4 ms·

I've used Adderall for "performance enhancement"-usually writing essays and/or studying all night in college. Used occasionally, I'll admit it was helpful. Love

I've used Adderall for "performance enhancement"-usually writing essays and/or studying all night in college. Used occasionally, I'll admit it was helpful. Loved it. But if you don't have ADHD and you use it all the time, it can hurt you. These drugs are pretty powerful stimulants and can cause some pretty serious problems if you abuse them with any frequency. Also, Adderall won't give you willpower. If your problem is that you can't focus and get distracted, it might help you remain focused and be more productive. But if your problem is just that you'd rather play Halo, you're just going to become a more focused Halo player. Before you try performance-enhancing drugs, I think you need to examine why you're having problems studying. Are you just not interested in the material? Maybe you need to be studying something that captures your imagination. Are you depressed? In that case, if you can't find an underlying cause, you may need antidepressants or therapy or both.

bretthoerner 17y ago
> But if you don't have ADHD and you use it all the time, it can hurt you. How so? I don't think taking Adderall with or without ADHD has any different effect on the body. The doctor needs to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure closely either way. edit: Down voted... for what? I'm asking for a citation. FWIW, I have first hand experience and am (legitimately/legally) on Adderall.
- FluidDjango 17y ago
  As I understand it, there is a very different way these meds work in folks with/without ADHD. With kids at least: it is paradoxical how "hyper" kids are calmed by the use of stimulants - unlike the effects of stimulants on the rest of us. There are other threads here on hackers' experience with ritalin / adderal / their benefits, addiction potential, and side effects. There has also been an item in news in last couple days about a cardiac death for a teen prescribed one of these stimulants. Buyer (and patient) be ware: especially if your doc has not checked you out for contraindications.
  - jules 17y ago
    > With kids at least: it is paradoxical how "hyper" kids are calmed by the use of stimulants - unlike the effects of stimulants on the rest of us. I doubt it's that simple. ADHD isn't one disease. It's a lot of things lumped together under one name.
    - blueben 17y ago
      What "things lumped together"? Please substantiate. Having ADD, and having kept up on research for years, I find your assertion that it isn't a disease new and surprising.
      - jules 17y ago
        I'm not saying that you don't have a disease if you have ADD, I'm saying that ADD is not ONE disease. But I've experienced before that people who have ADD are sensitive to claims that it's not a disease (but note that I didn't say that). Here's an excerpt from wikipedia: > DSM-IV criteria > I. Either A or B:[32] A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level: > Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities. > Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions). > Often has trouble organizing activities. > Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework). > Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools). > Is often easily distracted. > Often forgetful in daily activities. Note that these vague criteria don't mention physical causes, making it highly unlikely that there's one clear physical cause for ADD in different people. That brings me to what I don't believe: > With kids at least: it is paradoxical how "hyper" kids are calmed by the use of stimulants - unlike the effects of stimulants on the rest of us. If there is no clear physical cause, then how likely is this?
- htsh 17y ago
  You might be scientifically right in questioning the veracity of that specific statement but at the same time its generally true and good advice. In other words, Adderall is a powerful drug with some potentially serious side effects. If you haven't been prescribed it, chances are it'll end up bad. For example, its got a high chance of ending up poorly if you have any sleep issues, if you have depression, if you have an addictive personality, if you're an alcoholic, or if you smoke weed (generally the paranoia one experiences from weed can make amphetamines even more dangerous). I think that's why folks are downvoting you. You might have a small point here, but its rather nitpicky. If you don't have ADD and you're using Adderall all the time, I'd bet money its going to hurt someone, which is all the OP said.
  - bretthoerner 17y ago
    But I think you're confusing "being prescribed" and "having ADHD". Plenty of people are prescribed Adderall without having any real tests done, just by saying "I can't focus!" because they want a study helper. All I'm saying is there are health risks regardless of your ADHD. It isn't as if having ADHD magically makes me immune to the side effects of Adderall. I have trouble sleeping at times and other weird effects, too. I keep my doctor up to date and get regularly checked up on. Also, you can have ADHD and be an alcoholic / smoke weed / be paranoid / depressed. As I said, I 100% agree you should go to a doctor... I'm just saying that my ADHD doesn't give me "amphetamine immunity" or anything magical.
    - htsh 17y ago
      1. You might be right that its too easy to get, but that's changing, and Adderall is a class 2 controlled substance. By the books, it should not be easy to get. 2. Completely agreed -- if you take a lot of Adderall, it can be bad regardless of whether or not you have ADD. One of the common bad outcomes results from a lack of sleep after prolonged use, and that happens across the board. 3. I meant to say that if you're an alcoholic / smoke weed / depressed / addictive personality -- you should be screened from taking Adderall, not that you can't have ADHD. In fact, many folks self-medicate their ADD by smoking weed.
    - 17y ago
dalecarnegie 17y ago
Posting anonymously I recently got a prescription for Adderall. I've had trouble with procrastination and some other behavior typically associated with adult ADHD. On a typical day, I'll eat a big breakfast, then take a pill. About an hour later I'll get a sense of euphoria and go into the zone. The euphoria wears off after another hour or so but for the next few hours I'm able to concentrate really well on whatever I'm doing. The most noticeable side effect for me has been loss of appetite. It's kinda creepy for me to look at my watch, realize I haven't eaten in 8 hours, and not feel hungry at all. I also notice sometimes that I'm thirsty, but don't bother getting a drink because I'm too engrossed in whatever I'm working on. greengirl512 is right though. I still have to force myself to start working. But once I start I don't stop. It's the same for books and video games too. In a way it's like replacing ADHD with OCD. I think it's worth trying. If you're 21 and in college it shouldn't be hard to get a pill, but I would recommend scheduling an appointment with a doctor and telling him or her what you've told us. With most health insurance, a month's prescription will cost you what a single pill would cost you from a dealer.
- deleted 17y ago
  [deleted]
seshagiric 17y ago
"...But if your problem is just that you'd rather play Halo, you're just going to become a more focused Halo player..." Totally.

bretthoerner 17y ago

> But if you don't have ADHD and you use it all the time, it can hurt you. How so? I don't think taking Adderall with or without ADHD has any different effect on the body. The doctor needs to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure closely either way. edit: Down voted... for what? I'm asking for a citation. FWIW, I have first hand experience and am (legitimately/legally) on Adderall.

