• Ritalin boosts learning by increasing brain plasticity
    34 replies, posted
[QUOTE][tab]Doctors treat millions of children with Ritalin every year to improve their ability to focus on tasks, but scientists now report that Ritalin also directly enhances the speed of learning.[/tab][IMG]http://www.ximnet.com.my/thelab/images/upload/FF_70_brain1_f.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] [QUOTE]In animal research, the scientists showed for the first time that Ritalin boosts both of these cognitive abilities by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine deep inside the brain. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers neurons use to communicate with each other. They release the molecule, which then docks onto receptors of other neurons. The research demonstrated that one type of dopamine receptor aids the ability to focus, and another type improves the learning itself. The scientists also established that Ritalin produces these effects by enhancing brain plasticity - strengthening communication between neurons where they meet at the synapse. Research in this field has accelerated as scientists have recognized that our brains can continue to form new connections - remain plastic - throughout life. "Since we now know that Ritalin improves behavior through two specific types of neurotransmitter receptors, the finding could help in the development of better targeted drugs, with fewer side effects, to increase focus and learning," said Antonello Bonci, MD, principal investigator at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center and professor of neurology at UCSF. The Gallo Center is affiliated with the UCSF Department of Neurology. Bonci is co-senior author of the paper, which will be published online in "Nature Neuroscience" on Sunday, March 7, 2010. Bonci and his colleagues showed that Ritalin's therapeutic action takes place in a brain region called the amygdala, an almond-shaped cluster of neurons known to be critical for learning and emotional memory. "We found that a dopamine receptor, known as the D2 receptor, controls the ability to stay focused on a task - the well-known benefit of Ritalin," said Patricia Janak, PhD, co-senior author on the paper. "But we also discovered that another dopamine receptor, D1, underlies learning efficiency." Janak is a principal investigator at the Gallo Center and a UCSF associate professor of neurology. Lead author of the paper is Kay M. Tye, PhD, a postdoctoral scientist at the Gallo Center when the research was carried out. The research assessed the ability of rats to learn that they could get a sugar water reward when they received a signal - a flash of light and a sound. The scientists compared the behavior of animals receiving Ritalin with those that did not receive it, and found those receiving Ritalin learned much better. However, they also found that if they blocked the dopamine D1 receptors with drugs, Ritalin was unable to enhance learning. And if they blocked D2 receptors, Ritalin failed to improve focus. The experiments established the distinct role of each of the dopamine receptors in enabling Ritalin to enhance cognitive performance. In addition, animals that performed better after Ritalin treatment showed enhanced synaptic plasticity in the amygdala. Enhanced plasticity is essentially increased efficiency of neural transmission. The researchers confirmed this by measuring electrical activity in neurons in the amygdala after Ritalin treatment. The research confirmed that learning and focus were enhanced when Ritalin was administered to animals in doses comparable to those used therapeutically in children. "Although Ritalin is so frequently prescribed, it induces many brain changes, making it difficult to identify which of those changes improve learning." said Kay Tye. "By identifying the brain mechanisms underlying Ritalin's behavioral enhancements, we can better understand the action of Ritalin as well as the properties governing brain plasticity." Provided by University of California - San Francisco [QUOTE][B]Source:[/B] [URL="http://www.physorg.com/news187187471.html"]PHYSORG[/URL][/QUOTE][/QUOTE] I'm gonna try getting some of this.
I sniff lines of ritalin sometimes, it's good stuff for keeping you awake and studying for exams.
[QUOTE=Keeshond dog;20626942]I sniff lines of ritalin sometimes, it's good stuff for keeping you awake and studying for exams.[/QUOTE] once i did 40mg in successive hits and i was awake for like 40 hours
I don't know what ritalin does for anyone else, but it absolutely fucked my concentration when I was on it.
I haven't had the pleasure/misfortune of coming into contact with any Ritalin.
Why the fuck did I stop using it.
[QUOTE=PelPix123;20627211]Studying for a test but don't have a prescription for Ritalin? Don't want to be a fucking moron that does something as stupid as snorting Ritalin? Sudafed and Ritalin do identical things, just in different amounts. Sudafed is 60% decongestant effect and 40% concentration enhancement, while Ritalin is vice versa. You can take Ritalin to decongest and Sudafed to concentrate, they're just slightly less effective at their non-intended effects.[/QUOTE] I guess it'd be bad to take both?
