Pharmacology
How Stimulant Medications Work in the Brain
Questions this summary answers
- How do stimulant medications actually work in the brain?
- How do methylphenidate and amphetamine work differently at the receptor level?
- What is the inverted-U dose-response curve and why does it matter clinically?
- Why does the catecholamine model explain why stimulants help with focus?
- What does 'DAT blockade vs. vesicular release' mean for choosing between MPH and AMP?
Go Deeper
This summary distills key findings. For the full clinical discussion with complete citations, explore the source lessons.
Primary source
Stimulant MedicationsHow Stimulants WorkLast updated: 2026-04-12