Odd Lots

How The American Workforce Got Hooked on Adderall

Apr 18, 2024

Danielle Carr, an assistant professor at UCLA's Institute for Society and Genetics, delves into the rise of Adderall use among American professionals. She discusses how high-pressure work environments have spurred a surge in demand for this ADHD medication. Historical shifts in prescription practices reveal a complex relationship between performance enhancement and dependency risks. The conversation also touches on societal pressures driving this trend, regulatory changes affecting availability, and the evolving perceptions of mental health medications in today’s digital workspace.

52:49

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Episode guests

Danielle Carr

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Quick takeaways

The demand for Adderall stems from its accessibility across various professions, indicating a widespread culture of stimulant use for performance enhancement.

Diagnostic assessments for ADHD lack objective neurological markers, leading to subjective judgments by healthcare providers in prescribing amphetamines like Adderall.

The surge in Adderall prescriptions is influenced by a confluence of factors, including pandemic-induced telepsychiatry and profit-driven motives, raising concerns about equity and societal consequences.

Deep dives

The Historical Context of Amphetamine Use

The history of amphetamine use dates back to World War II, with its prevalence tied to wartime activities. Various waves of usage and backlashes have shaped its cultural perception over the decades, leading to shifts in prescription practices.

The Interconnectedness of Technology and Narratives

00:40

Implications of Increased Adderall Use on Society

01:24

Debate over neurotransmitter deficit theories

00:46

Intro

2min

The Adderall Dilemma: Insights and Implications

9min

The Historical Shift in Amphetamine Regulation and Its Impact on Childhood Psychiatry

4min

Adderall Unplugged: Understanding ADHD and Productivity

15min

The Historical Arc and Modern Tensions of Amphetamine Use

5min

Adderall in America: Prescription Trends and Impacts

21min

Engagement and Promotion: Connecting with Odd Lots Community

2min

Over the last few years, users of the popular ADHD drug Adderall have been frustrated by regular shortages in getting their prescriptions filled. Various regulatory and supply chain factors have contributed to the inability of producers to keep up with demand. But this raises the question: why is there so much demand in the first place? How did a significant chunk of the labor force -- from tech workers to Wall Streeters -- begin using the drug as an aid for their work and everyday lives? On this episode of the podcast, we speak with Danielle Carr, an assistant professor at the Institute for Society and Genetics at UCLA, who studies the history of politics of neuroscience and psychology. We discuss the history of this medicine and related medicines, what it does for the people who take it, and how market forces opened the drug up to almost anyone.

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Odd Lots

How The American Workforce Got Hooked on Adderall

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Historical Context of Amphetamine Use

Clinical Diagnoses and Amphetamine Prescriptions

Impact of Telepsychiatry and Venture-Backed Health Services

Implications of Widespread Amphetamine Use

Challenges in Monitoring Amphetamine Prescriptions

The Interconnectedness of Technology and Narratives

Implications of Increased Adderall Use on Society

Debate over neurotransmitter deficit theories

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts