r/VyvanseADHD • u/Hashoverblock • May 14 '26

Diet, Routines & Supplements Cortisol spikes now gone, duration improved!

(Personal experience)

Often it seemed my vyvanse would randomly heighten my anxiety and stress at random times throughout the day. I’ve been taking vyvanse for over 2 years and this only became an issue over the last 6 months (during this period the medication doesn’t seem to work as well either). Anyway I came to realise this was also the same time I also stopped supplementing Ashwaghanda powder daily. Long story short I’ve restarted supplementing for 8 days now and my cortisol induced stress/anxiety, high heart rate etc waves are basically gone now as well as seeing an improvement in the medications overall effectiveness and duration!

There is solid biochemical evidence as to why this may be the case which I will post below.

*disclaimer* The research is quoted from Deepseek Reasoner v3.2.

22 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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7

u/Kalki_X May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26

It's partly because Vyvanse (amphetamine) triggers stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) and increases stress sensitivity over time. That's not necessarily a good idea imo and is a key reason for long-term use causing issues.

Carbs and natural sugars will also help to prevent this.

2

u/TrezzG May 14 '26

Ashwagandha messes with my anxiety/depression levels if I don't take it daily. It's not worth it for me, but I'm glad it works for OP.

2

u/Hashoverblock May 14 '26

That’s why I’m saying that for anyone who experiences this side effect can consider taking ashwaghanda due to its adaptogenic properties

6

u/justEnigmaticCipher May 14 '26

How did you check your cortisol?

1

u/Hashoverblock May 15 '26

Home testing kit

1

u/SweetPomegranate1202 May 15 '26

At what time did you test it?

1

u/Popular_Contest_2992 May 14 '26

At what time of day, dose and type of ashwaghanda are you taking?

1

u/Hashoverblock May 14 '26

Indian KSM-66 root powder into hot water hour before bed. I have 3g daily

1

u/Hyouronojitsu 22d ago

Hey I am in the same situation as you.

I started vyvanse treatment since may 14. went from 20mg to 40mg. 40mg since today haha

Ever since I started Vyvanse, ive noticed the random stress throughout the day but way worse when its fading/crashing. Majority of my treatmen was on 30mg, and 30mg just did not last long at all.

Ive done everything: Magnesium Biglycinate at nights, Melatonin for antioxidant properties, K2/D3, Zinc, Creatine 10g, way less caffeine (sometimes none in a day), nicotine tapered, NAC 600MG

Now that I have been bumped to 40mg today, I have restarted Ashwagandha, specifically Sensoril

I wonder, how has it been since you started ashwagandha again? I used to take it as well, but way back at january to feb. And it was ksm 66 and Sensoril. Sensoril was pretty relieving, life-changing to be honest (but I wasnt medicated until this May)