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Adrafinil is a Eugeroic compound that is sometimes classified as a nootropic and sometimes as a stimulant.
It is used heavily by students and workers in high tech and financial industries who want more energy throughout the day and greater cognitive abilities.
This drug – also known as Olmifon – was pioneered in Europe where it is prescribed to promote wakefulness in people who have sleep disorders.
While still unregulated here in the USA, many researchers and scientists see huge potential in Adrafinil powder for both cognitive enhancement and medical purposes.
If you are looking at using this highly potent compound, it is important that you follow the proper usage guidelines and never exceed a safe Adrafinil dosage.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits, dosages, and side effects of this exciting compound along with how it might improve brain function.
Focus
Wakeful- ness
Thinking- Converted into Modafinil by the liver
- Increases energy, wakefulness & motivation
- Boosts mental performance & focus
History of Adrafinil
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Adrafinil was first developed by the experimental medicine professor and neurophysiologist Michel Jouvet for Lafon Laboratories in France in 1974. Adrafinil is one of series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds that were developed during research on new analgesics.
It was found that Adrafinil did not have pain relief effects, but rather falls into the group of compounds known as eugeroics, or wakefulness promoting compounds. In animal research, Adrafinil was seen to have stimulant-like effects, causing increased locomotion and even hyperactivity at high dosages.
During testing two years later in 1976 to determine how Adrafinil works in the body, Modafinil was discovered. Adrafinil is broken down in the body into its component parts. The primary active component in Adrafinil is Modafinil.
Adrafinil and Modafinil were both first tested in humans as a treatment for the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Adrafinil was first tested for this use in 1977-78, and was eventually approved for use as a prescription drug in France for narcolepsy in 1986.
In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research studies, Adrafinil was seen to reduce excessive sleepiness and increase wakefulness in narcoleptics significantly compared to placebo.
Lafon Laboratories was bought by Cephalon Inc in 2001. In 2011, the same year Cephalon was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, they ceased production of their brand name version of Adrafinil, Olmifon. Generic Adrafinil is produced by a number of other manufacturers.
Benefits of Adrafinil
Adrafinil is a source of Modafinil – a well-regarded alertness-booster and smart drug that has been used for decades.
The primary use of Adrafinil thus far has been in clinical settings, helping patients who are suffering from sleep disorders.
Some of these are serious problems like narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness, but other uses can include promoting wakefulness in shift workers.
The excessive sleepiness that some people with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome can still experience even with treatment for their condition can also be ameliorated through the use of this compounf.
It actually helps to restore normal sleep patterns for these patients, allowing you to achieve restful sleep and then keeps you lively and alert during the day so that they do not feel constantly tired.
Adrafinil helps to promote an overall feeling of energy – especially mental energy. This may make it effective for people who are suffering from mood disorders like stress, anxiety and depression. If you constantly feel fatigued and mentally drained during the day, then Adrafinil might help to restore better energy levels.
It does this by selectively activating adrenergic receptors in the brain that typically respond to Norepinephrine (noradrenalin). This is one of the stress neurotransmitters that is used to quickly increase alertness and physical stamina when your brain detects external dangers, but it also has the effect of boosting mental performance.
Adrafinil is also associated with effects on Orexin (Hypocretin), Histamine, Dopamine, Glutamate, and Serotonin levels, resulting in a significant amount of excitatory activity in the central nervous system.
The increased levels of energy is often accompanies with greater motivation levels, leading enhanced productivity and ambition. Research have further observed an increase in sociability and verbal communication skills while using this compound.
For this reason, many people consider this Nootropic as a potential remedy for people who suffer from mild cases of introversion and social anxiety. There are also a number of potential cognitive benefits related to Adrafinil.
Many users have experienced learning and memory improvements along with a faster speed of recall. Attention span is increased as are awareness, focus and concentration. However, it is important to remember that Adrafinil is not a cognitive enhancer in the same sense as Piracetam, Noopept, or Pramiracetam.
It does not actually increase synaptic plasticity, but rather it acts like caffeine giving your brain more energy so that all of these tasks require less effort.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Adrafinil Dosages
Adrafinil is a powerful substance and the dosage you use must be carefully considered. Unlike many of the original Nootropics, there are some negative side effects if you exceed the recommended dosage.
In fact, for this reason some people do not actually think that Adrafinil is a nootropic but rather a smart drug with some cognitive benefits. We share this view and in general caution people from using Adrafinil or Modafinil for daily long-term use.
