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Can NCAA athletes take Adderall?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 23, 2026

Adderall is a banned substance under the NCAA's drug policy. Its use is permitted, however, when the athlete has a valid prescription.

Is Adderall banned in the NCAA?

The most common medications used to treat ADHD are methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall), which are banned under the NCAA class of stimulants.

Can professional athletes take Adderall?

It is illegal without a prescription and is banned by the NFL, MLB, NBA and the NCAA. Adderall is banned in the National Hockey League, which currently does not allow medical exemptions.

Is Adderall a banned substance in sports?

Both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) consider Adderall to be a performance enhancer. The NFL, NBA and MLB all have Adderall on their banned substance list. As with any drug, abusing Adderall can have long-term consequences.

Can athletes take ADHD medication?

Athletes with ADHD can continue using necessary prohibited stimulant medications while competing in sanctioned sports as long as they receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which requires them to demonstrate that they can satisfy strict criteria for TUE approval.

34 related questions found

Do any professional athletes have ADHD?

Michael Phelps is not alone. A surprising number of professional athletes have attention deficit disorder (ADHD). In fact, an estimated eight to ten percent of all pro athletes have the condition, as compared to four to five percent of the general population of adults.

How many Olympic athletes have ADHD?

Han and colleagues couldn't find many official reports or previous research about ADHD in elite athletes, but the few existing reports seem to indicate that rates are higher than in the general population. In a 2018 systematic review of 17 studies, about 4% to 8% of 15- to 19-year-old athletes had ADHD.

Can NFL players take Adderall?

NFL players can use Adderall for specified medical conditions, but only if they apply for and are granted a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).

What athletes take Adderall?

Just Tuesday, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz received a 25-game suspension for using Adderall. NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger also has been connected to the drug, and even actress Lindsay Lohan was reported to be Adderall dependent, according to TMZ.

Can MLB players take Adderall?

Baseball banned stimulants after the 2005 season, and Adderall, used to treat ADHD, is on MLB's list of banned substances. A panel of three experts must approve an exemption for a player, a recommendation from the 2007 Mitchell Report that baseball fully implemented in June 2011.

Does Adderall stop you from getting hard?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a potential side effect for people who are taking Adderall. Some people report a decreased interest in sex and difficulty getting and keeping an erection. This change in sex drive or sexual performance can cause distress and embarrassment.

What does Adderall do for gamers?

For gamers, they are attracted to the drug due to the belief that Adderall will allow them to play for longer, with better mental focus, and therefore better ability. In actuality, doctors say that any perceived performance boost is likely due to the placebo effect.

What drugs do gamers use?

Performance-enhancing drugs (PED) are commonly used by video gamers. Caffeine and energy drinks were the most common PEDs reported. Prescription stimulants and modafinil were the most common prescription drug PEDs. Associated factors for IGD include an ADHD diagnosis and prescription PED use.

Can NCAA athletes take ADHD medication?

Stimulant medications are NCAA banned substances, and their use requires the institution to maintain documentation on file and submit a medical exception request, using the NCAA medical exception ADHD reporting form, in the event of a positive drug test.

Can you get a TUE for Adderall?

There were 111 therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) approved for the use of Adderall, a popular amphetamine-based drug prescribed to treat ADD. It's the second consecutive year the independent report has shown a decline in TUEs for the drug; 119 players received TUEs for Adderall in 2013.

Can NCAA athletes take creatine?

NCAA-banned substances* (e.g., stimulants, anabolic steroids, testosterone products, marijuana) and impermissible Nutritional Supplements that NCAA member institutions may not provide to student-athletes (e.g., creatine, amino acids, ginseng, most energy or stimulant drinks)].

Does Adderall increase muscle growth?

“It doesn't have any direct correlation on strength — that is, the medication itself does not promote muscle growth — but you will have more energy and therefore be more inclined to go harder and maybe try things you wouldn't have tried otherwise,” says Dr. Weiss.

Should I take an Adderall before the gym?

Generally, yes—Adderall and exercise are safe, but it's best to log that workout before taking your daily dose. Stimulant medications can increase heart rate and breathing rate, so it may be preferable to take Adderall after exercising instead of before.

Is Adderall good for football?

“It increases alertness, aggressiveness, attention and concentration. It improves reaction time, especially when fatigued… there's no question it's a performance-enhancing drug.” Adderall use has been on the rise throughout the NFL in recent years.

Are athletes with ADHD better?

Athletes with ADHD tend to perform better in sports that require hyper focus, i.e. short and intense bursts of attention. They can be in the moment, with a heightened awareness of their immediate environment. They excel in chaotic conditions and thrive under pressure.

What sport is good for ADHD?

Pollack says examples of sports that a child with ADHD may enjoy include: Wrestling. Martial arts. Swimming.

What sports are best for ADHD?

As a general rule, children with ADHD do better when they get plenty of individual attention from coaches. That's why they're more likely to succeed with individual sports such as swimming and diving, wrestling, martial arts, and tennis — or even more rarified endeavors such as fencing and horseback riding.

Who in the NFL has ADHD?

In 2012, Andre Brown received a suspension from the NFL after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. His ADHD medication apparently contained some banned ingredients.

What NBA player has ADHD?

Considered to be the best professional basketball player in history, Michael Jordan, who dazzled fans with his moves on the court, was diagnosed with ADHD. His accomplishments on and off the court have undeniably inspired many, including those with ADHD.

What should you not mix with Adderall?

Antacids increase absorption of Adderall and should be avoided. Acetazolamide and some thiazides increase blood levels of Adderall. CYP2D6 inhibitors such as Benadryl, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Prozac and Cymbalta may increase levels of Adderall in the blood and may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.