Stimulants and Deep Slumber? Learn How to Fall Asleep on Adderall

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Can you sleep on Adderall? Yes, but it can often be tricky because it is a stimulant and sleeping on a stimulant seems counterintuitive. However, Adderall is commonly prescribed to individuals diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

If you have recently started on Adderall, it is common to experience sleep problems, making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Many people struggle with how to fall asleep on Adderall. This article will help explain not only why but also how to cope with the issue so you can get better quality sleep on a more consistent basis.

How Do Stimulants Like Adderall Affect Sleep?

Stimulants are specially formulated to increase certain chemicals in the brain to activate the central nervous system, helping one stay alert and less in need of sleep. It basically keeps you awake. Caffeine is an example of a lower-grade non-prescription stimulant.

When it comes to sleep, Adderall and other prescription stimulants can pose some problems, affecting sleep quality and making falling asleep difficult. However, people with ADHD find Adderall helpful in their daily functioning and can get good quality sleep while taking this medication. Since it’s a stimulant, though, it is not unusual to wonder how to come down from Adderall to sleep.

How Does ADHD Interact with Adderall?

Interestingly enough, many Adderall users claim that it can help them get better sleep. This is particularly true for adults who have been taking it for an extended period.

ADHD can make your brain respond to stimulants, like Adderall, differently. Instead of triggering more stimulation, it can calm you down and aid you to focus on the task at hand, even going to sleep. Adderall also helps deal with daily stress by improving your mood, which can help you rest better at night.

Maybe, instead of asking how to get Adderall out of your system to sleep, you should be asking how much you need in your system to get better sleep.

Of course, this is not always the case. While some sleep better, many find they have problems sleeping and staying asleep if they have taken Adderall.

ADHD is Often Paired with Sleep Disorders

It is estimated that more than 50% of people with ADHD also suffer from sleep problems like insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorder. This is not a reaction to the medications that are often prescribed either. Many doctors ask about sleep problems when diagnosing ADHD for the first time. The hyperactivity and difficulty focusing carries over into the night and can make sleeping often seem impossible. This can create a vicious cycle of exhaustion if not appropriately treated.

Always Consult Your Doctor

Suppose you are experiencing symptoms of sleep disorders with this drug. In that case, you may be wondering how to fall asleep while on Adderall. The very first thing you should do is consult your physician or specialist. After all, they are the ones who prescribed Adderall for you, and they will have all of the necessary information regarding your circumstances.

When you mention having difficulty sleeping, your doctor will most likely try to adjust the dosage of your Adderall prescription. They may also want to change the timing of the dosage so that it is taken earlier in the day and can have more time to wear off before bed.

If altering timing and dosage does not work, the next step will most likely include prescribing an additional medication to help you get to sleep at night by counteracting the Adderall.

Tips on How to Sleep on Adderall while Getting Better Sleep Overall

sleeping woman with a bottle of pills nearby

If you do not want to add a sleep aid medication to counteract Adderall, you have some other options that could help you get more sleep. Try these tricks out before you get more medicine or in combination with a sleep aid to help boost the quality of sleep you get regularly. Following is how to sleep after taking Adderall the natural way, which may take longer but can certainly help.

1. Create a consistent and relaxing bedtime routine

Performing the same actions in a sequence will help alert your body that it is approaching sleep time. A combination of any of the following ideas is recommended but feel free to add your bedtime rituals to the list. Only you know what helps relax you best.

2. Avoid electronics and the blue light

Using electronics before bed can be stimulating, and the light they emit can keep you awake for longer than you intended.

3. Create a dark, quiet, and comfortable sleeping environment

Use dark curtains and keep the noise down. Choose comfortable pillows and a bed you like. Your body will eventually recognize your bedroom as a place to rest and react accordingly. It’s a surefire tip on how to fall asleep on Adderall.

4. Drink relaxing tea

A cup of hot tea can be very soothing for some people. Choose herbal tea without caffeine, like chamomile.

5. Treat yourself to aromatherapy

aromatherapy lamp with oil and dried lavender

You may find aromatherapy calming. Scents such as lavender, jasmine, and bergamot can produce a soothing effect that can increase your comfort level and help you ease into a peaceful sleep. It is also good for improving symptoms of insomnia and depression.

6. Avoid taking naps throughout the day

When you decide to go to bed at night, it is best if you are already tired and drowsy. Dozing off in the middle of the day will only keep you awake later at night.

7. Take a hot bath

A hot shower can relax your muscles and prepare you for sleep, as well. The steaming water can relieve strain and stress in your joints, making you more comfortable when you go to bed.

8. Observe a proper schedule

a man's hand reaching for an alarm clock

A regular bedtime and wake-up schedule can help solidify the sleep routine. It works as a trigger for your brain to tell you when it is time to go to sleep and to wake up. This will ensure an adequate amount of rest and rejuvenation.

9. Maintain a regular exercise

Frequent workouts can eliminate restlessness and exhaust any pent-up energy. This, in turn, will aid you to slip into a deep slumber at night. We do not recommend exercising right before bedtime because it can be too stimulating. Still, it makes an excellent addition to your daytime routine.

Should Any Activities be Avoided?

Certain habits can deter and postpone sleep, particularly in adults. When easing into slumber is difficult due to the stimulating nature of Adderall, you will need all the help you can get to achieve quality rest.

The following activities should be avoided if you are contemplating how to sleep on Adderall:

1. Again, do not use electronics

Aside from the stimulating blue light they emit, electronics can often make you hyperfocused. This makes it hard to go to sleep because you cannot stop watching or playing on the device of your choice.

2. Avoid caffeine and sugarman refusing a cup of coffee

Seems obvious, but caffeine stays in your system for much longer than you think. Even having a mug of coffee in the morning can cause restlessness at night. As far as sugar goes, it is hard to avoid but try to keep away from it before settling in. If you must eat sweets, try having them earlier in the day.

3. Skip alcohol

Do not drink alcohol hoping it will help you sleep. While it may cause you to fall asleep quicker, it will make your slumber less rewarding. You will most likely wake up more frequently throughout the night due to discomfort, dehydration symptoms, and the need to use the bathroom.

4. Avoid smoking

Nicotine is stimulating and can interfere with your ability to wind down and prepare for rest. So keep away from those cigarette packets and even from people who smoke.

How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?

Adderall withdrawal usually lasts about 3 weeks as the drug lingers in your system. There are several negative crash symptoms associated with detoxing. It is not recommended to stop taking your Adderall prescription suddenly without consulting your prescribing doctor first. Some adults experience mood swings for as long as 4 months before they feel normal again.

Is It Possible to Sleep on Adderall?

a woman about to take some pills

Now that you have learned all about how ADHD can interact with sleep, how Adderall interacts with ADHD, and how to fall asleep on Adderall when prescribed, you should be more than ready to discuss it more thoroughly with your doctor.

If you are still experiencing sleep problems even after consulting your doctor or before you get a chance to see them, there are many options to try before taking on another medication that counteracts Adderall at night. So give some of our health tips a shot. You have nothing to lose, and instead, you certainly have something to gain. We hope this article helps you to get a better sleep starting tonight!

Additional Resources

Emily Alexander
Emily Alexander

Emily Melynn Alexander was born on the east coast of the USA but has called Colorado home since 2000. She has a degree in English and Political Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She enjoys sleeping in locations all around the world.

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