• Mandi Masterpole suffered a heart attack at 22 due to abusing ADHD medications without a prescription for five years.
• Masterpole warns that ADHD drugs can cause significant heart damage and other health issues when taken without medical need.
• Abuse of ADHD medications for performance enhancement can lead to addiction, severe health consequences, and a diminished quality of life.

Mandi Masterpole, a 34-year-old woman from Hamilton, New Jersey, shares her cautionary tale about abusing ADHD medications such as Adderall and Ritalin starting at age 17. Lacking a prescription, she used these stimulants to improve her focus and energy while juggling schoolwork, jobs, and social activities. Over five years, her abuse escalated, leading to a heart attack at age 22. She now lives with a weakened heart and warns others about the dangers of using these drugs without a legitimate medical need, highlighting the serious and potentially irreversible health consequences.

• What: Abuse of ADHD medications (Adderall, Ritalin) without a prescription leading to a heart attack.
• Who: Mandi Masterpole, a woman who abused ADHD medications; doctors who treated her.
• When: Abuse began at age 17, heart attack at age 22, article published May 4, 2025.
• Where: Hamilton, New Jersey.

This news article presents a personal account of the dangers associated with the non-prescribed use of ADHD medications. Masterpole's story highlights how these drugs, intended to help individuals with ADHD, can have severe and lasting health consequences when abused. The article underscores the importance of responsible medication use and the risks of seeking performance enhancement through unregulated means. Her experience serves as a stark warning to young people who may be tempted to use these drugs for academic or social advantages, potentially leading to addiction, cardiac issues, and an overall decline in well-being.

'I bought a few and I tried them and that was it. I remember my eyes lighting up, the colors seemed to be brighter. Everything seemed to be bright. I thought it was like heaven. I was like, “Oh my god, this is amazing.”’

'I would tell people to steer clear of these drugs completely. It's not worth it. It may make you feel good but it's going to tear everything apart.’

'It's not the quick fix I thought it was. Everybody should know it's not what you think, it will lead you down a way that you do not want to go.’

Mandi Masterpole's story serves as a critical warning against the misuse of ADHD medications. Her experience of suffering a heart attack at a young age due to non-prescribed stimulant use underscores the serious health risks involved. Currently awaiting a heart transplant, Masterpole hopes to educate young people about the dangers of misusing these drugs for performance enhancement, emphasizing that the potential long-term consequences far outweigh any perceived short-term benefits. The article highlights the importance of responsible medication practices and the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with stimulant abuse.