'Study drugs' like Adderall without a diagnosis may prime other substance use and worsen mental health in college students, Binghamton study

Study drugs like Adderall taken without an ADHD diagnosis may set college students up for other substance use and mental health decline. A Binghamton University study of 702 undergraduates across the US examined associations among illicit ADHD medication use and other commonly used substances including cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, MDMA and ecstasy, along with measures of academic performance and physical and mental distress. Findings suggest that using one psychoactive substance can be linked to later use of others, consistent with brain reward and dopamine-driven reinforcement. The study also links substance use with generally poorer mental health and lower resilience to stress, with potential downstream effects because the brain is still developing through the mid to late 20s. The researchers argue the results highlight the need for earlier, preventative education on risks of using prescription stimulants for studying.