This past week a survey on stimulant/prescription medication and the general stigma behind using prescription stimulant medications prescribed or not prescribed was released. Some of the the medications included in the survey were Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, and Vyvanse.

The survey was posted online through both Facebook my previous article. This week’s survey received 184 responses, which was both surprising and appreciated, as it allows for me to learn and improve upon the evaluation and analysis of data from different populations on various subjects. The "free responses" or elaborations that I have received are incredible, and are putting opinions and different points of view into perspective for me, so thank you and keep on with the honesty. I love it! The results of the survey are included in the article below.

52% of you said "yes, I have taken a prescription not prescribed to me."

34 of 184, in your own words, defined stimulant medications as "uppers."

47% of you know someone selling prescription medication.

20% of you have been prescribed stimulants at some point, while 43% of you have taken them.

21% of you don't think there are any negative effects to these medications

51% of you have either experiences the negative effects or know someone/have seen the negative side effects and how they affect others.

A whopping 75% of you said "NO, these medications are not just an easy fix for those who are prescribed them."

So, here is what my research has found:

“Stimulant medications including amphetamines (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta) are often prescribed to treat children, adolescents, or adults diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.” –DrugAbuse.Gov

Prescription stimulants have a calming, “focusing” effect on individuals with ADHD. They are prescribed to patients for daily use, and help to improve ADHD symptoms along with the patient’s self-esteem, thinking ability, and social and family interactions.

So what do these medications do for students who haven’t been diagnosed with an attention deficit? Well, this my friends is still considered drug abuse, and even though I know most students have taken, tried, and rely on Adderall. But if you haven't seen a doctor to actually be prescribed, I’m here to tell you and warn you, that you NEED to be careful with what you are taking and doing. If you do think this is something you could benefit from, chances are you might, and you should see an actual doctor about what your options are/why you think you'd benefit, and they could probably help you, legally.

So what is the truth?

Stimulants increase dopamine levels in the brain—dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, movement, and attention. The therapeutic effect of stimulants is achieved by slow and steady increases of dopamine, which are similar to the way dopamine is naturally produced in the brain. The doses prescribed by physicians start low and increase gradually until a therapeutic effect is reached. There is long acting, which release in small amounts gradually throughout the day, and then there are what most college kids are taking, which is short acting, and gives you just enough of a boost to get through that awful stats exam.

When taken in doses and via routes other than those prescribed, prescription stimulants can increase brain dopamine in a rapid and highly amplified manner (similar to other drugs of abuse such as methamphetamine), thereby disrupting normal communication between brain cells and producing euphoria and, as a result, increasing the risk of addiction.

There is a lot of controversy behind the diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, which itself is a comorbidity (due to the areas of the brain affected by different neurotransmitters, the person is more likely to suffer from other disorders that are learning, behavioral, mental, or others physical such as Tourette’s or tics). Only within the last 50 years has technology become available to properly examine the brain to an extent where scientists and doctors are able to really evaluate and diagnose such disorders, and therefore the rate of diagnosis is much higher than “back in the old days.”

The National Health Institute says there are other health risks as well:

Stimulants increase blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature and decrease sleep and appetite. When they are abused, they can lead to malnutrition and its consequences. Repeated abuse of stimulants can lead to feelings of hostility and paranoia. At high doses, they can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including stroke. If you feel your heart racing or are losing sleep, you are taking a dosage too high for your body and should not continue consumption.

Addiction to stimulants is also a serious consideration for anyone taking them without medical supervision. Addiction most likely occurs because stimulants, when taken in doses and routes other than those prescribed by a doctor, can induce a rapid rise in dopamine in the brain. If stimulants are abused chronically, withdrawal symptoms—including fatigue, depression, and disturbed sleep patterns—can result when a person stops taking them. Additional complications from abusing stimulants can arise when pills are crushed and injected: Insoluble fillers in the tablets can block small blood vessels.

Also, there are suggestions for natural substitutions and remedies including zinc, passionflower, ginseng, L-Carnetine, Magnesium, and Gingko, which may actually help you focus and calm down for extended periods of time and could be substituted in many cases for stimulant medications, also ask your doctor about these and their opinions on supplements.