Cannabis Science, CBD

Weed and Vyvanse: Is it Safe?

vyanese pills on counter with plastic pill bottle

If you’ve been prescribed Vyvanse, you’re probably wondering whether or not it’s safe to take it with weed. As you already know, mixing substances can lead to awful side effects. On the other hand, sometimes, there is no interaction. So, what’s the story with weed and Vyvanse? Is it safe to mix them? Here’s what we know. 

Photo: Unsplash

What is Vyvanse?

Chances are if you searched weed and Vyvanse, you already know what Vyvanse is and what it does. But for those just hearing about it for the first time, here’s what you need to know about Vyvanse.

Vyvanse, also called lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, is a prescription medication for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients over the age of six. 

According to WebMD, Vyvanse, which is a stimulant, may help to:

  • Increase your ability to pay attention
  • Maintain focus
  • Stop fidgeting 

In addition to being part of the treatment plan for ADHD, Vyvanse may also be used to treat binge eating disorders. 

Side effects of Vyvanse, according to WebMD, are:

  • Weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Stomach/abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Nervousness
  • Dizziness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Sweating

There is also a possibility that patients develop more serious side effects. According to Vyvanse’s website, it may cause:

  • Seratonin Syndrome
  • Psychiatric problem
  • Heart problems 
  • Circulation problems in fingers and toes 

Like many other medications, there is a risk of dependence and abuse; therefore, it’s labeled as a federally controlled substance (CII). 

Can You Smoke Weed on Vyvanse?

According to Drugs.org, there is no interaction between Vyvanse and weed. The website said, “No interactions were found between cannabis and Vyvanse. Still, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.”

Medical News Today echoed these sentiments and said that while no interaction is known, consult a doctor. 

So, should you put down your mini bong? Well, Drugs.com said the same thing about Adderall and weed. Nevertheless, Vyvanse is a stimulant just like Adderall. Therefore, there could be some interaction since they are both stimulants. In addition to that, weed can also act as a depressant and hallucinogen. 

Cannigma says, “Perhaps the most important side effects of this combination would be cardiac stress from the stimulant combined with THC, which could result in a racing heart, changing blood pressures, or worsening heart problems.”

According to Vyvase’s website, their medication could result in heart attacks, high blood pressure, and an increase in heart rate. Weed can also result in heart attacks, high blood pressure, and a racing heart. Therefore, combining both medications could increase the risk of these problems. However, this is just an assumption. 

In addition to that, Vyvanse can cause anxiety, and some stoners also report having anxiety after using weed. On the other hand, other stoners rave about how great weed is in getting rid of their anxiety. Even so, we’re unsure whether combining both would help or hurt the chances of feeling anxious. 

On the other hand, Reddit users say that mixing Vyvanse and weed helps them to increase their focus. Still, one cautioned the thread that over the long term, it affected their working memory and made it harder to quit. 

Before you mix these two you should consult your healthcare provider for guidance. 

Does CBD Affect Vyvanse?

Well, there is no known interaction between CBD and Vyvanse. Even so, people aren’t convinced it’s totally harmless. 

It’s worth noting that, generally speaking, it should be fine to mix the two. According to Daily CBD, once the doses are responsible, “CBD is unlikely to pose any danger when taken with Vyvanse”.

However, they posit that mixing CBD and Vyvanse may make ADHD worse because of a decreased efficacy of lisdexamfetamine, the active ingredient. The reasoning behind that interaction is CBD and Vyvanse may act as antagonists and cancel each other out. 

On the other hand, CBD Daily says that CBD may interfere with the metabolism of the other medication. Therefore, it could lead to elevated levels of lisdexamfetamine which could lead to an increased risk of side effects. 

Their reasoning is that CYP2D6 enzyme metabolizes both lisdexamfetamine and CBD. Therefore, CBD Daily says, “CBD has inhibitory effects on CYP2D6, which can slow down the metabolism of lisdexamfetamine. This could cause lisdexamfetamine to accumulate within the body and cause unintentional side effects.”

Again, consult a medical professional before you combine CBD with Vyvanse. 

What Should not be taken with Vyvanse?

There are other substances that are not recommended to be taken with Vyvanse. According to WebMD, be cautious about mixing it with: 

  • MAO inhibitors such as metaxalone, methylene blue, and moclobemide. It may cause a fatal reaction. 
  • Substances that increase serotonin, such as MDMA and certain antidepressants because it may cause serotonin syndrome.
  • Medication containing amphetamine or dextroamphetamine

Conclusion

Is it safe to use weed and Vyvanse? Research says it is. There has been no recorded interaction. However, that doesn’t mean an interaction isn’t possible. Please speak with a medical professional before you mix any substances.

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About Trevann

Trevann is Stoner Rotation’s Jamaica-based lead writer for the Science section of our cannabis blog. She graduated with honors receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology from the University of West Indies, Mona. For the last three years, she has covered some of the biggest questions around cannabis and health underpinned with research from supporting studies, medical journals and scholarly articles. Got something on your mind? You can reach her at [email protected].