Caffeine & Adderall

Caffeine, which is considered a drug and food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is naturally found in more than 60 plants, including coffee beans, teas and cacao pods. Adderall, the brand name for amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is a Schedule 2 controlled substance used to treat both the psychiatric disorder attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and narcolepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by a tendency to fall sleep at inappropriate times. Caffeine and Adderall stimulate the central nervous system, so consult your doctor before taking them together.

About Caffeine

According to the FDA, 80 percent of American adults consume approximately 200 mg of caffeine daily in the form of food, beverages, medications or dietary supplements. Because caffeine blocks the neurological reception of adenosine, a chemical that induces drowsiness, manufacturers use it in prescription and over-the-counter fatigue-fighting medications. Some headache medications contain caffeine because it constricts the blood vessels in the brain, relieving pain and pressure. Caffeine also exerts a diuretic effect on the body and can lead to dehydration, so you should use it cautiously when engaging in physical activity or when working in heated environments.

Caffeine's Neuroprotective Effects

According to a study conducted at the University of Paris in France that was published in the August 2007 issue of "Neurology," caffeine may offer neuroprotective effects. In this investigation, researchers evaluated caffeine consumption, cognitive performance and clinical dementia diagnosis or progression in male and female subjects age 65 or older. Researchers collected measurements and evaluations at baseline and conducted a two- and four-year follow-up. Results indicated that caffeine consumption reduced the rate of cognitive decline in women age 65 or older who had not been diagnosed with dementia.

About Adderall

The National Institute of Mental Health classifies ADHD as one of the most observed conditions diagnosed in children. ADHD is often treated with neurological stimulants like Adderall. When administered in low doses, this medication calms hyperactivity, reduces impulsive urges, increases the attention span and improves the ability to focus. Doctors prescribe Adderall to treat other conditions, such as depression and obesity, because it increases the heart rate, metabolism and neurological activity and suppresses the appetite. Adderall may cause serious side effects, including addiction, and should only be used under a doctor's supervision.

Adderall Addiction and Side Effects

Adderall users may develop an addiction with prolonged use. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, developing an addiction requires substance dependence. To be dependent on or addicted to a substance, a patient must exhibit three of the seven symptoms of addiction in a 12-month time frame, which include inappropriate dosing, tolerance, withdrawal, inability to quit, life impairment, self-inflicted injury and time commitment. According to MayoClinic.com, side effects of Adderall include stroke, heart attack, urinary tract infections, decreased growth in children and psychosis.

Taking Caffeine With Adderall

Because caffeine and Adderall are both stimulant drugs, their combination elicits more severe side effects. Adderall elevates blood pressure approximately 2 to 4 mm/Hg---a normal blood pressure measures 140/90 mm/Hg or lower. It also elevates the heart rate by three to six beats per minute. If you ingest caffeine while Adderall is in your system, your blood pressure and heart rate will significantly increase. This drug combination may cause pronounced restlessness, nervousness, sleeplessness and jitteriness.