Last updated: November 27th, 2019…
As if people with ADHD don’t have enough problems to deal with – adrenal fatigue is unfortunately one of the more serious conditions that many people with ADHD must confront at some point.
If you have ADHD, and you frequently use stimulant-based medications, or even natural stimulants (like coffee), then you’ll probably want to understand the negative impact that adrenal fatigue can have on your life.
I’ve personally dealt with severe adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is pretty terrible to deal with. And, it’s actually thought that adrenal fatigue harms millions of other Americans as well.
I also have to assume that people with ADHD are one of the group’s of people who are most likely to encounter adrenal fatigue – probably as a result of consuming stimulant ADHD medication, dealing with extreme levels of stress, and working too much.
So make sure to read through this article, and save yourself from going through a lot of unnecessary pain!
Contents
What is adrenal fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is a growing epidemic that occurs as a result of your body’s inability to handle stress.
Because, if you’re like the average American, there’s a very good chance that you experience far too much stress – which usually leads to cortisol depletion (low cortisol) over time.
Cortisol is the “stress hormone” that’s made in your adrenal glands. And, your adrenal glands are two small glands located above your kidneys.
Your adrenal glands play an extremely important role in helping your body manage stress, control blood pressure, regulate metabolism, and oversee your “fight or flight” response. But, problems typically occur when your adrenal glands become overworked.
For example, people who undergo a lot of physical stress force the body to produce more hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. This usually happens as a result of dealing with a stressful career, relationship, health condition (ADHD), financial problems, or just life in general.
As you can probably imagine, prolonged stress can ultimately wreak havoc on your entire endocrine system, and make you feel depressed, anxious, lethargic, mentally exhausted, and even uninterested in sex.
This is essentially what life with adrenal fatigue is like.
Why people with ADHD are at risk of adrenal fatigue
People with ADHD are at serious risk of experiencing adrenaline fatigue.
This is because people with ADHD often use stimulant-based ADHD medications, drink numerous cups of coffee every day, and live stressful lives in general.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m very appreciative of stimulant ADHD medications, and natural stimulants like coffee.
But, it’s also important to be aware that these “lifelines” for people with ADHD are often double-edged swords – since both synthetic and natural stimulants can easily be used in excess, and throw your hormones way out of whack.
I know that life is rarely easy for people with ADHD.
And, it isn’t fun to hear that now you even have to be careful about how you use stimulants, manage stress, and keep a close eye on your hormones!
But, the reality is that ignoring the signs of adrenaline fatigue can make your ADHD symptoms seem 10x worse than they already are.
For example, imagine not being able to focus while also feeling like you don’t have the willpower to get out of bed in the morning. Or, imagine not being able to function until you consume 2-3 cups of coffee every morning.
Having ADHD is bad enough. But, having ADHD and adrenal fatigue can feel like you’re going through life in a dizzy fog.
Can ADHD medications like Adderall and Vyvanse cause adrenal fatigue?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes.
Using stimulant-based ADHD medications like Adderall and Vyvanse can contribute to adrenal fatigue.
This is definitely a tricky topic, because ADHD medications can actually help people with ADHD in terms of focus, willpower, and energy levels in the short-term.
But, on the other hand, ADHD medications can also hurt people with ADHD in terms of worsening your physical stress, and depleting cortisol levels over the long-term.
Like most things in life – moderation is going to be key when it comes to using ADHD medication safely, and keeping adrenal fatigue at bay.
However, if you feel like you’re dependent on using Adderall, Vyvanse, or any other stimulant ADHD medication in order to function in a normal capacity – this could be a sign that you’re suffering from adrenal fatigue.
How to heal adrenal fatigue
The most obvious way to heal adrenal fatigue is to take more frequent breaks from using ADHD medication and stimulants.
I’m not saying that anyone should stop using ADHD medication or stimulants altogether.
But, because ADHD medication and stimulants can stress your body, it truly helps to take breaks from these substances whenever you can.
