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Is dexedrine stronger than adderall


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Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse: Stimulants

Feb 7, 2022

Growing up, there are a lot of people who suffer from ADHD. One of the main treatments of ADHD is stimulant medication. Two options are Dexedrine and Adderall, but a lot of people are curious about Dexedrine vs. Adderall. What are these two medications, and what do you need to know about the differences between them? 

What Is Adderall?

Adderal is a prescription stimulant medication. Stimulant medications are designed to increase the activity of the central nervous system. When people take Adderall, they usually experience increased focus and clarity. This can make it easier for someone to pay attention. As a result, one of the most common conditions Adderall is used to treat is ADHD. Importantly, Adderall is frequently combined with a wide variety of other treatments, including therapy, to help children who are suffering from ADHD. Adderal is also a federally controlled substance (Class 2) because it can lead to addiction and is prone to abuse.  

What Is Dexedrine?

Dexedrine is another stimulant medication that is used to increase the activity of the central nervous system. Similar to Adderall, Dexedrine is a controlled substance, and it requires a prescription to obtain. Furthermore, it is also used in the treatment of ADHD. It is typically combined with therapy to help people take a comprehensive approach to the management of ADHD. Individuals who take Dexedrine often have an easier time focusing and paying attention after doing so. Dexedrine is also a Class 2 federally controlled substance because it is prone to abuse and can lead to addiction. 

Is There a Difference Between Dextroamphetamine and Adderall?

There are a lot of similarities between the two medications. Both are prescription medications, both are stimulant medications, and both are Class 2 federally controlled substances. For those wondering, “is Dexedrine stronger than Adderall,” the answer is yes. Dexedrine is usually more potent than Adderal because Dexedrine only contains the most active ingredient, dextroamphetamine. Dexedrine is the brand name of dextroamphetamine, a common, active ingredient stimulant medication. 

On the other hand, Adderall is a combination of two ingredients; amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Even though it contains dextroamphetamine, it also contains amphetamine, which is not quite as strong. As a result, Dexedrine is more powerful than Adderall because Dexedrine only contains the most powerful stimulant ingredient. 

What Conditions Do These Medications Treat?

In general, the medications are used to treat the same condition. The most common application of both medications is in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, usually shortened to ADHD. This is a condition that is relatively common in children, and it can make it difficult for kids to focus in class. Children with untreated ADHD might have a difficult time keeping up with their schoolwork, and it could also have an impact on their social development because they fall behind their peers. Importantly, ADHD is usually treated with not only prescription medication but also therapy.

Both medications can also be used to treat narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a condition that causes people to fall asleep without warning. For example, someone might be in the middle of something important before they suddenly fall asleep. This could have an adverse impact on their overall quality of life, and stimulant medications, such as Dexedrine and Adderall, can treat this condition. 

Dealing With Addiction

Unfortunately, when comparing Dexedrine vs Adderall high, both medications are addictive. Because both medications can get someone high, they can also create a dependent situation. It is possible for people to become addicted to either medication, which is why they are federally controlled. Anyone who has concerns about addiction issues should reach out to a medical professional who can help them. At Chapman House, we have more than forty years of experience helping people overcome substance abuse issues. It would be our pleasure to help you as well. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse and addiction, contact us today!

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Dexedrine vs. Adderall: Comparing ADHD medications

Dexedrine and Adderall are brand names for two of the most widely prescribed stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD.

The medications share a similar set of possible side effects, risks, and warnings. But there are some small differences between Adderall and Dexedrine that may make one more suitable for some people than others.

Share on PinterestDexedrine is one drug that can be used to treat ADHD.
Image credit: Adam from UK, 2008

Dexedrine and Adderall both contain forms of the synthetic compound amphetamine, which is a central nervous stimulant.

Researchers still do not know exactly how amphetamine works. However, it seems to increase the release or effectiveness of certain neurotransmitters, the body’s chemical messengers, including:

  • dopamine
  • norepinephrine
  • serotonin

There are two active forms of the synthetic compound amphetamine: dextro(d)-amphetamine and levo(l)-amphetamine. Of the two forms, d-amphetamine is considered the stronger of the pair.

While the two forms of amphetamine differ in their makeup, both have proven effective for the treatment of ADHD since the 1970s.

Dexedrine contains the active ingredient d-amphetamine, while Adderall contains a 3:1 mixture of immediate-release d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine. Extended-release formulas of Adderall, such as Adderall XR, generally contain equal measures of immediate-release and delayed-release d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine.

Dexedrine is also available in a sustained-release formula (Dexedrine Spansule), containing time-release d-amphetamine.

Currently, immediate-release types of Dexedrine and Adderall are both approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD in children aged 3 and older.

