Many people think of prescription stimulants like Adderall as safe, especially when they are widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, a new study from Mayo Clinic shows that even a single dose of this drug can have noticeable effects on the heart and blood pressure in healthy young adults who do not need it for medical reasons.
Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These substances act on the brain to improve focus and attention.
When prescribed by a doctor and taken under supervision, Adderall can be very helpful for people with ADHD. But in recent years, more people have started using it without a prescription, often to stay awake, study longer, or improve performance.
The new study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, aimed to understand what happens in the body when healthy young adults take Adderall without medical supervision. The researchers focused on how the drug affects the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart and blood vessels.
The team gave a single 25 milligram dose of Adderall to participants who had no previous medical need for the drug. They then measured changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and activity in the body’s stress system.
The results showed clear and immediate effects. After taking the drug, participants experienced increases in both blood pressure and heart rate. This means that the heart had to work harder, even though the individuals were healthy and at rest.
One of the most striking findings was how the body reacted when participants stood up. Normally, when a person stands, the heart rate increases slightly to help maintain blood flow. Before taking Adderall, the average increase was about 19 beats per minute. After taking the drug, this increase doubled to 38 beats per minute.
This suggests that Adderall makes the body more sensitive to simple changes like standing up, putting extra stress on the cardiovascular system.
The researchers also found that the drug activated the body’s stress response. This system is designed to help people react quickly in dangerous situations, but when it is activated unnecessarily, it can strain the heart and blood vessels.
These findings are important because they show that even one dose of Adderall can have strong effects on the body. Many people who use the drug without a prescription may not be aware of these risks.
The study’s authors emphasized that their findings apply to nonmedical use of Adderall. When the drug is prescribed by a doctor and monitored carefully, it is considered safe and effective for treating ADHD. However, using it without medical guidance can lead to unexpected and potentially harmful effects.
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Source: Mayo Clinic.
