Molly Seidel Seeking TUE for Adderall - Will not run NYC Mini 10k

Comparing Adderall to recreational drugs is ridiculous.

The chemical, the dose, the delivery, all make the difference between therapy and abuse.

When are we going to prioritize athletes’ mental health? As someone with ADHD, I can testify that ADHD is extremely frustrating and affects every part of life. There’s more to an athlete than their performance, and I’m happy she’s getting help. In addition, ADHD can cause bouts of fatigue, which can affect athletic performance, so it’s really a liability. Props to her for being transparent and stop comparing her to Shelby this is nothing like that😐

I understand what you're saying here and I agree that a straight Shelby comparison is unnecessary at this point. For me, Shelby restructured how I thought of athletes and doping, and if clean sport is a top priority, I'm not going to be so quick to "believe" athletes good intentions anymore, even the ones who are transparent. We have to consider the possibility that any and every athlete might be trying to game the system, and not blindly trust them.

With all the issues over doping and abusing the system, I want the rules to be more strict. I understand that ADHD is a serious condition, but Adderall is a steroid. It could be a medication that could help Molly, and one she needs. It could also give her a competitive edge, which is unfair to her competitors. Sport can't make accommodations for everyone, sacrificing fairness in the process. It's a tough line to walk, but at the elite levels I'm less empathetic.

There really is no reason for her to even mention she is looking into TUE exception. This is a personal health issue and regardless of WADA and USTFA has patient confidentiality issues exposing this publicly. At the end of the day its no one’s business when she races or doesn’t race for whatever the reason. I understand her wanting to be transparent to her fan base, however protecting ones personal health both physically and mentally should be her priority. Better off to explain after the fact, than open the door and let the character assassinations begin. I fully doubt PUMA and her sponsors insisted she go public with anything.

I'm guessing you have not read WADA's "TUE Physicial Guidelines

I'm not sure why you think there is "no possible way" she'll get a TUE for Adderall. TUEs for ADHD drugs are common enouugh that WADA has a 9 page "Physician Guideline" on getting a TUE for athletes with ADHD.

Wait

you were looking to try to get adderall explicitly for its performance enhancing qualities

and what does "some OCD" mean? Self-diagnosis?

'Some OCD' means he reads LetsRun a lot.

Major league baseball allows it with a TUE (or at least used to; I don't know whether that has changed). Adam Laroche and Derek Lowe both used it, and I found an Atlanta newspaper article from about a decade ago said that 100+ MLB players had TUEs for some sort of ADHD medication.

Adderall keeps norepinephrine around in the synapses longer, which enhances and sustains the flight-or-flight response. Similar effect as cocaine or street drug angel dust.

I have a female relative who is ADHD and I notice a big difference when she takes Adderall. Although I love her, dealing with her when she is not an Adderall is a challenge, a big challenge. I have to hold back saying "did you take your medicine?" as it doesn't help the situation. If Molly is in the same boat, I hope she gets properly diagnosed and treated as treating the condition is way more important than anything to do with running.

Colleges dont test for drugs. Now she gets tested and needs this TUE.

Her story: BS

TUEs for drugs that can be performance enhancers is BS. We all know how Salazar's athletes abused TUEs.

I thought so, but now knowing Simon Biles got a Ritalin TUE is good news for Molly. Adderall is longer acting and more potent, but with that precedent how could they not give it to her?

Interesting.

Molly seems well-composed in her interviews, not flighty or immature. I think she's held it together very well over the years (even if dealing with all that she says she is), to be honest.

Ritalin is also banned in Japan, with or without a TUE.

That's why she did so terribly in Tokyo.

btw. She had been taking Ritalin since she was ~8

I'm speaking from the experience of someone who heavily abused Adderall and would consider it a very dangerous and addictive recreational drug. And yes, I agree the dose makes a huge difference but I was someone who started on 5mgs and made my way up to 180 mgs/day over a ten year period.

I also recognize I'm probably sensitive to this one since I happen to be a recovering addict and 3 years sober off Adderall, so some of my views might be biased.

Yes, sorry you're right. It looks like baseball does grant quite a bit of TUEs even though stimulants are technically banned.

A few thoughts '

1. It is generally medically accepted Adderall is an effective treatment for ADHD.

2. It is generally medically accepted Adderall can be a performance enhancer.

3. ADHD is a subjective diagnosis.

4. I don't think TUE should be given for subjective diagnosis conditions.

5. TUE should not be given. It is not fair to others to do not need them.

6. My knee jerk reaction without personal knowing Molly, is she does not have ADHD or need to take adderall. It is just a way to get around the PED.

7. I don't hate the player, I hate the game. I'm not mad at Molly for doing what I think she did, but I'm mad at the rules allowing it to happen. Molly isn't breaking the rules, though she maybe bending the spirit of the law. Competitive athletes need to get every edge they can get, which she is doing. Competitive athletes will always exploit stupid rules.

8. I'm not the only one questioning Molly's need for adderall. That hurts the Integrity of the sport, which in turn hurts the popularity of the sport. Less popularity means less money for the athletes.