The extended-release types Dexedrine Spansule and Adderall XR are not approved for use in children under the age of 6. Dexedrine Spansule is also not approved for use in individuals over the age of 16.

The administration methods may differ between Dexedrine and Adderall:

  • Dexedrine immediate-release medication comes in the form of tablets and solution.
  • Adderall immediate-release formulas are available in tablet form.
  • Both Dexedrine Spansule and Adderall XR come in capsule form.

People should take Adderall and Dexedrine first thing in the morning and again in the early afternoon. Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule usually only need to be taken once a day, ideally as soon as someone wakes up.

People should not take stimulant medication late in the afternoon or evening, as they can make it very difficult to sleep.

Adderall and Dexedrine both take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to show an effect and 3 hours to reach their highest levels in the blood. Both Adderall and Dexedrine have also been shown to be effective for around 4 to 6 hours depending on the dose.

Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule also both take around 30 minutes to 1 hour to show an effect, but take between 7 and 8 hours to reach peak blood levels. Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule can be effective for up to 11 to 12 hours depending on the dose.

A doctor will typically prescribe people with ADHD the lowest dose possible to begin with, then increase the dosage as needed.

Dosage of Dexedrine

According to the FDA guidelines, most doctors will initially prescribe 2.5 milligrams (mg) of Dexedrine to treat ADHD in children aged 3 to 5, which can be increased by 2.5 mg each week if required.

Those aged 6 and above should begin with 5 mg one or two times a day. This amount can be increased by 5 mg each week if required. It is rare that the dose should exceed a total of 40 mg in a single day.

Dosage of Adderall

The FDA suggest that children aged 3 to 5 with ADHD should take 2.5 mg of Adderall daily, increasing the dosage by 2.5 mg each week if necessary.

Those aged 6 years and above can usually begin by taking 5 mg of Adderall once or twice daily, increasing the dosage by 5 mg each week as needed.

Share on PinterestHeadache and dizziness may be side effects of both Dexedrine and Adderall.

Dexedrine and Adderall typically share the same side effects, warnings, and risks because they contain forms of the same drug.

Common side effects include:

  • upset stomach or minor stomach cramps
  • dry mouth
  • a headache
  • loss of appetite
  • difficulty sleeping or insomnia
  • dizziness
  • weight loss
  • changes in libido or impotence

Less common side effects include:

  • agitation and irritability
  • anxiety and unease
  • blurred vision
  • tics
  • nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
  • fever
  • allergic reactions, including hives, swelling, and tingling
  • chest tightness and difficulty breathing
  • extreme energy or restless
  • confusion and disorientation
  • hallucinations and paranoia
  • abnormal heartbeat and blood pressure
  • numb, cold, or pale toes and fingers
  • unexplained wounds on the toes or fingers
  • weakness, tenderness, or sore muscles for no reason
  • hair loss
  • dark red urine

Adderall and Dexedrine can also cause more serious side effects, especially when misused. Without proper medical care, side effects associated with prescription stimulant use can become life-threatening.

People experiencing some of the more common, less severe side effects of Adderall and Dexedrine should talk with a doctor.

If someone is experiencing serious side effects associated with prescription stimulants, seek immediate medical attention or call the emergency services.

Risks

Health risks associated with prescription stimulant use include:

  • weight loss
  • insomnia
  • slowed growth and development
  • changes in behavior and thought patterns
  • nerve problems that can cause seizures
  • circulation problems
  • blood vessel and heart problems
  • breakdown and release of muscle tissue into the bloodstream, which can cause kidney damage

Another possible health risk linked to prescription stimulant use is serotonin syndrome. This condition occurs when there is too much serotonin in the bloodstream. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and seizures.

Both Adderall and Dexedrine are classified as Schedule II drugs by the FDA, which means they carry a high risk of abuse and addiction.

Medications that treat ADHD are habit-forming. Even people who take their ADHD medications as prescribed usually become desensitized to these drugs over time. Some people might need to slowly increase their dosage for the drugs to remain effective.

People using Adderall and Dexedrine can experience serious side effects. Certain things can also interfere with the absorption, efficacy, or strength of the medications.

A doctor will explain how to avoid as many of the potential side effects as possible. Common warnings include:

  • avoiding alcohol
  • taking medications exactly as prescribed
  • never sharing the medications with someone
  • within 1 to 2 hours of taking the medication, avoiding things that can change how it is absorbed, such as citrus juices or fruits, antacids, and multivitamins
  • avoiding breast-feeding while taking stimulants

Some medications can interfere with how Dexedrine and Adderall work. For example, anti-histamines can counteract the effect of stimulants, and anti-depressants and antacid medications can increase the effect of stimulants.

