As for the stimulants: A lot of people do great on stimulants. And yes, the stimulants have side effects that some people experience. Many don't. Or the side ef

As for the stimulants: A lot of people do great on stimulants. And yes, the stimulants have side effects that some people experience. Many don't. Or the side effects are quite manageable compared to not taking it. I have personally seen it help 2 persons I know well, don't know anyone who has hurt by stimulants that have been legally prescribed and used. (but I know one who quit because the cost/benefit wasn't there). As for why people did well without stimulants in earlier times the answer might also contain: they didn't necessarily. Not finishing even basic schooling was more common. Also there were more less rules and more options that didn't require sitting >5 hours a day.