How Safe Is Adderall For Consumption?
Adderall is a combination of two stimulant drugs, Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine. Millions of people in the world use Amphetamine, the active ingredient in Adderall. It has been around since the 1800s and was introduced into the market in 1933 under the name Benzedrine.
Amphetamine was used during the Second World War to enable soldiers to fight fatigue. American, British, German and Japanese troops used millions of the Amphetamine pills.
They were used in the Korean and Vietnamese wars too, but their use for troops got discontinued in the 1950s when the drug could no longer be sold without a prescription.
Adderall was introduced in 1996 by Richwood Pharmaceuticals. The active ingredient is low dosages of Amphetamine. It is widely used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
ADHD users experience improved cognitive performance without stimulation. Adderall is not sedating, reduces hyperactivity, reduces task-switching, the two major problems caused by ADHD. It, therefore, improves ADHD symptoms in many children and adults.
It takes time for the effects to kick in and improved cognitive performance will not suddenly kick in. There will be a short period of feeling awful before things get better.
The drug does not work for everyone, but when it does work, it does normalize brain activity. It could change brain structure with time.
If used in recommended medical doses, it is not harmful to the brain, even for children. It can have negative behavioral effects, but it does not damage the brain.
Abuse of Adderall
Adderall and Adderall alternatives were intended for medicinal use only, but they are now largely diverted for recreational and performance enhancement purposes. Whether one has ADHD/ADD or not, Adderall does help with mental focus and concentration, and that is why more and more people are getting a prescription when they don’t have ADHD.
In some American colleges, up to 30% of the students have used stimulants such as Adderall or Adderall alternatives for non-medical purposes. This is a drug that is controlled in countries such as USA, UK, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and other countries.
People with ADHD tend to have lower levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. They are constantly seeking stimulation. Adderall and other Adderall alternatives work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity. This process affects serotonin but not in a significant way.
Adderall effectively combats ADHD in many people. It provides cognitive enhancement in the short term for healthy individuals. It is often used by college students and workers to improve performance. The drug’s safety differs depending on the dose.
Recreational users of this product normally use higher dosages than what is recommended by medical practitioners.
Positive Effects of Adderall
- Stimulation
- Greater alertness
- Uplifted mood
- Greater sociability
- Increased focus
- Euphoria
- Cognitive enhancement
- Improved physical performance
- Increased motivation
Negative Effects
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Reduced appetite
- Paranoia
- Fever
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems
- Irregular heartbeat/palpitations
- Increased temperature
- Skin breakouts (acne)
- Dry mouth and thirst
Adderall and Neurotoxicity
Neurotoxicity is a concern with continued use of high dosages. This refers to the toxicity of the nervous system causing brain damage. Common symptoms can include problems with concentration, memory, thinking, reaction time and sleep. It can also cause symptoms such as personality changes, confusion, depression, fatigue, and numbness of the hands and feet.
There is no evidence that Adderall can cause neurotoxicity when it is taken at the medically recommended dosages, even with long term use. There is, however, risk in case of chronic high dosage uses. Death from high dosages is possible but rare.
The use of Adderall causes cardiovascular stress in the form of increased heart rate and blood pressure which result in palpitations. The risks increase when the drug is used in high doses and combined with drugs or physical exercise. A heart attack or hypertensive crisis could result.
Effects of Moderate Overdosage
- Rapid breathing
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Agitation/antisocial behavior
- Confusion
- Elevated body temperature
- Tremors/shakiness
- Urinary retention
- Muscle pain
Effects of Severe Overdose
- Psychosis
- Muscle breakdown
- Kidney failure
- Convulsions
- Circulatory collapse
- Cerebral hemorrhage
- Very high body temperature
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Significant lack of energy
- Depressive symptoms
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Lack of motivation
- Mood swings
- Sleepiness
- Sleeplessness
Risks of Using Very high dosages for prolonged period
- Psychosis
- Convulsions
- High Recreational Amounts can cause
- Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
- Restlessness/trouble remaining still
- General uncomfortable feeling
- Negative effect on cognitive performance
Conclusion
Before you decide to go on Adderall, try natural alternatives to Adderall that help yourself without meditation such as a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. Adderall is habit forming, and tolerance builds quickly. Withdraw symptoms can be uncomfortable but they are not fatal.
Invest in training your brain. Train yourself to focus on things that you need to do and to complete tasks. Use daily to-do-lists and your diary, set alarms, establish a reward-punishment program for yourself.
Follow the guidelines strictly; don’t take Adderall too late in the day otherwise you will be up all night which will be agonizing.
Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss and loss of muscle. It is important to know how to handle this by ensuring to take nutrient dense foods when able to eat at all.
Follow the advice of your doctor and request to be started on the smallest doses possible in order to give the body time to get used to it. Never take dosages that are higher than your prescription. You don’t need it and it is not worth it.