People with certain medical conditions cannot safely use stimulants such as Adderall and Dexedrine. These conditions include:

  • heart conditions and abnormalities
  • very high blood pressure
  • advanced arteriosclerosis
  • glaucoma
  • conditions that cause agitation and anxiety
  • mental illnesses that involve psychosis
  • seizure conditions
  • past or current substance abuse
  • pregnancy

Share on PinterestA person’s age may affect which ADHD medication is most appropriate.
Image credit: neb4o1, 2017

Adderall and Dexedrine tend to cause similar effects in most people.

Everyone responds to medications differently. It usually takes time to work out which type and dose of medication work best.

Factors that may help determine which ADHD medication is best for each person include:

Age

  • Children under the age of 3 cannot safely take ADHD medications.
  • Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule are not recommended for children under the age of 6.
  • Dexedrine Spansule is not recommended for use in people over the age of 16.

Length of efficacy

Many people prefer the long-acting forms of the medications, such as Adderall XR and Dexedrine Spansule, to the short-acting formulas because they do not need to take additional doses during the day.

However, short-acting versions can allow doctors to adjust the dosage more finely to manage any side effects.

Side effects

Most people know whether or not they are going to experience any side effects within a week. If one medication causes significant side effects, they can try another form.

Cost

Both Adderall and Dexedrine are usually available in both brand and generic versions that tend to cost similar amounts.

Some insurance companies may cover one type or form of drug and not the other, or charge more for one drug than the other. People should talk with a doctor, pharmacist, or insurance agent about the best pricing options.

Adderall and Dexedrine are two of the most widely prescribed medications used to treat ADHD.

Both of the medications contain the active ingredient amphetamine. While Dexedrine contains only the most potent form of amphetamine, Adderall contains a mixture of amphetamine’s two active forms.

Most people with ADHD respond to Adderall and Dexedrine similarly, though some people may react in slightly different ways to the drugs.

If one medication is not effective or causes too many side effects, a doctor will usually recommend trying other forms of amphetamine-based medications.

Adderall Generation

Have you ever been to Anfield? Until the age of 23, when I lived in London and finished my studies, I had not even heard of him. One afternoon, I received a notification that a package I had been looking forward to all day was stuck at customs and was now in a FedEx warehouse in Enfield, an inconspicuous London suburb. I immediately left the apartment and an hour later I was on the train bound for Enfield and looked out the window at the overcast sky. This package was sent from Los Angeles and contained my month's supply of Adderall. nine0003

Adderall is the trade name for a mixture of amphetamine salts. Its circulation in the UK is regulated much more strictly than in the US. In the US, where a year earlier I had become one of the millions of people who were prescribed stimulant treatment.

The trip to Enfield was far from the highest extreme I went to in my 10 years with Adderall. It used to be that I scoured someone else's first aid kit, delved into garbage cans, where I had previously thrown out pills in an attempt to quit, wrote essays for classmates in exchange for the coveted drug. Once, when I was living in New Hampshire, I didn't show up for work. Instead, I spent 3 hours driving one way to get to a clinic where my prescription had not yet expired. I have never been more resourceful than when I needed more Adderall. nine0003

Adderall is prescribed for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurobehavioral condition that manifests itself in the form of inattention, hyperactivity and short temper. This disease has been included in the D.S.M. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - US Nomenclature of Mental Disorders - approx. Newochem ) in 1987, and it was observed mainly among children. It is also called Attention Disorder Syndrome and has been diagnosed with increasing frequency over the past decades. Thus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 19In the 90s, approximately 3-5% of school-age children were attributed to this disease. By 2013, this figure had reached 11%. It continues to grow, and with it the number of prescribed stimulants. In the 1990s, about 600,000 children took them. Mostly it was Ritalin, which in many cases had to be taken several times a day. In 2013, 3.5 million children were already taking stimulants, and Ritalin was replaced by Adderall, officially launched in 1996 as a new, improved choice for ADD patients, a more effective drug that lasts longer. nine0003

The very name of Adderall reflects the hope of its creators to expand the customer base: as Alan Schwartz writes in his new book "A.D.H.D Nation" ("AdV Nation"), the phrase "A.D.D for all" served as the basis for it. When I entered college in 2000—four years after Adderall was released—5 million people had already been prescribed it; in 2005, the year before my graduation, that number almost reached 9 million. Then the total revenue from the sale of drugs for ADHD in the United States was more than $ 2 billion.