If possible, lowering your daily dose of ADHD medication is another positive step towards healing adrenal fatigue. I’ve already written an article about titrating Vyvanse with water in order to find the Minimum Effective Dose (MED) that works best for your body.
And most importantly, it’s so crucial for people with ADHD to take frequent vacations, enjoy therapeutic massages, have healthy relationships, and do whatever it takes to keep away from stress.
If you can lower your dosage of ADHD medication, drink just a little bit of caffeine, eat a healthy diet, and take plenty of vacations, you’ll drastically improve your odds of preventing and healing adrenal fatigue.
Essential supplements for healing adrenal fatigue
Supplements work surprisingly well for fixing adrenal fatigue because of the healing power of adaptogens.
Adaptogens can actually increase or decrease the amount of cortisol that your body produces in order to bring your stress hormones into a natural state of balance.
So, when you use the proper adaptogens to heal your adrenal fatigue, you will be able to feel an almost immediate change in your body.
If you take ADHD medication, or use natural stimulants for ADHD, then it would be smart to supplement with certain adaptogens.
I ultimately recommend the following two adaptogen supplements to prevent and heal adrenal fatigue in people with ADHD…
Adrenal Health Daily Support (by Gaia Herbs)
Adrenal Health Daily Support by Gaia Herbs (Amazon) is the best supplement that I recommend using to heal adrenal fatigue.
This supplement contains some of my favorite adaptogens like ashwagandha, Siberian rhodiola root extract, and holy basil leaf.
The adaptogens found in this supplement will help you naturally balance your cortisol level, and restore the health of your adrenal function.
If there’s one supplement that you take for adrenal fatigue, it should be this one.
Licorice Root (by Now Foods)
Licorice Root by Now Foods (Amazon) is another fantastic adaptogen that’s been known to help with adrenal fatigue.
Licorice root works by suppressing the release of cortisol from your adrenal glands. This makes it easier for your body to deal with stress.
By using licorice root, you’ll essentially take a load off your adrenal glands, fight off viral infections, support your immune system, and enjoy a number of other health benefits.
But, it’s equally important not to take licorice root for too long, since licorice root contains glycyrrhetinic acid, which acts like the hormone aldosterone. Taking too much licorice root can lead to bloating, high blood pressure, and sodium retention. This actually makes licorice root dangerous if it’s misused.
So, it’s best to use licorice root only if you aren’t currently taking any medications. If you have any questions about using licorice root, make sure to chat with a qualified healthcare provider before you try it.
Conclusion
Overall, adrenal fatigue is a condition that people with ADHD need to be concerned about.
I’ve personally experienced the energy-draining feelings of anxiety and depression that comes with adrenal fatigue. It’s no fun at all.
So, it’s going to be up to you and your doctor to:
- Find strategies that combat stress, such as deep breathing, meditation and exercise
- Take more vacations (if possible)
- Go on small weekend getaways or “staycations” to constantly change your environment
- Take short breaks from using ADHD medication and natural stimulants
Yes, it can be challenging for people with ADHD to avoid adrenal fatigue.
But, by making a solid effort to prevent and heal adrenal fatigue – you’ll most likely save yourself from experiencing a number of health issues further down the road.
Does Adderall XR interact with other meds such as Klonopin or Gabapentin, Verapamil or Thorazine? I’m on Adderall for 3 weeks now and feeling tired.
Hi John. I really appreciate your question, but it’s one that I cannot answer, since I’m not a doctor. I hope that you ask your doctor about this, and find a way to regain your energy.
You may want to note that taking licorice root can lower your testosterone levels. An unfavorable side effect if your a man.
Thank God i’m not a man. I’m taking it now, but for short term use.
