Sarah Brown
Mixing Adderall and mushrooms is a potentially dangerous combination. While some people, including former NFL player Derek Wolfe, have admitted to taking this combination before, it can lead to severe health risks. A published report details how a 42-year-old man experienced a hypertensive emergency after combining psilocybin mushrooms with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) and extended-release dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall is a brand name for this drug). The man experienced severe hypertension with chest pain, palpitations, and a headache, ultimately resulting in a myocardial infarction. Patients on certain medications should be warned of the potential dangers of mixing mushrooms with Adderall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possible Side Effects | Hypertensive emergency, chest pain, palpitations, headache |
| Symptoms Requiring Emergency Care | ST-elevation on electrocardiogram, myocardial infarction |
| Treatment | Lorazepam, nitroglycerin, aspirin, emergency cardiac catheterization |
| Substances Involved | Psilocybin mushrooms, dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, tranylcypromine |
| Substance Types | Classic serotonergic psychedelics (5HT-2A receptor agonists), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) |
| Substances with Similar Characteristics | Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), Lysergic acid (LSD), synthetic psilocybin |
| Risk Factors | Combining MAOIs with psilocybin mushrooms, particularly with norepinephrine releasers |
| Populations with Reported Use | Former NFL player Derek Wolfe, individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder |
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What You'll Learn
Adderall and mushroom microdosing for improved focus
Combining Adderall and psilocybin mushrooms may lead to a hypertensive emergency. In one case, a 42-year-old man developed severe hypertension with chest pain, palpitations, and a headache approximately half an hour after consuming 1g of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms while prescribed tranylcypromine, extended-release dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, and other medications.
While there is limited data on medication interactions with psychedelics, it is suspected that phenylethylamine, found in Psilocybe cubensis and other psilocybin mushroom species, interacted with tranylcypromine and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine to produce this hypertensive emergency. Therefore, patients prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should be warned of the potential for hypertensive emergencies when consuming psilocybin mushrooms, especially when also prescribed norepinephrine releasers such as dextroamphetamine-amphetamine.
Microdosing, or taking a fraction of a regular dose of a psychedelic drug, has gained popularity in recent years. However, there is no single, clearly recognized definition of a microdose for any psychedelic drug, and the potency of mushrooms can vary greatly as they are not regulated outside of clinical trials. Most 'microdosers' use about 10% of the regular dose of psilocybin, equivalent to about 100-300 milligrams of dried mushrooms, between 2-5 times a week.
While some studies on microdosing have been less impressive, with one randomized controlled study concluding that low-dose psilocybin mushrooms did not show significant effects, other studies have found small to medium-sized improvements in mood and mental health. Additionally, anecdotal reports and observational studies suggest that microdosing psilocybin can improve cognitive function, enhance mood, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, it is important to note that expectations play a significant role in the perceived effects of microdosing with psychedelics, and there is a lack of placebo-controlled studies in this area of research.
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Hypertensive emergency from combining Adderall and mushrooms
Adderall is a stimulant medication that contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. While both substances have their own individual effects and risks, combining them can lead to a potentially dangerous interaction, including a hypertensive emergency.
In a reported case, a 42-year-old man with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder took approximately 1 gram of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms while being prescribed extended-release dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall) and tranylcypromine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Within half an hour of consuming the mushrooms, he developed severe hypertension, along with chest pain, palpitations, and a headache. The patient was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction and required hospitalization and treatment with various medications.
The suspected cause of the hypertensive emergency is the interaction between phenylethylamine, a compound found in Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, and the combination of tranylcypromine and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine. This interaction resulted in a dangerous increase in blood pressure, leading to the patient's symptoms. It is important to note that the patient was taking multiple medications, and the combination of these substances likely contributed to the adverse reaction.
Consuming psilocybin mushrooms with stimulants such as amphetamines can be particularly risky due to their synergistic effects on blood pressure and heart rate. Psilocybin is known to increase blood pressure and heart rate, and when combined with stimulants like Adderall, the effects can be amplified, leading to a hypertensive crisis. Additionally, Adderall may enhance the effects of psilocybin, potentially intensifying the hallucinogenic experience and increasing the risk of adverse psychological reactions.
It is crucial for individuals taking prescription medications, such as Adderall, to be aware of potential drug interactions and to exercise caution when considering the use of substances like psilocybin mushrooms. While this specific case report highlights a rare but severe outcome, more research is needed to fully understand the interactions between Adderall and psilocybin mushrooms, as data on medication combinations with psychedelics remain limited.
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MAOIs and the risk of hypertensive crisis
Although monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are increasingly being used to treat a range of psychiatric disorders, there are long-standing concerns over their potential to cause hypertensive reactions. The risk of a hypertensive episode when taking MAOIs is estimated to be less than 1%, and this is thought to be due to careful dietary instructions and cautious prescription of other medications. However, there is a possibility of spontaneous hypertensive crises in patients taking MAOIs, and this is a rare but serious concern for clinicians.
