If you have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, you may take Adderall for relief of symptoms. Adderall is the brand name for amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is a central nervous system stimulant that works to bring your brain to a normal state from its usual state of overstimulation. Another accepted use of Adderall is to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes sudden and unpredictable daytime drowsiness.
According to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, it is safe for you to take Adderall as long as a doctor prescribes it to you and you follow the instructions he or she gives you for taking it. Many people who take Adderall are teenagers who sometimes share it with their friends. It is both illegal and dangerous to take medication for which you do not have a prescription. However, some young people hope to gain specific benefits from it.
Weight loss
Because stimulants such as Adderall speed up the metabolism and suppress appetite, some young people use them as a weight loss aid. This is not only dangerous but ineffective. Taking Adderall in a way other than what your doctor prescribes can damage the brain or the heart. Not only that but, while you may see short-term loss, the weight comes back once you stop taking the pills.
Academic performance
Many young people who abuse Adderall think that it will help them get better grades by improving focus when studying. While it is true that stimulants such as Adderall can make you feel more alert, they have no effect on your cognitive function. In other words, they do not improve your thinking. They only make you feel as though your performance has improved.
It is not only against the law for you to take medications for which you do not have a prescription. It is also illegal to share your prescription drugs with others.