Do Stimulants Help Those Without ADHD?

As doctors prescribe more stimulants, more people are sharing their doses, and more people without an ADHD diagnosis are taking these medications. These individuals say that they are taking stimulants to improve academic or cognitive performance not to get high or boost their mood. But most ADHD and mental health organizations claim that stimulants don't provide help to those without ADHD. A few recent studies build on those claims. What could these studies be missing????
References:
Not so smart? “Smart” drugs increase the level but decrease the quality of cognitive effort
(2023 "knapsack" study)
www.science.or...
Neurocognitive, Autonomic, and Mood Effects of Adderall: A Pilot Study of Healthy College Students
(2018 Brown University Study)
www.mdpi.com/2...
THE RELATION OF STRENGTH OF STIMULUS TO RAPIDITY OF HABIT-FORMATION
(1908 paper establishing the Yerkes-Dodson Law / U-Shaped Arousal-Performance Relationship)
psychclassics.y...
Efficacy of stimulants for cognitive enhancement in non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth: a systematic review
www.ncbi.nlm.n...
The effects of psychostimulants on cognitive functions in individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review
pubmed.ncbi.nl...
Mixed-amphetamine salts expectancies among college students: Is stimulant induced cognitive enhancement a placebo effect?
pubmed.ncbi.nl...
Psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and author John Kruse, MD, PhD presents practical, actionable, well-researched information about treatment options that scientists and clinicians recommend for adult ADHD and other mental health conditions. Subscribe if you're curious about how neuro-atypical brains can optimize their functioning in our shared, and somewhat strange, world.
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[@Thejonathanospina]

I just found your youtube channel, thank you so much for making these!

[@BecPlumbe]

Really nuanced discussion of the Melbourne study. It has made me want to go and read ir more carefully myself. Thank you Dr Kruse!

[@DrJohnKruse]

I'm glad that it grabbed your interest.

[@mccannger]

I have ADHD and take Vyvanse. Based on my experience I’d wonder why anyone would want stimulants if they are already calm, motivated and can focus because that’s all stimulants do when taken appropriately for ADHD.
Taken to get high, that’s a whole other story! But that’s not the same as taking stimulants for ADHD. I’m not even sure Vyvanse could give you the high effect as its so slow release. Other amphetamine definitely would though if taken in sufficient quantities, eg Adderall.
Thanks for another very interesting video Dr Kruse.

[@Diogenerate]

People will crush the pill then take it. Sometimes people will snort it. Its theoretically not supposed to work but apparently does for a small percentage of people. This is common knowledge for recreational stimulant users, the fact you are oblivious to it is good. I was exposed to this by friends in my late teens and was turned off because all it did was "make me calm." I then went years not realizing I had ADHD and the effects it had on my life, as I thought so little of the drugs used to treat it.

[@DrJohnKruse]

I think that one big factor is that focus isn't just a categorical, yes or no, ability. It exists on a spectrum, so even someone who can focus well may want to focus better. Added to that are social factors if they feel they are competing against others, or that others are obtaining an advantage by using stimulants or other medications.
Curiosity also drives a lot of experimentation with medications, including stimulants.

[@georgeschiraga5725]

Stimulants are used for self medication because of an epidemic depression problem.

[@SergioBlackDolphin]

i don't even drink coffee. I have been diagnosed with ADHD and i am waiting for titration (here in the UK it is for me a 9 months wait) and I keep wondering if I am really ADHD, I wonder if these medicines can impact on my health, I am over 50 and my blood pressure is perfect. No other heart or vascular disease (yet) but I don't just want to perform, I want to be creative and be myself, and not do that at the expense of living less, with considerably higher risk.

[@DrJohnKruse]

Individual results can certainly vary, but I have worked with many authors, painters, dancers, sculptors and other artists with ADHD, and most of them felt that medication for their ADHD helped them to be more productive without taking away creativity.

[@SergioBlackDolphin]

@@DrJohnKruse thank you. This is reassuring.

[@drice304]

Have these same studies been done with people that have ADHD? Though I imagine if they are used to the effects they may also perform better so it would be best if they are unmedicated for some time before

[@DrJohnKruse]

Yes, numerous studies support that stimulant medications can reduce symptoms of the disease and improve cognitive performance in those with ADHD.

[@Haloplayervfo]

The stimulant’s definitely work well on me it’s like night and day.. I’m diagnosed with adhd but I feel my focus is better than most people with the stimulants is it possible I’m just on too high of a dose?

[@DrJohnKruse]

It's a possibility, but usually we define too high as having signs of problematic side effects - insomnia, jitteriness, anxiety, hypertension. Lots of people, with or without ADHD, are highly distracted these days.

[@bleebyblobblob]

ur a good doctor ily !

[@georgeschiraga5725]

They are over used by parents.

[@DrJohnKruse]

probably both over used and under used