Adderall just doesn't add up
Adderall just doesn't add up
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What are the Negative Effects of Adderall on The Body?
Adderall is a drug that is prescribed to people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for treatment of their symptoms to increase their focus and concentration levels. Adderall is also used for the treatment of daytime sleepiness also known as daytime sleepiness, which is one of the sleep disorders, and depression. Adderall is essentially a brand name for the drug combination consisting of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. These compounds both work to stimulate the central nervous system. Anyone who takes Adderall will experience an increase in his or her ability to control behavior, pay attention, and focus regardless of whether they have ADHD or not. Adderall increases the concentration of norepinephrine and dopamine to the synapses by preventing neurotransmitter reabsorption. The drug primarily facilitates the stimulation of an individual’s sympathetic nervous system and this generates the fight or flight response in the body. This response includes increased sweating, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and dilation of the eye pupils.
Adderall usually comes in two forms: extended-release capsule and instant release tablet with both suitable for ADHD treatment. However, the instant release tablet is authorized for treatment of narcolepsy. Adderall can disrupt sleep and so it is supposed to be taken in the morning. The drug can also cause addiction if abused while causing dangerous effects to the body in the process.
Elevated Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
As mentioned before, Adderall stimulates neurotransmitters found in the brain namely dopamine and norepinephrine and this increases your heart rate and blood pressure. This increased blood flow to the brain is responsible for improved focus when on Adderall. However, if you take too much of the drug or if you have heart disease in your family history, this increase in blood pressure and heart rate can be harmful. Usually, Adderall is not recommended for anyone with a heart problem and anyone taking it must go for regular blood pressure checkups. Adderall can cause heart attacks if someone with a high risk takes it or if it is abused.
Increased Alcohol Tolerance
Adderall makes a person feel more alert and awake after taking it so it can be hard to tell if you are getting drunk when taking alcohol while on the drug. It elevates your alcohol tolerance making it dangerous as it makes you feel more sober than you actually are. It is important to maintain caution with alcohol and Adderall. People using Adderall recreationally increase their risk of developing further complications especially if they use it with alcohol. Since Adderall can disguise some of the indications of excessive alcohol consumption such as lethargy and slurred speech, you can experience alcohol poisoning without seeing any of the warning signs. Other complications involved with mixing alcohol and Adderall include:
- Both drugs have dehydrating characteristics
- As a depressant, alcohol can worsen the possible psychological problems associated with Adderall withdrawal.
Increased Agitation
Some people might experience a boost in their mood after taking Adderall while others might become easily agitated, restless, or edgy on the drug. There are people who will experience shifts in their mood when on Adderall and as the effects of the drug start wearing off, feel uneasy. These changes in mood should be monitored because they could be an indication of another underlying problem aside from ADHD such as depression.
Problems with Sleep
Adderall stimulates the Central Nervous System just like any other stimulants meaning it can interfere with your sleep habits making it hard to fall asleep. Your ability to go to sleep is determined by the amount of Adderall you are taking and what time you are taking the drug. Making specific adjustments to the dosages as instructed can make a significant difference in your sleep habits.
Reduced Appetite
Adderall increases epinephrine released by the brain. This hormone reduces feelings of hunger and thus the drug eliminates the craving to eat temporarily. People on Adderall often find themselves very hungry once the drug wears off. Taking Adderall frequently can cause one to lose his or her appetite often and eat smaller portions as a result. This can also cause shrinkage of the stomach and gradually cause lead to weight loss. However, this is an unhealthy way to achieve weight loss.
Damage to the Kidneys
The increased blood pressure caused by Adderall can cause potential damage to the kidneys gradually. When there is increased blood flow around and through the kidneys, this can lead to hardening and narrowing of the kidneys situated in the organs. For this reason, anyone with heart problems should monitor their blood pressure regularly or avoid any stimulants altogether to avoid encountering the implications eventually.
Long-Term Effects
Continuous use of Adderall can cause paranoia, hostility, and even depression due to the constant high neurotransmitter levels in the brain during usage of the drug. Extensive Adderall use in children can inhibit growth because of malnutrition resulting from the properties of the stimulant such as appetite suppression.
Dependence
Even though Adderall does not possess any chemically addictive qualities but if abused it can lead to dependence. The positive effects of Adderall can make you dependent on the drug. People are advised to take a few days off Adderall occasionally in order to clear their systems of it thus decreasing the chances of dependence. Adderall does not work like antidepressants whereby you have to take it every day; Adderall only needs to be taken when one feels like they need it. Adderall dependence can be either physical or psychological.
Psychological Adderall dependence or addiction happens when one takes the drug constantly in their routine and he or she becomes irresistibly compelled to use it. If someone who is psychologically dependent on Adderall is denied access to it when he or she thinks they need it, the person can present physical effects of stress such as sweating and headaches. People who are dependent on Adderall can do anything possible to get and use the drug even jeopardizing their well-being.
Physical Adderall dependence happens when the individual becomes used to increased dopamine levels in his or her brain and stopping the use of the drug can cause a sudden drop in dopamine levels. This generates withdrawal symptoms like inability to sleep, sleeping for too long, tiredness, or depression. The development of this physical dependence can lead the user to experience the same effects, amplifying the side effects, and increasing the person’s risk of overdosing.