By the mid-2000s, the number of adults being prescribed the drug was growing the fastest. In 2012, according to QuintilesIMS, an information service that specializes in medical data, Adderall was prescribed to approximately 16 million people aged 20 to 39. Now Adderall is common on campuses, students take it with or without a doctor's prescription. Let not in the majority, but in many schools, a kind of "black market" for the sale of this drug has appeared. In fact, according to a 2012 study published in Brain and Behavior, non-prescribed stimulant use was the second most common form of illegal drug use in colleges in 2004. Only marijuana gained great popularity. nine0003

We know very little about what happens as a result of many years of using Adderall during and after college, together with all the experiences that make up adolescence. To date, there are virtually no studies illuminating the long-term effect on those who take this drug. So, we are, in a way, a walking experiment. We, who were about the same age in high school, were first introduced to Adderall at a time when the drug was literally everywhere, and then, years later, could not get rid of the addiction. The question is, will we ever be able to do it. We, who are barely holding out both physically and mentally, to the point where we can take a potent drug that we don’t need at all, and so on for many, many years. Sometimes I want to call us the Adderall generation. nine0003

It is now known that Adderall owes its appearance to chance. In the late 1920s, American chemist Gordon Alles, looking for a way to treat asthma, synthesized a substance related to adrenaline. It definitely helped soften the bronchi. Alles created beta-phenylisopropylamine, better known today as amphetamine. After the test injection, the scientist reported "feeling great" followed by "a rather sleepless night," as can be seen in Nicolas Rasmussen's book Picking Up Speed: The Many Lives of Amphetamine. K 19The 30th drug, Benzedrine, which was only a trade name for amphetamine, was used to elevate mood, energize and increase focus. During World War II, US Army soldiers were given Benzedrine, which was also called "energy pills." After the war, slightly modified and called Dexedrine, this drug was prescribed for depression. Many people, especially women, loved this drug for its appetite-suppressing side effects and took it to keep from gaining weight. There was even such a weight loss remedy as Obetrol. But at the beginning of 19In the 1970s, when about 10 million people were using amphetamine, the Food and Drug Administration came up with tough regulations, and the drug fell out of such widespread use. More than 20 years later, a pharmaceutical company manager named Roger Griggs decided to "resurrect" the almost forgotten Obetrol. After refining the formula, he named the drug Adderall and put it into production, directing it to millions of children and adolescents who were diagnosed with ADHD. The current version of the drug was released a few years later. Now the time for the drug to enter the bloodstream has been extended, and the possibility of dependence, according to the creators, has decreased, which means it was easier to “get off” from it. In theory. nine0003

I first tried Adderall in my second year at Brown University. I complained to my friend about my bitter fate: by the next day I had to write 5 pages about a book that I had just begun to read. "Would you like an Adderall pill?" she offered. “I can't stand him, he makes me want to stay up all night and instead turn the 'wheel' in the hall.”

Could you think of a more tempting description? My friend squeezed two blue pills out of the foil and handed them to me. An hour later, I was in the basement of the library, the Absolutely Quiet Room, and I was in a state of incomparable euphoria. The world no longer existed, there was only me, in love with a book. I read, and thoughts appeared out of nowhere and turned, it seemed, into an incredible treasure. When dawn broke, I sat hunched over in the unkempt living room of our dorm and wrote down my feverish judgments, hardly aware that the sky outside was turning pink. I was alone in my new secret world, and that very loneliness was part of the intoxication. I didn't need anyone or anything. nine0003

Again and again I returned to this feeling over the next two years whenever I found Adderall on campus, which happened often, but not enough. The Adderall watch became the most precious watch I've ever seen, far too valuable for a Perfectly Quiet Room, of course. Now I had to sit at the farthest table in the darkest and most neglected corner of the top level of the library, as far away from the noisy life on campus as possible. This life no longer interested me. Instead, the lonely hours that I spent thinking about, for example, Immanuel Kant's judgments about "high" acquired the greatest value. nine0003

It suited me. All that was "high," those days spent in unrestricted concentration as I absorbed the complex thoughts in the book before me. I understood everything, my mind was razor-sharp, I literally absorbed books, making them a part of me. More precisely, a part of the person for whom I took myself, that cold, undistracted personality. Of course, I preferred her much more than the lazy, “slowing down” real me, suffering from bouts of fatigue and a destructive passion for Swedish Fish gummies. nine0003

Adderall dismissed the question of willpower. Now I could study all night long, then run 10 miles, then casually flip through the weekly issue of the New Yorker, all without stopping, without pausing when I might wonder if I should chat with my friends or go to the movies. That was incredible. I lost weight, which was also very nice. Even though I lashed out at my friends, suddenly displaying a fury of a depth that I could not have imagined before. Once my neighbor went home for the weekend, forgetting to turn off the alarm. He squeaked for two days behind her closed door, and I completely lost control of myself, calling her with abuse in New York. I couldn't remember the last time I slept longer than five hours. What for? nine0003