MAOIs can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure when combined with certain substances, including tyramine, a compound found in cheese, and some over-the-counter sympathomimetic drugs such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, commonly found in decongestants and cough medicines. This combination can lead to a hypertensive crisis, a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment.
In one case report, a patient taking MAOIs alongside psilocybin mushrooms and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine experienced a hypertensive emergency with severe hypertension, chest pain, palpitations, and a headache. The patient was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction and required emergency cardiac catheterization. Although data is limited, it is suspected that phenylethylamine, present in some species of psilocybin mushrooms, may interact with MAOIs and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine to produce this hypertensive emergency.
It is important that patients prescribed MAOIs are warned of the potential risk of hypertensive crisis when consuming psilocybin mushrooms, particularly in combination with other medications such as norepinephrine releasers.
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Safety concerns with combining Adderall and mushrooms
Combining Adderall and mushrooms can lead to a hypertensive emergency, a sudden and dangerous increase in blood pressure that can be life-threatening. This combination can be especially risky for individuals with pre-existing heart or blood pressure issues.
In a case report published in PubMed, a 42-year-old man with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder experienced severe hypertension after consuming Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms while being prescribed the medications tranylcypromine, extended-release dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall), and other medications. He presented with chest pain, palpitations, and a headache, and was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction, requiring emergency treatment and hospitalization.
The interaction between phenylethylamine, found in Psilocybe cubensis and other psilocybin mushrooms, and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine is suspected to have contributed to the hypertensive emergency. Patients taking medications that interact with norepinephrine, such as dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, should be particularly cautious about the potential for a dangerous increase in blood pressure when consuming psilocybin mushrooms.
While classic serotonergic psychedelics like DMT, LSD, and synthetic psilocybin are not expected to produce hypertensive emergencies when combined with MAOIs, the data on medication interactions with psychedelics are limited. More research is needed to fully understand the risks associated with combining Adderall and mushrooms, especially regarding the potential for adverse cardiac events.
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Athletes' performance-enhancing use of Adderall and mushrooms
While psychedelic mushrooms are illegal under federal law and are classified as a Schedule I substance, their use by athletes for performance enhancement has sparked discussions. Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson brought to light the practice of using "magic" mushrooms during high-performance training, with other professional athletes reportedly following suit. These mushrooms are believed to provide benefits such as heightened awareness and faster recovery, especially when "microdosed," resulting in no psychoactive effects. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights potential health risks associated with mushroom use, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, extreme fear, and flashbacks. Despite these concerns, mushrooms are not currently on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances, but this may change if their performance-enhancing nature is recognized.
Adderall, on the other hand, is a prescription stimulant that has gained attention for its nonmedical use by athletes as a performance-enhancing drug. Studies have focused on adolescents and young adults who use Adderall nonmedically to enhance their academic and athletic performance. Anecdotal evidence suggests that professional athletes misuse Adderall to combat fatigue during competitions, resulting in fines or suspensions for using this banned substance. The nonmedical use of Adderall among athletes at the professional and amateur levels remains a relatively under-researched topic, and it is classified as a performance-enhancing substance.
The simultaneous use of Adderall and mushrooms by athletes for performance enhancement raises concerns. While there is limited data on medication interactions with psychedelics, one report details a hypertensive emergency in a patient who combined psilocybin mushrooms with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (an ingredient in Adderall). This resulted in severe hypertension with chest pain, palpitations, and a headache, requiring hospitalization.
In conclusion, while the use of Adderall and mushrooms by athletes for performance enhancement has been reported, it is important to recognize the potential health risks associated with their use, particularly when combined. More research and regulation are needed to address the misuse of these substances in sports and protect athlete health.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not safe to take Adderall and mushrooms together. Combining the two substances can lead to a hypertensive emergency, which can be life-threatening.
A hypertensive emergency is a sudden and severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to chest pain, palpitations, and headaches. It requires immediate medical attention.
There are no reported deaths from taking Adderall and mushrooms together, but a 42-year-old man experienced a hypertensive emergency and was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction after combining the substances. He was hospitalized and treated with various medications.
The long-term effects of combining Adderall and mushrooms are not well understood due to limited data on medication interactions with psychedelics. However, the combination can be dangerous and should be avoided.
Some people believe that combining Adderall and mushrooms can enhance their focus and performance. For example, former NFL player Derek Wolfe admitted to taking microdoses of mushrooms and Adderall before games to get into a "crazy controlled rage". However, it is important to note that the use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited in most sports, and the potential risks of combining these substances far outweigh any perceived benefits.