There are better nootropics out there like Phenylpiracetam or Pramiracetam that can give you a similar energy boost without the dangerous potential side effects.
Because Adrafinil powder is such a concentrated drug, a little really can go a long way. The recommended starting daily dosage range for Adrafinil is between 150 and 300 mg. It would be wise to start with a lower dosage until you have some experience with how it affects your body chemistry.
Dosages have been known to range up to 600-1200 mg per day. This was the recommended dosage for Olmifon for narcolepsy, when it was still produced. Dosages this high are typically not needed to experience nootropic effects though, and many people have reported success with smaller dosages.
It is typically recommended to start with a lower dosage and only increase the dosage after a week or two once you have observed the effects and built up a certain amount of tolerance. While many people will take one dosage in the morning, your Adrafinil dosage can be split over the course of two or three administrations a day, making sure that you do not take it late in the day or you might experience insomnia.
Since Adrafinil powder is water soluble, you can mix it into juice or water for easy consumption. Another option is to purchase a cheap pill capping device and make your own capsules for easy transportation.
As we mentioned earlier, you really should not be using this drug on an everyday basis due to the risk of side effects. It is best as an occasional nootropic on days where you seriously need to focus and be productive.
Another Adrafinil dosing strategy is to consider using a cycle. In other words, you might want to take it for a couple of weeks and then take a break to allow your body to rest and readjust. This will keep the compound as effective as possible in your body and prevent the development of a tolerance.
Whatever Adrafinil dose you decide to use, make sure to consult with a doctor before you start on your regimen.
Adrafinil Side Effects
So what exactly are the potential side effects of Adrafinil? While true nootropics like the Racetams and Noopept are viewed as very safe with no risk of serious side effects, there are some potentially dangerous outcomes associated with Adrafinil.
We should point out that in comparison to some of the other stimulants out there like Adderall or Ephedrine, the risk is much lower, but the possibility still needs to be considered and weighed. In general, Adrafinil is viewed as safe for occasional use if you do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Most of the side effects possible with Adrafinil are the same as what you would expect with Modafinil. This is because Adrafinil is metabolized by the body into Modafinil when it reaches your liver.
Some of the most common mild side effects associated with Modafinil use include headaches, nausea, nervousness, diarrhea, anxiety, stomach discomfort, rashes, insomnia, and dry mouth.
Insomnia is a commonly reported side effect that in most situations is not a true negative reaction to the compound, but rather due to improper dosage timing. Because it has a very long half-life, the stimulating effects of Adrafinil can be felt many hours after it is taken. It therefore is recommended that dosages be taken early in the morning to help avoid sleep disturbances at night.
There is a possibility of developing a serious cutaneous adverse reaction such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome when taking Adrafinil. This condition involves a red or purple spreading rash that blisters and is found primarily near the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (areas of the body with mucous membranes).
There is evidence that some people with certain human leukocyte antigens have a genetic susceptibility to developing these conditions when they take some medications, including antibiotics, anesthetics, and Adrafinil.
While Modafinil is used without any side effects by hundreds of thousands of individuals, it is important that you are familiar with these possibilities so that you can observe any changes in your body when using Adrafinil or Modafinil. Should you experience one of the side effects listed above, it is important that you stop taking this drug and seek medical advice.
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Liver Complications
Beyond the normal side effects that are associated with Modafinil, there is one additional risk related to Adrafinil use. Because Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver, this may cause added strain on your body, including increases in certain enzymes that might lead to problems.
It would not be advisable for those with liver issues to take Adrafinil. However, the risk is not nearly as significant as some other sources might lead people to believe. It would actually be just as risky for someone to take Tylenol or Advil every day.
Of course, it should go without saying that you would not want to mix this with alcohol or other drugs. There is also some risk for increased blood pressure and heart problems, especially at higher doses.
It is normally recommended that Adrafinil not be taken on a continuous basis or at high dosages to help avoid toxic liver enzyme issues. Most people will only take Adrafinil on an occasional basis, for example when they need a mental boost for a large exam or work commitment.
If you are considering purchasing Adrafinil online, make sure that you understand the importance of staying within the safe dosage guidelines so that you do not encounter any unpleasant reactions with this powerful drug.
Other Nootropic Options
Another nootropic option that many people have tried is taking one of the Racetams. This group of compounds are all related to the original nootropic, Piracetam.
First developed in the 1960s, Piracetam is considered the first nootropic. Its inventor, Corneliu Giurgea, made the word nootropic (from Greek origins, meaning “to turn the mind”) to describe the effects of this compound in the body.