FluidDjango 17y ago
As I understand it, there is a very different way these meds work in folks with/without ADHD. With kids at least: it is paradoxical how "hyper" kids are calmed by the use of stimulants - unlike the effects of stimulants on the rest of us. There are other threads here on hackers' experience with ritalin / adderal / their benefits, addiction potential, and side effects. There has also been an item in news in last couple days about a cardiac death for a teen prescribed one of these stimulants. Buyer (and patient) be ware: especially if your doc has not checked you out for contraindications.
- jules 17y ago
  > With kids at least: it is paradoxical how "hyper" kids are calmed by the use of stimulants - unlike the effects of stimulants on the rest of us. I doubt it's that simple. ADHD isn't one disease. It's a lot of things lumped together under one name.
  - blueben 17y ago
    What "things lumped together"? Please substantiate. Having ADD, and having kept up on research for years, I find your assertion that it isn't a disease new and surprising.
    - jules 17y ago
      I'm not saying that you don't have a disease if you have ADD, I'm saying that ADD is not ONE disease. But I've experienced before that people who have ADD are sensitive to claims that it's not a disease (but note that I didn't say that). Here's an excerpt from wikipedia: > DSM-IV criteria > I. Either A or B:[32] A. Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level: > Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities. > Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly. Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions). > Often has trouble organizing activities. > Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn't want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework). > Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools). > Is often easily distracted. > Often forgetful in daily activities. Note that these vague criteria don't mention physical causes, making it highly unlikely that there's one clear physical cause for ADD in different people. That brings me to what I don't believe: > With kids at least: it is paradoxical how "hyper" kids are calmed by the use of stimulants - unlike the effects of stimulants on the rest of us. If there is no clear physical cause, then how likely is this?
htsh 17y ago
You might be scientifically right in questioning the veracity of that specific statement but at the same time its generally true and good advice. In other words, Adderall is a powerful drug with some potentially serious side effects. If you haven't been prescribed it, chances are it'll end up bad. For example, its got a high chance of ending up poorly if you have any sleep issues, if you have depression, if you have an addictive personality, if you're an alcoholic, or if you smoke weed (generally the paranoia one experiences from weed can make amphetamines even more dangerous). I think that's why folks are downvoting you. You might have a small point here, but its rather nitpicky. If you don't have ADD and you're using Adderall all the time, I'd bet money its going to hurt someone, which is all the OP said.
- bretthoerner 17y ago
  But I think you're confusing "being prescribed" and "having ADHD". Plenty of people are prescribed Adderall without having any real tests done, just by saying "I can't focus!" because they want a study helper. All I'm saying is there are health risks regardless of your ADHD. It isn't as if having ADHD magically makes me immune to the side effects of Adderall. I have trouble sleeping at times and other weird effects, too. I keep my doctor up to date and get regularly checked up on. Also, you can have ADHD and be an alcoholic / smoke weed / be paranoid / depressed. As I said, I 100% agree you should go to a doctor... I'm just saying that my ADHD doesn't give me "amphetamine immunity" or anything magical.
  - htsh 17y ago
    1. You might be right that its too easy to get, but that's changing, and Adderall is a class 2 controlled substance. By the books, it should not be easy to get. 2. Completely agreed -- if you take a lot of Adderall, it can be bad regardless of whether or not you have ADD. One of the common bad outcomes results from a lack of sleep after prolonged use, and that happens across the board. 3. I meant to say that if you're an alcoholic / smoke weed / depressed / addictive personality -- you should be screened from taking Adderall, not that you can't have ADHD. In fact, many folks self-medicate their ADD by smoking weed.
  - 17y ago

dalecarnegie 17y ago

Posting anonymously I recently got a prescription for Adderall. I've had trouble with procrastination and some other behavior typically associated with adult ADHD. On a typical day, I'll eat a big breakfast, then take a pill. About an hour later I'll get a sense of euphoria and go into the zone. The euphoria wears off after another hour or so but for the next few hours I'm able to concentrate really well on whatever I'm doing. The most noticeable side effect for me has been loss of appetite. It's kinda creepy for me to look at my watch, realize I haven't eaten in 8 hours, and not feel hungry at all. I also notice sometimes that I'm thirsty, but don't bother getting a drink because I'm too engrossed in whatever I'm working on. greengirl512 is right though. I still have to force myself to start working. But once I start I don't stop. It's the same for books and video games too. In a way it's like replacing ADHD with OCD. I think it's worth trying. If you're 21 and in college it shouldn't be hard to get a pill, but I would recommend scheduling an appointment with a doctor and telling him or her what you've told us. With most health insurance, a month's prescription will cost you what a single pill would cost you from a dealer.

deleted 17y ago
[deleted]

seshagiric 17y ago

"...But if your problem is just that you'd rather play Halo, you're just going to become a more focused Halo player..." Totally.