Didn't work for me.
sick society... really... when you got people taking pills and other shit just to PASS their fuckin exams / work better something is wrong with your system.
I've taken 50mg of it before and I literally didn't feel anything. Same with dexamphetamine (the other main stimulant prescribed for ADD) [QUOTE=BloodYScar;20627317]sick society... really... when you got people taking pills and other shit just to PASS their fuckin exams / work better something is wrong with your system.[/QUOTE] Couldn't agree more.
[QUOTE=BloodYScar;20627317]sick society... really... when you got people taking pills and other shit just to PASS their fuckin exams / work better something is wrong with your system.[/QUOTE] You'd be surprised if you knew who many takes drugs in order to do their jobs at their fullest.
[QUOTE=farmatyr;20627383]You'd be surprised if you knew who many takes drugs in order to do their jobs at their fullest.[/QUOTE] 90% [url]http://www.howstuffworks.com/caffeine.htm[/url]
[QUOTE=scout1;20627082]I don't know what ritalin does for anyone else, but it absolutely fucked my concentration when I was on it.[/QUOTE] Made me feel really blank and empty and... I dunno, just... 'not right'. Mum took me off of it after like three days. She said it was messing me up.
[QUOTE=Daolpu;20627157]I haven't had the pleasure/misfortune of coming into contact with any Ritalin.[/QUOTE] It's like Cocaine for children.
hasn't this been known for ages?
I take Concerta.
I hate taking Ritalin and rarely take it since it makes me so damn anxious.
yes and it also shrinks your brain, It also makes for a great mind control drug, when i was on it you could tell me to do anything and i would do it [editline]01:44PM[/editline] [QUOTE=CivilProtection;20627375]I've taken 50mg of it before and I literally didn't feel anything. Same with dexamphetamine (the other main stimulant prescribed for ADD) Couldn't agree more.[/QUOTE] They had me taking 2 80mg pills 3 times a day, 2 in the morning 2 at lunch, and 2 before I went to bed, I was like a zombie
[QUOTE=jokoman;20628740]yes and it also shrinks your brain, It also makes for a great mind control drug, when i was on it you could tell me to do anything and i would do it [editline]01:44PM[/editline] They had me taking 2 80mg pills 3 times a day, 2 in the morning 2 at lunch, and 2 before I went to bed, I was like a zombie[/QUOTE] Gee joko! Sure is good you're off of em now huh?
Hopefully Adderall works just as well.
My cousin eats this, Imma go steal some of it.
[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;20628983]Hopefully Adderall works just as well.[/QUOTE] While Ritalin and Adderall are both amphetamine based they function differently, Ritalin blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine and Adderall increases the overall speed and potency of synapses. [editline]11:40AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Pepsi-cola;20628590]hasn't this been known for ages?[/QUOTE] Brain plasticity is much different from attention span and concentration ability. Brain plasticity is the ability of your brain's neurons to re-assign themselves to different tasks if they're in disuse. It's easy to visualize this if you imagine a situation where one's hand has been amputated, as the "hand area" of the sensory cortex is directly next to the forearm and upper head area, the sensitivity of touch in your forearm and forehead would likely be increased.
I knew Ritalin was good for me! Dammit, why did my parents take me off it?
I take dexies. what's that good for?
hmm [editline]03:02AM[/editline] i wish these kinds of pills wouldn't mess with my heart :(
[QUOTE=Daolpu;20627157]I haven't had the pleasure/misfortune of coming into contact with any Ritalin.[/QUOTE] I hear it's great for studying.
To bad it fries your brain's motivational center. I'm serious, it may work now, but a few years down the line you won't want to do anything but play videogames. Take it from me.
[QUOTE=PelPix123;20627211]Studying for a test but don't have a prescription for Ritalin? Don't want to be a fucking moron that does something as stupid as snorting Ritalin? Sudafed and Ritalin do identical things, just in different amounts. Sudafed is 60% decongestant effect and 40% concentration enhancement, while Ritalin is vice versa. You can take Ritalin to decongest and Sudafed to concentrate, they're just slightly less effective at their non-intended effects.[/QUOTE] Careful with sudafed. Aside from the unpleasant side effect of drying out your sinuses if used for more than about 4 days, it will raise your blood pressure as well; after a week of use, even low blood pressures will begin to redline for many people.
I've known this. I was on Concerta (slow release ritilin) for a long time. I noticed that it boosted my ability to learn and recall information. It falls under the class of drugs known as nootropics.
I'm on it
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