What Are they?
Adderal and Vyvanse are prescription psychostimulants (in the same family as methamphetamine) best known for treating ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), a disorder which causes problems with attention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Adderall, Vyvanse, and similar medications mimic feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine, giving a person with ADHD a calming effect and enables them to operate with an improved attention span.
For a person without ADHD, Adderall and Vyvanse provokes some of the same reactions as the fight-or-flight chemical (epinephrine) causing a rush of energy and clarity. Non-ADHD sufferers who take these medications can expect to see a surge of talkativeness, energy, euphoria and motivation. These feel-good sensations gives the brain the impression that it’s incredibly powerful and working at maximum efficiency. This makes difficult and boring tasks almost enjoyable and as a result these medications are highly sought by students as a study and test-taking aid.
For a person without ADHD, Adderall and Vyvanse provokes some of the same reactions as the fight-or-flight chemical (epinephrine) causing a rush of energy and clarity. Non-ADHD sufferers who take these medications can expect to see a surge of talkativeness, energy, euphoria and motivation. These feel-good sensations gives the brain the impression that it’s incredibly powerful and working at maximum efficiency. This makes difficult and boring tasks almost enjoyable and as a result these medications are highly sought by students as a study and test-taking aid.
Background Information
Adderall has two forms, an instant release (IR) pressed pill and an extended release (XR) capsule. Adderall IR was introduced to market for the first time in 1996 by Richwood Pharmaceuticals. In 2002 Adderall IR became a generic, enabling other companies to produce it. Name brand Adderall is currently manufactured by Shire while as of 2014, there are around ten companies that manufacture generic Adderall under the name "generic amphetamine salts."
Adderall IR and its generic brothers have no discernible differences in their effects (despite anecdotal claims on web). The main thing to look out for is the color and shape of the pill which are used to indicate the dosage amount contained. These pressed pills are also inscribed with the manufacturer. Adderall XR is contained within hundreds of tiny beads which are packaged in a capsule. The beads are physical barriers that are meant to dissolve slowly in the stomach. This lengthens the time that the drug is effective but also blunts the effects. Many prefer extended release because they describe it as "smoother". In 2008 the notoriously expensive Vyvanse was introduced by Shire and was marketed to replace Adderall as the flagship ADHD medication. This was done in part because Adderall had become generic, meaning that Shire was no longer the sole manufacturer of it. The creation of Vyvanse was a play to retake the ADHD drug market. Vyvanse is very similar to Adderall XR, with the main difference being that its extended release mechanism is chemical rather than physical. It is what is known as a Pro-Drug. The chemical in Vyvanse is the same as that of Adderall, but contains an attached molecule called lysine that renders the amphetamines inactive until the lysine breaks off during digestion over a long period of time. |
Administration
These medications are typically administrated orally with water. Adderall IR is water soluble so it can also be mixed with water or dissolved under the tongue where it is absorbed more easily into the bloodstream. Adderall IR can also be crushed and snorted nasally, although this is not recommended as dissolving under the tongue is just as effective.
For somebody without any amphetamine tolerance, 10 mg of IR or XR Adderall is more than enough to get the desired focus-increasing effects. For Vyvanse, starting out at 20 mg is best. Unlike with alcohol or marijuana, a therapeutic dose of amphetamines should at best be subtle. IR's will typically last four to eight hours where XR's and Vyvanse will last up to twelve. Be sure not to take them at night time or else sleeping will be very difficult. Often times in order to make sure that the drug is working, users will take far too much (30 mg or so) in order to feel pronounced physical effects such as tunnel vision or euphoria. 30 mg is far too much for studying or test taking and would most likely lead to increased distraction as the user becomes too stimulated. Such a large dose would also give a rather rocky come down (when the medicine wears off). Stories of a "crash" or "Adderall hangover" most likely come from users who took more than needed. Even though you may not feel like Adderall is working with a low dose, you will be surprised just how focused you will be once you sit down to study. However, even at low dosages there are many side effects that that should be expected.
