Adderall is a stimulant medication that is frequently prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can be an effective treatment, but it comes with risks and side effects.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is an amphetamine that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating ADHD. The drug is a combination of two different amphetamine salts: dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine. Amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that increase alertness, concentration, and energy levels. Adderall works by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain—two chemicals that play a role in attention and focus.
How Does Adderall Work?
Adderall works by stimulating neurotransmitters, which are small chemical messengers that send signals between nerve cells in the brain. When someone takes Adderall, the drug stimulates neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine to improve focus and concentration.
Risks Related to Adderall
Adderall has many side effects that can be dangerous. The most common ones include dry mouth, loss of appetite, and insomnia. These side effects usually fade after you stop using the drug. Other possible side effects include headaches, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, and high blood pressure.
The most serious risks associated with Adderall are heart problems. You may have an abnormal heart rhythm or even have a heart attack if you take this medication without having been diagnosed with or being treated for heart disease first.
Adderall’s popularity among teens and young adults may be because it is often abused by college students looking for an academic edge or by those who want to stay up all night partying.
Teenagers and young adults take Adderall because it makes them feel energetic, alert, focused and creative. Many students say that taking Adderall helps them study more effectively but there are many risks involved with using this drug without a prescription from a doctor or other health professional.
When taken as prescribed by a doctor, Adderall can be helpful for people with ADHD or narcolepsy but there are many side effects associated with taking too much or abusing this medication over time.
When Do Amphetamines (Adderall) Become a Problem?
Amphetamines are a class of drugs that are used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The most common amphetamine is the drug Adderall, which is a combination of dextroamphetamine and levoamphetamine. It is also available in generic forms.
Amphetamines are addictive when taken for recreational purposes or without a prescription from a medical professional who has diagnosed an underlying condition that requires treatment with these medications. Adderall abuse is especially common among college students who use it to improve their grades or study habits because it stimulates their central nervous system and boosts energy levels so they can stay awake for long periods of time without feeling fatigued or sleepy.
The key is to use amphetamine responsibly and only when it is prescribed by your doctor. If you feel that the drug is getting in the way of your life or causing more problems than it solves, talk to your doctor about getting off of it.