Is Adderall Bad For You? A Closer Look at the Popular ADHD Medication

• Cardiovascular effects.
• Psychiatric issues.
• Growth suppression in children.
• Seizures.
• Serotonin syndrome.

Cardiovascular Effects

As a stimulant, amphetamines speed everything up, including your cardiovascular system. Common side effects include high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), palpitations, and a faster breathing rate. Some people develop tachycardia, a faster heart rate that is most pronounced when you exercise. In rare cases at high doses, heart attack is possible [5]. 

Psychiatric Effects

Common psychiatric side effects of Adderall include anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, and even paranoia. Amphetamine can also trigger psychosis in genetically susceptible people. While having these genes does not necessarily mean you will experience psychotic symptoms for life, they do make it more likely that you will have an episode of psychosis from amphetamine use. 

Anywhere between 8–46% of people taking amphetamines are estimated to have experienced drug-induced psychosis [6]. 

Growth Suppression in Children

Growth suppression is a known side effect that may have negative physical and social consequences if you don’t address it. Children taking Adderall grow an average of 2 centimeters (just under 1 inch) less over three years, and their average weight gain is 2.7 kilograms less than unmedicated children. There is no rebound after Adderall withdrawal [5]. 

Seizures

Adderall use, especially in high doses, can lower your seizure threshold. This is more likely if you have a history of seizures or EEG abnormalities whether or not they are severe enough to be clinical epilepsy. For this reason, the FDA recommends caution or avoidance if you have had seizures in the past [5]. 

Serotonin Syndrome 

One lesser-known effect of Adderall is that it increases serotonin levels in the brain. This may put you at risk of serotonin syndrome, especially if you are mixing Adderall with antidepressants or other drugs that raise levels of the neurotransmitter. 

The most common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include sweating, rapid heart rate, excessively fast reflexes, and an altered mental state. Severe cases with very high doses can cause organ damage [7]. 

Who Should Not Take Adderall?

There are some people who should avoid Adderall entirely. If you have a personal or family history of psychosis, for example, you should not take Adderall. Continuing to use amphetamine treatment after an episode of drug-induced psychosis can increase your risk of developing a chronic psychotic disorder [6]. 

Can Adderall Permanently Change Brain Chemistry?

Unfortunately, Adderall may affect brain chemistry for three years or more, but its short-term effects make quitting difficult. 

Adderall’s Short-Term Effects on the Brain

Whether or not you are taking Adderall as a prescription medication, it affects brain chemistry by increasing levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and other neurotransmitters such as serotonin. With chronic use, your body adjusts and will make less of these without the help of Adderall. This is why withdrawal symptoms are an issue with quitting the drug. 

Adderall withdrawal has its own short-term effects on brain chemistry. When you recover from substance addiction, taper suddenly, or miss a dose, your cortisol levels rise in your brain as dopamine and noradrenaline levels fall. This increases oxidative stress, impairs the growth of new brain cells, and may contribute to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety [8]. 

Adderall’s Long-Term Effects on the Brain

Research shows that Adderall may, unfortunately, have long-term risks regarding brain chemistry, whether you use it for a short or long period. In fact, impaired dopamine signaling has even been found after three years of abstinence. As this causes poor memory and slowed motor function, many feel that taking more Adderall is the answer and fall back into substance abuse.

Adderall may also be directly toxic to brain cells, through excessive levels of dopamine. This leads to oxidative stress and may kill off the cells. Brain cells do not divide, only neural stem cells can, so damage can last years or be permanent [9]. 

Is Adderall a High-Risk Medication?

It is a common misconception that Adderall is safe, thanks to its status as an ADHD medication. Although some students believe if you take Adderall for school and to be a success then it is fine, there is a risk of abuse [10]. 

Is Adderall Addictive?

Adderall has such a high prevalence of substance abuse that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified it as a Schedule II substance. Legally, you must have a prescription to buy Adderall. You are only able to buy 30 days’ worth of doses at the same time, and you cannot get refills with the same prescription [10]. 

Signs of Adderall Abuse

Adderall abuse can follow the same pattern as other types of drug abuse. You are likely addicted to Adderall if you constantly seek your next dose, or a secure supply of the drug, at the expense of your safety or other aspects of your life. If you feel you cannot live without Adderall, there is a chance you are addicted. 

Taking Adderall for medical reasons or under limited circumstances, such as during an exam period, are unlikely to be situations of addiction. If you’ve skipped classes or parties to seek your next round of pills, or knowingly risked arrest, you could have an Adderall addiction. 

Alternatives to Adderall for ADHD

If you can’t bear the side effects or just feel they’re not worth it, there are alternatives available.  These include both pharmaceutical drugs and nootropics, the closest thing you can get to over-the-counter Adderall.