Methylphenidate works by blocking roughly half of the dopamine transporters in the brain. This results in slowing the normal reuptake process, causing an increase in the amount of dopamine available for neurotransmission.Dopamine is associated with a number of functions in the brain including cognitive function, voluntary movement, motivation, punishment and reward, sleep, mood, attention, working memory and learning.1 Using brain scan technology, Nora Volkow showed that methylphenidate increases the motivation to do math problems in healthy adults.2 Furthermore, methylphenidate is fast acting, reaching peak concentration anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion.3
