Why might Adderall be helping my upset stomach?

July 10, 2023 10:34 AM

I know Adderall causes GI issues, but it often helps my stomach when it is feeling bad. I only take it occasionally because I don't love how it makes me feel in general, but when I do take it, it often calms my stomach down. I can't find any info on this reaction through my admittedly cursory searches.
posted by asimplemouse to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

It does the same for me, and I think it's because a lot of my digestive issues are all rooted in stress and anxiety; I have IBS which is made much worse by stress, and Adderall helps me to calm down and be less anxious.
posted by The otter lady at 10:41 AM on July 10, 2023 [10 favorites]

Feeling bad how? Like you have to throw up or acid reflux? Your vagus nerve might be overstimulated and Adderall calms you down assuming you have ADHD. I don't get at all high on Vyvanse/Adderall both of which I take daily, I get calm and sleepy. There are plenty of other ADHD medications to try, by the way, if you don't like how it makes you feel. You may even just be on too high of a dose.

Vyvanse is essentially an evolved version of Adderall that requires digestion to convert to an active drug. For that reason, many people find it to be smoother with fewer side effects.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 11:26 AM on July 10, 2023

Response by poster: Yes, I definitely take it for intense ADHD, and don't get any high. I don't really get sleepy on it (though I instantly do with caffeine, and cannot drink coffee without collapsing within an hour.) But Adderall does make my intractable insomnia much worse no matter how early I take it, which is one of the effects that makes me resistant to taking it. It does ease my anxiety on multiple levels though, and I suspect like the person above mentioned, that anxiety is playing a major role in my stomach hurting.

It's like a feeling of being hungry, but not wanting to eat or know what would feel helpful to eat and not make it worse, like rocks churning in my stomach. It doesn't happen often, and I don't have any history of GI issues, but it's so noticeable when this reaction happens.

I've tried other ADHD meds over the years, and tried different doses, but never tried Vyvanse. Something to keep in mind though and maybe worth trying at some point-- thanks for that.
posted by asimplemouse at 11:44 AM on July 10, 2023

That rocks churning feeling, for me, is how I identify I am feeling particularly anxious.
posted by freethefeet at 2:53 PM on July 10, 2023 [4 favorites]

ADHD can definitely affect your ability to notice, identify, and respond to hunger cues and other bodily needs. So it's possible that your meds made it easier for your body to figure out what it's feeling that is unpleasant, and what kind of inputs (food, rest, movement, etc.) would make you more comfortable.
posted by decathecting at 3:31 PM on July 10, 2023 [2 favorites]

I've never noticed GI issues. However, it does seem to have a kind of appetite suppressant effect. I mean, I still get hungry. I just don't care. Is it possible that eating your normal foods/amount of foods might cause some distress, and the Adderall might be keeping you from doing it?
posted by 2N2222 at 4:44 PM on July 10, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks all, a lot of this resonated with me and gave me things to think about. Thanks so much for helping me figure this out. I suspect it’s a mix of anxiety-reduction and also the appetite-suppression that hits the pause button on the anxiety-related hungry-but-not stomach sensation. I’ll give it more thought though. Thanks!
posted by asimplemouse at 4:45 AM on July 11, 2023 [1 favorite]