Adderall, Caffeine, Energy, and Creativity

TLDR AT BOTTOM

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Through the past two weeks I have taken 30 mg of XR Adderall on four separate nights, with anywhere from 1-4 days rest in between.

I have found the energy and focus to be perfect, and the high itself largely enjoyable (obviously).

After the third time last week, I decided I would not take Adderall again and decided to work on a schedule to help increase my energy and focus throughout the week. I looked up a cleanse, known as the Quantum Wellness Cleanse, and began this Monday.

This cleanse included a cessation of caffeine, so I went three days without coffee. Today I broke down from what I can only describe as really, really heavy tiredness. I did not get headaches, but I couldn't keep my eyes open and was unable to accomplish anything.

So at around 2 PM I made myself a cup of coffee.

At around 7 I was wondering about adderall.

Despite this, I have continued and plan to continue the cleanse, with regard to the vegan, gluten free, zero alcohol diet. I feel I'll likely continue this diet permanently (sans zero alcohol rule).

So, I'm really having trouble here with energy. I want to be able to focus, to really focus, as I can on Adderall, or even a small amount of coffee (which is largely ineffective).

I know I can work my mind up to a level where I can focus, read, write, and work without taking any chemicals. I'm talking about meditation, vegan diet, raw food diet, exercise - all in combination - with a very good schedule of waking and sleeping as well as cleanliness. I've had extreme difficulty waking up on time without obligations to force me.

SIDE QUESTION:

If I stay up ALL DAY tomorrow... and sleep at 12 AM... will that really help me to reset my sleep schedule, given that I really wake up at 8 on Friday?

I believe I may suffer from a low to mid level form of ADD that went undiagnosed (thankfully) as a child. I received extremely high marks on tests throughout school, and on subjects which interested me specifically. However, starting in 6th grade, I found it very difficult to focus on necessary tasks, and could NOT do my homework, no matter how much my parents forced me. I just wouldn't do it. My grades plummeted to below average levels, despite my high marks on the SAT and ACT (zero study time!) - not to mention being one of 5 placed in an experimental "double accelerated math class" at my school in 5th grade (I dropped out of this in 11th - and suck at math now).

TLDR:

When I take Adderall, I can structure my entire life and organization to very clear levels. Everything is in place. I become serious, devoted, and I notice very many things about my character and lifestyle - so that I can improve them methodically and with great ease. I'm convinced I can reach this level, maybe with a month of work... without any caffeine or pills!

So, I want to be able to focus, without any drugs. Or, if you think Adderall is genuinely a healthy or effective option, fill me in on that opinion!

ANY TIPS!?

THREAD DEVOTED TO LIFESTYLE TIPS with relation to INCREASING ENERGY, FOCUS, STRUCTURE, AND EFFICIENCY. DIET, MEDITATION EXERCISES, ETC.

This thread has succeeded in making me want to try adderal.

Yeah. It's absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately it's temporary.

I realized after a few years of abusing it (taking way too high doses, too often) - that lower doses used responsibly are much more enjoyable and useful.

I genuinely want to stop taking it though, in long term I think it would be very possible to gain energy/focus at this level.

This thread is pretty terrible though.

I have friends who needed adderall for a lot of reasons. And some who didn't but had no problem snorting it anyways.

But for me, I feel I tend to be most creative when I'm completely out of it. So many cool ideas written in the wee hours of the morning whilst being half conscious. Although I think I may have to try this sometime

Aderall and Caffeine make me have to pee allot. Nothing that holds my pee dick at gunpoint every 20 minutes is worth the energy trade off. I think a good solution is track pants with racing stripes and indoor trampoline with 80's mix tape. Most importantly is to let the stomach become fully hungry before feeding it -small- portions. You can do a lot of stuff on a little bit of fuel and letting that fundamental ebb and flow run through your life is a good key to well being and good energy. Most western people seem bad at understanding the difference between a pang of hunger and the need to replenish. Its a bad situation.

Good tip: small portions. Eat till full and nothing over. Small snacks.

  On 7/12/2012 at 4:23 AM, vamos scorcho said:

I believe I may suffer from a low to mid level form of ADD that went undiagnosed (thankfully) as a child. I received extremely high marks on tests throughout school, and on subjects which interested me specifically. However, starting in 6th grade, I found it very difficult to focus on necessary tasks, and could NOT do my homework, no matter how much my parents forced me. I just wouldn't do it. My grades plummeted to below average levels, despite my high marks on the SAT and ACT (zero study time!) - not to mention being one of 5 placed in an experimental "double accelerated math class" at my school in 5th grade (I dropped out of this in 11th - and suck at math now).

This doesn't necessarily mean you have/had ADD. There's a tendency to overdiagnose ADD to children, it's a convenient excuse for parents who can't control their kids - if you were a child that could sit and do something you enjoyed for 5 minutes uninterrupted, you probably didn't have ADD. Maybe you're under a lot of pressure; high anxiety levels can take a toll on your memory and ability to concentrate.

