Does Adderall cause euphoria in patients with ADHD/ADD?

[Vexanize]

So I am currently taking 20mg Adderall XR twice a day, and an additional 20mg of Adderall IR once a day too boost the effects of the Adderall XR medication (for those wondering, no, I am not abusing my medication. I am taking it as prescribed). My question is, why does my Adderall cause a sense of euphoria and increased appreciation for music when I am taking it as prescribed for ADHD/ADD? I have read online that it is extremely unusual in patients taking this medication for the prescribed therapy in ADHD/ADD. Could this be because of my past abuse of many drugs -I just quit about a month ago- including MDMA/LSD/cannabis? I also have HPPD from my excessive use of LSD and MDMA in the past year or so, could this be a factor in the euphoric feeling? I find this very peculiar.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to respond, but do not feel pressured to do so !

(P.S. - I am on my Adderall (20mg XR and 20mg IR) at the moment. So sorry if I am rambling a bit.)

 

[CFC]

It's not unusual to experience euphoria or an increased appreciation for music when taking your ADHD meds, though it probably happens less often for those with ADHD because baseline neurotransmitter levels would be expected to be lower.

If it's something that happens all the time, you may want to discuss lowering the dose with your specialist.


PED --> BDD

 

[Keif' Richards]

"Patients who actually have ADHD will not experience the same high that those who do not have ADHD do when they use Amphetamines"

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but despite their being some limited truth to the statement, I've always thought of this as an extreme example of Pharma propaganda. I think the argument can obviously be made that CNS stimulants like Amphetamine are going to effect different people in different ways, but there is a limit to this. The idea that it is a completely different experience I believe to be a lie propagated to make worried mothers feel better about giving speed to their children.

This is really a matter of subjective opinion dude and probably not something that we would deal with specifically in the Harm Reduction forums. I completely understand your curiosity and applaud your desire to educate yourself about your prescription regimens, but this is a place specifically to help adults who have chosen to use drugs do so safely. There's nothing bad about what you've asked. I totally get it, but the information you seek should be available with less digging in other places.

With that being said, I believe this notion of someone with a disorder that cannot actually be defined with certainty (based mostly on self-reporting) just being magically immune to the pleasurable (perceived as negative by most of society) aspects of the drug but not immune to all of the good stuff is ridiculous and it would seem that you have taken this statement as fact. This is not an insult to your intelligence. This is what the croakers, pharmacies and Pharma tell you, what else should you believe?

Interesting topic.

 

[Vexanize]

Thank you for your response!

It's not unusual to experience euphoria or an increased appreciation for music when taking your ADHD meds, though it probably happens less often for those with ADHD because baseline neurotransmitter levels would be expected to be lower.

If it's something that happens all the time, you may want to discuss lowering the dose with your specialist.


PED --> BDD

Well, I am also prescribed Adderall off-label for depression, so this boost in self-confidence and well being helps so much. Adding to that, getting off of drugs feels so good. I do not feel the need to steal, sell out to my family, or sell material things I care about to be happy anymore! The natural feeling of happiness is free and so much more worth it than feeling the guilt of stealing for drugs.

 

[Vexanize]

Oh no, I am so sorry for doing this! Should I delete the post? Oh, and my IQ is well above the average (about 115-125 IQ) so I am not a stupid person XD, but I understand your concern and thank you for that! I mostly still don't understand this site as I have only used it on and off for about a year and a half.

 

[CFC]

Oh no, I am so sorry for doing this! Should I delete the post? Oh, and my IQ is well above the average (about 115-125 IQ) so I am not a stupid person XD, but I understand your concern and thank you for that! I mostly still don't understand this site as I have only used it on and off for about a year and a half.

No, there's nothing wrong with your question at all. This is exactly what Bluelight exists for - to ask questions about the drugs you use and their effects.

Regarding the uplift to your mood, bear in mind that adderall tends to 'wear off' over time as tolerance to its effects grows. This is one reason to make sure you're being prescribed only the absolute minimum required to achieve the desired effect. Thus, if you're feeling high or euphoric, you may want to lower the dose a little. It's certainly worth discussing with your specialist, in any case.

 

[Keif' Richards]

Oh no, I am so sorry for doing this! Should I delete the post? Oh, and my IQ is well above the average (about 115-125 IQ) so I am not a stupid person XD, but I understand your concern and thank you for that! I mostly still don't understand this site as I have only used it on and off for about a year and a half.

Haha, no man! I've actually been dealing with this issue a lot. You have done nothing morally wrong. Like I said in another thread, this is basically like putting the wrong date on a deposit slip. It's no big deal, but someone's probably gonna fix it or change it. Nobody is upset! Whenever we talk about moving or closing threads it really seems to send the wrong message to people and I really feel bad that folks are taking things the wrong way. I don't want anybody to be afraid of posting or asking for help.

