Adderall has become a popular drug that is constantly being illegally used by many college students. With so many questions being asked by students, we decided to ask a health expert who works in the practice of Jack Mannheimer, MD. Hopefully some of the answers to these questions will change the opinions and views that students have about Adderall.
By: Shannon Windisch
1 ) What exactly is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Chemicals that are in the brain as well as nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control are also affected. It affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
- This little blue pill has raised so many questions by college students even though it is used so much around campus. This photo is credited to www.wonderlandcenter.com
2 ) How does Adderall affect your daily performance?
Adderall increases the norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain. Norepinephrine is a stress hormone that affects the part of the brain where attention and responding action is controlled. Dopamine helps many functions in the brain such as cognition, motor activity, sleep, mood, attention, and learning. By doing this, alertness, concentration and overall cognitive performance are increased.
3 ) Are there any side effects to Adderall and if so, what are they?
Yes, there are multiple side effects. Some of them include increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid weight loss due to a decrease in apetite, trouble sleeping, headaches, as well as chest pain. Patients are required to have scheduled visits to their doctor because of the increase in heart rate and rapid weight loss. These side effects are checked and monitored during the patients scheduled doctor visits.
4 ) How can Adderall be taken? Is there only a pill form?
When prescribed to a patient, Adderall only comes in a pill form but it can be taken in two different forms. It can be taken either as an immediate release or extended release. The extended release is known as Adderall XR. Taking the extended release allows for the Adderall to be dispersed in even amounts throughout the course of the day, but the immediate release is dispersed all at once.
5 ) What are some of the extreme side effects of Adderall if it is taken improperly by an individual who does not need it?
Adderall that is taken improperly by an individual who does not need it is often classified as using it as a recreational drug. When using the drug for recreational purposes, individuals commonly take it orally as well as snorting it. The consequences of Adderall abuse can be extremely dangerous. Taking high doses of a stimulant drug can result in an irregular heartbeat, high body temperatures, and the potential for cardiovascular failure or seizures.
6 ) Can you become addicted to Adderall?
Adderall can become addicting in a more mental way then physiologically way. The drug is different from narcotics, which your body becomes dependent on it. Adderall causes a more mental dependency and doesn’t have with-drawl side effects.
7 ) How useful is Adderall to individuals who actually need it?
Adderall is very useful for people who actually need it. It is very helpful to those who struggle inside the classroom. More often than not, Attention Deficit Disorder is not recognized in an individual until later on in development. The constant struggle with schoolwork, and test score results can be big indicators. Once a patient is prescribed medicine, focus levels increased dramatically allowing the patient to perform well inside the classroom as well as outside the classroom with daily activities.
8 ) Is Adderall too easily obtained through prescription? If yes, does this encourage the recreational sale of it?
A lot of people have said that Adderall is prescribed too easily to individuals who don’t really need it. Adderall that is prescribed very easily does have the possibility of leading to recreational sales. Due to the easy access of the Adderall through prescription on college campuses it makes it a lot easier for the recreational sale of it. Students, specifically in college, are known to sell this medication to their friends or even people they don’t know.
9 ) Although Adderall is federally regulated, what are some other steps that doctors and officials can take in reducing the use of Adderall as a recreational drug?
Doctors and officials have already begun to try and reduce the recreational use of Adderall. A pill has been designed so that the Adderall can only be released by the gastric acids in an individual’s stomach. If the pill is broken up or snorted like it is commonly done when using it for recreational purposes, the Adderall will not be released in the body.
10 ) Is Adderall expensive?
If bought without a prescription plan, Adderall can be expensive. Adderall ranges from all different prices varying on the type as well. There are some patients who are prescribed “Adderall” while others can be prescribed a generic brand. The price of Adderall all depends on the individual prescription plan as well as the kind of Adderall they are prescribed.
**The answers to these questions are given credit to a doctor in the practice of Jack Mannheimer MD. The doctor has asked to remain anonymous for privacy purposes.
Edited By : Jacqueline Williamson
