Dialated pupils?

[Reheneme]

SWIM wants to know if his pupils get dialated from consuming(swallowing) ritalin or concerta. Just a single pill. SWIM has blue eyes, and his eyes always gets pretty fucked up on amphetamine.. SWIM wants to use concerta or ritalin on certain occations to stay sharp and on-focus, but then again SWIM is a careful man, and won't do it if it shows that he's on something. (very smart, so he won't get thrown out of school again)

So, SWIM asks you the following questions:

1: does concerta give you dialated pupils?
2: does ritalin give you dialated pupils?

Thanks

[moda00]

Both Ritalin and Concerta are forms or brand names of the same substance, methylphenidate, which is an amphetamine. In general, amps do dilate the pupils, but of course individual response and dose may impact to what extent. I'd say if swiy's eyes get pretty noticeable on other amphetamines or methamphetamines, Ritalin/Concerta could also pose a problem. Perhaps a test run in secluded place is warranted to see how one responds before risking it in public? Good luck!

[RaverHippie]

in SWIM's experience in borrowing his friend's prescription meds, his pupils have dilated upon methylphenidate consumption. Some people may react differently so a test-run would not be a bad idea.

SWIM can sympathize with SWIY's situation as SWIM has bright green eyes. Dilated pupils can be noticed from 20ft away easily.

[Reheneme]

SWIM thanks for the answers, he sais he'll check it out with a friend today to see how the change of dialation in pupil turns out without the marijuana having any effect on the eyes (as SWIM usually enjoys a good lot of hits from the bong)

[staples]

It sounds like pupil dilation is controlled by smpathetic activation. Methylphenidate increases levels of the norepenepherine, so I think it could certainly cause pupil dilation.

See this thread for more information on why the pupil's dilate.

@moda00: I never understood, why is methylphenidate (or is it actually) considered an amphetamine?

[moda00]

Staples- Good point. I'd always thought that it was, and it is usually referred to as one, but upon further research I now realize that it is an amphetamine-like CNS stimulant with a similar properties. So I suppose it would be more accurate to refer to methylphenidate as an amphetamine-like stimulant drug. The chemical structure of the methylphenidate molecule is slightly different and slightly more complex than the basic amphetamine "backbone." Thanks for pointing that out.

The erowid chemistry section has an interesting feature ("Chem Compare") where you can compare the structural makeup of compounds; the link here shows methylphenidate vs. basic amphetamine (edit: never mind, it just takes you to the main page with default images, but if you type in the chemical or use the drop down menus you can compare) http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/...etamine_2d.jpg

[ioo22]

SWIM wants to use concerta or ritalin on certain occations to stay sharp and on-focus

I'm not sure if SWIY is prescriped ritalin, but SWIM was not but took some anyway, and in their experience it made them feel horrendous. Like on a major comedown and nothing would get rid of the effects. Their pupils were massive for 2 days!! Embarrassingly, they had to explain the situation to the parents.

[moda00]

Originally Posted by ioo22

I'm not sure if SWIY is prescriped ritalin, but SWIM was not but took some anyway, and in their experience it made them feel horrendous. Like on a major comedown and nothing would get rid of the effects. Their pupils were massive for 2 days!! Embarrassingly, they had to explain the situation to the parents.

Ya, I've heard something like ?10%? of people don't respond well to methylphenidate but not sure where this stat came from or if it is accurate- either don't feel any effects at all, or feel negative effects. But this could be said for many pharms methinks.. I've also heard from mainly personal experience reports and postings that some people don't find methylphenidate as euphoric as traditional amps- not sure if there is a chemical basis for this- but then again some do. Everyone responds to drugs differently, and swim's never had any probs like this, but it is a possibility. I'll see if I can dig up any research or stats about this- in the meantime, be aware that everyone reacts differently, and start out with a low dose and a safe place (away from school/family/non-using friends). But I wouldn't expect anything to go horribly wrong- if all else fails, swiy will know that it's not his cup of tea, but swim herself rather likes it in low/prescribed doses.. anything more is unpleasat more oft than not, but she feels that with most regular amphetamines too so doesn't do much of them.. That said, swim thinks if one ingests methylphenidate, the pupil dilation is likely to occur regardless of the subjective perception or like/dislike of the feelings experienced as staed by staples, it is a physical/neurochemical thing.

[Ididnotinhale]

Any type of amphetamine will cause dilated pupils because they increase the sympathetic nervous system. It's similar to opiates which shrink your pupil size because of their effects on parasympathetic nervous system.

[no-go]

I really doubt that methylphenidate is a kind of amphetamine. What reliable sources makes this claim? They look different and subjectively, work very differently.