In my last year of college, my workload only increased to almost unbearable limits. For the first time, I couldn't handle it. My playful aristocratic teacher of Russian history gave me a grade for the final semester test. One Friday night in mid-December, when our ideal New England campus was empty for the winter break, I was sitting alone in the Science Library, the only one that didn't close at night. I squinted through my notes on the Russian intelligentsia. And outside the window was a blizzard. Inside, fluorescent lights illuminated the basement room. I felt strange and carefree. It's been a particularly 'chemical' week, I haven't slept for at least a few hours in days, and to make up for that I've been taking more and more pills. I looked up from the notebook, and suddenly the room seemed to expand, giving the impression that I was not in it, but in some strange mirage. Panic seized me, I did not understand what was happening. I tried to breathe, to bring myself back to reality, but nothing worked for me. On shaky legs, I reached the phone and called my friend Dave in the room. “I had some trouble in the science library,” I said in a voice that didn’t belong to me. nine0003

An hour later I was in an ambulance taking me through a snowstorm to the nearest hospital. The volunteer paramedic was student Brown, whom I only met once or twice. He held my hand the whole way. "I'm dying?" I asked him over and over again. Dave and I were in the waiting room for 4 hours until I was taken behind a screen and a skeptical looking doctor came to see me. I was not used to the way he looked at me, as if I was crazy, maybe even incompetent. But then I felt better, I was no longer so sure of my imminent death. Lying down on the couch before the examination, I even joked: “I will lie down like an ancient Roman!” His face kept an uninterested expression. I described the drug I was taking. His diagnosis was Amphetamine Use Anxiety Disorder. It was my first panic attack, an unknown and rare reaction to an Adderall overdose. At the hospital, I left a container with blue pills, which I had diligently begged for before. I still remember him lying next to the examination table. nine0003

Author: Chad Wys. Original image taken from Getty's Open Content Program. "Portrait of Louise de Kerual, Countess of Portsmouth" by Peter Lely.

A few days later, I corrected my poor academic performance and went home to New York. My father knew about the hospital incident and I promised him that I would stop taking the drug. And I honestly tried. I spent those long winter breaks at the 42nd Street Public Library idly flipping through essays I hadn't had time to sort through while on amphetamines. What I didn't know at the time, and I couldn't have known, was that no one knew if Adderall improved thinking ability when not taken as prescribed by a doctor, or if it really was a nootropic. It took a few years before studies showed that the effects on the cognitive process were more than ambiguous. Martha Farah, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania, contributed a lot to this research. She studied the Adderall effect on many standardized tests that measure closure, memory, and creativity. Overall, in tests, they found little to no improvement as a result of Adderall. Ultimately, she says, "people who experience problems improve, those who are more productive may not, and even vice versa, their cognitive performance may deteriorate"

My pill-free period did not last long. I went back to my studies, got grades every day. But as final exams approached that spring, I reverted to the familiar pattern of moments of hard work alone followed by days when I was slowly "falling back." I could do nothing for hours, eating ice cream with spoons straight from the container, satisfying my desperate need for sugar, barely finding the strength to even get to the shower.

After graduating from college, it took me a year to make a decision that determined the next stage of my life for many years to come. For me it was a revelation. I could become independent from those ADHD children who sold their prescription pills at exorbitant prices. I could get my own recipe! This idea came to me when I was walking among the palm trees on the campus of the University of California. By then, I was living in Los Angeles and working as a tutor for high school students, many of whom were taking Adderall themselves. I also took summer courses in psychology and neuroscience in order to then go to graduate school. I decided that I wanted to be a psychologist, which I felt was much more realistic than my secret dream of being a writer. Infinitely more real. Like many people in their 20s, my decisions were made in a panic and rush, but they also depended, of course, on how many pills I had. nine0003

I was now surrounded—or surrounded myself—by people who had also fallen into Adderall's trap. Together with my two closest friends, we traveled all over Los Angeles with relentless, false energy, trusting each other like never before. Adderall maintained our friendship, and if one ran out of pills, the other would make up for it. Rolling around sun-drenched Los Angeles, immersed in a trance, I easily lost count and did not know how many pills I managed to take in a day. nine0003

As soon as it became clear to me that I could get my own prescription, I ran to the nearest campus computer and searched for "cognitive behavioral psychologist, Westwood, Los Angeles, California." By then I already knew enough about psychology to avoid psychologists who would spend weeks or even months discussing with me the treatment and why I was so sure of the need for drug treatment. No, I could not turn to them - I needed a specialist, a doctor who would focus on achieving results, and all this is 10 minutes from the University of California. The very next day, I was sitting exactly where I needed to be, in a featureless room with gray walls and black leather furniture. I told the young psychologist across from me about how I always had to develop some sort of compensation strategies to keep up with my studies, how difficult it was for me to focus on one thing, how I was best at jobs that meant multitasking, like being a waitress. Of course, none of this was true, I was a focused student and a terrible waitress. I learned all this by looking on the Internet for the symptoms of ADHD and the criteria by which it is diagnosed. These were the answers that were needed for any psychologist to pick up a pencil and write "Adderall, 20 mg, once daily" on a prescription slip. So I took advantage of them. nine0003

