Straight Dope

Ecstasy causes long-term changes in brain function so opponents of legalization call this “brain damage” and opine accordingly. But now yet another popular Government-approved pharmaceutical, Ritalin, causes similar brain alteration. It switches on similar “addiction” genes that have been indicated in coke and speed use. But Ritalin, of course, is legal because it’s been patented and the big pharma companies have paid their testing dues. So it’s okay to go on doping up kids and turning them into weird pseudo-passive zombies.