How does the brain react when taking adderall?

TW: TALK OF DRUG ADDICTION 

Prescription stimulants such as adderall, are normally prescribed in the treatment of individuals who are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). It can ultimately make people with ADHD feel as if they are more focused. There are more than 25 million people that rely on Adderall and other similar medications on a daily basis, to help control their ADHD. We will be talking about how Adderall works, why it works, and even how it may affect individuals who either need or do not need it. 

Does it make you smarter?

One of the biggest misconceptions about this drug is that it holds power to make you smarter. It is thought that in young adults that adderall can help improve grades, although studies have shown that to be false. Studies have shown that Adderall does not improve academic performance in individuals that are diagnosed with ADHD. While it may make studying and learning less distracting and more enjoyable, it does not improve cognitive function or make you any smarter than you were before taking it. 

Taking it when not needed? 

Individuals with ADHD tend to have lower levels of dopamine. Dopamine is released and it acts as a feel-good chemical for the body. Adderall works by increasing levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which brings the brain from an overstimulated state to a normally stimulated state of being. Have you ever wondered how Adderall would work if it wasn’t prescribed to you, and the difference it may make in the brain? A person who has a normal level of dopamine in their body, they can feel a euphoric state, increased energy, and maybe even a better handle on coping with stress and stressful situations. This can show us why Adderall is oftentimes used and consumed by more than just individuals diagnosed with ADHD. It is oftentimes taken by students who may be feeling the pressures of exams, family, or even sports. Taking adderall when not prescribed or in higher doses than prescribed can often be seen as very dangerous and can lead to many side effects such as…. 

1. Decreased appetite and weight loss
2. Sleeplessness
3. Irregular or increased heart rate
4. Dry mouth
5. Digestive problems
6. Headaches
7. Anxiety
8. Depression
9. Mood swings
10. Suicidal thoughts
11. Increased risk of stroke or heart attack

Addiction and Counterfeit?

Adderall is categorized as a schedule ii controlled substance, meaning that there is a high risk of addiction. When taken in high dosages for an extended period of time, you can build a tolerance, therefore, the dosage to feel the desired effects of this drug becomes higher and higher. Adderall that is not obtained legally and through a doctor is oftentimes counterfeit and very dangerous, because it could be filled (cut) with numerous amounts of chemicals that are fatal, such as fentanyl or methamphetamine. 

Adderall is a very effective drug that helps many individuals who struggle with ADHD every day. It helps these individuals to have a higher focus and concentration on a variety of tasks, and it can also help to calm their brains down with any given task. Although, just as with any other prescription, if Adderall is misused, it can lead to many dangerous outcomes.