John, of course those drugs can have interactions. Usually one or two drugs will be tested and listed together for interactions, however, when a person is taking a drug “cocktail” there is no way to be sure of the interactions or their effects. Every conceivable mixture (interaction) has not been studied or observed. The doctors can only speculate how they would interact. I had a primary doctor who had me on nearly 20 medications a month and could not tell me what ailment he was treating. He was addressing only the symptoms. Many were very dangerous prescriptions. In the end, he almost killed me. I had to beg another doctor to see me, and that doctor diagnosed me with Hashimotos disease. The second doctor called and told me “to get the medicine today. It has been filled by the pharmacy and is now waiting for you. Do not wait until tomorrow to pick it up. Next he told me I had Hashimotos for a very long time, …based on all the symptoms I had previously presented. and how it had progressed.” He continued by telling me that I was on the verge of death, just as I had suspected. So, those nearly 20 medications were merely covering the symptoms……Genius primary care physician (not), I know. Pftttt.
The drug interactions were horrible. The original primary care doctor continued to insist I take his med.s and fought with me over my wanting to trim down their use. Even placing this into my medical file which is a legal document: “The patient resists my attempt at treatment and has admitted that he does not take prescriptions as prescribed”…….Now get this, each of his prescribed medications had a label which read “Take as needed”. Good luck John. Be very careful with those med.s
My doctor was the same way. That is why I’m seeing a integrated nurse partitioner. She believes in using supplements (for short term) and diet. T
I believe taking Adderall and having chronic high levels of cortisol for a decade caused my diabetes. Doctors only treat me for diabetes despite not having a family history and the fact that I’m skinny and didn’t develop symptoms till 25. Symptoms began in the hospital when my wife was in labor for 4 days. Over 4 days I went from being peachy Keen to blood sugars in the 600’s feeling like I was legitimately dying. Son was a heathy 9.3 lb baby. I continue to search I’m not done yet. Wondering if anyone has any input?
Hi Alex thank you for your comments.
While I can’t comment on your specific medical situation, I can say that chronic stress is one of the absolute most harmful lifestyle factors that can contribute to a range of diseases.
I think that chronic stress is an unbelievably difficult problem to deal with. And yes, there’s a chance that chronic stress / high cortisol contributed to your problems.
But, there’s no point in worrying about the past. The best that you can do is focus on your health, diet, and lifestyle factors going forward.
I hope that you’re taking control of your health now Alex. Are you seeking the help/advice of a good doctor? I would recommend a Naturopathic Doctor personally.
-Stef
If you haven’t looked into the Medical Medium, I highly recommend. His books, website and IG are full of amazing info. I started following his healing protocols a month ago and for the first time in 2-3 years am starting to feel better.
Research says that women who have a baby with a birth weight over 9 Lbs. has a greater chance of developing diabetes later on in life.
Loved the article and your mission to help those with adhd! I really like the recommendation of adaptogens.
One thing I stumbled on tho seemed odd… I wanted to learn more about licorice root so I looked it up on my go to site Examine.com and It said studies show it increased cortisol. “Appears to increase cortisol at higher doses (500mg or more), with no significant influence at lower doses; this is related to the glycyrrhizin content, and would not occur in deglycyrrhizinated supplements”
Source: https://examine.com/supplements/licorice/
Thanks for doing awesome work for all us with adhd (me included)!
Thanks so much JB. Very interesting point about licorice root. If that’s the case, I would just recommend keeping doses of licorice root low, since there don’t seem to be any issues with low doses of licorice root.
I wish you the very best!
I was diognosed with ALS like 18 years ago with a very slow and abnormal progression. Recently i was told i am Edrenal Insufficient. Could this cause abnormal results in a nerve conduction test? Which is one of the tests used in diognosing ALS
Hi Bob. I hope you’re hanging in there. Life is tough, but I hope you can maintain a positive attitude even with ALS and Adrenal Fatigue.
I’m not sure about the answers to your questions to be fair. Those questions would be best asked at your doctor’s office.
I wish I could help more. Either way, I truly wish the best for you Bob.
Bob-
You need to be evaluated for adrenal insufficiency by someone who actually knows what they are doing. A.I. can result in extreme muscle weakness that looks alot like ALS. A little hydrocortisone could change your life if you do have A.I.
Was also recently told i have ADHD
Any thoughts on how long or frequent breaks might be to be most beneficial ?
