Does Adderall Cause Weight Loss Or Weight Gain: Unlock The Truth Behind It
There has been a significant rise in the case of obesity these days. These are mainly due to our unhealthy standard of living. People who are extremely overweight often get body shamed, which decreases their confidence. They try every possible way to lose weight faster, and in this process, often harm their body. Recently, there has been significant growth in the cases of taking Adderall to reduce body weight. There is no such theory to prove the fact that Adderall would be useful for their condition. This information might make many of us wonder Does Adderall Cause Weight Loss?
If you are someone who wants to manage their weight and is thinking of trying the highly potent Adderall, then this blog is the perfect spot to clear all your doubts. Further, we will be discussing how and why does Adderall cause weight loss, risks associated with using Adderall, and some other safer alternatives to try for managing your weight.
An Overview Of Adderall
The drug Adderall is primarily used for the treatment of patients suffering from ADHD and narcolepsy. This drug is formed from the combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts. Adderall raises the level of certain neurotransmitters in the body, helping people to feel calm and relaxed. This drug tends to increase concentration and focus in people, for which it is also often misused. They are used illegally by students to increase their focus, by athletes as a performance enhancer, and also as a source of recreation.
Adderall is highly vulnerable to causing an increased dependency and addiction in individuals taking it with or without a prescription. This is the reason why it is placed under the category of Schedule II drug. Selling and buying Adderall illegally is a highly punishable offence, so certain people do this by using a different name for the drug, termed as street names. Various street names of Adderall include:
- Addies or addys
- Bennies
- Black beauties
- Truck drivers
- Uppers
- Turnaround
- Crosses
- Dexes
- Speed
Does Adderall Cause Weight Loss?
There are no such studies available that prove Adderall to be an effective medication for weight loss. Individuals taking Adderall face certain side effects, such as loss of appetite, and this can ultimately lead to weight loss. Taking Adderall primarily for weight loss is not a wise decision because Adderall is an ADHD medication and is only used by individuals facing this disorder. In some cases, where other drugs do not seem to be very effective doctor may prescribe you Adderall. The doses are very low because this drug can make people addicted to it.
How Does Taking Adderall Cause Weight Loss?
If an individual is taking Adderall, then their appetite keeps decreasing, which is one of the side effects caused by Adderall. Due to this, the body gets fewer calories and loses weight. Adderall may also affect the metabolic rate of the body, which speeds up certain functions like heart rate that causing the body to burn more and more calories. How quickly does adderall cause weight loss is an unknown fact, so it may take some time to show the effects. But remember that all these effects are not permanent, and by regular intake, the body adapts itself to the drug and gains back its original state. It’s better not to depend upon this drug to get help in changing your condition.
Dangers Of Using Adderall For Weight Loss
Taking Adderall for managing weight is not a safe option and comes with a lot of risks. You should only take any such steps if advised by your doctor. The various risks associated with these are:
Physical health risks
- Sleep issues like insomnia, anxiety, irritability
- Various heart problems such as high blood pressure, and blood pressure.
- Severe nutritional deficiencies caused due to loss of appetite
Addiction
- Increased tolerance for the drug requires you to take higher doses.
- Getting heavily addicted to the drug and developing withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit.
In addition to all these, individuals may also develop an eating disorder and unhealthy weight loss due to a sudden lowering of food intake, which may give rise to several other health risks.
Safer Alternatives
There are numerous other options available for weight loss, which are effective without having to face the severe consequences of Adderall use. Let’s discuss them in detail.
Daily Excercise
- Try to exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes to keep yourself healthy.
- Start with some basic exercises and gradually shift to more intense ones. Do not overdo it, and increase your pace slowly and steadily.
Healthy Diet
- Diet plays a major role in weight changes, so try to control your diet and include more healthy options like carbs, which are effective for weight loss.
- Exclude processed foods and ask for a nutritionist to prepare a diet plan, which might be helpful for you.
Lifestyle Changes
- Get an adequate amount of sleep to reduce cravings.
- Stop alcohol consumption and instead drink enough water throughout the day.
- Eat your food slowly by chewing every bite to help with faster digestion.
- Ask for help from the professionals to help you develop a treatment plan and follow that daily without fail.
Medications
- Certain medicines like Phentermine, Bupropion, Naltrexone, Saxenda, Wegovy, etc, are useful for people whose weight can’t be managed by home remedies.
- Take these drugs as prescribed by the doctor and do not overdose.
The Effect Of Adderall On Children
Adderall is not suitable for reducing weight in children. It can stop their growth from a very small age due to a loss of interest in taking any food. A study revealed that children taking Adderall tend to be overweight in the future as compared to children who do not take this drug. If you notice drastic weight loss in your child after taking Adderall, then consult a doctor immediately and ask them to suggest other alternatives.
Conclusion
If you are considering taking Addrall for weight reduction, then you might have to rethink your choice. It is best not to use this drug and rather choose other better options available, which would be more effective. Do not try easier shortcuts or other desperate methods to lose weight faster. Design a proper plan and just stick to it regularly to achieve more effective and permanent solutions. Try to ignore any negative comments made and just focus on your self-improvement.