Vyvanse Weight Loss: A Normal By-Product of ADHD Meds

Those of you suffering from ADHD will no doubt be familiar with Vyvanse already. Some of you may be finding that Vyvanse is causing you to lose weight more than you would like, which is why you’re here looking for answers. if that’s you, we recommend looking at some over the counter Adderall alternatives which might be better for you.

But for those of you who are only learning about the prescription drug now as you search for potential weight loss solutions, it is incredibly important that you read this article!

A growing number of people are using Vyvanse – obtained without a proper prescription – to help them lose weight. Being an amphetamine-based ADHD medication and potent stimulant drug, this certainly makes sense. But using Vyvanse to burn fat is extremely dangerous.

In this article, we’re going to explain why using Vyvanse for weight loss is a bad idea. We will explain how Vyvanse and other ADHD medicatons work, why people use them to speed up fat loss during a diet, and how Vyvanse might cause unintended or unwanted weight loss in people with ADHD.

Vyvanse and Weight Loss

Vyvanse has a weight loss effect. This is something many people have noticed pretty much since the drug was first prescribed for ADHD. Dextroamphetamine has been proven to suppress appetite, increase energy levels and speed up metabolism. The release of dopamine occurs when the central nervous system (CNS) is stimulated by Vyvanse.

Dopamine increases are believed to be responsible for people feeling satisfied without eating. Combining a faster metabolism with appetite suppression can lead to weight loss. The FDA approved this drug for the treatment binge-eating disorder in February 2015. Vyvanse can be used to control certain eating disorders but it is not recommended for long-term weight loss.

How Vyvanse Causes Weight Loss

Vyvanse can cause weight loss in many different ways. It increases metabolism, decreases appetite, and boosts motivation for most people. It is common to see weight loss in a short time frame (e.g. months).

• Appetite suppression Most people who have used Vyvanse know that it can cause a loss of appetite. People may find it difficult to eat when they are on Vyvanse. This is especially true for high-dose users.
• Cognitive enhancement: Studies have shown that this drug can give people a cognitive boost. This drug is sometimes called a nootropic and can improve clarity of thought, memory function, and other aspects. Most people are satisfied with their cognitive improvements at school and work. However, improving cognition can help people be more mindful of what they eat. This allows people to make better food choices and eat healthier meals.
• Dopamine booster: Dopamine levels can increase and make you more focused, self-aware, and more satisfied. Low levels of dopamine are more likely to become obese than those who have higher levels. Because of this, if levels are low, you feel less satisfied and more inclined to eat.
• Fight or flight response: When you take Vyvanse, your sympathetic nervous system activates. This causes a “fight or flight” (stress) response. The body will burn extra energy stored due to activation of the sympathetic nerve system (e.g. Weight loss is possible by activating the sympathetic nervous system. This causes the body to burn excess energy stores (e.g. The sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in metabolism regulation. This may help you lose weight.
• Increased energy – This psychostimulant increases both mental energy and physical energy. You may feel more energetic and/or able to move around as much as usual. You’re more likely than if you feel tired to exercise, to go to the gym or to lift weights, if your energy is higher.
• Motivation increases: This drug increases cortical dopamine and dopamine levels. Your motivation to finish tasks also increases. You may feel more motivated to eat healthier, exercise more, and achieve a certain goal in your health and fitness.
• Physical activity: People with higher energy levels are more likely engage in some form of physical activity. Vyvanse can increase your energy levels, which could explain why you feel more energetic and want to exercise. You’ll lose weight by increasing your physical activity and keeping your metabolism high.
• Self-control This drug can improve mental performance and indirectly improve your health. ADHD sufferers tend to lack self-control. When dopamine levels rise, awareness and self-control increase. This could mean you can now resist eating chocolate cakes, where you might have struggled to resist an impulsive urge before you started taking dopamine.
• Accelerates metabolism: This drug’s stimulating effects ultimately lead to a faster metabolism. You will burn more calories and do less exercise if your metabolism is faster. Even if your diet was the same as before treatment with Vyvanse, you will lose weight.
• Side effects Despite being rare, unwanted side effects can cause additional weight loss. Side effects that can promote weight loss include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. You will lose weight if you experience diarrhea or vomiting while taking this medication. You’ll be less likely to eat if you feel nauseated.

Vyvanse users often lose weight due to many of these factors. You should understand that certain factors can play a greater role in weight loss than others. One person might experience an increase in energy to exercise, while another person may feel less hungry but have more energy.

Using Vyvanse for Weight Loss: The dangers

Vyvanse should not be used for weight loss purposes in the long-term. Vyvanse is not approved by doctors for weight loss. It can lead to addiction, dependence, abuse, and eventually a rebound effect that could result in severe weight gain after discontinuation.

