How does Adderall work?

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician
Written by Rebecca Rovenstine, Contributor
Updated Jan 22, 2026  •  Published Jan 22, 2026
Datos Verificados

Adderall works by boosting brain chemicals that are underactive in people with ADHD, improving focus and impulse control. Specifically, it increases norepinephrine and dopamine, neurotransmitters involved in attention, motivation, alertness, and cognitive function, which helps people stay on task and better manage distractions.

Want to learn more about Adderall?  Read our full guide to making Adderall more effective

Medical disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your psychiatrist or other healthcare provider before making changes to your medication regimen.

Sources

  • Sylvie Stacy, MD, an addiction medicine specialist and Chief Medical Officer for Rehab.com

Medically reviewed by Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Physician

Anne Jacobson, MD, MPH, is a board-certified family physician, writer, editor, teacher, and consultant. She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and trained at West Suburban Family Medicine in Oak Park, Illinois. She later completed a fellowship in community medicine at PCC Community Wellness and a master's in Public Health at the University of Illinois-Chicago. She lives with her family near Chicago.

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Written by Rebecca Rovenstine, Contributor

Rebecca Rovenstine has her Masters of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Oklahoma State University. She has worked as a speech therapist in various populations, including infants, children, and older adults. In addition to writing about medical topics for SingleCare, she writes about food for Eat This, Not That and beauty for The Huffington Post.

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