Scott Alexander examines the history, chemistry, and efficacy of various amphetamine-based ADHD medications, comparing their strengths and weaknesses. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the history and differences between various amphetamine-based ADHD medications. He traces the origins of Adderall to a 1950s diet pill, then compares it to other drugs like Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Evekeo, and Desoxyn (methamphetamine). The post discusses the chemical differences, patient preferences, and effectiveness of these medications, noting that pure d-amphetamine (Dexedrine) seems generally superior to the Adderall mixture. Scott also touches on the controversy surrounding methamphetamine use in ADHD treatment, explaining that the main differences between therapeutic use and abuse are dosage and administration method rather than inherent properties of the drug. Shorter summary