For individuals diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), medications like Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) are commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms. While this article primarily focuses on Adderall, the information discussed can be applied to any non-prescribed stimulants and amphetamines. Although Adderall is effective at treating ADHD and narcolepsy. It may help people with ADHD maintain their attention and focus and decrease hyperactivity. In people with narcolepsy, Adderall may help prevent daytime sleepiness. But Adderall and other stimulants also have side effects.
Understanding Adderall
Adderall is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Dopamine helps the brain reinforce rewarding behaviors, whereas norepinephrine affects heart rate, blood vessels, blood pressure, and breathing. By increasing the production of dopamine in the brain, the drug can also cause feelings of euphoria and improved mood. In people with ADHD, stimulants like Adderall bring the brain down from a state of overstimulation to a state of baseline stimulation, helping to control hyperactivity and impulses while lifting the fog of inattention and indecision.
Approved Uses
In addition to treating ADHD, the only other FDA-approved use for Adderall is to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder with no known cure.
Non-Medical Use and Misconceptions
Many people wrongly assume the drug is safe because it is so widely prescribed by doctors. Yes, it's safe-if it's your prescription, and you're using it as intended. However, the tablets and capsules are widely known by high school and college students as "study buddies" or "smart drugs," used to help students stay awake and cram for tests or write lengthy exam papers. According to the National Center for Health Research, nearly 75 percent of prescription stimulant abuse happens on high school and college campuses. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that people taking the drug didn't perform better on cognitive function tests-they just thought they did. While it's true that the task of studying might be more enjoyable when using Adderall (students feel more alert due to a spike in dopamine), nonmedical use of prescription stimulants does not improve academic performance. Instead of relying on a risky, potentially addictive "study drug" to help with concentration and mental focus, consider setting aside time each day-no distractions-to rest and reflect.
Adderall and Weight Loss: The Reality
While it can suppress appetite and speed up metabolism, taking Adderall for weight loss is ineffective and unsafe. Adderall is a stimulant medication that can speed up metabolism. Adderall causes weight loss mainly because of its stimulant action on the central nervous system (CNS). By increasing the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, Adderall enhances alertness and energy. A common side effect of this process is appetite suppression. Weight loss can occur with reduced caloric intake. In addition, Adderall can raise the body’s metabolic rate-it speeds up heart rate and energy expenditure slightly, causing the body to burn more calories at rest than it usually would. This combination of eating less and burning more calories can lead to noticeable weight loss in the short term.
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Why Adderall Isn't a Weight Loss Solution
You might experience initial reductions in appetite and weight using the drug, but these reductions aren't sustained over time. In fact, any weight you might lose in this way will quickly return once you stop taking the pills. When someone stops taking Adderall, their metabolism and appetite rebound to normal, which leads to regaining the weight that was lost. In some cases, rebound hunger can cause rapid weight gain after discontinuation. Trying to lose weight on a so-called "speed diet" can also place a dangerous amount of stress on your heart.
Risks and Side Effects of Adderall Misuse
The longer a person misuses the drug, the higher the likelihood of experiencing Adderall's side effects, some of which are permanent and irreversible. Adderall's side effects ultimately endanger both the mind and body. Prolonged misuse of the drug will increase the risk and severity of Adderall's side effects. Long-term use of this central nervous stimulant can not only affect physical and mental health but also personality.
Potential Side Effects
- Common Side Effects: Stomach ache, decreased appetite, nervousness, restlessness, headaches, problems getting to sleep or staying asleep, dizziness, dry mouth, hoarseness, slowed speech, changes in vision, irritability, increased heart rate, hair loss.
- Serious Side Effects: Uncontrollable shaking, tics, or seizures; hallucinations, paranoia, and other thought problems; worsening mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety; eyesight changes or blurred vision; stroke and heart attack in adults; increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Stimulants can constrict your blood vessels, raise your blood pressure, and make your heart beat faster. They can also increase your breathing. In some cases, Adderall can further interfere with blood circulation. Your toes and fingers may become numb or start to hurt, and they may even turn blue or red.
