🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Alison Klayman
- Genre: Documentary
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 27min
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10 (5.8K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of people take legal speed to be better at everything, and maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t, but everyone’s very busy.
🍿 Take Your Pills: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction: The Age of Stimulants
The documentary opens by framing Adderall and other prescription stimulants as the defining drugs of a generation driven by relentless competition. It highlights the pressure to achieve more in various environments, from schools to the workforce. This sets the stage for exploring the widespread use and potential consequences of these cognitive enhancers.

The History and Rise of Amphetamines
Take Your Pills delves into the history of amphetamines, tracing their development and use from the 1930s to the present day. It examines how these drugs transitioned from being used for various medical purposes to becoming a common tool for cognitive enhancement. The documentary explores the social and economic factors that contributed to their increasing popularity.

Personal Stories: Users’ Experiences
The film features interviews with a diverse range of individuals who use prescription stimulants, including college students, tech professionals, athletes, and artists. They share their personal experiences with Adderall and Ritalin, describing the benefits they perceive in terms of increased focus, productivity, and performance. These accounts provide a nuanced perspective on the appeal and perceived advantages of these drugs.

The Dark Side: Risks and Consequences
While acknowledging the perceived benefits, Take Your Pills also explores the potential risks and consequences associated with stimulant use. It examines issues such as addiction, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular risks, and psychological effects. The documentary questions the long-term impact of widespread stimulant use on individuals and society, raising concerns about the ethics and implications of cognitive enhancement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Ariana (Ariana): A college sophomore who discusses her experiences with prescription stimulants.
- Delaney (Delaney): A college junior who shares her perspective on Adderall use.
- Jasper Holt-Teza (Jasper Holt-Teza): A college senior who reflects on his long-term use of stimulants and his desire to quit.
- Leigh (Leigh): A college senior who provides insights into the culture of stimulant use among students.
- Alan Schwarz (Alan Schwarz): A journalist and author who offers expert commentary on the ADHD diagnosis and stimulant use trends.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Narrator: “Every era gets the drug it deserves.” – The opening line, setting the stage for examining Adderall’s role in modern American society.
- Alan Schwarz: “There’s this idea that if you’re not on medication, you’re somehow not trying hard enough.” – Reflects the competitive pressure driving stimulant use among students and professionals.
- Delaney: “It’s like you’re cheating, but everyone else is cheating too.” – Captures the moral ambiguity and normalization of stimulant use for performance enhancement.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Take Your Pills Reviews
Personal Review
I found ‘Take Your Pills’ to be both fascinating and a little unsettling. Seeing how prevalent Adderall use is in various fields made me question the pressure we put on ourselves to always be ‘on.’ The film definitely made me think about the ethical implications of cognitive enhancement and the potential costs to our well-being. The music artist struggling with his long-term usage was the most impactful story for me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Individuals interested in the history and impact of prescription drugs”
- “College students and young professionals facing pressure to perform”
- “Parents considering stimulant medication for their children”
- “Anyone curious about the ethics of cognitive enhancement”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Discussion of drug use and potential addiction”
- “Brief mentions of mental health issues”
- “Fast-paced editing and flashing images may be triggering for some viewers”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Klayman’s documentary examines the pervasive use of stimulants like Adderall, offering a balanced view of their benefits and drawbacks. While informative, the film occasionally feels repetitive and doesn’t fully explore long-term consequences.
- NetflixViews: “An eye-opening look into the world of prescription stimulants and the culture that drives their use. ‘Take Your Pills’ presents a compelling case, though at times it can feel like an advertisement for the very drugs it examines.
- FilmReviewer: “While the documentary raises important questions about the pressure to perform and the role of medication, it needs a stronger conclusion and avoid sensationalism. It is really missing a conclusion and overall sense of what it is trying to say to the audience.
Audience Reactions
Insightful exploration of Adderall use in competitive environments.: Viewers appreciated the film’s even-handed approach to a complex topic.
Provokes thought on society’s pressure to use performance-enhancing drugs.: Movie provided an important cautionary tale that could influence viewers’ decision making
Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking documentary that explores the widespread use of prescription stimulants, but could have been more comprehensive in addressing long-term effects.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The documentary explores the history of amphetamine drugs starting from the 1930s to present day, highlighting how societal pressures contribute to their widespread use.”
- “Executive producers Maria Shriver and Christina Schwarzenegger aimed to spark a conversation about the pervasive use of prescription stimulants and their impact on individuals and society.”
🖥️ How to Watch Take Your Pills?
Take Your Pills is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Take Your Pills, you might like these similar films:
- Generation Rx (2020): Examines the overuse of prescription medications, particularly among young people, and their potential consequences.
- The Social Dilemma (2020): Explores how technology and social media are designed to be addictive and manipulate users, similar to the dependence on stimulants.
- Dopesick (2021): Details the opioid crisis, revealing the addiction, marketing, and consequences of legally prescribed drugs.
🛒 Take Your Pills Related Products
- ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction–from Childhood through Adulthood: A comprehensive guide to understanding and managing ADHD, offering practical strategies and insights based on the latest research. Helps those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD live a fulfilling life.
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First: High-quality USB audio interface for recording music, podcasts, and voiceovers. Includes Pro Tools | First software and a suite of plugins.
- The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your Brain to Take Control of Your Time, Tasks, and Talents: Tools and techniques to overcome common mindsets in a world where managing our attention has become impossible. Readers learn to use the strengths of their unique brains to overcome the obstacles and achieve success.
- Brain Supplement Nootropic Booster – Enhance Focus, Boost Concentration, Improve Memory & Clarity – Phosphatidylserine, DMAE, Bacopa Monnieri, Ginkgo Biloba, Huperzine A – for Men & Women – 60 Capsules: Brain Supplement Nootropic Booster – Enhance Focus, Boost Concentration, Improve Memory & Clarity. Dietary supplement that is meant to help improve concentration and memory
🎧 Soundtrack
Take Your Pills features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Take Your Pills is a documentary that explores the history, pervasiveness, and impact of prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin in modern society. It examines the benefits and risks of using these drugs for cognitive enhancement.
Take Your Pills is available for streaming on Netflix.
The documentary explores potential side effects like addiction, sleep deprivation, cardiovascular risks, and psychological effects associated with long-term stimulant use.
User reviews are mixed, some find the documentary insightful while others feel it leans towards promoting the use of stimulants. It’s important to consider multiple perspectives when watching.
🔥 Bonus Content
Why I’m Upset at Netflix’s New Documentary “Take Your Pills”
Ever wonder if ‘Take Your Pills’ tells the whole story? This video breaks down the documentary’s potential biases and offers a perspective you might not have considered – it’s a real eye-opener!
Joe Rogan: Considerations for Taking Adderall
Joe Rogan talking about Adderall? You know it’s going to be interesting! This clip touches on important considerations before using the drug, giving you another angle to think about.
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