Skip to main content

Up Next

Why New York Has the Best Bagels

Why New York Has the Best Bagels

Season 2 Episode 24
3:12
Are Frozen Veggies Less Healthy?

Are Frozen Veggies Less Healthy?

Season 2 Episode 27
1:16
Hormones and Gender Transition

Hormones and Gender Transition

Season 2 Episode 29
3:08
Is Aspartame Safe?

Is Aspartame Safe?

Season 2 Episode 30
3:46
This Is Your Brain on Music

This Is Your Brain on Music

Season 2 Episode 31
3:41
Better Grilling Through Chemistry

Better Grilling Through Chemistry

Season 2 Episode 32
2:40
Why Do Feet Smell?

Why Do Feet Smell?

Season 2 Episode 34
2:34
The Chemistry of Wine

The Chemistry of Wine

Season 2 Episode 35
3:39
Back to Show
Reactions

How Does Adderall™ Work?

Season 2 Episode 23

There's a lot of chemistry in that little pill that affects your nervous system. More than 25 million people rely on Adderall and other similar drugs to help treat narcolepsy, depression and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But how does amphetamine, the active ingredient in Adderall, work? This week, Reactions explains how amphetamine helps you focus--the chemistry of Adderall.

Support Provided By
Season
How Can A Margarita Do This?
3:47
We explore why margaritas have such an effect on the body when making it.
Cellulose: From Trees to Explosives
12:31
We get into how this tiny molecule holds up so much of our modern world.
The World's Biggest Batteries Aren't What You Think
14:13
We break down what a battery is and how they’re actually all around us.
What Could An Explosion On the Sun Do Here On Earth?
12:24
We talk about how this can affect us all the way down here on Earth.
Whatever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
12:11
We explore how we might keep ourselves and our food cool without overheating the earth.
What Meteors Reveal About Earth’s Hidden Past
13:33
We explore meteors and asteroids, and why they should matter to us.
The Invisible Tsunami That Killed 1,500 People in One Night
11:28
We investigate how a lake could explode and shoot out a gigantic wave of deadly CO2.
The Terrifying (but Awesome) Science Behind Red Tides
11:39
We dive into the science behind this somewhat terrifying, sometimes glowing phenomenon.
The Great MOLASSES Flood of 1919
12:52
We get into the science behind what created that 25 foot wave!
Challenger: The Real Story of an Avoidable Disaster
14:37
We explain the science behind this tragic, avoidable accident.
The Loneliest Whale
15:21
we bring you the story of the Loneliest Whale and other fascinating mammals.
The Ultimate Coffee Roasting Chemistry Throwdown
10:33
How hard could roasting beans at home really be?
Active loading indicator