Stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) are dispensed at a rate of 6.1 prescriptions per 100 Americans annually, rising to 24.6 per 100 among boys aged 10-19 years, making them among the most commonly prescribed controlled substances in the country. These medications work by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, increasing levels of these neurotransmitters at synapses. The long-time prevailing assumption has been that this mechanism treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by activating prefrontal attention circuits. But what if that assumption has been wrong all along?