Erectile Dysfunction and Adderall Use

Erectile dysfunction, ED, impotence, or the inability to “get it up” has been a primary sexual fear for men everywhere. Even though it is perfectly natural to experience some form of impotence once in a while due to various life factors, it can cause distress and frustration in confidence, relationships, and, in severe cases, even infertility. Many of us are familiar with the ADHD prescription medication named “Adderall”, and know that it helps to increase concentration – but how exactly does it affect your ability to become erect?

In this article, we will explore this topic further by first explaining the way Adderall works, how it affects the body, and ultimately, how continued use can lead to consistent impotence.

• How Does Adderall Work?
• How Does Adderall Erectile Dysfunction Happen?
• FAQs

How Does Adderall Work?

Adderall is the brand of prescription medication that is primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common mental health disorder that usually starts in childhood where there is a chemical imbalance or neuronic issue which makes the person unable to pay attention cannot sit still. Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy, which is a rare neurological disorder that affects the information transfer in the nervous system, causing an abnormal sleep pattern that usually starts during the teenage years.

Adderall is an FDA-approved drug that helps to treat these conditions by positively stimulating the central nervous system and counteracting the negative effects of these disorders. Adderall enhances and increases the production of certain neurotransmitters, the chief of which is dopamine (the hormone responsible for pleasure, motivation, and the “rewarding” feeling when you accomplish a task). Adderall helps the body in three main ways:

Increases focus and mental cognition: Adderall helps to mend the information highway between your brain and nervous system throughout the entire body. Things such as intrusive thoughts, brain fog, and mental distractions seem to disappear. Those with concentration issues and learning disabilities describe it as “a break from all the thoughts”. Adderall is best administered daily, and for some people, up to three times a day – as directed by a doctor or healthcare professional. It is worth noting that this drug helps those with disorders, but is dangerous if used on a person that doesn’t have these issues, as the cost of increased concentration has myriad health detriments.

Decreases hyperactivity: Those with ADHD and other mental health disorders, especially ones that are anxiety-inducing, cannot seem to “calm down”. Their mind and body are sending messages of panic or activity at every moment through each neuron, making it extremely difficult to achieve inner peace, listen to someone speak or sit for long periods and enjoy simple pleasures. While Adderall is a stimulant, it helps relax hyperactivity due to the release of two neurotransmitters: dopamine and norepinephrine – which help to improve concentration, regulate breathing and increase the rewarding feeling of sitting still and feeling calm.

Stimulates pleasure – The increased dopamine transmission helps the body to feel an increased sense of “pleasure” from completing tasks. This is dangerous for those with normal or overactive dopamine production or receptors, as fundamentally increasing these hormones over long periods will cause extreme withdrawal when cut off, leading to severe depression and mental health disorders. In narcoleptic individuals, the rebalancing of these neurotransmitters helps to keep them awake during the day in the hope of achieving some sense of normalcy with their sleep pattern during the night.

How Does Adderall Erectile Dysfunction Happen?

Erectile Dysfunction can be placed in three main categories: psychological, libido-related, and physical. Sometimes it can be one, two, or even a combination of all three factors occurring at once. While Adderall may not affect these issues anyway, some have experienced impotence due to prolonged Adderall use, especially those that are taking Adderall without a prescription (most commonly used for long periods of study during graduate exams):

Affects Mood

The most common effect that may cause impotence is mood swings. Adderall has a different effect on each individual as it promotes and enhances the creation of neurotransmitters. Withdrawal from these effects can cause a chemical imbalance, which may lead to depression, anxiety, fear, stress, or even the inability to focus on intercourse.

Affects Sexual Desire

Adderall is known to affect sexual desire, but it can be both positive and negative depending on your hormonal composition. In depressed ADHD individuals, Adderall may actually increase sexual desire as the dopamine and serotonin hormones may be at more regular levels. However, Adderall can also diminish your libido after frequent use or taking it without a prescription. A proper diet and taking adderall with food can help negate these side effects.

Affects Circulatory System

The least common problem would be circulatory issues. Adderall helps to regulate breathing, and is known as a vasoconstrictor – which increases blood pressure and makes your heart beat faster. While this may actually help certain individuals with extremely low blood pressure and circulatory problems, the increased blood pressure may interfere with the physical ability to become erect due to improper blood flow to the penis.

FAQs

Is adderall impotence permanent?

It can be, but most often it is not. If you are taking adderall without a prescription for extended periods of time, this may completely offset the chemical composition in your body, which can permanently affect your nervous system. Caution is advised and should not be taken without medical directions. For unadvised limited use, the body will usually regulate itself to normal levels after complete withdrawal from Adderall.

Can adderall cause depression?

Yes. Adderall withdrawal is a diagnosable issue that currently has no set medical remedy. This usually occurs when not consistently taking Adderall and further limiting the amount of dopamine and serotonin production in the body. The feeling that there is no longer a “reward” for doing a task can make even the smallest action seem bleak, which can cause depression.

Should I take adderall at night?

Only if so directed by a medical professional. Generally, it is not advisable to take Adderall during sleeping hours, as the drug is used to promote concentration on the task at hand, and also increases blood flow and oxygenation to the body. This may give your body a shock of “energy”, which can contribute to insomnia.