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Approximately 9% of people in Oregon have received an ADHD diagnosis. For those managing ADHD in their lives, one of the steps that might be taken is to be prescribed medications such as Adderall. As with any medication or substance, Adderall has its own list of side effects that you might experience while taking it, especially for those who might choose to take Adderall outside of medical recommendations.
One of these side effects of Adderall is dry mouth and some of the sensations that come along with that. Some people refer to this as “Adderall tongue.” You might be asking how to get rid of adderall tongue, or how badly it impacts your life. At Serenity Lane, we believe in transparency and education about substances to help lower the stigma around substance use. We also believe this will allow the people in our community to make educated decisions about their health.
Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s a stimulant that impacts the central nervous system and is primarily prescribed to help those with ADHD and narcolepsy.
Those with ADHD tend to face difficulties regarding attention span, motivation, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This stems primarily from the reward system in the brain, dopamine, not being produced at a rate that those without ADHD experience. This means normal tasks that people might usually find rewarding don’t give that same feeling for those with ADHD so their brains seek out other tasks to help them find that dopamine. This is where a stimulant like Adderall comes into play. It increases dopamine and norepinephrine production in the brain.
For narcolepsy, the added dopamine and stimulation in the brain can help prevent sleeping spells from happening throughout the day.
A study from 2018 showcases a young child who was on ADHD medication and reported having bitten their tongue rather severely, enough to cause scarring. Originally, the cause behind her sudden biting of the tongue was unclear. Sometimes, those with epilepsy can damage their tongues during a seizure, however, this child had no history of seizures or epilepsy, so that was ruled out.
After extensive studies, it was determined that the source of the tongue biting was involuntary movement caused by the stimulants being taken to assist with ADHD. The involuntary movements could also pop up as tics, both vocal and motor. These tended to disappear when the dosage was lowered or use was discontinued. This is one of the main facets of Adderall tongue.
Adderall tongue, overall, is a combination of side effects. It primarily consists of dry mouth, soreness of the tongue, teeth clenching or grinding, increased chewing of cheeks, tongue, and lips, and unconscious tongue and mouth movement.
The chances of you experiencing this side effect are rare. For those who more regularly consume Adderall, however, especially in combination with other substances, the chances of experiencing this and other side effects increases.
The use of amphetamines has been noted to occasionally cause compulsive behaviors such as tongue and lip biting to the point of scarring. It’s these behaviors that really define what many people call “Adderall tongue.”
Those who take Adderall on a casual basis outside of medical directions, and even those who take it as a prescription, might experience side effects of this substance. Here are just a few of the side effects that might pop up:
If you’re taking Adderall as a prescription and any of these side effects start to bother you, don’t be afraid to bring it up to your doctor. Symptoms can subside when dosages are lowered, or if the medication path is altered altogether.
For those who might be partaking in Adderall outside of medical instruction, there are other risks you should know of if you start experiencing the side effects of Adderall or Adderall tongue. With continued usage, many people might eventually try to combine their Adderall use with other substances, like alcohol. Since Adderall is a stimulant, combining it with a depressant like alcohol or benzos can lessen the impact of both, making you unaware of how much you’ve actually consumed. This leads to a higher risk of overdose.
One of the side effects of Adderall is dry mouth. While this condition is manageable if handled properly, it can lead to some negative effects on your dental hygiene and health.
The effects and symptoms of dry mouth include:
When a medication is pinpointed as the source of dry mouth, normally your dosage will be altered, or your medication may be changed entirely.
There are ways to manage dry mouth without this happening. If you start noticing the symptoms of dry mouth, start drinking more water, especially during meals. It’s also important to avoid drinks that contain caffeine, like sodas, tea, and coffee, as caffeine can dry out your mouth more. Chewing gum to encourage saliva production is another good step. If you choose a citrus, cinnamon, or mint flavor it can further encourage saliva to be produced.
This like alcohol and tobacco will further hinder dry mouth and can be a source of dry mouth on their own. Do your best to avoid spicy or salty foods and use a humidifier at night. All of these in combination can help reduce any potential damage to your mouth and teeth.
In addition to the risks involved with dry mouth, if you start experiencing involuntary muscle movements from Adderall, you could risk permanently damaging the inside of your mouth, lips, or tongue by biting them too hard. This can lead to injury and scarring.
Many of the effects of Adderall, including some involved with Adderall tongue, can be reversed with proper treatment and reduction of consumption. If you’ve been taking Adderall outside of a prescription and are noticing that you are having a hard time stopping, it might be time to start looking into recovery options. Adderall can lead to dependence in the brain when used improperly, and stopping use when your brain is craving more isn’t always easy on your own. Beating these Adderall withdrawals is where Serenity Lane can help.
If you or a loved one is looking to address Adderall addiction treatment, or if you have any questions about treatment or other substance use, give us a call today at (800) 543-9905. We’re here and happy to help you get started on your recovery journey.
Can Adderall tongue be permanent?
Effects of Adderall tongue like dry mouth and tongue soreness are not permanent, but the potential damage to your mouth and tongue can be.
When should you get medical treatment for Adderall Tongue?
If you’re noticing the symptoms of Adderall tongue during prescription use, bring them up with your doctor. These symptoms can go away with lowered dosages or discontinuation of use.
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