Why Stimulants Hurt Our Productivity

Kevin Morris https://delphihealthgroup.com 4m 1,060 #stimulants

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

In the workplace, being the person who knows how to get stuff done is a badge of honor. And in our highly productive working world, some people are willing to pursue that badge of honor at any cost. For some, this means changing our daily schedule, diet, and surroundings. For others, this means the use of stimulants. Here’s what you should know about stimulants and what they do to our productivity.

Understanding Stimulants and Their Popularity

Stimulants represent a class of drugs with very high usability across different demographics. They speed up messaging between the brain and the body to make us feel more alert or energetic. The most familiar ones are the pharmaceutical variety of amphetamines, such as Adderall and Ritalin. These CNS (central nervous system) stimulants are officially prescribed to treat sleep disorders and other symptoms, including ADHD or obesity. But their use is so widespread that stimulants are among the most widely abused drugs on the market, next to marijuana. Beyond prescription abuses, some estimate that as much as 30 percent of prescriptions are repurposed for illegal use.

Pills in the Cubicle?

Adderall is probably the most popularly used stimulant, both legally and illegally. When taken, it increases levels of hyperactivity while improving focus. Qualitatively, Adderall shares many qualities with cocaine but with a slower onset and a longer duration. The fact that it is a “legal” drug makes it a more accessible drug, which is one reason why it is so appealing. This is especially true of those who turn to Adderall as a productivity drug. In fact, Adderall has become so widespread that it’s gained an unofficial title, the study drug.

But recent studies and personal testimonies suggest that Adderall might have the title of both study drug and cubicle drug. The demographics of stimulant use disorder are highest in males ages 18-29, right in the range of college and early career professionals. Many millennials who got hooked on Adderall in college have taken their addiction with them into their professional careers. Findings from the National Institute on Drug Abuse seem to suggest that this is true, with workplaces reporting record numbers of positive drug test results, with stimulants among the highest number next to marijuana. The desire to boost cognitive performance at work, just like in school, is an obvious reason why this trend seems to be happening. But this desire may mean that the trend of stimulant use in the workplace has more to do with the carryover of addiction.

When Productivity is Diminished

What impact does this actually have on the potential of productivity in the workplace under the influence of these drugs? The first issue has to do with the safety of stimulant use. While some of the statistics of stimulant abuse include people with a prescription, many do not have a prescription. The option of buying from street dealers or even online carries an added danger of purchasing stimulants that have been cut with other drugs, like PCP or fentanyl. With no dosage regulations, users should assume that every pill carries a lethal amount of drug additives.

Another issue of grave concern regarding the use of stimulants is cardiovascular health. Studies show that Adderall use results in a wide range of heart problems, including cardiomyopathy, the thickening of the heart muscle. This reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood at normal rates. In some cases, heart transplants were even required for people who experienced total heart failure after frequent use of Adderall.

Thirdly, there is a diminishing effect on the user’s sleep cycle when using stimulants continually. High usage causes the body’s neurotransmitter levels to become interrupted and depleted. The result includes drowsiness and lethargy, and some users will eventually crash after several days of insomnia. Due to the high levels of the drug in their body, they experience a very low quality of sleep. When this continues untreated, emotional issues, such as depression and suicidal thoughts, can occur due to the changes taking place in the brain.

While it is not guaranteed that users will experience brain stimulation when taking stimulants, it is guaranteed that ongoing use will cause detrimental effects to their health. When adding the risk of heart problems, poor sleep quality, and lethal amounts of additives in illicit stimulants, it is better to think about natural and over-the-counter alternatives to stimulants.

Addiction to stimulants is a serious issue that should not be stopped cold turkey or attempted without professional help. The same symptoms of addiction can intensify as withdrawal symptoms, so a proper support system is a necessary part of the equation. True lasting productivity in the workplace starts with personal productivity in health, diet, and sleep. And stimulant use creates an environment that is opposed to these.

Sources

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National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021, August, 25). Amphetamines. Retrieved https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548941/

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US News. (2020, August 25). Positive Drug Tests Among U.S. Workers Reach 16-Year High, Report Finds. Retrieved: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2020-08-25/positive-drug-tests-among-us-workers-reach-16-year-high-report-finds

Forbes (2014, October 25). Adderall In The Workplace: Why Some Turn To Stimulants For A Career Boost. Retrieved https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddessig/2014/10/25/adderall-in-the-workplace-2-why-some-turn-to-stimulants-for-a-career-boost/?sh=21756be543ff

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