I thought caffeine + adderall was sending my heartrate through the roof, as I usually feel extremely alert on that combination. I was blown away when I finally got a watch with a HR monitor on it and found that it was barely moving it, from mid 60s resting to low 70s on stimulants. I figured it would be closer to 100 because it makes me feel like my eyes are vibrating lol.

Hah, yeah I do worry about the cardio effects of stimulants esp now that I'm past 40. I may try the smart watch route as well.

weird. it felt like your heart was pounding out of your chest as well? what about heart palpitations (feeling like your heart skipped a beat)?

my blood pressure is high but I never tested it with specifically caffeine + Adderall, I just know it was high with Adderall.

Some people don't experience anxiety from caffeine whereas others do.

This effect has been linked to polymorphisms on the A2a receptor gene (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12825092/).

Interesting, thanks!

Edit: are low quality replies like this appreciated on HN or no?

> "...comments like "lol" or "That's the dumbest thing I ever heard" teach us nothing.

> Empty comments can be ok if they're positive. There's nothing wrong with submitting a comment saying just "Thanks." What we especially discourage are comments that are empty and negative—comments that are mere name-calling."

https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html

Magnesium is a very helpful supplement for anyone taking ADHD meds. Take it at night, and make sure it's chelated magnesium for best absorption. It will help you sleep.

What does the magnesium do?

Helps with the minor amphetamine-induced.. not sure what to call them, OCD-type symptoms for me. Teeth grinding, messing with my beard, making weird throat noises, etc. It also helps a lot with sleep.

Caffeine with Ritalin (or Focalin) causes insomnia for me, and I'm definitely not alone in that; it's the first thing I tell anyone who talks to be about going on ADHD meds and I don't know why my Psychiatrist didn't say anything, particularly since a lot of ADHD people are self-medicating with caffeine.

Adderall and I were just not meant to ever go together. The first dosage had no effect other than a slightly elevated resting heartrate, and when the dose was increased, I was awake for 40 hours straight with mild psychosis.

OTOH, some people respond great to Addreall, and I've heard great things about Vyvanse (a prodrug for Adderall) for an all-day treatment for ADHD in those who do.