Adderall and Mental Health
Taking a dose that is too high can cause a "zombie effect," resulting in a flat affect or lack of expression. "I don't laugh or react to humor the same way," commented another long-term user. Adderall withdrawal can cause an intense crash-especially for individuals who attempt to quit "cold turkey."
Adderall Dependence, Misuse, and Addiction
When taking the medication outside of prescribed guidelines, the risk of developing a substance abuse problem is considerable. If you take any addictive substance often enough, your brain becomes accustomed to it over time. In fact, repeated doses of addictive substances can actually change the chemistry of your brain. A tolerance to the drug can form, and over time, individuals using the substance for nonmedicinal purposes need to take higher and/or more frequent doses to experience the desired effects. "Misuse of prescription stimulants can lead to a substance use disorder (SUD), which takes the form of addiction in severe cases," according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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Overdose Risks
Overdose is unlikely but possible. Whether the orange or blue pills are swallowed, crushed and inhaled as powder, or "parachuted" (crushed, wrapped in toilet paper and eaten to avoid the taste), it's rare to overdose on Adderall-but it can and does happen. According to Healthline, the typical prescribed dosage range is from five to 60 milligrams per day. A lethal dose is 20 to 25 mg. per kilogram of weight. However, if you're using a prescription amphetamine recreationally while also taking other drugs or medications, it's possible to overdose on less than the average lethal dosage. These drugs can interact with blood pressure medications, antidepressants, cold or allergy medications, antacids, and a host of other medications.
Signs of Adderall Misuse and Addiction
- Signs of misuse: Taking Adderall without a prescription, doctor shopping, or buying from non-medical sources.
- Indicators of addiction: Increased dosage and frequency of use, neglecting usual social and work-like responsibilities such as classes, work, or social engagements, and prioritizing drug use over hobbies and interests.
- Physical and mental health warning signs: Disrupted sleep patterns, unhealthy weight loss, and mood swings. Physical symptoms like chest pain, rapid heartbeats, or shortness of breath. Severe cases may involve hallucinations, paranoia, or panic attacks.
Seeking Help
It's not easy to admit you might have a substance abuse problem and ask for help. In order to successfully manage Adderall withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is recommended. Withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to months. The risk of relapse spikes during this time as the body attempts to rebalance.
Steps to Take
- Talk to a trusted healthcare professional: Discuss the issue openly.
- Explore treatment options: Ask about a supervised tapering schedule and/or medical detox. Consider outpatient counseling, support groups, inpatient rehab, or CBT for cravings and underlying issues. Ask about addiction support services.
- Address co-occurring disorders: Seek programs that treat both stimulant misuse and eating disorders.
- Lean on your support network: Talk to trusted friends or family members for accountability and emotional support. Work with a mental healthcare therapist to develop healthier coping strategies for stress or related mental health challenges.
Safer Weight Loss Alternatives
Excessive weight gain and the pressure to be “skinny” have prompted people to look for shortcuts to losing weight. Some may engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as skipping meals or cutting out whole food groups. Instead of relying on a risky, potentially addictive "study drug" to help with concentration and mental focus, consider setting aside time each day-no distractions-to rest and reflect. Getting solid, uninterrupted sleep; eating a well-balanced diet; drinking enough water and exercising regularly all go a long way in helping to develop and regain focus. Other stress-reduction techniques include yoga, acupuncture, meditation (like the Headspace app), adopting a time-management method, cognitive-behavioral therapy and taking frequent breaks to reenergize.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices
- Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Regular Exercise: Incorporate both cardiovascular and strength training exercises into your routine.
- Sufficient Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Stress Management: Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
Professional Guidance
Consulting a healthcare provider or registered dietitian can provide personalized strategies for safe and sustainable weight loss.
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