For somebody without any amphetamine tolerance, 10 mg of IR or XR Adderall is more than enough to get the desired focus-increasing effects. For Vyvanse, starting out at 20 mg is best. Unlike with alcohol or marijuana, a therapeutic dose of amphetamines should at best be subtle. IR's will typically last four to eight hours where XR's and Vyvanse will last up to twelve. Be sure not to take them at night time or else sleeping will be very difficult. Often times in order to make sure that the drug is working, users will take far too much (30 mg or so) in order to feel pronounced physical effects such as tunnel vision or euphoria. 30 mg is far too much for studying or test taking and would most likely lead to increased distraction as the user becomes too stimulated. Such a large dose would also give a rather rocky come down (when the medicine wears off). Stories of a "crash" or "Adderall hangover" most likely come from users who took more than needed. Even though you may not feel like Adderall is working with a low dose, you will be surprised just how focused you will be once you sit down to study. However, even at low dosages there are many side effects that that should be expected.
Side Effects
The most pronounced physical side effects of these medications are profuse sweating, a very dry mouth and dehydration so be sure to drink lots of water. Adderall also suppresses appetite to an enormous degree. Often users can easily go for hours and hours without eating. Students who use amphetamines to study should also observe their bodies carefully for any signs of hypertension in the back, neck, jaw or legs and to relax accordingly. Dehydration, a lack of food and hypertension creates the perfect recipe for faintness or an ear-splitting headache. Amphetamines also cause an increase of heartbeat and blood pressure. Performing any heart-rate increasing activities such as exercising should be avoided.
There are also a number of mental side effects. Amphetamines often cause apprehension, mood swings, aggression, anxiety, and increased libido. Be careful as these mental changes could alienate you from your peers. The day after taking Adderall you also may notice that you have less baseline motivation and your mood may be lower than usual. In case you can't sleep or you dislike the effects of Adderall, consuming anything that contains a high amount of vitamin C will cause the Adderall to break down faster and pass through your body quicker.
There are also a number of mental side effects. Amphetamines often cause apprehension, mood swings, aggression, anxiety, and increased libido. Be careful as these mental changes could alienate you from your peers. The day after taking Adderall you also may notice that you have less baseline motivation and your mood may be lower than usual. In case you can't sleep or you dislike the effects of Adderall, consuming anything that contains a high amount of vitamin C will cause the Adderall to break down faster and pass through your body quicker.
Addictive Potential and Safety
Adderall and Vyvanse are schedule II controlled substances in the United States, placing them in the same category as cocaine and opium in terms of risk. Being caught with these drugs without a prescription is sure to come with VERY severe consequences.
Amphetamines are one of the fastest tolerance-building drugs. Effectively, after a certain period of consistent usage it will take a higher dosage to feel the same effects. Taking more each time is an easy path to abusing the drug. Amphetamines cause dopamine, our brain's habit building reward chemical, to flood the synapses in the brain, triggering motivation and an increase in mood. With frequent use the brain will begin to associate these feelings with taking amphetamines, conditioning the user to crave the drugs. Over time, Adderall and Vyvanse abuse can lead to a deficiency of dopamine, meaning that it will become difficult to be motivated to do anything (even getting out of bed or showering) without taking the drugs.
If you do not have ADHD but still decide to use Adderall or Vyvanse despite their risks, it is not recommended that you take them more than once per week. Limiting oneself in this manner is usually enough to indefinitely keep tolerance from increasing. It is also wise not to overdose on Adderall as this will cause psychosis, where the mind loses touch with reality or it will cause dopamine sickness, which shares symptoms with Parkinson's disease.
Amphetamines are one of the fastest tolerance-building drugs. Effectively, after a certain period of consistent usage it will take a higher dosage to feel the same effects. Taking more each time is an easy path to abusing the drug. Amphetamines cause dopamine, our brain's habit building reward chemical, to flood the synapses in the brain, triggering motivation and an increase in mood. With frequent use the brain will begin to associate these feelings with taking amphetamines, conditioning the user to crave the drugs. Over time, Adderall and Vyvanse abuse can lead to a deficiency of dopamine, meaning that it will become difficult to be motivated to do anything (even getting out of bed or showering) without taking the drugs.
If you do not have ADHD but still decide to use Adderall or Vyvanse despite their risks, it is not recommended that you take them more than once per week. Limiting oneself in this manner is usually enough to indefinitely keep tolerance from increasing. It is also wise not to overdose on Adderall as this will cause psychosis, where the mind loses touch with reality or it will cause dopamine sickness, which shares symptoms with Parkinson's disease.