Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Ritalin
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Videos
Learn about the use of cognitive enhancers and its growing use by students and teachers to improve their performance
Quick Facts
Generic name:
methylphenidate
Related Topics:
stimulant
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Ritalin

drug
Also known as: methylphenidate
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Ritalin, a mild form of amphetamine used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition that occurs primarily in children and is characterized by hyperactivity, inability to concentrate for long periods of time, and impulsivity. Ritalin, a trade-name drug, also has been effective for the treatment of other conditions such as narcolepsy. Although it acts as a stimulant in most people, Ritalin calms and focuses people with ADHD. Ritalin’s mode of action is unknown, but researchers speculate that the drug reduces the symptoms of ADHD by increasing the amount and activity of a neurotransmitter in the brain.