Last Updated On August 25, 2023
If you're currently taking Adderall, you could be wondering if it's possible to consume pre-workout and Adderall together and whether or not it'll affect your physical performance.
Here, we'll provide you with everything you need to know about stacking Adderall and pre-workout, if it is an effective alternative workout aid, the side effects of Adderall when you exercise, and more.
Is It Bad To Take Pre-Workout With Adderall?
It can be alright to take it with pre-workout supplements, just as long as this particular supplement doesn't contain other stimulants such as caffeine or guarana. Combining stimulants with Adderall is what causes a problem.
Stimulants such as caffeine and guarana can improve exercise performance, but they also increase your energy levels and heart rate.
Adderall also improves alertness and focus. Combining the two is a high risk and could cause serious side effects such as increased blood pressure.
While taking stimulant-free pre-workout might be better, it's always a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider before taking Adderall and pre-workout, especially if you're someone that pursues an active lifestyle.
Adderall As A Workout Aid: Effective Alternative Or Not?
Adderall is a combination medication and a prescription drug used to treat ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
It's made of a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine - central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity. Because it has the potential to become addicted to or abused, it is a controlled substance in the United States.
How Adderall works is that it increases the level of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which brings the brain to a state of overstimulation.
Adderall is purely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and should not be used as a replacement for sports supplements or to lose weight.
Even though it can aid in both weight loss and physical performance as it improves attention, concentration and focus, taking it for not just mental performance but to aid in with exercise comes with serious risks.
Adderall increases the heart rate and blood pressure, and when you're working out on Adderall, it could put both your heart and health at risk. Depending on how the body reacts, it can also increase the chances of having a stroke or a heart attack.
Even though Adderall can help with weight loss, it doesn't help with building muscle as it isn't a performance enhancer and doesn't come with ingredients such as creatine and beta-alanine that pre-workout supplements have.
If you're working out and need to take Adderall, you should only be doing so if you've got a prescription from a doctor.
Related Article - Can Pre-Workout Help With ADHD?
Adderall Side Effects When Gym Training
If you do take Adderall as a prescription medication and gym train, some of the side effects that Adderall users will experience include:
As mentioned earlier, any individual working out on Adderall should speak with a sports medicine specialist or doctor familiar with their history and activity level.
Learn More - Pre-Workout Side Effects
How To Work Out Safely Using Adderall
If you have been prescribed Adderall and would like to exercise, you should consider taking it after you've done your cardio workouts to avoid putting more pressure on your blood pressure and heart rate.
If you do need to work out while taking Adderall, you should not be combining Adderall with other supplements or medications.
The combination of more than one stimulant will put your health at increased risk.
If you have underlying health problems such as cardiovascular issues, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, or trouble breathing, it's always best to speak with a medical professional before working out on Adderall.
Related Article - Best Pre-Workout Alternatives
4 Supplements To Avoid While Taking Adderall
1. Energy Supplements
Energy supplements such as caffeine, ma huang, and guarana should not be taken with Adderall as they both stimulate the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
Side effects of taking both can include nervousness, irritability, and even hallucinations or seizures.[1]
If you're unsure of what supplements you can take, always consult your healthcare provider so that they might provide you with recommendations of supplements that are Adderall-safe.
Related Article - Caffeine Pills Vs Pre-Workout
2. Amino Acids
Be careful of the amino acids that you're taking as well. While amino acids can improve workout performance, L-glutamine can affect how your body absorbs Adderall, and creatine may also affect Adderall.
Once again, if you're unsure, always speak to a doctor first pertaining to the potential side effects, and they will be able to recommend amino acid supplements that best suit your needs.
3. Protein Supplements
While protein shakes are generally safe to consume, there's no harm in making sure that they're safe to be used in conjunction with Adderall use.
Take a look at the ingredients within the protein supplements and ensure that there are no extra ingredients.
Related Article - Protein Powder Vs Pre-Workout
4. Diuretics
Make sure that you're not taking diuretics with Adderall as it could result in the need for serious medical attention.
Not only could it lead to kidney damage, but also serious dehydration. It's important to avoid diuretics at all costs unless they have been prescribed for another condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Misusing your prescription can lead to a tolerance to the medication.[2] Adderall can also be addictive, and people who abuse the medication can have psychological dependence and end up having withdrawal symptoms.
ADHD can affect sports performance as individuals could have poor judgment and get hit or hurt during the sports activity as they're not looking around at other players.
The maximum daily dose of Adderall is 40mg/day for adults and 30mg/day for children. High doses can lead to side effects that are taxing on the body.
If you don't have ADHD and take Adderall, you will experience feelings of euphoria and increased energy levels but also possible emotional and physical side effects that could be taxing on the body.
Conclusion
While you can take Adderall with pre-workout, you'll need to be careful of the ingredients within your pre-workout.
Ingredients such as caffeine, guarana, and other supplements could result in serious side effects.
Ideally, however, you'd want to avoid consuming Adderall with your exercise, and you should definitely not be using it as a workout aid.
Consuming it in high doses will cause more harm than good. You should only be consuming it if it has been specially prescribed by your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321845
2. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall/symptoms-of-abuse