In any even, MPH doesn't cause swim's pupils to dilate and never have. Amphetamines do.

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[rocksmokinmachine]

Ampehatmines and related compounds do cause mydriadis, or dilated pupils

[highganja99]

SWIM Says: Yes Yes Yes !!! Dilation is common.

[Psyduck]

In addition to the dilatation effect (guessing you don't want people to notice anything): when I take methylphenidate there is also a thin layer of moisture on my eyeball, some kind of tear. I guess this is less common though.

[tranquillike]

Originally Posted by Reheneme

SWIM wants to know if his pupils get dialated from consuming(swallowing) ritalin or concerta. Just a single pill. SWIM has blue eyes, and his eyes always gets pretty fucked up on amphetamine.. SWIM wants to use concerta or ritalin on certain occations to stay sharp and on-focus, but then again SWIM is a careful man, and won't do it if it shows that he's on something. (very smart, so he won't get thrown out of school again)

So, SWIM asks you the following questions:

1: does concerta give you dialated pupils?
2: does ritalin give you dialated pupils?

Thanks

Surely they won't throw you out of school if you have a prescription for the medication... guess you are in a different country. But is there? BTW, SWIM hasn't noticed overly dilated pupils from normal doses of methylphenidate. When SWIM thinks of obviously dilated pupils, SWIM thinks of MDMA, or LSD perhaps. Some people have special training to detect people who are under the influence of psychoactive drugs. SWIM was reminded of this the other day when he was reading about. While not something you would have to worry about when considering stimulants, another tell-tale sign is Ptosis which is abnormally drooping of the eyelids.

One medication that caused a higher degree of pupil dilation was SSRI/SNRIs... They made SWIM's pupils HUGE. WAY bigger than a prescribed dosage of methylphenidate... something to keep in mind. This may not be true for all, but SWIM has seen people given cocktails of large quantities of ADs... a kid was on an SSRI in the morning, and trazadone in the evening and his pupils always appeared to be as dilated as someone on MDMA or something like that.

[tranquillike]

Originally Posted by Psyduck

In addition to the dilatation effect (guessing you don't want people to notice anything): when I take methylphenidate there is also a thin layer of moisture on my eyeball, some kind of tear. I guess this is less common though.

YES! that must be it. Ever since SWIM became prescribed to methylphenidate, he's noticed random tears falling from his eye as he walks to and fro on campus... SWIM wasn't sure it was the methylphenidate, but suspected so.

[moda00]

Originally Posted by tranquillike

YES! that must be it. Ever since SWIM became prescribed to methylphenidate, he's noticed random tears falling from his eye as he walks to and fro on campus... SWIM wasn't sure it was the methylphenidate, but suspected so.

Swim is Rx'ed it sporadically/as needed, 5-10mgs, usually takes it maybe 0-3 days a week, depends a lot on the week and all, but she doe notice her eyes get watery in a weird way.. she has contacts in sometimes, but they don't cause tearing so much as drying, the oposite effect, so she thinks this may have some basis, at least anecdotally..

[ladenburg]

Methylphenidate is an amphetamine-related compound structurally, but not pharmacologically, as its mechanism of action much more closely resembles that of cocaine (which is structurally unrelated). Whereas amphetamines release the neurotransmitters (dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) from their storage vesicles into the cytoplasm and further into the synapse by reversing the action of the uptake transporter protein, methylphenidate (and cocaine) block the activity of the transporter (thus actually antagonising the neutransmitter-releasing effect of amphetamines).

The prescribing information for methylphenidate does not include mydriasis in its list of adverse effects, but only as one of the possible symptoms of overdose. In my experience, methylphenidate does not produce noticeable dilation of the pupils, but of course, some people may be particularly sensitive to such effects, and also, some are naturally prone to a large pupil diameter even in the absence of drugs.

The adrenergic properties of methylphenidate may also explain the tear-related phenomena noted by some.

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[staples]

Originally Posted by ladenburg

Methylphenidate is an amphetamine-related compound structurally, but not pharmacologically, as its mechanism of action much more closely resembles that of cocaine (which is structurally unrelated). Whereas amphetamines release the neurotransmitters (dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) from their storage vesicles into the cytoplasm and further into the synapse by reversing the action of the uptake transporter protein, methylphenidate (and cocaine) block the activity of the transporter (thus actually antagonising the neutransmitter-releasing effect of amphetamines).

Thanks, that answers my question about why methylphenidate is or might be considered an amphetamine.

I think amphetamines also mimic dopamine at receptor sites to open ion channels, is that right?