Have you thought about working out? It may sound counterproductive, but the distraction and the physical strain may help you relax better when you're supposed to. Rebalancing your energy/rest cycles can help you with your focus and organization skills. A run around my neighbourhood at night does wonders for me.

adderall is not healthy.

  On 7/12/2012 at 4:23 AM, vamos scorcho said:

I believe I may suffer from a low to mid level form of ADD that went undiagnosed (thankfully) as a child. I received extremely high marks on tests throughout school, and on subjects which interested me specifically. However, starting in 6th grade, I found it very difficult to focus on necessary tasks, and could NOT do my homework, no matter how much my parents forced me. I just wouldn't do it. My grades plummeted to below average levels, despite my high marks on the SAT and ACT (zero study time!) - not to mention being one of 5 placed in an experimental "double accelerated math class" at my school in 5th grade (I dropped out of this in 11th - and suck at math now).

Wow, that sums up me perfectly. I hope this thread provides us with answers.

I was prescribed Adderall my junior year of highschool, and have been on and off it about once every 2 years since. It's such a beautiful drug, until my inevitable side effects of anxiety and paranoia happen.

Do normal people feel like how I feel when I take adderall? If so, I'm very bitter.

I have zero tips, and will lurk for advice as well.

I had a very similar feeling about weed for a long time. The benefits were wonderful, but the side effects gradually got worse.

For me, I realized that I care more about existing in a way I like (peaceful, organized, creative, ready) more than I care about getting there easily. I have learned a lot more about myself since I quit and decided to try and achieve those things on my own. I had to learn to quiet my mind without external help.

You'll know if and when you're ready to do this. In my case it was when I felt I had no other option.

  On 7/12/2012 at 4:23 AM, vamos scorcho said:

 

So, I want to be able to focus, without any drugs. Or, if you think Adderall is genuinely a healthy or effective option, fill me in on that opinion!

 

I think this cleanse idea is terrible. Trying to go cold turkey on so many things at once is very tough. If there is something you don't like about your diet you should address it long term, and gradually remove the shit foods, caffeine, etc. And what have you been eating since you switched to vegan, anyways? There is no point switching to a vegan diet if you're going to each just shit vegan food instead of shit non-vegan food.

and no, I don't think adderall is a healthy choice long term (do you really want to rely on a pill for the rest of your life anyways?), especially when one reason you enjoy it so much is the euphoric properties it brings.

I thought there was already a thread for addicts?

  On 7/12/2012 at 11:41 AM, spratters said:

I thought there was already a thread for addicts?

watmm has too many substance abuse related threads!

I thought there was already a thread to whine about first world problems?

i bet vamos scrotum ends up becoming a scientologist - prime bait i reckon.

just smoke weed and get drunk with bros.

Adderall is nice.

  On 7/12/2012 at 8:47 AM, A/D said:

For me, I realized that I care more about existing in a way I like (peaceful, organized, creative, ready) more than I care about getting there easily. I have learned a lot more about myself since I quit and decided to try and achieve those things on my own. I had to learn to quiet my mind without external help.

 

You'll know if and when you're ready to do this. In my case it was when I felt I had no other option.

Feeling this post.

You already messed up the "healthy living" bit by trying Adderall in the first place...

such a great drug, the only downside for me was the excessive sweating

  On 7/12/2012 at 8:02 PM, Joyrex said:

You already messed up the "healthy living" bit by trying Adderall in the first place...

Well it's all very sliding scale

not many people are truly healthy (don't take prescription medication or drink coffee or alcohol or coke)

I probably never will be. I don't want to start reminding myself of a certain work mate

"oh my god look at this stain on the floor! I can't believe someone put whatever that was in their body!"

It turned out to be a smeared blueberry lol

it was a berry obscenity

  On 7/12/2012 at 6:43 PM, EleminoP said:

just smoke weed and get drunk with bros.

yeah that's all fun and good until you grow up.

There isn't anything unhealthy about consuming proper amounts of alcohol and coffee. Both have good properties if used responsibly. If you want the effects of adderall without having to take it maybe you should look into natural things you can take that can get a similar effect.

  On 7/12/2012 at 9:36 PM, sirch said:

  On 7/12/2012 at 6:43 PM, EleminoP said:

just smoke weed and get drunk with bros.

 

yeah that's all fun and good unless you grow up.

Fixed

  On 7/12/2012 at 9:53 PM, sweepstakes said:

  On 7/12/2012 at 9:36 PM, sirch said:

  On 7/12/2012 at 6:43 PM, EleminoP said:

just smoke weed and get drunk with bros.

 

yeah that's all fun and good unless you grow up.

Fixed

i should've said until you grow out of it :)

  On 7/12/2012 at 10:16 PM, sirch said:

  On 7/12/2012 at 9:53 PM, sweepstakes said:

  On 7/12/2012 at 9:36 PM, sirch said:

  On 7/12/2012 at 6:43 PM, EleminoP said:

just smoke weed and get drunk with bros.

 

yeah that's all fun and good unless you grow up.

Fixed

 

i should've said until you grow out of it :)

Some people don't though.