Mixing drugs for an intense high is not uncommon. From opioids and alcohol to cocaine and heroin, people have been putting lethal combinations together for years.
Mixing Adderall and weed: a potentially dangerous combination? Yes, most recently, medical professionals have been studying mixing Adderall and weed. The intent is to understand what is happening in the mind and body. This is because of the dependent and even fatal combination of the two.
Weed is also referred to as cannabis and marijuana. It also has a litany of street names. It is the most widely used illicit drug in the U.S. Its dependence is not as hard to break as opioids or alcohol. But its cognitive and psychological effects are just as damaging.
Adderall is a prescription drug. It is classified as a stimulant. It impacts the central nervous system. As such, stimulants are swallowed in pill or capsule form. Abusing Adderall can lead to addiction and possible mental health issues.
Non-medical uses of Adderall are to stay awake, focus, or improve concentration. Many do this for a specific purpose, such as work or school projects. College students and young adults consider Adderall a “smart pill.” They use it to stay alert to receive top scores or finish projects. 20-30% of college students report Adderall abuse each year.
The degrees of the symptoms and their toll on the body differ for each person. It is essential to seek medical support if you or a loved one has a substance abuse issue. This includes mixing Adderall and weed.
at is happening in the mind and body. This is because of the dependent and even fatal combination of the two.
Weed is also referred to as cannabis and marijuana. It also has a litany of street names. It is the most widely used illicit drug in the U.S. Its dependence is not as hard to break as opioids or alcohol. But its cognitive and psychological effects are just as damaging.
Weed Addiction
The U.S. has created laws that allow for the legalization of weed for medical and recreational purposes in some states. This year, 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use. Another 37 states have laws for medicinal purposes.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in weed. It induces feelings of altered senses, changes in mood, and coordination difficulties.
Long-term use of weed can lead to changes in the brain structure and how it functions for daily activities. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of people who abuse weed increased nearly 40% from 2019 to 2020. 9% of people who try weed develop an addiction.
Consistent weed use has a link to causing psychosis, depression, and anxiety. These disorders are more prevalent in individuals who already have or are predisposed to developing a mental illness.
Adderall Addiction
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 4.0 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. misused prescription stimulants, including Adderall, in 2020.
Abusing Adderall can do damage to a person’s body. The problems that can arise are increased heart rate, high blood pressure, changes in sleep patterns, nervousness, and irritability without cause.
While indulging in substance abuse is one way to become addicted to Adderall, people develop a dependency in other ways. A family history of mental health conditions, a family history of substance use disorders (SUD), and the desire to engage in risky behaviors are also possible avenues.
Adderall can cause both a physical and mental dependence on the drug. Individuals can find themselves trapped in a cycle of abusing the drug to calm trimmers, nausea, and fatigue. Then, they must use it for the mental clarity and focus it brings. This is a dangerous loop to be in.
The Body’s Response to Mixing Adderall and Weed: Understand the Risks
Mixing Adderall and weed can cause unpredictable adverse side effects in the body. This is because of the uncertainty of the dosage and any chemicals in the mix. They each have different pharmaceutical properties, and how a specific person will respond can’t be determined beforehand.
Adderall and weed abuse can have both short and long-term effects on the body. Each individual will respond differently. Certain factors determine how each person’s body will react to the drugs. Those include duration of use, amount of dose, and underlying and preexisting conditions.
Let’s first consider common responses to each drug. This will follow with some of the potential dangers when they are mixed.
Side Effects of Adderall
- Brain: enhances focus, attention, impulse control, increased alertness, improved cognitive function, and a sense of euphoria from elevated levels of serotonin
- Lungs: bronchodilation, which relaxes and widens the airways
- Heart and cardiovascular system: increase heart rate and blood pressure, strain the heart and cardiovascular system, and high blood pressure
- Other body systems: suppress appetite, weight loss, cause dry mouth, dilated pupils, increased sweating, and disrupt normal sleep
Though it may feel like this will never end, greening out typically lasts only a few minutes to an hour or two. When the panic sets in, and you believe something is wrong, stop consuming any other marijuana products and ride this feeling out. It will not last forever.
Side Effects of Weed
- Brain: altered mood; impaired memory; short-term attention span; inability to make decisions.
- Lungs: bronchitis; lung infections; lung cancer
- Heart: rapid heart rate; high blood pressure; heart attack; other cardiovascular and heart conditions
- Digestive system: increased appetite; nausea and vomiting; stomach pain; diarrhea
- Reproductive system: lowered sperm count in men; changes in menstrual cycle in women; reduced fertility in both
- Immune system: increased risk of infections
Effects of Mixing Adderall and Weed
- Contrasting effects: Adderall is a stimulant that supports focus and concentration. Weed is a depressant that relaxes and even sedates individuals. When the two are combined, the body is confused. For example, a person’s heart rate can increase and decrease at abnormal rates. Other bodily functions are confused as well.
- Increased risk of adverse reactions: Dizziness, poor coordination, constantly changing mood, and feelings of anxiety and paranoia send the body into chaos.
- Heightened cardiovascular risks: With the increased heart rate and blood pressure that the dangers of mixing Adderall and weed cause, there are long-term consequences. The cardiovascular system is put in jeopardy. The result can be heart palpitations and even heart failure.
- Impaired cognitive function: Since one is a stimulant and the other is a depressant, mixing Adderall and weed can lead to mental impairment, short attention span, and trouble processing information. What started as focus and conservation with Adderall use becomes a battle to hold a conversation when mixed with weed.
- Legal and safety concerns: Because of the mental impairment individuals experience, their guard and reasoning are down when engaging in dangerous behaviors. Something that started as a fun night out could end up in a terrifying one behind bars.
Adderall and Weed Addiction: Signs and Symptoms
As with many things we enjoy, we indulge. The same is true of weed addiction. If an individual has to use more frequently to achieve the desired high, addiction is the cause. When a person is addicted to Adderall and weed, they might exhibit the signs:
- When addicted to Adderall and weed, individuals will experience withdrawals when they attempt to quit or cut back.
- Adderall and weed addiction leads to an individual needing more over extended periods to achieve the desired high.
- Avoiding or not participating in activities that were once exciting or comforting to an individual is a sign of addiction.
- Spending excessive amounts of time finding Adderall and weed is also a sign.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Adderall and Weed Addiction
The most common symptoms of Adderall and weed withdrawal include:
- Irritability
- Extreme headaches
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Increased appetite
- Night terrors
- Irregular heartbeat
- Concentration issues
- Muscle and joint pain
- Weight loss
- Thoughts of suicide
When an individual mixes Adderall and weed, they are at risk for the following long-term cardiac, respiratory, and cognitive consequences:
- Damage to the lungs and respiratory system
- Lung cancer
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Psychosis
Get Help Today at The Summit Wellness Group
If you or a loved one have a substance abuse problem with mixing Adderall and weed, seeking addiction treatment as soon as possible is essential. Treatment programs can help with the side effects, both physical and psychological.
Professional support can also provide the tools and resources to help sustain recovery. Seeking help is the best way to break the cycle of drug addiction. We offer inpatient and outpatient care.
The Summit Wellness Group admissions process begins with an initial medical evaluation and assessment. After that, we develop your evidence-based treatment plans, including medication-assisted treatment, behavioral therapy, or both.
Contact us now by calling (770) 299-1677 or visiting our Atlanta or Roswell offices.