50 minutes later, I was standing on San Vicente Boulevard in the bright California sun with a recipe in my hand. This is the only doctor's prescription I received in less than an hour, I took it with me wherever I went, whether it was Los Angeles, London (where I used FedEx services), then New Haven, where I got it once a month at a treatment center in Yale, then again in New York, where the doctor I found through insurance prescribed this drug again and again without any problems, based only on my words that I had already been prescribed it before, that I have been taking it for years. nine0003

Any book on basic neuroscience explains how Adderall affects the brain and why addiction is so hard to break. For many years, most publications by scientists like Nora Volkov, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, have described addiction research that revolved around the neurotransmitter dopamine. Amphetamine stimulates the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which rapidly spread through the synapses and increase the level of nervous system excitation, concentration, general tone and purposeful motivation. In fact, any experience that gives you a particularly pleasurable sensation, whether it's sex or eating chocolate cake, accompanies the release of dopamine. It is for this reason that dopamine is central to current models of addiction. As soon as a person begins to abuse, the brain, which strives to maintain homeostasis, tries to compensate for the excess of dopamine by blocking its own dopamine receptors. When there are fewer receptors involved, a person needs more and more of the active substance in order to achieve the desired level of euphoria. In addition, a reduction in the number of receptors can explain the withdrawal syndrome: after giving up a stimulant, a person is left to be content with the abilities of his own brain with a reinforcement system that works worse than usual. The question of whether the brain is able to recover after drug withdrawal remains open. nine0003

In 2008, three years after receiving my prescription, I found myself in a psychiatric office in New Haven, where I was completing my master's degree. Choking with sobs, I told them that my life no longer belonged to me. For a long time I convinced myself that by using Adderall I was in complete control of my fallible nature, but in reality it was quite the opposite: Adderall made my life unpredictable, raising black hurricanes over my horizon with absolutely no warning. And yet it was impossible to give up. The psychiatrist was probably a Serb, with a completely deadpan expression on his face. He calmly examined me and prescribed Wellbutrin, a mild, fast-acting antidepressant that was supposed to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms by making it less painful to quit Adderall. It sounded reassuring. But very soon I just took both drugs. nine0003

When I took Adderall, my life was a paradox. I believed that it was vital to me and at the same time I understood that it acts as a toxin, as a poison for art, love and life. In 2009, I signed a contract for a book on psychoanalysis and neuroscience, and a little later I took a one-day job as a reporter for a news site. I was required to continuously supply short, catchy details: to be lively and easily switch from one to another. The Adderall addiction was perfect for keeping up that kind of pace—and it was in stark contrast to what it takes to write a book slowly and thoughtfully. Week after week, slowness and thoughtfulness seemed more and more unattainable to me. It didn't go unnoticed to me how the internet made possible what happened at 19The 90s, when Adderall swept the market, and these two events, like a blueprint, affected the lives of Americans.

From time to time I tried to stop taking the drug. Each attempt started the same way. Step one: collect all the pills available to me, including those that are stashed in advance in kitchen drawers and closets with clothes. Spend a few hours arguing with yourself about whether to keep one "for emergencies." Break yourself with a sharp effort of will and flush the pills down the toilet. Step two: For a day or two, feel completely normal, as if I can actually handle it. Step three: to feel how time is piling on a gloomy heavy slab, when even the simplest daily actions require huge efforts, and the future is drawn into an endless series of duties that I have long been tired of doing. The work on the book stops. Panic comes. Then Adderall's inner voice suddenly takes over, forcing me to jump up from the table and get a new prescription—it's easy almost every time—or just borrow a few pills from a friend if need be. And the circle closes again. I was ashamed of these moments and kept them a secret. Few people knew the extent to which the drug actually defined my life. nine0003

Year after year, various experts in the field have told me that giving up Adderall is not that difficult. Failure will occur relatively quickly and painlessly. And I often imagined that those futile attempts at rejection were my most embarrassing failures in life. I have found some comfort in seeing my experience reflected in the large mass of individual voices coming from websites and forums dedicated to drug withdrawal. I will always remember one of these messages left by a certain mother on QuittingAdderall.com:

I started Adderall in October 2010. And my story is not particularly different from the rest. … First a honeymoon, then a cliff jump. It seems to me that I no longer remember who I was and what I felt when I spent even one minute without Adderall. I'm looking at pictures of who I was before taking the drug and I can't understand how I could ever be "happy" without it, because now I will be on the verge of a nervous breakdown if I even come close to not taking the drug for a whole day. Sometimes I cried in shame as I put my daughter to bed, because the time she spent that afternoon with her mother was not real. nine0010

