• SuddenDownpour@sh.itjust.works
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    4 months ago

    Both of these guys are ancient. I wouldn’t care if any of them used drugs (as long as they don’t pose long-term risks for their health) because they might as well be medication. Or are we going to be so dense that the idea that two 80 years olds are likely taking some medication is going to fly over our heads? Furthermore, where do we draw the line of what a “drug-enhancing drug” is? Coffee? Most adults take it to function under inhuman schedules. Adderall? If you do have ADHD, you do also need it to function; if you don’t have it, it’s going be even less useful than coffee. Anything else that they bought at a pharmacy? I don’t care.

    All in all, this looks like a talking point made up by people who want to treat politics like a sport, where we’re supposed to watch “athletes” compete with equal opportunity for performance, which is definitely not what a presidential debate should be about.

    • prole@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      They’re more likely using “wakefulness promoting agents” like modafinil and armodafinil (Provogil/Nuvigil respectively, or probably some better shit in the same class) which are actually kind of amazing and I have zero issue with them taking it.

      Non-euphoric, and as far as I’m aware, not physically habit forming; it just keeps you awake and alert, I don’t know how else to describe it. Essentially none of the side effects (pleasurable or not) of traditional stimulants. After about 8-10 hours you sleep pretty ok.

      I’m really not sure why these drugs haven’t become more popular over the last decade or two… Probably the whole “not habit forming” thing.

      I’ve got a stash that I’ve had in a drawer for 5+ years and I’ll take one like three times a year or something as needed.

      • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        4 months ago

        I’ve got a stash that I’ve had in a drawer for 5+ years and I’ll take one like three times a year or something as needed.

        Yo, I just re-read your comment. Yeah, that’s… not good. Modafinil is deffo one of those ones youre supposed to titrate off of and going off of it cold turkey or only using it here and there is one of the ways to get those really dangerous side effects. Please stop this.

        • prole@sh.itjust.works
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          4 months ago

          There is no titrating off a single dose, what do you mean? Titration would require taking the drug regularly for a period of time and then stopping.

          I think you misunderstood what I said. I take one on the super rare occasion that I feel I need it, which probably averages out to like 3 times a year or less. There is nothing dangerous about that, and if you think there is then you’re misinformed.

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        not physically habit forming; it just keeps you awake and alert…

        The military would like to know your location as it keeps having problems with minor issues like sailors falling asleep while driving ships.

        Jokes aside, these are incredibly habit forming in the wrong environments. Under supervision and attempting to stabilize your sleep schedule they’re great. But the abuse envelope is huge, from truckers to cops.

    • Seasoned_Greetings
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      4 months ago

      This is kind of obvious and I probably don’t have to say it but…

      Trump is doing this to weasel his way out of a debate he shouldn’t have agreed to. No way in hell Trump subjects himself to the same drug test. He’s betting on Biden not agreeing to it either so he can just say “well those liberals are obviously playing dirty so I’m out”

      The drugs in question are necessarily irrelevant

      • JovialMicrobial
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        4 months ago

        You are definitely right that this is a manipulative move on Trump’s part to make Biden look bad and get out if this debate.

        But aren’t most people in their 80’s on a bunch of drugs anyway? Like blood pressure pills, cholesterol medicine, diuretics, arthritis medication etc? I’m not trying to stereotype older folks, but every person I’ve met over 60 seems to take a lot of pills… that help them live and perform actions they couldn’t otherwise.

    • EvacuateSoul@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Um Adderall is not less useful than coffee for non-ADHD peeps.

      Edit: reading other comments, I see what you mean. For dementia/clarity, no, but just wakefulness, yes it does something.

      • SuddenDownpour@sh.itjust.works
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        4 months ago

        As far as I know, Adderall for people without ADHD induces the self-perception of higher performance, yet increase in performance isn’t actually statistically noticeable, so it might be useful for someone who feels emotionally stuck (afraid of failing, tired), but not for someone who does not have the capacity to do well, much like caffeine only gives you the self-perception that you’re less tired than you actually are.

        • Ben Hur Horse Race
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          4 months ago

          i dunno dude, one time I got a gram of basement crank and was excited to try it, so I horked a rail right before band practice. our lead singer/guitarist was like “yo your drumming is so tight today, youre on fire!” and I was like “speed!”

          • havocpants
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            4 months ago

            basement crank and was excited to try it, so I horked a rail

            I love your words.

        • EvacuateSoul@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          I mean, fighter pilots are given them to stay sharp on long missions. You think that’s because they’re emotionally stuck?

          • Burn_The_Right@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            Every fighter pilot I’ve ever dated was emotionally stuck. Or “stalled” as so many of them insisted on calling it.

    • Tryptaminev
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      4 months ago

      Use of stimulants like amphetamine or methamphetamine, which are both drugs prescribed for ADHD comes with many side effects. When abused they deteriorate the brain and body quite strongly and they have many psychological problems associated with them like delusions, developing a lack of empathy, disorientation…

      80 years old should definitely not do speed, even if it is doctor prescribed.

      • prole@sh.itjust.works
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        4 months ago

        They’re likely not using amphetamines, but rather (ar)modafinil or something else in that class. Which have very few side effects.