Here’s What to Know About Mixing Adderall and Weed

When you take a prescribed stimulant medication, you’re probably not thinking about the mechanics of how and why it works. Instead, your focus is on if it works. For example, if you’ve been prescribed Adderall for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), your focus is likely on whether the stimulant medication will improve your focus and attention and reduce impulsive behaviors. But, what happens if something interferes with Adderall’s effects? One cause for concern is mixing Adderall and weed (also known as cannabis or marijuana). 

Although there is limited data on how frequently people mix Adderall and weed, clinical experience suggests that it’s relatively common, explains Claire Streeter, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with Charlie Health. “Generally, cannabis use is common and easily accessible. People who abuse Adderall may also be more likely to use weed/cannabis as using one substance can lead to a higher risk for using an additional substance,” says Streeter. Below, we explore what you need to know about mixing Adderall and weed and practices for healthier drug use. 

Is it safe to combine Adderall and weed?

People combine Adderall and weed for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, it’s intentional in an effort to counteract the adverse effects of one drug or to enhance the recreational effects of both substances. Other times, people may not even realize that using weed can impact the effects of Adderall. However, it’s important to understand how combining the two substances can affect your mental and physical well-being. Streeter recommends keeping the following considerations in mind when it comes to mixing Adderall and weed.

1. Addiction

Both are considered addictive substances, explains Streeter. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse says that 30% of people who use weed have some degree of marijuana use disorder, meaning they experience withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. Adderall doesn’t typically cause addiction issues when used as prescribed. But, when misused, it can lead to an increased risk of abuse and stimulant use disorder.

“People with untreated ADHD have been shown in some studies to have a higher risk for substance use disorders. [They] often struggle with impulsivity or may have more difficulty considering long-term consequences, which can lead to impaired decision making related to using substances such as weed/cannabis,” says Streeter. 

2. Depression

Also, both substances have also been linked to an increased risk of depression. For example, people who smoke weed are more likely to be diagnosed with depression. But that said, research suggests that this is most likely because they use weed to help manage their depressive symptoms. With Adderall, some people may experience depressive symptoms while using the medication or as it wears off. 

3. Side effects

Additionally, “there are many potential side effects and consequences to using both substances, either alone or combined,” says Streeter. Weed can lead to short-term problems, but the “risks for most of these issues can increase with longer-term use depending on the potency of the cannabis used,” she adds. This is a phenomenon known as a drug interaction—when a substance like food, supplement, or another drug changes the way a drug acts in your body. Chronic use of weed can lead to executive dysfunction, such as difficulties with sustained attention, memory recall, decision making, and distractibility, all symptoms that can make a person look like they have ADHD. As a result, some individuals combine the use of Adderall to manage their perceived symptoms. 

Potential side effects of weed include: 

• Altered senses
• Cognitive difficulties
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Psychosis

Streeter explains that Adderall also comes with side effects, even when taken as prescribed. These symptoms include: 

• Worsened mood
• Anxiety/ irritability
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Negative impact on the cardiovascular system
• Headache
• Gastrointestinal  issues
• Decreased appetite
• Impaired sleep

Use cases for Adderall and weed

As mentioned, Adderall is a stimulant medication known for its ability to improve focus, attention, and wakefulness. It is often thought of as an ADHD medication, but it is also legally approved to treat narcolepsy. However, the medication is also commonly used to help with weight loss and is used recreationally as a party drug. Weed can be classified as a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen. Although it is not legal nationally, it is becoming increasingly accepted: Half of adults say they’ve tried weed at some point in their lives, and national polling shows that marijuana use is at an all-time high. Weed is also becoming increasingly popular for managing anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and other health conditions (a practice commonly referred to as medical marijuana use), though high-quality research on its effectiveness at treating these conditions is limited and in some cases, nearly absent. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of marijuana for any psychiatric conditions at this time.

How to manage Adderall and weed use

If you’re using both Adderall and weed, it’s important to be mindful of how this impacts your health and well-being. Specifically, given weed is known to impair executive function, such as decision-making and memory recall, it is likely to worsen the symptoms of ADHD that Adderall is being used to treat. Here are a few practical tips to consider.  

1. Do your research

Any time you take a drug, prescription or not, it’s important to understand the potential risks and interactions. Managing the use of Adderall and weed requires careful consideration of the side effects of both substances.

2. Think about your daily habits

If you’re currently mixing Adderall and weed, ask yourself why. Are you using weed to balance out the side effects of Adderall, such as anxiety and reduced appetite? If so, consider discussing your Adderall dose with your provider. 

3. Find healthier coping methods

Many people use weed to help them relax, but there are plenty of adaptive coping strategies that can be used to manage stress, challenges, and difficult emotions in a healthy way. For example, you can try journaling, mindfulness practices, and regular exercise.

Treatments for mixing Adderall and weed

For anyone who is experiencing adverse effects from combining Adderall and weed or struggling with substance use, it’s important to seek help from a medical professional. In particular, look for “an approach to treatment that addresses both substance use and underlying mental health concerns,” says Streeter.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of talk therapy that’s used to manage substance use disorder and co-occurring conditions. With CBT, people learn to identify underlying issues and build healthier coping mechanisms. It can also help with managing symptoms associated with weaning and withdrawal, such as fatigue, depression, and problems with sleep. 

How Charlie Health can help

If drug use (even legal substance use) is starting to impact your well-being, relationships, or daily functioning, it may be time to seek professional mental health support. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides mental health treatment for dealing with serious mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic online therapy, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.