“No one starts fighting addiction by saying, ‘I’m going to deal with my addiction,’” Jeanette Friedman, a social worker who works with drug addicts, told me when I met her in August in her Upper East Side office. “No one is going to be addicted. However, now taking something like Adderall is commonplace - the harm from taking such drugs seems to be insignificant, or the drug allows you to increase productivity. And in our culture, productivity is, one might say, the most important thing. Society puts a tremendous emphasis on not only being good at what you do, but constantly striving for more.” nine0003

Staying face to face with the patient, Friedman explains that what is at stake is his very ability to "become a complete person without a hint of continuous need for anything." Adderall exacerbates the usual addiction dynamics by being strongly associated with productivity, high achievement, and success. “It's very hard to accept the thought of quitting because it seems like you're losing your productive abilities,” she says. “Many recovering patients report that these abilities don't go anywhere. But the fear of losing them makes people keep using.” nine0003

I remember having similar fears at school and later at work, and you can feel them in those messages from Internet forums:

Now I feel even worse than when I had ADHD and got hooked on this thing. Right now, I don't feel like I'm capable of defending my Ph. D. I don't feel like I'm capable of doing my term paper, I've lost interest and enthusiasm for the things I used to love. Dear readers, tell me that this will pass.

Harris Stratiner, a psychologist and addiction specialist at the Caron Treatment Center in Manhattan, told me that every year he sees more people who are desperate to get off Adderall. By his count, to date he has had 50 patients ranging in age from 24 to 40 with a similar problem. For the most part, they are creative people who wanted to connect their lives with art. However, many chose other, safer paths, abandoning their dreams without even trying to fulfill them. nine0003

“Often they gave up in favor of practicality. Then they decided that they had missed their opportunity. And after taking Adderall, they began to enjoy life again and stopped constantly returning to the idea that they "sold out". Many people take this drug to hide their dissatisfaction with themselves, because it narrows their thoughts to the elementary living day after day, allows them not to think about their goals in life, ”explains the doctor.

“This creates both mental and physical dependence. This is a real drug, and getting rid of it is very difficult, ”admits Stratiner. Side effects reported by patients include nausea, chills, diarrhea, physical discomfort, pain, and even seizures. Sometimes his patients need hospitalization while getting rid of addiction. nine0003

Ultimately, I couldn't give up Adderall alone. I had a wonderful psychologist. I'm sure she saved my life. On the wall in her office hung only one painting - a reproduction of the work of Henri Matisse. As the course progressed, Matisse began to personify creativity. You start your journey in one place, painfully go to the unknown to something that can surprise you. We both agreed that Adderall was a twisted version of that journey. I was 30 when I finally got rid of the addiction. The realization of how much precious time I gave to this drug still scares me, even after 3 years. nine0003

In the first weeks after giving up Adderall, I was tormented by constant unbearable fatigue - I needed an effort to run even on tiny errands. And the gym was out of the question. I was tormented by craving for the drug. As soon as someone just said the word "Adderall" in my presence, I began to feverishly think of a way to get at least one pill. Or maybe two. I was frightened, horrified at the thought that something irreversible had happened to my brain, and it might turn out that I could not even write without my special pills. I had no idea that only after giving up amphetamines would my book finally become real. nine0003

Even in those first weeks of doubt, there was something good. Simple pleasures became available to me again. When talking with friends, I laughed more often and noticed that they did too. I spent many years of my life in a state of needless tension. I kept thinking about whether I should be somewhere else, whether I should work harder and achieve more. It was only in a state of deep depression that I was able to realize that this intrusive desire was caused by a chemical, and that it was this that kept me at a distance from my friends - and from myself too. nine0003

One of those first days without my drug, I walked slowly, scared. I had to walk just about anything to get to a meeting that was scheduled in mid-Manhattan. It was a delightful summer evening, the sun was setting. When I got to Bryant Park, I heard the music and wanted to watch. A rock band was playing on the stage. I staggered somewhere at the far end of the crowd. The singer, muscular and bearded, held the microphone with both hands and put his soul into every word of his song. His voice was in the air of this summer night. Suddenly I realized that tears were rolling down my cheeks. I was embarrassed, but I couldn't stop. I felt like I had never heard music in all these years. nine0003

By Casey Schwartz, author of In the Mind Fields: Exploring the New Science of Neuropsychoanalysis. ("Into the Mind: Discovering the New Science of Neuropsychoanalysis").
Original: The New York Times Magazine.

Translated by: Nikita Pinchuk and Natasha Ochkova.
Edited by: Artyom Slobodchikov and Anna Nebolsina.

What is DexiFlash?

