Drug and Alcohol
What Happens When You Mix Adderall and Weed?
Mixing Adderall and weed can be risky. both drugs are addictive. Learn about the risks and reasons behind mixing Adderall and weed in our blog.
Drug abuse is misusing drugs for recreational purposes or taking more of a drug than what is prescribed to them. A few categories of prescription drugs that the masses have misused include prescription painkillers, cough syrup, and stimulants like Adderall.
You may have heard about Adderall. It is generally prescribed to people suffering from a mental health disorder known as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This condition is pretty common in teenagers nowadays, and most abusers of this drug are teenage students.
Why? This drug produces effects that help students concentrate, and thus it is often misused during tests and other exams. However, Adderall is misused chiefly for recreational purposes. It is often combined with other substances like weed to neutralize and eliminate its adverse side effects. But is the mixing of the two drugs safe? What exactly happens when someone mixes these two drugs? This article will teach us about these questions and more information on Adderall and weed. Stay tuned to learn more.
Substance abuse has become one of the biggest health crises of the modern world. Its debilitating effects are not restricted to any region, as it has impacted everyone around the globe. Many people think that it is hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin that are ruining the world. They do not realize that besides the highly addictive drugs, people are also getting hooked on medications.
Prescribed medications have created many menaces, especially in the case of the people in the United States of America. More and more people are misusing them for recreational purposes. Whether it is a weight loss medication, cough syrups, nasal sprays, or injectable solutions, all of these medicinal drugs are getting abused by people. More than cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines cases, the country is seeing a rapid rise in the misuse of precipitation drugs. The biggest problem associated with its rise is it's impacting the lives of thousands of teenagers and even older adults. Unfortunately, there is a lack of clarity around misusing this medication and how one can describe its abuse.
Well, the answer has been given by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) DrugFacts. Accordingly, anyone taking medication inappropriately (Eg. without precipitation or snorting the medication instead of orally consuming it) will be constituted as precipitation abuse or misuse. The primary purpose of any prescription drug is to relieve or manage problems they face. Precipitation medication comes in various forms. Some are for mental health problems, while others can be painkillers.
By the Numbers:
Around 5 million or 2.1% of American adults have misused prescription stimulants in past years - National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription stimulant that is very addictive. It is a central nervous system stimulant that is an amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The effects of Adderall are quite similar to that of methamphetamine. The common trade names for this drug are Adderall and Mydayis. As mentioned above, this is a medication that is given to treat the condition ADHD which is pretty common among teens.
Adderall is a combination drug known as mixed amphetamine salts. Mixed amphetamine salts contain four salts of amphetamine:
Amphetamine aspartate
Amphetamine sulfate
Dextroamphetamine saccharate
Dextroamphetamine sulfate
Adderall is also used in the treatment of sleep-related disorders and narcolepsy. It is generally given in tiny doses as it is very potent and can quickly create user dependency. In 1996, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this drug. Since then, it has been a commonly prescribed drug for children and adults. Some cases have been where kids in eighth or ninth grade started using Adderall. This is very dangerous as it increases the risk of future drug dependence—the U.S. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified Adderall under Schedule II of controlled substances. The classification of the drug under Schedule II points out that Adderall has medicinal value but has a potential for abuse and physical dependency.
What Is Adderall Used For?
Adderall is a prescribed drug for conditions related to ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), narcolepsy, and more. This medication is a combination of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and belongs to the stimulant class of drugs. Adderall works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.
By ingesting this medication, one would experience better cognitive function. It would help control one's behavior by making you pay more attention to the surroundings and increasing your scope of focusing and concentrating on an activity. It also helps with behavioral problems by improving organization and listening skills. In addition, it helps people with sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy and helps them stay awake during the daytime. This is not to be used for holding off sleep or treating tiredness issues.
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Some Adderall Side Effects
While Adderall is a precipitation medication that has to be taken as per doctors' instructions, it does not mean it is without side effects. Every medication has some side effects, which are unpredictable in many cases. However, if you are consuming the medication apart from how it has been instructed or misusing Adderall, the chances of experiencing adverse side effects are high. Some mild to severe side effects of consuming Adderall are mentioned below.
Some common side effects of Adderall are:
Mild Side Effects: These include anxiety, stomach pain, headache, dry mouth, blurred vision, weakness, committing, diarrhea, nervousness, restlessness, loss of appetite, tremors, excitability, weight gain, and more.
Severe Side Effects: These include hallucinations, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, hair loss, heart palpitation, seizure, paranoia, verbal tics, shortness of breath, swollen face, fever, chest pain, dizziness, mania, hoarseness, blistered skin, and more.
Weed and Its Usage
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug called by various names, including weed, pot, cannabis, and pot. It is a mind-altering drug made from the dried leaves of a plant known as cannabis. This plant is native to Central or South Asia but is now grown in various parts of the world due to its popularity. Weed is generally consumed in various other forms like smoked through pots, bongs, cigar wraps, blunts, etc.