It’s a common issue that’s really hard to determine. I think it’s really a case-by-case situation that you have to figure out on your own! I say this because everyone is unique.
Your body might respond extremely well to a 2-3 day break over the weekend. Or maybe you’ll really benefit most from taking one week off.
It’s totally dependent on you and your lifestyle Christine!
I have a question for the writer of this article. How effective have you been in mitigating against adrenal fatigue without giving up stimulants entirely? I’ve found my adhd to be the CAUSE of my battle with adrenal fatigue but am also worried about the problem being exacerbated by meds. I am maintaining treatment for adrenals with adaptogens etc but am wondering what the specific protocol is for someone who has been successful on the above without giving up meds. How frequent and how long are your medication breaks? Is each weekend suitable?
Hi Max. It’s an excellent question you’ve asked. Adrenal fatigue is very hard to “measure” in my opinion, so it’s really tough to tell.
I don’t think you *have* to temporarily give up medication to improve adrenal fatigue, although it’s definitely helpful.
Honestly, I don’t have hard answers to these questions.
If you can muster the courage, taking small breaks here and there helps.
If you need your ADHD medication at all times, there’s nothing wrong with just continuing to take your medication, using adaptogens, managing your stress levels, exercising, and just doing the best that you can.
I was just diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue. This article was so helpful to me.
Despite having this new illness, I don’t regret being on Ritalin. I tried other things like diet but only the stimulate helped me concentrate. I was prescribed Ritalin at age six. Twenty years later, I actually outgrew my need for the stimulate.
Thanks for writing such a wonderful article.
I appreciate you Meg. Hope you conquer adrenal fatigue and live an amazing life.
I have been on the Gaia brand herb blend called “Adrenal Night Time Restore” and also the “Sleep Through” blend. Both have been great.
Also taking Omega 3 (fish oil) first thing in the morning can help with focus.
My ADHD symptoms increased significantly after my kids were born, definitely stress and sleep deprivation related. I have definitely suffered from Adrenal Fatigue for the past 6 years. It’s really crummy. Strangely enough though, I didn’t know what this constantly exhaustion was called until about a year ago. Constantly overwhelmed and tired are a really difficult combo.
If I could turn back time, I’d have managed stress more appropriately for the decade prior to having kids, and not depended on a constant stream of coffee. I no longer drink coffee (I drink green tea now), but I used to drink a pot of coffee a day. I finally make yoga a priority once a week, which helps me sleep at night. But insomnia is still my biggest battle!
I wish you all the best of luck…
Thank you for this C. Great to hear your perspective on dealing with adrenal fatigue. You’re absolutely right about how sleep deprivation and having kids can complicate the situation.
I wish you the best too.
When discussing breaks from Adderall- how long would you advise???
Thank You
Hi Michelle. That’s entirely up to you! (And your doctor, of course, if you’d like to discuss that with your doc).
When I was taking Vvanse, I would occasionally take weekends off.
But there are many people who take ADHD medication every single day, since that’s what the medication is for!
Can aderall use eventually lead to weight gain when you stop taking it? Not back to the weight you were but more? Can this lead to a slow metabolism or hypothyroidism?
Hi Brooke. You have some interesting questions that I honestly don’t have the answers to, unfortunately.
But your questions are *perfect* for an experienced doctor to answer!
I wish I could help…but I just don’t know what to say here 🙂
Do adaptogens have any influenceoin the effectiveness of stimulants (specifically Ritalin)? Could they lower the impact of the drug?
Excellent question Becs. I’m not sure to be perfectly honest. I think that’s a great question for your doctor though! Wish I could help you out here.
This may seem odd or silly, but when I come off or down on stimulants, I always have bowel movements like crazy, to the point where today when I’ve cut down on DextroAmphetamine tablets, I’ve had 6 bowel movements. I’ve had up to 13 a day while coming off.
Very common issue Jake. I’m not sure why it happens, but I’ve heard of people having similar problems. Not sure what the solution is to be honest.
