If you are taking Adderall, knowing the risks to your health is essential, especially if you’re also consuming medical or recreational marijuana. While both of these substances have their fair share of benefits, too much use and mixing them can endanger your health.
What You Should Know About Adderall
Adderall is a psychostimulant drug. It is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It also causes the release of dopamine and increases levels of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that helps control learning and focus. It also improves reaction time and alertness.
While Adderall is often used in treating ADHD, it is commonly misused for non-medical reasons. Because of the increased amount of dopamine it releases and its effect on areas of the brain involved in reward, Adderall can be habit-forming. However, it is not classified as a controlled substance, making it easier to obtain. Anyone can legally buy it recreationally from a pharmacy.
Side Effects of Using Adderall
Some of the side effects of using Adderall include dry mouth and insomnia. There is also the potential for mental health issues. These side effects can include:
- Dementia
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Anxiety
In addition to side effects, there are also potential physical side effects. These include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Appetite suppression
- Weight loss
In high doses, Adderall can cause chest pain and irregular heart rhythms. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. Because Adderall increases the heart rate and blood pressure, the increased risk of stroke is a serious concern.
Adderall Addiction
It is important to remember that there are legitimate medical uses for Adderall. However, these uses are for people with medical conditions. The recreational use of Adderall is unsafe and can have severe consequences on one’s health.
Adderall abuse and addiction are real. They can lead to severe health problems and even death. It is also possible to suffer withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug.
Adderall And Marijuana Interactions
As with any drug, Adderall can interact negatively with other substances. In the case of marijuana, the effects of the two drugs are very different. Both substances can be abused and potentially addictive, but the recreational use of marijuana has become socially acceptable and legal in many places.
It is also well-known that marijuana can decrease the effectiveness of Adderall. However, it is unclear whether this is due to neurochemical or pharmacokinetic mechanisms. There are several possible ways in which this interaction could occur.
One way is through competitive inhibition at receptor sites for the neurotransmitter dopamine. Adderall works by increasing the availability of dopamine or the neurotransmitter in the brain’s reward center. As such, it can affect mood and motivation.
Marijuana use has also been shown to increase heart rate. By increasing the heart rate, it is possible that the increased blood flow could increase the rate at which Adderall is metabolized. That could potentially reduce the amount of time that Adderall is in effect.
Adderall And Marijuana Abuse
The most dangerous part of the interaction between Adderall and marijuana is the potential to abuse either substance alone or both drugs together. Because marijuana is illegal in some states, misuse of the drug will likely continue. It is also possible that the number of people who abuse marijuana and Adderall together will increase.
Marijuana abuse can cause changes in the brain that could lead to other drugs being abused. That is because psychoactive medications can cause changes in the neurons in the brain. These changes occur because of the damage to the neurons that happens with drug use.
Marijuana is often smoked as a joint, bong, pipe, or cigar, which means that it is inhaled. By smoking it, it is delivered rapidly into the bloodstream.
Adderall is not inhaled, but it is ingested. It takes longer for it to reach the bloodstream. For this reason, it is more difficult to overdose by the use of marijuana. However, the risk of a fatal overdose is still possible. Thoroughly researching the effects and side effects of Adderall and marijuana is the best way to avoid any overdoses.
Keep in mind that there is a risk of death with both marijuana and Adderall, but it is higher with Adderall because it is a controlled substance.
Adderall And Marijuana Overdose
Adderall and marijuana can both be addictive and cause severe side effects. Using them together can increase the risk of an overdose. It is important to remember that an overdose could have fatal consequences. It is also important to know that it is possible to abuse both drugs.
Marijuana is illegal in some states, but it is beginning to be more socially acceptable in others. This is a good reason it remains a popular drug of abuse among users.
Adderall overdose is more likely to cause severe and lasting side effects, such as psychosis and seizures. Some of the side effects that may occur with an Adderall overdose include:
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory problems
- Seizures
- Constipation
- Nausea
Signs And Symptoms Of An Adderall and Marijuana Overdose
By mixing Adderall and marijuana, it is possible to overdose on either substance or both. An overdose from either drug could have fatal consequences. As such, you must know the signs and symptoms of an overdose. Examples of these include:
- High blood pressure
- High heart rate
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Psychosis
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Psychosis
- Increased body temperature
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
It is also essential to know the signs and symptoms that could result from an interaction between Adderall and marijuana. The lethal dose of Adderall is high and is not common among people without a prescription. Meanwhile, the lethal dose of marijuana is higher than that of Adderall and is more likely to cause an overdose. The toxic effects of marijuana are due to the chemicals and are not dependent on dosage.
The signs and symptoms that could be the result of a marijuana overdose include:
- Altered breathing pattern
- Stomach pain
- Abdominal pain
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Headache
- Cough
- Dry mouth
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
- Bloodshot eyes
- Confusion
- Agitation
- Disorientation
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Coma
- Death
How to Recover
The most common way of treating an Adderall and marijuana overdose is by treating the symptoms that develop. There are specific medications that can be used to treat a marijuana overdose that can be used for either drug.
Treatment centers offer safe and supportive environments while you work towards a positive recovery. A treatment center will offer you many tools to help you recover from an Adderall and marijuana addiction. These tools include:
- Personalized treatment
- Individual and group therapy
- Nutritional guidance
- Behavioral therapy
- Medication
- Group support
- Family support
Conclusion
Drugs interact in particular ways that can cause devastating side effects. It is essential to be aware of these interactions to avoid them and prevent an overdose. Knowing about the specific interactions of Adderall and marijuana is vital to your health and safety. If you are afraid of these drugs’ side effects or risks, know that you do not need to be alone. Many people are fearful of the side effects and seek help.
Source: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants
