But it seems to me that taking Ritalin to treat ADHD would be more beneficial than taking any of the amphetamines.

Reasons:
- Ritalin only blocks re-uptake of Dopamine, and does not actually bind to the receptor sites, thus your body is using it's own dopamine and would not lead to the same type of receptor hyposensitivity that amphetamines are rumoured to produce
- Ritalin has a lower side effect profile than any of the amphetamines
- Ritalin is cheaper (if money is an issue)
- Withdrawal much less pronounced than the amphetamines

Have you taken Dexedrine? (I'd imagine not based on your comments.)

Having taken both drugs, I'd have to disagree with points #2 and #4.

Mincan, Ritalin works well for both my son and I, but it's all subjective. My daughter just had a VERY positive experience with bupropion with NO bad side effects and I have nothing but good to report about taking it as well. Other people have a horrible reaction to bupropion.

No I haven't, but I ask this because I do want to try them all before deciding which one works best for me. I'm just regurgitating what I've read in various places.

Dexedrine is the one I want to try next.

I won't be able to change for quite some time though. At the very least till February.

Edit: Yes, I had a terrible reaction to Wellbutrin XL 150mg (bupropion)

Trying to make an informed decision about one prescription stimulant or another without ever personally trying them yourself is like trying to make an informed decision about one recipe or another recipe based only on what you've read about them in a cookbook.

It's been my experience that until I actually try a different drug myself that it's virtually impossible for me to make an informed decision about it. There is no subtitute for your personal experience when it comes to this issue, just like picking a favorite recipe from a cookbook out of recipes you've never tried before. When you try them, you will know.

We each can & do respond to these medications in our own unique ways more often than not. Sometimes we respond to them exactly as the literature predicts the majority of people will respond to them. Other times, we do not. After having tried all of the prescription stimulants (except Vyvanse & Daytrana) since Feb 1992, I have found that not only are they each unique in their own subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways, but that sometimes there are very noticable differences between the brand name and generic versions of the same active ingredient.

The proof is in the pudding. Food for thought. ;)

I completely agree Lars, but I would like to think from outside the experience realm and think of it from a medical perspective. Which of these will change my neurochemical make-up the least in the long run? etc

Which of these will change my neurochemical make-up the least in the long run? etc Good question. I don't think anyone knows for sure.

I would like to know the answer to that question too.