Psychedelics and Adderall – Is It a Safe Combination?
Maybe you want to have a therapeutic psychedelic experience, but you take prescribed Adderall, other stimulants, and/or depressants every day, and don’t know how they will interact with psilocybin.
Since psychedelics are being explored by researchers for their potential benefits on a wide variety of symptoms and conditions including anxiety, depression, and even ADHD, many are searching for safe ways to engage with these medicines.
Potential interactions between psychedelics and stimulants or depressants are a crucial focus of current research. After all, these substances are everywhere, and it is likely that you use atleast one on a daily basis. What is more, many of those looking to work with psychedelics therapeutically have already explored traditional therapies, medications, or self-treated with other substances (oftentimes counterintuitively). For that reason, many of those seeking psychedelics are actively taking medications like Adderall or regularly use cannabis, alcohol, or nicotine.
Important to note is that depressants are distinct from antidepressants, and we will cover both in this article for full clarity. While stimulants and depressants are their own classes of drugs based on their effects on the nervous system, antidepressants refer to a class of medications prescribed for depression and other mood disorders.
While psilocybin in particular seems promising for Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder, it may be challenging for those already on ADHD medications to make the switch should it be approved as a mainstream treatment.
Whether out of pure curiosity or a genuine necessity, we hope this article helps to clarify whether or not it is safe to take psychedelics while on Adderall, stimulants, or depressants, including those that aren’t prescribed medications.
Key Takeaways
- Mixing psilocybin with stimulants or depressants carries real risks, from cardiovascular strain with Adderall to unpredictable psychological effects with alcohol.
- Psilocybin may potentially support the process of quitting nicotine. However, further research is required to confirm the initial results.
- Antidepressants impact the same serotonin that psilocybin affects. As such, you should refrain from taking them together. Mixing these two may lead to severe health consequences, some of which can be fatal. However, there is initial research indicating that psychedelics might become an alternative to antidepressants.
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What is Adderall? The Effects of Stimulants vs. Psychedelics
Adderall is a powerful nervous system stimulant—a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine—which is commonly prescribed to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy. It, along with other stimulant prescriptions, increases someone’s ability to focus and perform tasks through stimulating the central nervous system. Adderall specifically is most often taken in tablet form. In particular, “stimulants enhance attention, memory, self-regulation and executive function in individuals with ADHD” through increasing the activity of certain monoamines in the brain (Weyandt et al., 2018). Can you take Adderall with psychedelics? In principle, you shouldn’t, because this may lead to a number of unpredictable and potentially dangerous effects, such as:- Increased cardiovascular risk (elevated heart rate, blood pressure, risk of arrhythmias).
- Exacerbated anxiety and psychological distress.
- Reduced benefits and increased side effects, especially with combinations like MDMA + methylphenidate.
What is Alcohol? The Effects of Depressants vs. Psychedelics
Alcohol is classified as a depressant and a drug, making it a substance that may interact with psychedelics. Despite the potential interest in this area, there is scarce research evaluating the effects of mixing mushrooms or other psychoactive substances with alcohol.
One of the few existing research studies on this topic is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration & Office of the Surgeon General. (November, 2016). It suggests that psilocybin may decrease the awareness of alcohol’s effect, making it much easier to drink too much, and this can lead to alcohol poisoning.
What is more, according to the American Addiction Centers, mixing mushrooms with alcohol may lead to a number of potential adverse effects:
- nausea,
- emotional disturbances,
- face numbness,
- increased heart rate and higher blood pressure,
- muscle weakness,
- sweating,
- loss of urinary control,
- twitching or convulsions.
In the end, you should refrain from mixing psychedelics with this specific depressant, due to the unpredictable side effects and lack of research on the matter.
When it comes to other depressants, such as benzodiazepines like Xanax, or opioids, this can be risky and is generally not recommended. Depressants slow down the nervous system, which can dull or distort the psychedelic experience, increase confusion or disorientation, and in some cases lead to respiratory suppression, especially at high doses.
While some people use benzodiazepines to manage anxiety or for “come down” effects, doing so can interfere with integration and carry a risk of dependence.
It’s important to understand both substances’ effects and how they may interact before combining them, ideally under guidance from a medical or harm reduction professional.
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What Is Nicotine? Psilocybin vs. Nicotine
Nicotine is unique in its effects, because, depending on the person, it can act as either a stimulant or a depressant. Moreover, it is a substance that is taken on a daily basis, oftentimes multiple times a day, due to its addictive qualities and short half life of two to three hours. As such, its potential interaction with psilocybin needs to be understood thoroughly.
If you look for research on nicotine and psilocybin, you will find out that multiple scientists worked on one type of case: the impact of psilocybin on nicotine cravings. According to Johns et al. and Johnson et al., psilocybin may help reduce nicotine dependence and limit nicotine usage on a daily basis. Therefore, the role of mushroom macrodosing therapies is likely to be explored and researched further in the context of quitting. It’s also common for people to use microdosing to help wean off of nicotine, but more research is needed to indicate true efficacy.
What Are Antidepressants? Psilocybin vs. Antidepressants
Antidepressants are neither stimulants nor depressants, but they still should make their way onto this list. They work by adjusting the levels of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, in the brain by increasing the amount of time these chemicals remain active in the brain before being reabsorbed or broken down. This is typically achieved by blocking their reuptake or inhibiting enzymes that would normally degrade them.
Can you mix antidepressants with mushrooms?
