Does Adderall help you study better and concentrate more?

We live in an extremely competitive society, in which a high level of performance and productivity is required in practically all areas of life and continuously. Work and access to the labor market is one of the areas in which it can be seen the most. Studies are another of them, especially at the university level: young students are under a lot of pressure in order to pass and get the highest grade. possible in order to stand out and be able to obtain in the future the best job that can be achieved, sometimes reaching marathon efforts in the summer season. exams.

The pressure can become excessive, to the point that some people decide to resort to some substances and drugs that supposedly can facilitate concentration and ability cognitive. One of these substances is a psychostimulant drug called Adderall, intended for the treatment of various disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Is Adderall useful for studying and concentrating? It is something that we are going to talk about throughout this article.

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What is Adderall?

The drug known as Adderall is a type of psychoactive drug with powerful stimulant properties, which is formed by the combination of two types of amphetamine salts. Specifically, it is a synthetic substance that arises from the combination of dextroamphetamine (75%) and levanfetamine (25%).

This substance acts to a great extent increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine at the brain level, being an agonist of the receptors of said neurotransmitters at the presynaptic level. It also generates an agonist action on serotonin receptors, but the effect on this neurotransmitter is much less.

The effects of this drug are practically similar to those of cocaine, generating an increase in brain activity as well as feelings of euphoria, increased level of alertness, less time to reaction to stimuli and resistance to fatigue and sleep, as well as an increase in the ability to focus and lucidity mental. It also seems to generate an increase in the ability to motivate oneself, as well as an improvement in physical capacity and resistance and alterations in libido, frequently causing an increase in it. It also reduces the need to rest and sleep, as well as appetite and the perception of the need to hydrate.

When it's used?

Adderall is mainly thought of as a drug that, in small and correctly prescribed doses, allows the treatment of different disorders. Thus, the main application of this drug, sold by prescription, is therapeutically oriented.

Specifically Adderall is indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, generating in subjects with this disorder an improvement in their capacity for self-control, in the reduction of disruptive behaviors and in the focus of attention. In addition, it also enhances your ability to motivate and concentrate.

This may seem counterintuitive given that amphetamines often increase activity and energy and that at the symptomatological level Many children with ADHD have great restlessness and energy, but it has been observed in those with this disorder that there is a brain level a deficit and dysregulation of dopamine and norepinephrine in different brain nuclei.

Another disorder in which Adderall is indicated is in narcolepsy, showing some effectiveness in reducing daytime sleepiness.

But Adderall's psychostimulant capabilities have not only been used therapeutically. Given that in a population without any of the above disorders the effects are similar to those of cocaine, it has been observed that often used recreationally due to its euphoric properties. Likewise, like other derivatives of amphetamines, they have sometimes been used by athletes in order to enhance their performance and reduce fatigue and exhaustion.

Lastly, and since it seems to favor the ability to concentrate, cognitive capacity, mental lucidity or even the ability to memory, it is being seen that Adderall is increasingly used by students in order to enhance their capacities for study,. That is, it is used as a nootropic, despite the fact that its use should always be indicated by doctors. It is on this last application that we will focus.

Is it really useful for studying?

Studies on the properties as a nootropic of Adderall have been investigated by different groups of experts, finding that although Adderall causes an increase in some cognitive abilities, it also has a detrimental effect on others, in such a way that the overall capacity of the subject does not improve too much. Likewise, through experiments with cases in which part of the participants consumed this drug and others were provided placebo, it was observed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of performance.

Specifically, in a recent experiment it has been observed that subjects taking Adderall did showed an increase in attention span and they tended to give a greater number of answers (although this does not imply that they were correct), although in the execution of memory tasks they showed worse performance.

A result that has also been interesting is the fact that the euphoric properties of Adderall They generated a noticeable sensation of activation and it enhanced the subjective sensation of feeling better and more sure of herself.

Other studies state that it allows to increase the level of activity, energy and concentration, but nevertheless it seems reduce the creativity of those who consume it by decreasing sensitivity to new stimuli by generating a hyperfocus.

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Possible risks of its use

Regardless of whether or not it has a nootropic effect, when Adderall is used therapeutically the doses used are carefully measured by professionals who are going to prescribe a therapeutic dose and reduce the effects as much as possible secondary. However, its use as a nootropic or as a stimulant drug It is usually given in doses that are not controlled and do not take into account possible side effects, which can be serious.

Among its risks we can find the appearance of insomnia problems, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, dysfunction erectile dysfunction, depression (after the effect wears off), irritability, headaches, excessive sweating, lack of appetite and tachycardias. It can cause heart problems such as arrhythmias, and in severe cases, it can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

In high doses it can also cause neurotoxicity. and cognitive loss, hallucinations and delusions, and kidney problems. Likewise, in certain doses it is possible that Adderall causes addiction (although in therapeutic doses this risk

That is why it is contraindicated for people with heart problems, diabetes, kidney or liver problems, psychotic disorders, anorexia nervosa, glaucoma, thyroid problems, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome, or depression. It is also contraindicated for diabetics.

Bibliographic references:

• Rettew, D. (2018). Does Adderall Make You Smarter?. Psychology Today [Online]. Available in: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/abcs-child-psychiatry/201807/does-adderall-make-you-smarter.
• Weyandt, L.L, White, T.L., et al. (2018). Neurocognitive, Autonomic, and Mood Effects of Adderall: A Pilot Study of Healthy College Students. Pharmacy, 6(3): 58.