There has never been a proof that Trump takes Adderall or other illicit drugs. Yet, it is impossible to overlook his current physical and mental decline. This, I think, begs the question whether long-term Adderall misuse might be involved. To find out more, we should ask: what does long-term Adderall use do to you?
As this particular issue is a bit outside my expertise, I asked Gemini. Here is the answer:
The long-term effects of taking Adderall for decades, whether as prescribed or misused, can be significant and multifaceted, impacting both the body and the brain. While some research indicates that when taken as prescribed and monitored by a doctor, it can be relatively safe for many people, chronic use, especially at high doses or without a prescription, carries serious risks.
Effects on the Brain and Mental Health
- Neurochemical Changes: Adderall works by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Over decades, chronic use can lead to the depletion of the brain’s natural reserves of these neurotransmitters. This can result in dependence, where the brain relies on the drug to function normally, and a need for higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect (tolerance).
- Cognitive Impairment: While Adderall is prescribed to improve focus, long-term use, particularly misuse, can paradoxically lead to cognitive issues. This can include “brain fog,” difficulty with memory, and problems with learning and recall, especially when not taking the medication.
- Psychiatric Issues: Long-term use can increase the risk of developing or worsening mental health conditions. Some users may experience:
- Depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
- Psychosis, which can include hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions, even in individuals without a pre-existing history of mental illness.
- Aggression and irritability.
- Addiction and Dependence: A significant long-term risk is the development of a stimulant use disorder. This involves both psychological and physical dependence, where an individual may experience intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms (e.g., severe fatigue, lethargy, and an inability to experience pleasure) if they stop or reduce their use.
Effects on the Body
- Cardiovascular System: This is one of the most serious and well-documented long-term risks. Adderall is a stimulant that raises heart rate and blood pressure. Over many years, this can strain the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of serious conditions, even at therapeutic doses. These can include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat).
- Heart attack and stroke.
- In rare cases, cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart muscle).
- Physical Side Effects: Many of the common short-term side effects can persist or worsen over time. These include:
- Insomnia and other sleep disturbances.
- Loss of appetite and significant weight loss, which can lead to malnutrition.
- Gastrointestinal problems like nausea and constipation.
- Dry mouth, which can lead to dental problems.
- Raynaud’s phenomenon, a condition that causes numbness and coldness in the fingers and toes.
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Does that ring a bell?
If so, we should be worried!
12 Responses to Should we be worried about Donald Trump and Adderall misuse?
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I’m not a Trump fan, and find it hard to believe a mentally declining Trump could be worse than a “normally functioning” Trump, but for the following statement:
“Yet, it is impossible to overlook his current physical and mental decline”
As per the forum rules:
“Please remember: If you make a claim (in a comment), support it with evidence.”
What evidence do we have?
I observe his speech, the content of his ramblings, his walk, his face, etc.
Every speech or interview of his which I have heard over the last decade.
Limited vocabulary, confabulating, neologisms, incoherence, paucity of thought, inability to complete sentences, inability to sustain a train of thought, innumeracy…Not to mention the outright lies (or, if we are charitable, the inability to grasp facts).
And that is before we get to his obvious weight issues, him not being able to hold a glass in one hand, the visible stumbling…
All of this and more has been out there for us all to see and hear.
I mean, he mentions a couple of basic screening tools for dementia as if they were a full on WISC battery. I dread to think what a full WISC testing would actually show…
Edzard’s comment suggests a more recent decline – you suggest a decade of stasis, is he really more infirm now than in his first term ?
Yes
There are video interviews around of him from the ’80s.
The change is remarkable.
I’m in my 60s and I haven’t gone down hill like that.
Looking at Donald Trump, I think we can rule out Adderall.
I would not be so sure; not all the symptoms need to be present.
Of course we can’t tell for sure whether or not Trump is on any kind of psychotropic medication – and if so, it’s extremely unlikely that Trump will ever admit to this.
I’d say Trump’s utter unwillingness to admit that there’s anything wrong about him or his behaviour makes it unlikely that he is on any such medication, as that would mean admitting at least to himself that he has cognitive/neurological problems. I don’t think that he is capable of this.
It seems however very clear that Trump is afflicted with several serious mental and neurological disorders, together with some lesser traits (most notably a low intelligence) that are not disorders per se, but can certainly exacerbate the existing disorders. These disorders and traits by themselves are already very worrying, even without any substance abuse.
As mentioned before, the most prominent disorder is malignant narcissism, responsible for the largest part of Trump’s worrying behaviour. But it also appears that some form of dementia is setting in – which, if anything, would make his narcissism even worse, e.g. by increasing distrust of those around him. This could cause even more aggressive, vindictive and unpredictable behaviour, even if completely unprompted.
MAGA supporters and Trump paladins have constantly mocked Biden’s senility. However, they skillfully ignore the mental decline of their own “Lord and Master”. This is cognitive dissonance par excellence.
PS: I would not be surprised if, in the not-too-distant future, Peter Thiel instructs his puppet JD Vance to have Trump declared unfit for office. Then he and his right-wing libertarian tech friends could finally transform the US into the broligarchy they have been envisioning for years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broligarchy
I think within a year he will just quit saying he saved the world and his work is over.
A year is too long!