If we need to move or change something we do it, but there is absolutely no negative vibes in this space whatsoever. You've done nothing wrong. We're not gonna delete your thread. We just want to slowly introduce you to some of the finer points of participating in the community so you can kind of get a feel for some of the stuff that we deal with that ultimately is settle by subjective opinion. We only want you to start figuring things out. We don't expect perfection!!!!

It's all good man! We're a Brother/Sisterhood here and we all support each other. It's the only way it can work!

 

[Vexanize]

No, there's nothing wrong with your question at all. This is exactly what Bluelight exists for - to ask questions about the drugs you use and their effects.

Regarding the uplift to your mood, bear in mind that adderall tends to 'wear off' over time as tolerance to its effects grows. This is one reason to make sure you're being prescribed only the absolute minimum required to achieve the desired effect. Thus, if you're feeling high or euphoric, you may want to lower the dose a little. It's certainly worth discussing with your specialist, in any case.

Well, it is less of body euphoria. It's more like a mental-euphoria. Like a boost of well being and an amazing feeling of happiness and bliss.

 

[Vexanize]

Haha, no man! I've actually been dealing with this issue a lot. You have done nothing morally wrong. Like I said in another thread, this is basically like putting the wrong date on a deposit slip. It's no big deal, but someone's probably gonna fix it or change it. Nobody is upset! Whenever we talk about moving or closing threads it really seems to send the wrong message to people and I really feel bad that folks are taking things the wrong way. I don't want anybody to be afraid of posting or asking for help.

If we need to move or change something we do it, but there is absolutely no negative vibes in this space whatsoever. You've done nothing wrong. We're not gonna delete your thread. We just want to slowly introduce you to some of the finer points of participating in the community so you can kind of get a feel for some of the stuff that we deal with that ultimately is settle by subjective opinion. We only want you to start figuring things out. We don't expect perfection!!!!

It's all good man! We're a Brother/Sisterhood here and we all support each other. It's the only way it can work!

Thank you so much. I appreciate your 'appreciation' of me and everyone in this community. Like I said, I am not trying to reduce my dose because no other dosage seems to be effective. I did not start off on this dose. I guess I'll just have to deal with it. And I know a tolerance builds relatively fast, but I do take a 2-3 day break on weekends to lower my tolerance by a small bit/take magnesium to lower it temporarily. I still live with my parents and since I have past substance abuse issues, they keep my medications locked up. So no need to worry about me abusing Adderall or any other medications in that lock box!

 

[CFC]

Well, it is less of body euphoria. It's more like a mental-euphoria. Like a boost of well being and an amazing feeling of happiness and bliss.

I would recommend you work to reduce the dose until you basically aren't 'feeling' it at all, merely the absence of the worst of the depression and some improvement in your concentration and focus.

The amazing feeling of happiness and bliss isn't going to last in the long run, and if you aim to chase that instead of just some mild improvement in your wellbeing and functional ability, the drugs will become pretty useless for you within a fairly short time.

 

[Vexanize]

oh i know it won't last, I am just enjoying the feeling in the moment while I can. I can focus so well right now and am getting so much homework done. It's not like the feeling of happiness and bliss is getting in the way of my focus, just to let you know. I have been taking D-Amphetamine for about 3 months now. But, this does not mean that I don't still get the feeling of happiness. Well, honestly, for some reason with me taking Adderall it feels like a barely build a tolerance, if so a VERY small tolerance. It's weird. My brain chemistry must be a little fucked lol

 

[CFC]

oh i know it won't last

Yeah, the point I'm trying to make clear is that the less of this drug you take right now, the longer it will continue to help you with your focus into the future.

It's always a trade-off, and that's why I recommend you talk to your specialist about lowering the dose until it only just provides enough improvement in focus and mood to get you by, but certainly nothing as noticeable as you claim to have been experiencing.

 

[Vexanize]

well like no other dose works for me so idk what to do

 

[Cheesebag]

The way adderall effects everyone individually is pretty interesting. Because I know the way it effects me but when talking to people I'm close with who have ADHD say that they hate taking it and makes them feel almost depressed and uninterested. A friend of mine would keep getting his prescriptions filled and not taking them and would just give them to me since he didnt want them. It really effects everyone's brains differently. I don't know what it is that causes one person to feel euphoric and appreciative and happy and another to feel emotionless and bland. This is one reason I enjoy taking drugs responsibly. The experience to feel the way a substance can make you feel can be a great thing if you know your limits and dont abuse. But when something makes you feel that good it's easy to enduldge. I'm getting off subject maybe because the way the adderall makes me feel the need to explain the way I think but overall 10/10 recommend.

 

[DoctorMolecule]

well like no other dose works for me so idk what to do

Well if you feel euphoric and there are not any other side effects (insomnia, VERY reduced appetite, irritability/ rebound depression when it starts to wear off, and the need to increase the dose to achieve a therapeutic effect etc) I think you?re gonna be ok. Just monitor your depression symptoms and let your doctor know if there are any changes.