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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic

Adderall XR and Hair Growth

xxpurplehazexx

Bluelighter
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
134
I take Adderall XR 20mg and have been trying to grow out the hair on my head since I shaved it. I've read multiple places that Adderall can cause balding, so I was wondering if it could also just slow hair growth since my hair hasn't grown that much. If anyone has experience with Adderall and hair growth, I'd love to hear about it. I wonder why this is a somewhat common side effect.
 
I wouldn't say it's common. Hair loss is listed as a "very rare" side effect. I would try to make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, drink lots of water and try not to get stressed out, as all of those things can affect your hair. Supplement with Omega 3s, Vit E, Vit A, Vit C, Vit B6, Folic Acid, and Biotin. You could also get your iron levels checked (don't supplement iron unless you actually have low iron levels). All those vitamins are important for healthy hair. I have no idea by what mechanism Adderall can potentially cause hair loss, but my guess is by affecting hormone levels, sleep, and depleting vitamins.

Or course, are you sure that your hair actually is growing slower than usual?
 
Don't get stressed out over those so-called side effets. They're only listed in the booklets as cover, and people usually take them too seriously. Just do as the above poster said, eat healthy, and take your vitamins if you're worried. It is true however that adderall affects testosterone levels, normally decreases it.
 
My sister takes adderall xr and has for years, and she can't grow her hair past a certain point and it takes a long time to grow out. She's so mad at me because through everything in my life, anorexia, drug addiction, my hair has always grown faster and longer than hers. It's possible it has nothiing to do with the adderall but it would certainly make sense.
 
Adderall use can lead to malnutrition, which can lead to hair falling out. However, it takes months of malnutrition to see serious hair loss, so I doubt it's the Adderall. My advice: try taking a Hair/Skin/Nail multivitamin or any prenatal vitamins. I used them a few years ago to grow my hair during the summer. Lemme tell you, it works! Unfortunately, it makes all of your hair grow faster. I went from having to shave once every other day, to twice a day!
 
Thanks for the responses. My hair has actually been growing at a fairly normal rate, it just seems like it's taking forever :\ I take biotin and this other supplement called biosil. I eat okay, but look kind of emaciated since I've lost weight on Adderall. Sometimes I worry that I look like a junkie, and the lack of hair doesn't help lol.
 
Well the main reason stimulant addicts can/do look super skinny pale or unhealthy is because they are just UNHEALTHY. It's super essential you eat right to get the right nutrients, sleep right, and take proper vitamins. It will make a world a difference as far as your appearance, and you're feeling of health/energy too. I can't stress enough how important it is for someone who regularly takes any kind of stimulant. They are hard on the body.

I had an argument with my girlfriend about this. She just assumes the reason all meth addicts look all boney and terrible is because they smoke meth. While it contributes to their appearance, it's their unhealthy lifestyle while also taking meth that makes them look the way they do. Of course there was no getting thru to her since she's a girl and ignorant as far as drugs goes, but whatever lol.
 
^What exactly does that have to do with her gender?

I agree, taking proper care of oneself can make a huge difference, I knew a woman who smoked meth for years and you'd never be able to tell from looking at her if you didn't know her. It obviously wasn't good for her in a number of ways but she certainly didn't look like the stereotypical sickly meth-head.
 
I'm a girl too :) I think I eat about as much as before. The Adderall just speeds up my metabolism and makes me too skinny. I read somewhere that it depletes certain nutrients too, I forget which ones.
 
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