DexiFlush contains a powerful botanical blend of natural diuretic ingredients such as Uva Ursi Leaf, Parsley Leaf and Burdock Root, and provides a healthy supply of Vitamin B6 .*

In this regard, what are the side effects of Dexatrim? SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, dry mouth, restlessness, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor.

How much DexiFlush can I take? As a dietary supplement for adults, take 2 capsules with 200 ml of water. Maximum 2 capsules per day.

So what is dexiBurn? Dexatrim Natural dexiBurn - diet pills that burn fat and help manage weight | Healthy Probiotics That Cleanse, Suppress Appetite & Boost Metabolism (120 Bottle, 1 Pack)

Meanwhile, what is natural Dexatrim?

Dexatrim Natural DexiFlush helps flush excess water from your system, which can help relieve the painful effects of fluid retention and maximize water loss over time. *

Contents

Does Dexatrim Suppress Appetite?

Multi-functional formula helps increase energy, metabolism and reduce hunger. *. B-Complex: Turns food into fuel, boosts metabolism and reduces stress levels*. nine0003

Is Dexedrine used for ADHD?

This drug is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by changing the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. Dextroamphetamine belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants.

What is the difference between Dexedrine and Adderall?

Adderall and Dexedrine are the two most widely prescribed drugs used to treat ADHD. Both drugs contain the active ingredient amphetamine. While Dexedrine contains only the most potent form of amphetamine, Adderall contains a mixture of the two active forms of amphetamine. nine0003

How do you use Dexatrim?

For best results, take Dexatrim in the morning or early afternoon 30 minutes before or with meals. Avoid taking Dexatrim in the evening if you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

Does ginseng suppress appetite?

Research has also shown that regular consumption of ginseng lowers satiety hormone levels in the body, causing you to eat less and somewhat control your appetite. Ultimately, this will help you break the habit of mindless snacking and learn to control portions. nine0003

What is ephedra?

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), also called ma huang, is an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 5,000 years, mainly to treat asthma, bronchitis and hay fever. Ephedra is also prescribed for cold and flu symptoms, including nasal congestion, cough, fever, and chills.

What can you do to curb your appetite?

Natural appetite suppressants

  • Eat more protein and healthy fats.
  • Drink water before every meal.
  • Eat more high fiber foods.
  • Exercise before meals.
  • Drink Yerba Mate tea.
  • Switch to dark chocolate.
  • Eat some ginger.
  • Eat bulky, low-calorie foods.

How do you take Max Dexatrim? nine0106

For best results, take Dexatrim in the morning or early afternoon 30 minutes before or with meals. Avoid taking Dexatrim in the evening if you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

How can I lose 20 pounds fast?

Here are the top 10 ways to lose 20 pounds quickly and safely.

  1. Count your calories.
  2. Drink more water.
  3. Increase your protein intake.
    4. nine0163 Reduce your carbohydrate intake.
  4. Start lifting weights.
  5. Eat more fiber.
  6. Set a sleep schedule.
  7. Stay accountable.

When should I take DexiFlush?

How to use: Take 2 servings (2 capsules per serving) twice a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Is Adderall stronger than dextroamphetamine?

Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by nerve cells that help neurons communicate with each other. The side effects of Adderall and Dexedrine are almost identical, but Adderall tends to work more powerfully because it is a combination drug with two different kinds of stimulants. nine0003

How long does dextroamphetamine 15 mg last?

Short acting tablets are available in 5 mg dosage. This dose usually lasts about 2 hours. Long-acting spansul is available in dosages of 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg and is usually effective within 8 to 10 hours of ingestion.

Is 5 mg dexamphetamine too much?

Adults and children 6 years and older ? initially 5 mg 1 or 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Children under 6 years old? not recommended to use. nine0003

Dexedrine still prescribed?

Yes, Dexedrine is still prescribed. However, it is considered an old cure for ADHD. It is not as widely prescribed as more modern stimulant drugs such as Adderall, Vyvanse, and Mydayis.

Which is stronger Adderall or Dexedrine?

Neurotransmitters are chemicals produced by nerve cells that help neurons communicate with each other. The side effects of Adderall and Dexedrine are almost identical, but Adderall tends to work more powerfully because it is a combination drug with two different kinds of stimulants. nine0003

What is the strongest drug for ADHD?

It's called Adhansia XR and its active ingredient is methylphenidate, which has been used to treat ADHD for over 50 years.

How do you take Max Dexatrim?

Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules in the morning with a glass of water.

Does ginseng make you poop?

With regard to constipation in particular, a recent Japanese study showed that an oriental medicine containing ginseng, consisting of three raw preparations [processed ginger, ginseng, and zanthoxylum fruit (5:3:2)], improved stool frequency and facilitated bloating and abdominal pain in patients with chronic constipation [39].

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