Question re: ADHD meds and impact on lifting

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hello Jordan and Austin

I hope this post finds you both well.

I am a beginner lifter (4 months) currently on phase 2 of the beginner template (BW: 145lbs, e1rm DL: 247lbs, BP: 86lbs, S: 244lbs). I am currently stalling in terms of progress and while I understand there could be a number of different factors contributing to this, it made me wonder if I could be creating additional barriers towards my progress in terms of my current stimulant use. I am taking 30mg fast acting methyphenidate 2x daily (however train in the evenings when the effects wear off). There is a lot of discussion on the internet around the possibility of adrenal fatigue and other negative side effects from prolonged stimulant use, however, I do not have the medical knowledge to determine the validity of these claims.

Are there any concerns or considerations I should account for when taking prescribed stimulants?- Specifically in the context of lifting

Thank you

2

Hi there,

I would not attribute a stall in training progress to these meds, and don’t have any specific concerns/considerations with their use.​​​​​​

3

I wonder about the age and/or height of the OP. (“BW=145 lbs”; and ADHD is commonly diagnosed and treated with youths; etc)

My kid in on ADHD meds…
Appetite loss is an issue for sure.
Other side effects such as sleep loss might be a problem as well.

Maybe they aren’t the primary contributors OP’s current “stall” … but I wouldn’t just blow off not eating or sleeping enough.

4

Definitely agree that appetite suppression can be an effect of these meds, and certainly am not blowing off the importance of nutrition or sleep. I was mainly responding to his question about “the possibility of adrenal fatigue and other negative side effects from prolonged stimulant use”, or the idea that the meds themselves were impeding adaptation/gains.