Why does adderall curb your appetite

Abusing Adderall Since , the number of prescriptions for all amphetamine-based drugs used to treat ADD — including Concerta and Strattera — have skyrocketed. Sales for Adderall XR extended release have more than doubled in the past five years, from 4.

And online, Adderall ranks right up there with Viagra in most-hawked pharmaceuticals on the Internet; indeed, type in the words "Adderall abuse" and you're likely to be directed to a site that sells the stuff.

Just why Adderall helps people with ADD is a little unclear. But scientists believe that sufferers have some imbalance of three chemicals in the brain dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin — and that Adderall helps by inhibiting the reuptake of these chemicals so they remain in the synapses longer, says Paul Thompson, professor of neurology and director of a neuroimaging lab at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.

For the most part, Adderall is used exactly the way it is prescribed — to increase concentration among those with ADD. But there is a tempting yet dangerous side effect to all stimulants : They stimulate the dopamine — or pleasure — center of the brain, which causes a feeling of euphoria and a loss of appetite.

So it's no great surprise that the young and beautiful, many of whom have grown up bumming their friends' Adderall to increase their mental edge at exam time, do not necessarily want to give it up when studying is no longer the issue.

Alex Geana is a year-old New Yorker transplanted from L. When he was growing up in the suburban L. I remember one of my friends was always like, 'I can clean my room and really concentrate Charles Sophy is not at all surprised by the prevalence of Adderall use for weight loss.

In addition to being the medical director for the L. County Department of Children and Family Services, Sophy is a psychiatrist with many celebrity clients. Some, he says, are using it for weight loss, while claiming they need it for their ADD. Adderall can cause serious side effects, which is a good reason not to misuse it to lose some weight. A few of the many possible side effects of Adderall use include:.

Adderall use is especially dangerous for people with heart defects or other heart problems. Even if you have ADHD or narcolepsy, your doctor will likely not prescribe Adderall for you if you also have a heart condition or a high risk of developing one. Adderall has a boxed warning, the most serious warning the FDA provides. It states that Adderall has a high risk of dependence, which means that you can become psychologically and physically addicted to it. The warning also advises that Adderall can cause sudden death as well as serious heart problems.

A possible side effect of Adderall use in young people who take the medication to treat ADHD is slowed growth and poor weight gain. However, that seemed to change in later years. Children who took stimulants seemed to gain more weight than those who did not use the drugs at all. They can answer your questions and give you guidance on diet.

If needed, the doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian for more specialized care. It should only be used with a prescription from your doctor. The stimulant increases blood pressure and heart rate, which increases energy.

So, people taking the drug will have a higher level of physical activity. So will the suppression of appetite, and increased physical activity, many will abuse this drug for weight loss. However i did not find that the drug is used for weight loss. I found study drugs were mainly used for studying, rarely used as a way to lose weight. Interesting post. Yet these students and others may not understand the serious risks of taking this prescription drug.

As a stimulant, it raises the risk of having cardiac problems. It may also trigger mental health issues, including increased aggression, depression, hallucinations and mania. Rachel Morgan. Previously working for the North Carolina Community College System, Rachel Morgan has been a freelance writer and editor for over six years. She has a bachelor's degree in public health as well as a master's degree in English. Students may turn to Adderall to help them cram for exams as well.