Single Adderall Dose Raises Blood Pressure, Heart Rate

Mayo Clinic study finds stimulant effects even in healthy young adults without ADHD

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A single 25 mg dose of the stimulant medication Adderall can have significant cardiovascular effects, including increased blood pressure and heart rate, even in healthy young adults without a prescription for the drug, according to a new study from Mayo Clinic researchers.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the risks of Adderall use outside of a medical setting, as the stimulant effects can place acute stress on the cardiovascular system in individuals not accustomed to the medication.

The details

The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, aimed to investigate how a single dose of Adderall affects cardiovascular function and the body's stress response in young adults without a medical indication for the drug. Researchers found that a 25 mg dose triggered substantial increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system, even in those with no prior exposure to the medication.

  • The study was published on March 3, 2026.

The players

Anna Svatikova

A Mayo Clinic cardiologist and senior author of the study.

Kiran Somers

A resident family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin and first author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“We have seen an increase in nonmedical Adderall use, but many users are unaware that it can place acute stress on the cardiovascular system.”

— Anna Svatikova, Mayo Clinic cardiologist (Mirage News)

“The average heart rate increase on standing was 19 beats per minute before Adderall. After taking Adderall, that response doubled to 38 beats per minute.”

— Kiran Somers, Resident family medicine physician (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers say these findings apply specifically to off-prescription Adderall use and do not reflect the long-term, supervised use of the medication for the treatment of ADHD, where the therapeutic benefits are well-established.

The takeaway

This study underscores the potential cardiovascular risks of Adderall use outside of a medical setting, highlighting the need for greater awareness and caution around the unsupervised use of this stimulant medication, even in healthy young adults.