Comparative guide - CNS stimulants
- Introduction
- The different Stimulants being covered
- Advantages and Disadvantages of each Stimulant
- Ranking them
- Disclaimer
CNS stimulants work through amplifying chemical signals within the brain by manipulating neurotransmitters. The stimulants target specific hormones - namely dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin (typical stimulants do this - atypical stimulants like modafinil would target other things such as Orexin peptides)
As a lot of you know, stimulants are usually used to treat conditions such as ADHD, ADD and narcolepsy - conditions where the brain needs stimulation to increase attention, focus and wakefulness. Stimulants are also proven to help increase working memory, processing speed and information consolidation.
Through use of these stimulants smartly and to our benefit - we can focus on tedious tasks, prolong wakefulness, and increase task persistence.
P.S: They also feel good af to use
Throughout the stimulants we cover they each going to fall into one of these 3 categories - Dopamine reuptake inhibitor, Aggressive monoamine releaser or an atypical stimulant. The dopamine reuptake inhibitor will usually consist of methylphenidate salts, monoamine releaser will be amphetamines (it could also contain desoxyn which is pill meth - however I'm not covering it) and the atypical stimulant would be Modafinil (I'm not covering others I think they're all cope tbh.)
Adderall IR - Aggressive Monoamine Releaser
Adderall is the combination of 75% dextroamphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine. Because it is an instant release (IR) that means that it starts working quickly and it lasts for about 4-6 hours - capsule is also usually heard pressed. Adderall IR is usually taken in 2-3 doses per day and typical amt per dose usually ranges from 5-40mg.
Adderall XR - Aggressive Monoamine Releaser
Adderall XR comes in the form of a capsule filled with beads. 50% of the bead will contain the IR salt which allows it to hit your bloodstream quickly and then the remaining 50% of beads contain a special delayed release coating which allows you a second dose of your Adderall once the 1st set of IR Adderall beads effect starts fading. Adderall XR is usually taken at 1 dose per day and is taken at a dose of around 10-60mg.
Dextroamphetamine or Dexedrine - Aggressive Monoamine Releaser
Dextroamphetamine ( Dex ) is an amphetamine stimulant like Adderall however it is 100% dextroamphetamine and contains no levoamphetamine. This means that dextroamphetamine gives more central nervous system stimulation however less physical stimulation. Dextroamphetamine hits the bloodstream fast and lasts 4-6 hours and is taken 2 to 3 times per day (Btw dexedrine has an ER called dexedrine spanule but no one really uses that shit anyways). Typical amt per dose is 5-40mg.
Vyvanse - Aggressive Monoamine Releaser
Vyvanse is much different to other amphetamines because it works as a prodrug and converts from lisdexamphetamine to dextroamphetamine in your bloodstream. This gives Vyvanse the lowest abuse potential (it converts in your body slowly so even though it's water soluble you don't actually get any affect from snorting it except fucking up your nose). Vyvanse lasts for about 10-14 hours (8 hours in some cases - it's controlled by metabolism) and is taken once per day. Typical dosage range is 20mg to 70mg per day.
Ritalin IR - Dopamine Re-uptake Inhibitor
We now move onto methylphenidates - Ritalin is a methylphenidate that inhibits the re-uptake of dopamine in your brain. This means that it doesn't let dopamine leave your synapses and it keeps letting dopamine pool up in your synapses. This causes your dopamine levels to obviously increase which causes stimulation. Ritalin lasts between 4-5 hours and hits your bloodstream quickly and is taken 2 to 3 times per day. Typical dosage range is around 10mg to 60mg.
Concerta - Dopamine Re-uptake Inhibitor
Concerta is also a methylphenidate like Ritalin however it uses the OROS system to provide an extended release - Concerta's capsule contains an outer layer that has 22% of the total dose which hits the bloodstream quickly and the inside contains a push-compartment that absorbs moisture and slowly pumps the remaining 78% of the drug out of a microscopic laser-drilled hole over the course of the day. Concerta is taken once per day and lasts throughout the day for 12 hours. Typical dosage is around 18mg-72mg per day.
Modafinil - Atypical Stimulant (Wakefulness Agent)
Commonly taken for narcolepsy and in special cases for ADHD - Modafinil works through altering Orexin A and Orexin B which are 2 wakefulness prompting peptide neurotransmitters in the brain. Modafinil also causes a very slight increase in dopamine however the effect is negligible. Modafinil is usually taken once per day because it lasts for 12-14 hours and is taken at a dose of 200-400mg.
Drug: | Adderall IR | Adderall XR | Dexedrine IR | Vyvanse | Ritalin IR | Concerta | Modafinil |
Adv: | - Has strong stimulation both physically and mentally -High cognitive benefit | - High amounts of stimulation through a sustained amount of time. (Not as much as IR) -High cognitive benefit. (Not as much as IR) - Low abuse potential. | - Highest CNS stimulation on the list. - No physical stimulation. (Advantage for people with anxiety - some people like the physical stim) - High cognitive benefit | - Smoothest release out of all the stimulants on the list (no jitteriness, no racing heart, etc.) - No physical stimulation. (Advantage for people with anxiety - some people like the physical stim) - High cognitive benefit. - High stimulation in the nervous system. - Medium Cardiovascular strain. - No abuse potential - Medium receptor downregulation | - Nice gradual buildup of dopamine. - Strong stimulation (not comparable to adderall or dex tho). - Medium level of sides. | - Smooth release due to OROS mechanism. - Low sides | - Most wakefulness prompting - Minimal to Low sides in general |
Disadvantages: | - High amount of cardiovascular strain. - High Chance of Dependency. -High abuse potential (take that as you will) - High receptor downregulation | - High cardiovascular strain, high chance of dependency and high amounts of receptor downregulation. (Dependency is the same as IR however for cardiovascular strain and receptor downregulation IR has more risks) | - High cardiovascular strain (not as much as much as Adderall) - High receptor downregulation (not as much as much as Adderall) - High abuse potential -High chance of dependency (not as much as much as Adderall) | - Still some even though lower stimulant sides | - Still some even though lower stimulant sides | - Some dependency (Other sides are not so high) - Not that strong unless your taking 72mg or 56mg. | - Weak in terms of stimulants. - Doesn't give you that stimulant feeling of your dopamine levels going super high. - Can cause insomnia if taken later then morning time. |
P.S - By cognitive benefit I mean working memory, processing speed and information consolidation.
P.P.S - High abuse potential means crushing and snorting (Advantage for some, Disadvantage for others)
Final Tier List
1) My tier list is not at all what might be right for you - it all comes down to risk management and what sides you personally face. E.g. If you are extremely anxious clinically (generalized anxiety not social anxiety) then something smoother like Vyvanse would be better then Dex for you.
2) Do your own research before taking a medication - I am not attributed to any affects anyone faces from taking a stimulant.
3) This entire thread is for educational purposes only and is in no way about me encouraging others to take stimulants.
2) Do your own research before taking a medication - I am not attributed to any affects anyone faces from taking a stimulant.
3) This entire thread is for educational purposes only and is in no way about me encouraging others to take stimulants.
P.S - Do not ask me for a source, I am not giving you one.
Thanks For Reading Bhais
Last edited:
