Adderall - What Is It Made Of?

What Is It Made Of?

Amphetamines like Adderall do not occur naturally; they cannot be grown in a garden or dug up from the ground. Rather, amphetamines are synthetic, or manufactured, substances that consist of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

Speed

Amphetamines are drugs that give people more energy. This allows users to do more and stay awake longer without getting tired. This effect of "speeding up" people's actions explains how amphetamines came to be known by the street names "speed" and "uppers."

The composition of amphetamine pills or capsules is actually a combination of various types of crystalline compounds called amphetamine salts. Adderall is a chemical compound that contains equal parts of four different amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts. For this reason, it is referred to as a mixed amphetamine. (The only difference between amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is a few molecules of dextrose, which is a type of sugar.) (Entries on amphetamines and dextroamphetamine are also available in this encyclopedia.)

Many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are given Adderall, Ritalin, or other drugs to control their behavior. Symptoms of ADHD include: acting impulsively, acting hyper or out of control, or having difficulty concent
Many children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are given Adderall, Ritalin, or other drugs to control their behavior. Symptoms of ADHD include: acting impulsively, acting hyper or out of control, or having difficulty concentrating or focusing on something. Photo by Steve Liss/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images.