A single 25mg dose of Adderall, a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts, can produce measurable cardiovascular effects in healthy young adults with no prior history of stimulant use, according to a modern study from the Mayo Clinic.
The research, published this week, examined the acute impact of the drug on blood pressure, heart rate, and the body’s sympathetic nervous system. Researchers aimed to understand the physiological effects of Adderall in individuals who obtain and use the medication without a prescription, a practice that has been increasing in recent years.
“The primary objective of our study was to investigate how a single dose of Adderall acutely affects cardiovascular hemodynamics – blood pressure and heart rate – and sympathetic activity in young adults who do not have a medical indication for the medication,” explained Dr. Anna Svatikova, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and senior author of the study.
Whereas Adderall is considered safe and effective when prescribed and monitored for conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Dr. Svatikova cautioned that the risks associated with non-medical use are frequently underestimated. “We have seen an increase in nonmedical Adderall use, but many users are unaware that it can place acute stress on the cardiovascular system,” she stated.
The study involved participants who had never used Adderall before. Each participant received either 25mg of Adderall or a placebo. Researchers found that even this single dose triggered significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and activation of the body’s stress-response system.
The impact on heart rate when standing was particularly notable. “The average heart rate increase on standing was 19 beats per minute before Adderall,” said Dr. Kiran Somers, a resident physician at Mayo Clinic Eau Claire and lead author of the study. “After taking Adderall, that response doubled to 38 beats per minute.”
Researchers emphasized that the findings demonstrate the potential for substantial stimulant effects in individuals not accustomed to the medication. “These results demonstrate measurable, acute cardiovascular effects of Adderall used by those not regularly using Adderall prescribed for specific medical reasons,” Dr. Somers noted.
The Mayo Clinic study specifically focused on the effects of a single dose and does not reflect the long-term, supervised use of Adderall for the treatment of ADHD or other medical conditions. Dr. Svatikova clarified that the findings should not be extrapolated to those scenarios, where the therapeutic benefits are well-established. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with ADHD typically require an average dose of 60mg for adequate treatment.
The research team intends to continue investigating the long-term cardiovascular consequences of non-medical Adderall use and the potential for adverse events in vulnerable populations.