The common effects of marijuana include euphoria with an altered state of mind and sense of time. The user also experiences relocation, impaired motor controls, loss of short-term memory, increased appetite, lack of concentration, and more. This mind-altering effect can be attributed to a psychoactive compound called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
Marijuana is broadly used for two types of purposes; one is recreational, while the other is medicinal. Even though various governmental agencies have not recognized the drug's medicinal uses, including the United States of America, people still use it in various forms. These forms include food items like butter, gummies, candies, beverages, baked goods, etc. In addition, various CBD oils are used by people experiencing seizures, as many attest to the marijuana being effective.
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Some Common Weed Side Effects
You may be surprised to find out that it is very difficult to classify weed as it is a stimulant, depressant, and hallucinogen all at once. Hence, this substance has various effects that are of varying in nature. However, some common side effects of weed include mood changes, risk of psychosis, altered sense, dissociation with time, trouble concentrating, hallucinations, delusions, mood changes, impaired memory, and more.
In addition, some serious side effects of using marijuana include increased heart rate, trouble breathing, slurred speech, lack of general knowledge, impeded child development in pregnant women, nausea, vomiting, etc.
What Happens When You Mix Adderall and Weed??
To understand the consequences of mixing Adderall and weed, one must first know its purpose. We have talked about the basic nature and effects of both drugs. You must have understood by now that weed and Adderall have exactly opposite effects. This means that weed produces a depressing effect by reducing distress and agitation and inducing relaxation and mild euphoria. On the other hand, Adderall improves cognitive function by inducing concentration and reducing fatigue. When someone mixes these two drugs together, there is a possibility that one experiences a more desirable high.
But is it safe?
It is generally teenagers and students who are most likely to do this. They might be experiencing some stress regarding studies or are troubled due to a stressful environment. Apart from that, there are also past substance users who are likely to combine drugs to achieve a different kind of high. Both Adderall and weed have opposing effects, and this act of mixing is known as polysubstance use. Polysubstance use is a term referred to when two different kinds of drugs are mixed together without the supervision of doctors and medical practitioners.
Now coming to the effects of mixing weed and Adderall, there had not been much research or studies done to reflect on it. However, as in many cases, it can be safely said that the effects are quite unpredictable and hence dangerous. No one exactly knows what will happen to a person as its effect can vary from one to another. The combination of both of them can offset unpleasant effects and can exacerbate the side effects of each drug. Some have attested that they have experienced elevated heart rate, heightened euphoria, increased stimulation, decreased anxiety, other heart-related side effects, and more.
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Am I Addicted to Adderall And/Or Weed?
The person struggling with addiction is often the last to realize they're addicted to a substance. Addictive substances cloud thinking, blinding a person to the damage they're causing in their lives. This is especially true for substances like weed and Adderall because they're relatively easy to get.
However, there are certain "tells" anyone can pick up on that are signs of a serious problem. It's entirely possible to abuse and get addicted to prescription drugs like Adderall, and legal substances like weed.
Symptoms of addiction include:
Needing larger doses of the substance to feel the same effects (this is called "tolerance")
Feeling cravings for weed and Adderall
Thinking about using Adderall and weed throughout the day
Using weed and Adderall constantly
Spending more time and money obtaining addictive substances
Having trouble at work, school, and home due to substance use
Prioritizing weed and Adderall over other things in your life
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using weed and/or Adderall
These are just a few red flags of addiction. If any of these sound familiar, it's important to seek professional help for addiction.
Help for Adderall and Weed Users
Hopefully, the above article has helped make you understand the dangers related to the frequent use of Adderall and weed and, most important the dangers related to mixing Adderall and weed. If you or someone you love dearly have become a victim of addiction to the above two substances, or any drug substance, the best way to deal with it is to seek help from a drug rehab facility near you.
Addiction is not one of those conditions that can be managed and treated by oneself. They need medical guidance and the support of a secure facility. Drug detox is one of the first steps after entering any professional treatment center for addiction. This is a detoxification process in which a patient's body is cleaned and all of the toxic substances are removed. A patient is most likely to experience withdrawal symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Drug rehab will manage these symptoms with the help of prescribed medication.
The next step after this is the patient's rehabilitation and initiation of the treatment program. This would vary for every patient, and the journey toward sobriety and recovery is not uniform. Every addiction and recovery story is different because every person is unique.
We’ll Lead You to New Heights
Would you like more information about the dangers of mixing Adderall and weed? Reach out today.
The Edge Treatment Center Will Help You Leave Adderall & Cannabis Abuse Behind
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic health issue that can strictly be managed and treated with the help of medical intervention. Medical intervention can have different forms, but in this case, it seeks help and guidance from drug rehab centers. Drug rehabs are medical facilities designed to help people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction problems.
The Edge Treatment Center is the nation's leading outpatient drug rehab. With years of experience, we're able to help people leave Adderall and cannabis abuse behind, developing healthy, positive lives where neither drug is necessary.
Want to learn more about our treatment programs for amphetamine addiction and cannabis addiction? Reach out to The Edge Treatment Center today.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, there is hope. Our team can guide you on your journey to recovery. Call us today.
Written by
Brian MooreContent Writer
Reviewed by
Jeremy ArztChief Clinical Officer
Drug and Alcohol
March 31, 2023