• Abuse: When people start to realize the negative effects of this drug (e.g., weight loss), they may turn to using it. It may be necessary to take higher than the recommended doses for weight loss or pleasure. A long-term abuse of the drug can lead to serious side effects.
• Addiction: Despite the fact that it may be less addictive that Adderall (amphetamine-mixed salts), some people report that Vyvanse can be more addictive. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning that it can cause addiction. It can be easy to become attached to both the weight loss and pro-cognitive benefits that it offers.
• Dependence: Some people who take Vyvanse over a long period of time or at high doses develop dependence. They may find it difficult to function without Vyvanse. They might become dependent on the drug for all aspects of their lives, including relationships, school/work, and fitness.
• Diminished returns: After taking this drug for a while, your weight loss may slow down or, in certain cases, increase. You’ll see diminishing returns if you continue to take the drug for a long time. The drug’s effects decrease when your body becomes more tolerant.
• Dopamine depletion: Some believe that long-term, consistent use of psychostimulants can cause brain dopamine loss. People often experience low energy and dysphoria during withdrawal. Depleted or low levels of dopamine can lead to weight gain or overeating.
• Illegal It is illegal to use this medication for weight loss. Although it was approved by the FDA to treat binge eating disorder and weight management in obese patients, it is not approved by the FDA. Follow your doctor’s instructions if you take this drug.
• Muscle Loss: Many people’s metabolism can accelerate to the point where they experience muscle loss. If you don’t eat enough and lose weight with Vyvanse then some of the weight could have come from your muscles. This is not healthy, even though you might not care about how much weight you lose.
• Side effects: Some people may find it difficult to manage side effects from the drug on a daily basis. Side effects include headaches, increased blood pressure, insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Although side effects can generally be tolerated, some people have difficulty coping with them.
• Tolerance: Although it may take some time to get used to the different doses of this drug you will eventually become more comfortable with its effects. The weight loss might stop. This can lead to you being “weight neutral” or even gaining weight. To counter the tolerance you develop, increase the dose until you reach the maximum recommended dose. This will eventually lead to tolerance. Tolerance will make it more difficult to lose weight.
• Unrealistic body image: Taking Vyvanse may give you a boost of confidence, but if you stop taking the drug you might not be able to achieve this body. Vyvanse can help you lose weight and possibly surpass your genetic limits. The drug can make it very depressing and discourageing for people who constantly compare their body to the results of Vyvanse.
• Withdrawal : Going through Vyvanse withdrawal For some, it can be a very difficult experience. This withdrawal period can be marked by anxiety, weight gain, mood swings and metabolic slowing. Depression caused by low-dopamine . Vyvanse is a drug that causes weight loss.
• Rebound effect: It is important to remember that a “rebound” effect is only experienced after homeostatic function has been restored within the physiology. Your body will need to adjust to the fact that you have become accustomed to the drug’s effects. This can lead to you gaining more weight than you have lost during your treatment. You may feel depressed by the fact that your body is no longer ideal.

The risks of using Vyanse to lose weight without a prescription or medical supervision are very real and can be serious. Any potential weight loss you experience will not be worth the risks of using Vyvanse without the supervision of a doctor.

How much weight will you lose on Vyvanse?

Vyvanse can cause weight loss, but it’s impossible to predict exactly how much. You will likely lose weight if you don’t have any other medications or are taking Vyvanse at a moderate to high dosage. Many people lose between 5 and 10 lbs. Some people lose as much as 10 lbs. Others have experienced extreme weight loss of up to 50 lbs within the first few months.

Weight loss is influenced by many factors, such as how much exercise you do and what foods you eat. Keep in mind that this medication is not intended to cause weight loss. Some people even hate the idea of losing weight. Your doctor might reconsider refilling your prescription if you become too thin on Vyvanse.

How long does it take to see weight loss on Vyvanse?

Practically everybody taking Vyvanse will experience some weight loss within 4 months of starting treatment. Many people experience significant decreases in body weight much sooner than this, sometimes in the first 3 weeks.

The active ingredients in Vyvanse of course work immediately, decreasing appetite, sometimes making you lose interest in food for hours on end. But this loss of appetite takes time to translate into real, measurable weight loss.

Vyvanse weight loss dosage

There is actually a recommended dose for Vyvanse for assisting with weight loss. Vyvanse can be prescribed for binge eating disorders and other eatin disorders that can cause excessive weight gain. For those indications, doctors typically prescribe 30mg of Vyvanse per day. That is the standard starting dose for people on Vyvanse. If it is being used to assist with weight loss or to control an eating disorder, larger doses are not necessary.

Is Vyvanse effective for everyone?

Vyvanse is not a weight loss product. It would be difficult to find a Vyvanse user who hasn’t lost some weight within the first six months. The drug increases metabolism, reduces appetite (and cravings), provides more energy and can make you more conscious of your food choices. Nearly everyone loses weight during treatment. Individuals can decide if the weight loss is significant.

Comparison of unwanted and therapeutic weight loss while on ADHD meds

Extra weight loss can be a problem for those who are already thin. You might want to consider the therapeutic benefits and the weight loss (as well other side effects) of the drug.

Talk to your doctor if you feel like you’re losing too much weight due to the drug. It is important to evaluate how effective the drug is in treating your condition. Also, consider the potential drawbacks (such as unwanted weight loss and muscle mass loss).

Learn more:

• Nootropics for ADHD
• Adderall and weight loss
• Strattera and weight loss
• Adderall tolerance
• Adderall and anxiety

Brian Johnson, PhD

Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.