I feel so relieved to have found this article. I have been experiencing increasing severe fatigue. Hard to get out of bed. Have been taking Adderall since 2009. Am also under extreme stress -moving, financial & more. Need the focus & energy Adderall has given me for years but it is no longer working at perscribed doseage or tad higher. I have been taking a day or two off lately-as much as I can but move coming up in 5 days, have nobody with me to interact with /help.
Once I arrive at my new home across the country I will immediately rest more, de stress & take a ‘vacation’ from adderall & hence be able to reduce meds I take at night for anxiety.
Makes sense to try supplement you suggest. Will order now. No surprise timing of what is going on with me. Just gotta get through. Very helpful article.
Focus on reducing that stress Jeanne! Do everything you can. Thank you very much for leaving your thoughts and kind words on here.
Its important to engage in low stress exercise. Walking swimming. And to get AT LEAST 8-10 hours of sleep. Trying to go to bed before 9. I created a tea concoction of licorice root, rhodiola, siberian ginseng and ashwaghana I try to drink every night before bed. Im an adrenaline addict and I love to challenge myself. This is a whole new ballgame. Im on 40 mg of vyvance but take it every other day.
My question is is it better to reduce my amt to 20 and take it every day or take 30 and take it every other day?
Excellent comment GADS. Totally up to you to decide how Vyvanse best fits into your lifestyle!
I have MTFHR gene it causes My ADD my doctor had to add methylfolate that i was lacking. I was on Steroids 20 prednisone. And it did crazy side effects but i stopped it and not gradual.
Every since i have been having troble with my stimulants working off qnd on plus my thyroid test would fluctuate .
I had to beg my primary to check my adrenal gland. Came back low cortisol.
Now my stimulants don’t work. I have my systems of ADD not organized and very weak. I want to give up.
I have no fellings sress mood change feel worthless. Any advice?
I wish you the very best Mary. Your situation sounds complex, and it would be silly of me to give advice in your situation (I’m not a medical professional).
You should definitely consult with multiple doctors (traditional docs, Naturopathic docs) and get their opinion on the matter!
Thank you so much for this article. This is the first time I’ve seen ADHD and Adrenal Fatigue addressed simultaneously as “co-morbid conditions”. I have been diagnosed as having adrenal fatigue via a saliva test administered by a physician. I’ve never been officially diagnosed as ADHD–but have always suspected as much. (My sister states it’s 100% assured!) It’s interesting to consider the two together and the possible ramifications of such (combination). I look forward to reading future articles. Thank you for providing such insight.
Thank you very much Ginger 🙂
Will taking the Gaia adrenal health supplement on the same days as Adderall have any effects? i.e can it make me feel the Adderall more / less / no different?
Hi Harrison. That’s a great question. Please check with your doctor for the best results, since I’m honestly not qualified to answer medical questions like that.
Excellent article! I will definitely be sharing this.
Thank you very much Shan.
I think undiagnosed/unmedicated ADHD can also leave you at high risk for adrenal fatigue. I spent at least 15 years only able to engage on projects at the very last minute, in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy; even if I had tried to start earlier and work in chunks, I was never successful. I relied on caffeine and cortisol binges to make it through high school, college, and jobs. This also made for an irregular sleep schedule and inconsistent amounts go sleep. I wasn’t able to manage and balance my time to incorporate a regular exercise routine and making my own (healthier) food. I always thought I was just a lazy, incompetent failure but actually ADHD and its executive function issues were main contributors ! Now that I’m getting medication and therapy, it’s much better; but I’m also aware of how totally burned out I am because of how limited I still am despite having a greater ability to direct my focus and better management strategies. I need extraordinary amounts of sleep. I’m sick all the time. If I overexercise just a bit (think jogging instead of walking, or walking too long/far), I’m irritable for the next 2 days. I still struggle with fatigue, especially in the mornings and afternoons. I don’t think that the ADHD meds are as powerful a contributor to this as the last 10-15 years of relying on adrenaline to get things done and not being able to manage/balance things required for a healthy lifestyle. With meds, I’ve been able to massively reduce my caffeine consumption. I actually sleep better at night. I am cooking more for myself, and cooking healthier food. I am taking more time for myself to destress, including meditate and even personal grooming. It feels like I finally have the means to focus on self-care, but man, I am so sad at the damage I’ve done to myself living the way I was because I didn’t have the right tools and it frustrating to have to slow way down now that I know more about how to manage my life and feel like I “could” do so much more than ever before.
