Why do stimulants make you sleepy?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Why do stimulants make you sleepy?
Stimulants may cause sleepiness in a very small number of people by relaxing them. CNS stimulants like Adderall (Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine), Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine), and Ritalin/Concerta (Methylphenidate) are generally not associated with causing sedation.
These medications, in fact, enhance your alertness, energy levels, and productivity as they increase the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters in your brain, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
This is why it’s highly unlikely for these medications to cause sedation, but it is still observed in some individuals. Some of the reasons why this could happen are:
- Stimulants can enhance mood and this can cause relaxation in some people, which in turn can make them feel sleepy.
- Some of these meds can cause over-excitation in some people who may begin to feel mentally tired and sleepy after that.
- Some people may begin to feel sleepy when the effects of these stimulants start to wear off.
Some individuals may feel sleepy right after taking a stimulant. Such cases are very rare, but they are reported. This probably happens because people are different and they respond differently to medications.
It’s not just the med that’s responsible for its full effects, but it also depends on how your body responds to it. This is why it’s best to monitor your side effects and report them to your healthcare provider.
What does research suggest?
Research suggests that stimulants are generally known for their ability to increase alertness, attention, and energy levels (1). In fact, stimulants can cause sleep disturbances or insomnia because of how they work. (2,3)
However, it is possible for some individuals to experience an unusual side effect of feeling sleepy or tired while taking stimulant medications, like Adderall and Vyvanse.
Research also indicates that this paradoxical reaction of feeling sleepy on stimulants is relatively rare, but it can occur in certain individuals (4). The exact reasons for this response are not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to it.
One possible explanation is individual differences in brain chemistry and how stimulant medication interacts with specific neurotransmitters. Each person’s brain chemistry is unique, and the effects of stimulants can vary from person to person.
Another factor that may contribute to feeling sleepy on stimulants is the dosage or timing of the medication. In some cases, taking too high a dose of a stimulant or taking it too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns and result in daytime sleepiness.
Additionally, underlying medical conditions, such as sleep disorders or other health issues, can influence the response to stimulant medications. These conditions can affect how the body processes the medication and contribute to feelings of sleepiness.
What to do if you’re feeling usually sleepy while taking stimulants?
If you are experiencing unusual sleepiness or drowsiness while taking a stimulant medication, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Your doctor will determine the cause of your sleepiness and make appropriate adjustments to your treatment plan if necessary. It may involve modifying the dosage, changing the timing of medication administration, or exploring alternative treatment options.
Remember, individual responses to medications can vary, and it is essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the most effective and safe treatment approach for your specific needs.
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References
1.-
Farzam K, Faizy RM, Saadabadi A. Stimulants. 2023 Feb 13. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30969718. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539896
2.-
Boutrel B, Koob GF. What keeps us awake: the neuropharmacology of stimulants and wakefulness-promoting medications. Sleep. 2004 Sep 15;27(6):1181-94. doi: 10.1093/sleep/27.6.1181. PMID: 15532213. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15532213
3.-
Stein MA, Weiss M, Hlavaty L. ADHD treatments, sleep, and sleep problems: complex associations. Neurotherapeutics. 2012 Jul;9(3):509-17. doi: 10.1007/s13311-012-0130-0. PMID: 22718078; PMCID: PMC3441938. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441938/
4.-
Tecce JJ, Cole JO. Amphetamine effects in man: paradoxical drowsiness and lowered electrical brain acitivity (CNV). Science. 1974 Aug 2;185(4149):451-3. doi: 10.1126/science.185.4149.451. PMID: 4841149. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4841149/
