I don't know what it was that I took as a student in about 1970. In conversation with my professor about my very variable grades I mentioned that my attention span varied widely, from almost zero to longer than anyone else I knew. He said that he'd noticed that, and suggested I talk to a doctor about it. Doctor prescribed something - I wish I could remember what. People have suggested that it may have been Ritalin.

I only ever took one tablet, whatever it was, because the effect was so dreadful. I prefer to be me, rather than being an observer in a body being operated by someone who definitely wasn't me. I've lived with my variable attention span ever since. I'm not trying THAT again, thank you very much.

Maybe I wouldn't have been such a difficult child if I'd been given it when I was younger. I'm damn glad that didn't happen.