The answer is: no. Most antidepressants bind serotonin and so does psilocybin. In the best case scenario, you will feel only small effects of the shrooms taken, since they will be canceled out by the antidepressant; in the worst case scenario, there is some limited evidence that combining the two can increase your risk of serotonin syndrome—a reaction to a high-level build up of serotonin in your body. In some cases, serotonin syndrome may be fatal.
However, it is possible that psilocybin may become a substitute for antidepressants. According to a 2020 clinical study by Alan K. Davis, published in JAMA Psychiatry, it is possible that psilocybin-assisted therapy may be efficacious among people with major depressive disorder. We’re likely to see more research digging into the topic, so it is possible that in the future, the FDA will approve mushroom microdosing and macrodosing therapies as a potential remedy for depression.
Microdosing Psilocybin or Full Journeys with Psychedelic Passage
Whether you are seeking alternatives to your ADHD medication and figuring out how to taper onto something new, or you are engaging with these substances recreationally, we have a plethora of resources and services that can support you.
Being supported by a psychedelic expert greatly reduces risks associated and also encourages positive and prepared exploration.
Here at Psychedelic Passage, we connect you with our network of pre-vetted psychedelic facilitators who are located all over the country. Our network gives you access to tailored support throughout the entire psychedelic process.
During the preparation stage, facilitators provide health screenings and offer preparation support to help you set intentions and mitigate pre-trip anxiety. They will help to ease any doubts you may have about mixing psychedelics with specific depressants and stimulants, ensuring that you have a safe, mind-opening experience. They also provide day-of and integration support for a safe journey and meaningful results. Our aim is to provide accessible safety services around psychedelic use.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Stimulants, Adderall, & Psychedelics
Are There Potential Interactions Between Psychedelics and Stimulants?
Yes, combining psychedelics with stimulants can be unpredictable and possibly dangerous. Stimulants may intensify the effects of psychedelics, leading to an overwhelming experience or increased anxiety and agitation.
While there is no specific documented contraindication, it is best to use these substances independently or at least work with them in a safe way when it comes to proper dosing, tapering, timing, and support.
Can I Use Psychedelics to Counteract Stimulant Side Effects?
Using psychedelics to counteract stimulant side effects is not recommended. Both substances affect the brain differently and their combination can lead to unpredictable outcomes and potential health risks.
There are no known or documented benefits on stimulant side effects when it comes to psychedelics or psilocybin.
Will Taking Adderall After a Psychedelic Experience Affect the Results?
Taking Adderall after a psychedelic experience may affect the results, specifically those associated with the afterglow period. Once the psychedelic trip is over, it is best to allow an integration period before jumping into other substances.
However, it’s crucial to prioritize mental and physical well-being when considering any substance use. If you need to immediately get back on a prescription for Adderall because of a health condition, be sure to consult professional support.
References:
- Adderall effects, risks, and dangers: Short and long term. American Addiction Centers. (2024, February 7). https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall/long-term-effects
- Adderall shortage puts U.S. on brink of public health crisis. (n.d.-a). https://www.axios.com/2022/11/15/adderall-shortage-adhd-diagnosis-prescriptions
- Drug fact sheet: Stimulants. (n.d.-b). https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Stimulants-2020.pdf
- Farzam, K. (2023, July 2). Stimulants. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539896/#:~:text=The%20term%20stimulants%20cover%20a,medical%20benefits,%20and%20recreational%20purposes
- Mostowy, S. (2019, May 1). The widespread reach and possible physiological effects of adderall. Institute of Neuro Innovation. https://inifoundation.org/neuroscience-anthology-1/2019/4/29/the-widespread-reach-and-possible-physiological-effects-of-adderall
- Weyandt, L. L., White, T. L., Gudmundsdottir, B. G., Nitenson, A. Z., Rathkey, E. S., De Leon, K. A., & Bjorn, S. A. (2018, June 27). Neurocognitive, autonomic, and mood effects of adderall: A pilot study of healthy college students. Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165228/
- Plumber, N., Majeed, M., Ziff, S., Thomas, S. E., Bolla, S. R., & Gorantla, V. R. (2021, May 22). Stimulant usage by medical students for cognitive enhancement: A systematic review. Cureus. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8216643/
- Rootman, J. M., Kryskow, P., Harvey, K., Stamets, P., Santos-Brault, E., Kuypers, K. P. C., Polito, V., Bourzat, F., & Walsh, Z. (2021, November 18). Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01811-4
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 Nov. [Table], Psilocybin. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424847/table/appd.t17/
- Alcohol.org. (n.d.). Risks and effects of mixing mushrooms and alcohol. American Addiction Centers. Retrieved from https://alcohol.org/mixing-with/mushrooms/
- Jones, G., Lipson, J. & Nock, M.K. Associations between classic psychedelics and nicotine dependence in a nationally representative sample. Sci Rep 12, 10578 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14809-3
- Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 43(1), 55–60. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2016.1170135
- JAMA Psychiatry Published Online: November 4, 2020 2021;78;(5):481-489. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285
Dr. John Moos, MD
Dr. John Moos is a former Trauma and Acute Care Surgeon with over two decades of experience across several hospitals, including Sutter Health Memorial Medical Center and North Valley Hospital District. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, followed by postgraduate training at Keck School of Medicine at USC, where he served as Chief Resident in General Surgery.
Transitioning from trauma surgeon to trauma healer, John felt called to put the scalpel down. He embraced holistic healing practices and founded Soul Surgeon MD, a psychedelic healing sanctuary in Los Angeles. As a member of the Psychedelic Medicine Association and The American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners, he now focuses on integrating psychedelic therapies into his unique healing framework.
