I'm not convinced nicotine is not a better medication. Sure, it's probably more addicting, but it also seems to have plenty of other benefits, is more socially acceptable, and seems to have much less a profile of debilitating side-effects.

Of course, the same tolerance issues will creep up, perhaps even more so, but there is no red-tape, no doctor visits, no shortages, easy access, etc..

Is nicotine as effective as amphetamines or methylphenidate? I have no idea, but probably not, and that is mainly why I haven't experimented much with it. I will say that it's effective enough to plenty of people with ADHD self-medicate with nicotine, and seem to do fine enough.

If nicotine were half as effective, it still might be better, at least for my circumstances.