Thank you for reappropriating this thread correctly.

I would like to underline everything you said in the paragraph pasted below, because it is key:
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Let me just hit you with some spare facts: Because methylphenidate is not a "true" amphetamine, it causes many more complications than its illegal counterparts do to provide the same amount of stimulation. It creates excess electrical activity in the brain that can lead to seizures and causes palpitations. You would be safer using cocaine or dexedrine in "reasonable amounts."
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A lot of studies have been done on various phenethylamines (You've read Shulgin's books, right? I'm sure you have, you are obviously well-informed) and it is true that Ritalin is potentially a lot more dangerous than the more powerful "straight" amphetamines.

Interestingly, and I want to say up-front that I feel a little uncomfortable posting this because of the PC-wave that seems to have hit us, but I did read an article that suggested that at the time, Preludin was the prefered drug for WHITE speedfreaks who had their choice and black speedfreaks actively prefered Ritalin. Go figure.

http://www.iprc.indiana.edu/publications/iprc/factline/ritalin.html

Chicago: "The most intensive stimulant abusers...are those who prefer to inject...white IDUs on the North Side are reported to inject phenmetrazine HCl (Preludin)...black stimulant suers on the South Side prefer methylphenidate (Ritalin), or "west coast."

CEWG, Epidemiologic Trends in Drug Abuse, NIDA, 1995.

Weird, isn't it? I mean, say what you will about the DEA, but NIDA's science is usually on the ball, and they are usually quick to admit and retract mistakes.