Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the media about the necessity and effectiveness of prescription medications for the treatment of ADHD. Most of the articles I have read online are directed at the pharmaceutical Adderall. Although there are several other medications to treat hyperactivity disorders, such as Vyvanse and Ritalin, Adderall has received the most attention from the media because of its prevalence on college campuses across the country. I have been prescribed to Adderall for the past four years, so I can say with confidence that I’ve experienced the positive and negative attributes of the medication.
Known as a “smart drug,” Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and works by stimulating the central nervous system. Adderall’s effects are similar to street drugs MDMA (ecstasy) and methamphetamine.
Yes, Adderall and meth are almost chemically identical. But, meth is consumed in uncontrolled doses and increases the amount of neurotransmitters that flood the brain with dopamine, epinephrine, and other chemicals. Adderall works by mimicking neurotransmitters instead of creating them. This allows the brain to maintain control of the neurotransmitters.
Some of the most common arguments against the use of Adderall is that most people experience euphoria, which can lead to psychological dependence. This euphoria is caused by the release of dopamine and epinephrine.
Dopamine is the chemical associated with “reward” or the feeling you get win you win a game, or are praised by a loved one. Problems when the user interprets their thoughts as more profound than they actually are, causing delusions of grandeur. So, it is argued that it doesn’t really make you smarter, rather it makes the patient think and feel smarter. As a rebuttal to this argument, I say that as long as the patient is aware of this, they can accommodate their behavior accordingly.
Combined with dopamine, epinephrine is also released from Adderall. Epinephrine is the chemical associated with adrenaline and the fight-or-flight response and is responsible for the alertness and focus attribute of Adderall.
I think that this is the more serious of the two side effects, because it can increase heart rate and blood pressure, as well as cause insomnia. These issues typically don’t arise if the patient doesn't exceed the prescribed dose and from my personal experience, when prescribed to Adderall it’s always a good idea to eat before taking the medication in the morning.
As long as these rules are followed, the negative side-effects of the medication should be minimized and the benefits can dramatically improve motivation and performance.
