Is It Safe to Use Cannabis with ADHD Medication?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medications are extremely popular in high schools and colleges across the country.

These drugs, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta, have earned a reputation for being “study drugs.” Although these drugs were originally intended to treat the effects of ADHD, they find their way illegally through the campuses, and these dangerous, addictive drugs are in the hands of young adults even without a prescription or ADHD diagnosis.

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Children get these drugs from family members, friends, or black market dealers. Many of them, as well as adults, unknowingly find that mixing ADHD drugs with marijuana has recreational benefits. Combining ADHD meds with weed can certainly induce a euphoric and blissful feeling, but at what cost?

Adderall

Adderall is the most commonly used prescription drug to combat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This stimulant is notorious for its addictive properties, which have even been compared to meth.

After all, Adderall is essentially amphetamine, which is the chemical basis for methamphetamine. Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and other chemicals, but it works in the brain in the same way as meth. It has been known to produce horrific side effects of its own, including but not limited to:

• difficulty breathing
• chest pain
• hostility
• aggression
• drowsiness
• seizures
• changes in vision
• nausea
• stomach pain
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty sleeping

And many more.

However, Adderall continues to be one of the most abused drugs in the United States. Many claim that Adderall makes them feel good, which it does temporarily because it increases norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the central nervous system. Adderall can also cause the body to produce abnormally high levels of dopamine, which is responsible for the brain’s feel-good reward mechanism, making people easily addicted to it.

Adderall is a stimulant, while marijuana is a downer. Unfortunately, mixing these two is never recommended, but that hasn’t stopped people from using it in a combination sometimes referred to as a weederall.

Ritalin

Ritalin is another popular ADHD medication that works similarly to Adderall. It is also a central nervous system stimulant. However, it has unfortunate side effects, including:

• paranoia
• Numbness in toes or fingers
• hostility
• paranoia
• aggression
• hallucinations
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• Heavy sweating
• Increased heart rate
• mood swings

And much more. The same goes for Concerta or any other ADHD medication.

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A dangerous cocktail

Marijuana use interacts with other drugs in the human body, and ADHD medications are no exception. These drugs are known to linger in the system for up to 24 hours, so one would need to stay away from the drug for up to 3 days for it to be completely eliminated and safe enough to consume weed.

RELATED: Marijuana users with ADHD use fewer prescription drugs

Some users will find that while marijuana can reap the cognitive benefits of ADHD medication, marijuana is effective in reducing the side effects of the medication, such as irritability or insomnia. She can even provide a blissful, euphoric high, but the risks simply outweigh the rewards. But no matter how safe some people claim, there is always a big risk when combining marijuana with other substances.

One is a stimulant, the other a sedative. While there is a lack of studies examining the dangers between Adderall and weed, the data we have on each of these drugs is enough to advise against it.

Here’s what can happen when you mix marijuana and ADHD medication at the same time:

• Extreme stimulation: Heart rates can spike to dangerous levels, which is bad enough for people with pre-existing heart conditions. While some people’s cardiovascular systems can handle it, for others it can be a devastating event, leading to permanent heart problems or even death.

• Arrhythmia: Irregular heart rate and arrhythmia can occur as a result of mixing the two drugs. It’s easy to overdose on Adderall by adding marijuana to the mix.

• Existing Mental Health Issues Can Get Worse: For anyone already struggling with ADHD, schizophrenia, anxiety, or pretty much any other mental disorder, mixing the two can lead to delusions and hallucinations — not the fun kind.

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RELATED: Is Mixing Cannabis and Prescription Drugs a Good Idea?

Marijuana is a drug that works best on its own in the human body. We have endocannabinoid receptors that bind to the molecules in the plant and release their healing properties when we consume THC, CBD, or a combination of both in any way. Whether you mix it with other relaxants or stimulants like ADHD medications, even at supposedly safe dosages, it can have undesirable effects on the human body that can lead to death. Just because your friend enjoys mixing marijuana with ADHD medication doesn’t mean it would have the same effect on you.

There is so much hype about marijuana these days because it is widely used and is considered one of the safest medical and recreational drugs in the world. Ultimately, its safety depends on how it’s used, and if you add other drugs into the mix, it may no longer have the same safety profile compared to using it alone.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.