What are the health effects of long-term prescription amphetamine use, when taken daily under the direction of a physician? What dosages are safe?
Neither Adderall nor Dexedrine are “literally speed in it’s (sic.) purest obtainable form.” The term “speed” (a.k.a. “meth” “tic” “crank”) refers to N-methamphetamine which is an addictive psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug (“sympathomimetic” means it mimics the effects of the central nervous system). Dexedrine is dextroamphetamine (the dextrorotary stereoisomer of amphetamine). Adderall is mixed amphetamine salts: dextro- and levoamphetamine. Ritalin is methylphenidate. None of these drugs are N-methamphetamine, although all four drugs are related. All of them are CNS stimulants, but their functions differ somewhat. The three prescription drugs are not known to cause physical dependence, although (like any drug) they can cause psychological dependence if used incorrectly. It is important to note that the ADHD brain does not respond to these drugs like the brain of a non-ADHDer. The ADHD brain is chemically and structurally different from the brain of a non-ADHDer. These differen
(1) Long-term use of amphetamines causes the brain to adapt to the drug’s presence. A healthy, biologically balanced brain produces chemicals which regulate functions and states such as mood, stimulus-response, energy, appetite, etc. The introduction of amphetamine (a) causes the brain to increase its production of these chemicals, (b) causes the brain to expect amphetamine,and (c) causes the brain to deplete its own ability to produce the chemicals. Very long-term, consistent use of amphetamines often makes the adaptation irreversible, the result of which can be severe depression and/or psychosis. (2) The overstimulation and over-production of natural chemicals such as adrenaline and the endorphins produce strain on other organs, especially the heart. The result can be increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
