People who do not need to take ADD/ADHD medication or those who do and take excessive amounts of these drugs, increase their dopamine and other neurotransmitters to abnormal levels.

Wakefulness, memory, and concentration can be increased however the benefits are often outweighed by the negative effects such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Disorganized thinking.
  • The “jitters.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that students who abuse study drugs actually tend to have lower GPAs than those who do not take them.

  • In addition to having little to no beneficial effects for people who do not have ADHD, prescription stimulants have many detrimental health effects when they are misused. These include:
    • Increases in blood pressure and heart rate, which can cause cardiovascular problems including stroke.
    • Decreased sleep.
    • Appetite suppression and weight loss.
    • Overall decline in health.
    • Chronic abuse can also cause paranoia and other mental disturbances in some users. (Drugabuse.com)                                                       

Why You Should Skip Adderall as a Study Drug: Unless you have ADHD, it’s risky and not very effective. Plus, there are better alternatives: Consumer Reports Article