Effects of Methylphenidate Use Among Undiagnosed College Students with ADHD: An Integrative Literature Review ^†

Introduction: Methylphenidate (Ritalina) is a central nervous system stimulant widely used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The main motivation for non-therapeutic use of methylphenidate among college students, especially in demanding programs such as medicine, is to achieve improvements in cognitive performance and to cope with academic overload. Recently, there has been increasing use of this drug by healthy individuals, particularly college students, for cognitive enhancement. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of Ritalin® use in ADHD patients, its long-term impacts, and its relationship with psychological disorders. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review of 13 articles published between 2020 and 2025, with the descriptors “Ritalin,” and “Medical Students,” in databases such as SciELO, PubMed, LILACS Plus, and BJIHS (Brazilian Journal of Implantology and Health Sciences). Results: The results showed that the indiscriminate use of methylphenidate among students not diagnosed with ADHD does not promote real cognitive improvement and is associated with adverse effects such as impaired cognitive functions, psychological dependence, and psychological disorders. Conclusions: The conclusion is that, in healthy individuals, the use of Ritalin may be more related to the pursuit of feelings of well-being than to actual cognitive improvement, highlighting the concern regarding unnecessary exposure to the potential adverse effects of this psychotropic drug. These findings highlight the need for educational initiatives and mental health promotion, especially among university students, aiming for healthy academic performance.