Introduction
Adderall is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system and improves concentration. First formulated in 1959 as a combination of amphetamines and dextroamphetamine, this medication is now sold under various brand names (Cregin et al., 2021). Since its stimulating impact on the central nervous system, it has been used to treat insomnia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It boosts energy, focus, and motivation by raising the brain’s synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine (Alsberge et al., 2022). Its positive effects include increased attention, focus, engagement, and focus on tasks. Insomnia and paranoia are two undesirable side effects that need to be considered.
Adderall, because it makes it easier for students to concentrate on their studies, has been demonstrated to increase academic success. However, according to Alsberge et al. (2022), it also affects how high school students drop out. This research paper aims to provide an overview of the history, psychological and physiological effects, routes of administration, overdose levels, withdrawal symptoms, populations most likely to use the drug, and harmful effects of Adderall.
The History of the Drug
According to Darrow et al. (2020), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially approved the use of Adderall in treating ADHD in children in 1996. For decades, the main components, amphetamines, and dextroamphetamine, have been used to treat various conditions ranging from melancholy to obesity to narcolepsy. (Alsberge et al., 2022). Many service members depended on amphetamines to combat exhaustion and keep concentration during WWII. Athletes and college students commonly used amphetamines in the 1950s and 1960s to assist in weight loss, mood enhancement, and efficiency (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).
However, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) put the Chemical in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act in 1971 due to the risks connected with its use and the potential for misuse (Drug Enforcement Administration, 2023). It comes in several forms, some providing an immediate release and others a slower one. Adderall is among the most commonly given ADHD medicines for children and adults. Those who do not have a prescription for it also misuse it heavily.
Psychological and Physiological Effects
The stimulant characteristics of Adderall, which act on the central nervous system (CNS), may affect the amounts of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The medicine works by boosting the release and absorption of these neurotransmitters, leading to increased alertness, focus, and motivation while decreasing hunger and fatigue. The impacts of Adderall may vary from person to person depending on factors such as dosage, body type, and mode of administration. (World Health Organization, 2023). Adderall, when used as directed, can enhance concentration, energy, and efficiency in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
Nonetheless, Adderall abuse or excessive use is known to result in various psychological and physiological negative consequences. Adderall usage may lead to several negative mental consequences, including exhilaration, anxiety, sleeplessness, paranoia, agitation, hallucinations, and psychosis. Excessive sweating, dilated pupils, an increased heart rate and blood pressure, dry mouth, headaches, nausea, and even seizures are further possible adverse effects of taking Adderall.
Routes of Administration
Adderall can be inhaled, snorted, or injected, but it is most commonly consumed orally as a tablet or capsule. The potential for misuse, addiction, and overdose is variable for each route of administration, as is the onset and duration of effect. The most typical and secure medication administration method is oral since this method permits a measured and gradual release of the medicine (The White House, 2022). When Adderall is smoked or sniffed rather than ingested, it is absorbed into circulation more rapidly and efficiently. The deadliest way to take Adderall is by injecting it because of how quickly an overdose may occur. The medication is typically accessible as a tablet or capsule that can be taken whole. It can also be injected, pulverized, and swallowed after being dissolved in water.
Overdose Levels
An individual may have an overdose of Adderall if they take an excessive amount of the medication or if they mix it with other drugs, such as alcohol or other CNS depressants. An overdose of Adderall may cause various uncomfortable side effects, including agitation, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and even coma. The fatal dosage of Adderall varies from person to person based on factors such as age, weight, level of tolerance, and delivery method (Partnership to End Addiction, 2021).
According to the DEA (2023), the dosage of dextroamphetamine sulfate must be given intraperitoneally to rats to achieve an LD50 of 96.8 mg/kg. The dose must be given orally to rats to reach an LD50 of 96.8 mg/kg, respectively, which is identical. The lethal dosage of Adderall for humans, however, is not widely known. Therefore, this quantity cannot be immediately transferred to individuals. An Adderall overdose is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment with life-sustaining measures, including supportive care and, if necessary, administering medicines to lower the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure and prevent further seizures.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Adderall withdrawal is a significant risk users take when they start using the drug. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if a person abruptly stops taking medicine or significantly reduces their dosage. These might include physical and mental symptoms, including excessive weariness, anger, sadness, sleeplessness, increased appetite, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts (CDC, 2020). Depending on the medicine and how often you take it, these effects might continue for several days to a few months. To ensure the patient’s safety and get the best potential result, medical supervision during Adderall withdrawal is highly suggested. Ultimately, it is essential to remember that those who have taken Adderall for a longer time or at larger dosages are more likely to have withdrawal symptoms.
Populations Most Likely to Use the Drug
While Adderall was initially designed for those with ADHD, it has now found widespread use among non-ADHD students, athletes, and young professionals in pursuit of enhanced cognitive performance. Over fourteen percent of college students in a survey by Cregin et al. (2021) said they had used nonprescription stimulants like Adderall. College students often utilize the substance to manage the stress of studying. Adderall’s ability to help users focus and ignore interruptions is a significant attraction for this generation of young people (Alsberge et al., 2022). Moreover, those who do not have ADHD or other disorders that call for the medicine often misuse and abuse it. Some people may use the substance to boost their performance or feel happy.
Harmful Effects of the Use of the Drug
Adderall’s beneficial advantages in treating ADHD and narcolepsy do not outweigh the risks associated with its recreational usage. Loss of appetite, agitation, sleeplessness, anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure, headaches, nausea, vomiting, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures are some of the adverse side effects of Adderall (WHO, 2023). Addiction, cardiovascular problems, psychiatric difficulties, and social problems are among the numerous negative results linked to Adderall overuse and usage. Students who use the medication without a doctor’s prescription may face severe legal and academic consequences.
The medicine also has the potential to cause hazardous interactions with other drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. Tolerance develops with repeated usage, and the user must take increasingly large amounts of the medication to feel its effects. Addiction and other unfavorable outcomes may become more probable as a result. Further study is required to thoroughly understand the effects of Adderall on brain growth and cognitive performance in the long run.
Conclusion
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant that helps to improve concentration and focus. It has been used to treat narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obesity. It has the potential to enhance concentration, memory, and mental understanding, but it also has the potential to lead to addiction and other adverse outcomes. Students, working adults, and athletes all risk developing physical, mental, and social issues due to Adderall usage and addiction.
To use or prescribe Adderall safely, one must be familiar with the drug’s background, psychological and physiological effects, delivery methods, and overdose thresholds. It is also crucial to know the dangers and repercussions of misusing or abusing Adderall and to do so only under the supervision of a healthcare expert. To completely comprehend Adderall’s long-term effects on brain growth and cognitive function, further study is required.
References
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