The people I know who have made such a distinction haven't done both. The people I know who have done both tell me that they have essentially the same effects.
> Also, stimulant medications have a higher safety profile than many OTC medications, so take that for what it's worth.
Yeah, I think a lot of OTC medications are essentially grandfathered in to drug policies and would require a prescription if they came out new today.
Have you ever tried both, though? Once you factor out the faster uptake due to that methyl group, it's essentially impossible to tell which is which at equivalent, medicinal doses.
Would one be able to tell a difference at a much higher dosage? What about when compared to an equivalent dosage of another CNS like methylphenidate or cocaine?
I never dared risk much higher dosages, so I wouldn't know.
> What about when compared to an equivalent dosage of another CNS like methylphenidate or cocaine?
In my experience, one can definitely tell the difference between (meth)amphetamine and methylphenidate / cocaine, at any dose. They are by no means that different, though, and I wouldn't be surprised if a person with no previous exposure to either would struggle to do so. Other CNS stimulants, like nicotine and caffeine, are more obviously different.
This is all purely anecdotal, though I have skimmed studies which also claimed as much, so those might be worth looking into.
Sola dosis facit venenum (The dose makes the poison)
Also, Adderall (Amphetamine) != Methamphetamine. That is like saying Ethylene Glycol (a common car anti-freeze) is the same as Ethanol (drinking alcohol) or that Peroxide is the same as distilled water. In fact, the substances I listed above are more molecularly similar than methamphetamine and amphetamine.
From my understanding, meth made in quality controlled, lab tested, legally controlled, and medically administered and monitored dosages has amazing results for the conditions it treats. Commonly, dosages are in the 2mg - 20mg range vs. the multiple GRAMS of meth + whatever leftover reaction byproducts in recreational usages.
Also, stimulant medications have a higher safety profile than many OTC medications, so take that for what it's worth.