This is a guest blog submitted by The_Prestigiator 
Last semester, I fell into the "last-minute scholarly" ambition category, I was sleep-deprived for three straight days and somehow managed to tap out four 12-15-page papers, finish a chemistry exam, and ace a Latin test. When my mom found me on the last day of school, I was a numb, rambling fool.
Thankfully, I have altered my ways so that all-nighters never pile on top of one another. However, I can't help but worry about my peers out there who are drowning in coursework. Exams, term papers, thesis’, and portfolios induce unnecessary panic attacks. And in an effort to take a stab at a glittering grade, students trade in sleep for more time to complete their final projects.
Unfortunately, many students do not rely on sheer willpower and crazy amounts of dark coffee (or copious amounts of Dr.Pepper in my case) to get the job done.
Many go as far as using ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) prescription drugs (Aderrall for instance) to keep the study vibe buzzing. I have witnessed abuse of this drug in my university's library and hear that it's rampant on almost every college campus.
Not only are sleepless nights straining on the body and can lead to various health complications such as common colds and lack of focus, but adding Adderall to the mix can turn any well-intentioned undergrad into a complete and utter blubbering mess.
Positive effects of Adderall: Alertness and sharp yet temporary focus.
Negative effects of Adderall: insomnia, heart attacks, and hallucinations just to name a few.
Why do people pop Adderall pills when the health hazards out weigh the benefits? What are some other ways in you stay awake during a stressful academic or work stretches?
Comments (37)
And the title is wrong; When Caffeine and Soda Aren't Enough,...
I have a friend who took Aderrall. He did it because he didn't think it was that harmful and he was only planning to use it a few times. He has stopped, but yeah...he said the crash was really bad. He took a lot the first time. What a dumbass.
Adderall is an interesting substance, it's technicially an amphetamine, and I knew lots of people at my undergrad university that did take this to get an academic edge. It won't make you smart, it just lets you sit for 12-15 hours straight without the urge to stare out the window.
It's similar to the pills they give USAF pilots to stay alert when on missions.
One interesting side effect you didn't mention is the lack of "epiphany" that has been reported by some recreational users. Apparently, using Adderall deprives you of that "A-Ha!" moment that comes after hours of studying/focus without the drug.
Food for thought. Haha, and funny...anecdotal studying of this drug with my peers sortof led me to pharmacy school as I found it so interesting.
Why are hallucinations listed as a negative effect?
Yeah I'm not gonna lie, I've done it a couple of times. I wouldn't say it's addictive, because I always decide if I want to take it or not, and I've only said yes 3 times. I get intense studying done when I take it, and I remember the things I've studied much longer than if I study without it.
Some people will do anything to get what they want despite the drawbacks, obviously.
I took Ritolin once in high school and I was like "OUTTA MY WAY, GOTTA DO WORK!!"
I've often thought about it since... how i could get a legit prescription for it, but then you know if I started doing that I would find a need for Xanax, percacettes, Ambien, etc., for all my needs. No good I say. Say no to drugs children, even this prescription stuff. Dude even old inhalers could get you high I tried it once.
DON'T LISTEN TO MATTHEW GOOD WHO SAID ONCE THAT HE DID IT ALL ON RITOLIN!!!
Adderall is basically legal low grade crystal meth. The effects feel completely identical just alot weaker, but by no means weak. Abused meth for about 6 months and sometimes would be up for 4-5 days straight jumping at shadows around the 3rd or 4th day. taken lots of adderall over the years as well. adderall will usually keep me up for about 2 full days. The crash after can be terrible if you take it alot and i highly reccomend not getting addicted. You just curl up in a ball with the worst depression ever and just wish you could die right there. Its seriously the worst feeling I ever felt. Luckily I found a good girl quit all that got married and my first kid is due in february. Ive struggled with certain addictions for the past 3 years. take my advice dont get in the habit if you can help it. some people will only learn through experience though and all i can say is BE CAREFUL.
@Coincidentally@xanga - yea one of friends took it for three days straight and afterward her she had hand tremors for a month. She never took it again. I don't understand really how some people don't have any side effects but I guess it varies from person to person.
@sizzl@xanga - @The_Prestigiator@xanga - haha thanks for the heads up. I guess i should be taking some of this stuff
using drugs is bad. espically using perscriptions drugs that wrong way =/
How's this post compared to high school kids? Hell, in high school, I pulled more all-nighters than I EVER did in college, and for math, it did me no damn good. As for taking Adderall, I've got no problem with it, it's nice work if you can get it, but Ritalin usually worked for me. Ritalin and beta-blockers don't seem like they work well together, but they evened me out, and I lost a couple of pounds to boot. I was using it for memorizing music for a recital, which made it doubly perfect--enough energy to put some slap-dash into my performance, while staying calm enough to not vomit on the keyboard with nerves.
So, in other words, hey, you're an adult, and if you're not...and you die, meh, shouldn't have been using it.
I have never done this but have seen sooooo many students overload on Adderall!