Piracetam has been seen to have positive effects on Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with memory, learning ability, and executive function. Increase concentration and motivation have also been reported by users.
Since the development of Piracetam, more potent derivatives of this compound have been created, including the most common ones, Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam. These compounds are all more powerful than their predecessor, and have additional nootropic effects.
For example, Aniracetam is considered to be about 5 times as powerful as Piracetam. It has been observed to be a stronger AMPA receptor agonist than Piracetam. Additionally, Aniracetam is said to have anxiety-reducing effects that are not seen with Piracetam.
Phenylpiracetam powder is considered to be 50-60 times as potent as Piracetam, and is considered one of most powerful Racetams. Users report that it has strong mental energy effects that can last for up to eight hours, as well as increased learning capacity, focus, and concentration.
Like Adrafinil, the Racetams are unregulated, unscheduled compounds that are available in most countries without a prescription. FDA laws surrounding the sale, labeling, and distribution of compounds like these make the sale of these compounds for human use in the US very difficult.
However, it is legal to buy and use these compounds, and there are a large number of online nootropic vendors that sell high quality products that are backed with certificates of GMP protocols during manufacturing, and third party Certificates of Analysis for every batch they sell.
These compounds come in a variety of options, including capsules, tablets, and powder. Typically powder formulations are less expensive than premade capsules or tablets, but the costs of each of these will vary depending on the strength of the nootropic drug. For example, Aniracetam capsules may be less expensive than Pramiracetam powder, but due to the less potent nature of Aniracetam, it could take much more product to get similar results, negating any cost difference.
If Adrafinil does not seem like the right compound for your needs, then consider using one of the Racetams to get the nootropic effects you want.
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- Milhaud CL, Klein MJ. [The effect of adrafinil on the nocturnal activity of the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)]. J Pharmacol. 1985
- Lagarde D. [Pharmacological approach to desychronization of the sleep-wakefulness cycle in the military and sport environment]. Ann Pharm Fr. 2007
- Rao RN, Maurya PK, Shinde DD. Development of a validated LC method for enantiomeric separation and determination of adrafinil and its related substances on a Chiralcel OJ-H column connected to PDA and polarimetric detectors in series. Biomed Chromatogr. 2010
Article last updated on: April 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
5 Comments
Whoops, just got my adrafinil and took 1800 mg in one day. hope I’m alright.
The dosages mentioned on this page are way too low. The recommended dosage for Modafinil is 100-400 mg/day. Modafinil is much more powerful than Adrafinil, which means you have to take a much larger dose of Adrafinil to approach the efficacy of Modafinil.
For Adrafinil, the ideal dosage range is 600-1200 mg/day. Ideally you should start lower if you’re more susceptible to various medicines, or just to ease yourself into the medicine. ref: https://www.smartdrugsforthought.com/adrafinil-vs-modafinil/
Additionally, it’s important to take Adrafinil on an empty stomach. This is because Adrafinil converts in your liver, into Modafinil. If your body is currently processing food/drink, it may be less efficient in the conversion of Adrafinil to Modafinil. Additionally, as Adrafinil is water soluble, some foods/drinks could negate the medicine partially or entirely.
There is confusion and misinformation in abundance. Numerous sites say ADRAFINIL is watere soluble. I received information from NOOTROPICS DEPOT that according to them it is ACTUALLY NOT VERY SOLUBLE IN WATER. They maintain that it is most soluble in DMSO according to their testing.
Why can the sites and suppliers not provide this very basic but ESSENTIAL piece of information regarding each and every substance they are providing? Otherwise taking them incorrectly can be like pouring them down the drain.
Hi Mark,
I’ve been having trouble tracking down definitive info for you. In the past, I have taken Adrafinil by mixing it with water and can attest to feeling the effects kick in.
It does not fully dissolve in water, but there is definitely some solubility.
If you look online, many of the COAs provided for Adrafinil from different testing labs will list alcohol and water as two solvents for the compound.
However, a number of other COAs provided for Adrafinil online say that it is, “Soluble in methanol; Slightly soluble in ethyl acetate and methylene chloride; Insoluble in water” while others say that it is “Practically insoluble in water.”
Unfortunately, there are no studies in PubMed to look at pharmacokinetics and bio-availability following administration with water versus other options like with a meal. Without study data, its difficult to give a definitive answer.
I’m drinking my first 200mg of adrafinil right now. It did not dissolve in cold coffee but dissolved completely after adding hot coffee, soy milk, and stirring.
Interesting.