Totally agree with you Amelia. I was the same way, growing up only being able to finish projects at the last minute. This definitely has a lasting effect on people into adulthood too.
But you’re doing the absolute best that you can now, and that’s all that matters. You’re on the right track.
Thank you for the very informative article! I would like to do some more in depth research. Would you please provide citations for the information shared?
Hi I’m new to this but I am on Adderall have been for a couple yrs.now and I also Xanax for anxiety. Wanting to try the Nightly Restore (Adrenal Health) jw about side effects if any is know.?
Hi! Really enjoy reading all of your info.. I was on adderall 10mg for 2 years then a year break. I always wonder if it caused my adrenal fatigue or would you consider that a pretty low dose. My doc always says to stop stressing about what it “could” be doing to me and focus on that it’s working so stick with it? My brain likes to over think everything and put puzzles together of why I feel so crappy. I was dignosed with a pituitary disorder and always wonder if adderall is to blame? Maybe I’m just over thinking crap. This is why I need the meds it calms my brain from having to many thoughts. Could having a harsh come down from meds be adrenal fatigue does anyone else get this? I also have hypothyrodism. I have lots going on. Just always trying to figure out how to feel better.
Wish you all the best Tiana and would recommend chatting with your doctor about all of this as it’s difficult to determine exactly what the issue could be. There are so many possibilities. But after a 1 year break from Adderall you SHOULD be feeling back to normal. Are you exercising? Eating healthy? Stress is a definite issue as well for sure. It’s something we all struggle with.
This really seems more like an opinion piece. Can you provide any peer reviewed evidence for all of the claims you are making? Seems like it makes sense, but that is the danger of opinion.
Hi Jackie – yes this is an opinion piece based off of my own experience. I’d suggest researching the peer-reviewed options in medical journals. I’m just sharing what has worked for me in the hopes that it resonates with others who are going through the same thing. Seeing someone else talk about it can give confidence to tackling it yourself. Thank you!
I have dealt with the physical ups and downs from both adhd medication,as well as SNRI antidepressants. Before being actually diagnosed properly,I had already been dealing with long term fatigue and diffuse chronic pain (the apparent result of having multiple Epstein Barr infections/flares)- first was mono( horrible case),and second one viral meningitis that was determined via spinal tap to also be a flare of EBV). So,I always struggled with inattention and difficulty with focus and thought organization,but at the same time was no stranger to having situations of feeling physically functional enough to be busy,get things done for a full day,but then I would crash and need 3 days to recover. The addition of ADHD meds improved executive function and motivation,but if I gave in to the extra physical energy,the crash was horrid and the next day waking up and taking the meds again would be just fine,but after maybe 2 weeks going on like that,I was physically ill. I cannot really take days “off” my meds because I have to be mentally functional most of the time- but what I did find helpful was as the article said- adaptogens. Maca is another helpful supplement,and I personally like mushroom complexes and euluthero. Also as mentioned about Licorice-anyone with ANY kind of cardiac issue should avoid it. It is miraculous for viruses,actually for many things-but it can be dangerous for cardiac patients.
Can you take adaptogenic herbs WHILE taking Vyvanse? Or are you saying to take the adaptogens if you are taking a break from stimulants? Also, how long is a “break”? A day? A week? 6 months?
Thanks Jennifer. You can take them together. The adaptogens help counter the fatigue you can feel on Vyvanse. For a break, you can think of it in terms of weeks. See if you can go 1 week, then 2 weeks, then 3 weeks.