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Adrafinil is a nootropic and “smart drug” often used in the place of Modafinil. It is a highly powerful alertness agent and is often used to increase concentration and focus.
Adrafinil falls into the category of eurgeroic nootropics and actually converts into Modafinil in the liver. As a result, effects of taking Adrafinil are very similar to taking Modafinil.
Unlike Modafinil, Adrafinil is not regulated in the United States and is much easier to purchase online. However, this is still a very powerful nootropic compound and must be used properly in order to avoid potential side effects.
The following article gives an Adrafinil review, discussing the history of this compound and how it works in the body, as well as a user review describing their experiences, dosage and side effect information, and some suggestions of alternative nootropics to try if Adrafinil does not seem right for your needs.
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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 in 1974 by scientists at the French pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories. Michel Jouvet and another scientist were researching new analgesics when they developed a series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, including Adrafinil.
Adrafinil was found to not have pain-relieving effects, but instead is categorized as a eugeroic, or wakefulness promoting compound. It was seen in animal trials to increase locomotor activity and alertness at lower dosages, and to cause hyperactivity at higher dosages.
When trying to determine Adrafinil’s mechanism of action in the body, Modafinil was discovered. It was found that Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver into its component parts, namely the inactive modafinilic acid, and Modafinil. Modafinil has been determined to be the primary active compound in Adrafinil.
Both Adrafinil and Modafinil were first tested for human use as treatment for the serious sleep disorder narcolepsy, which causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sleeping bouts throughout the day. In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research trials, Adrafinil and Modafinil were seen to increase wakefulness and decrease excessive sleepiness in narcoleptics significantly compared to a placebo.
Adrafinil was approved as a narcolepsy treatment in France in 1986. Modafinil was later approved in France in 1994, and in 1998 in the US.
Lafon Laboratories was bought by Cephalon Inc in 2001. Cephalon continued to make the name brand version of Adrafinil, Olmifon until 2011 (the same year the Cephalon was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries).
Modafinil is the more potent and faster acting compound compared to Adrafinil, and eventually Cephalon decided to cease production of Olmifon and only produce their original brand name version of Modafinil, Provigil, as well as a newer, refined version of Modafinil, known as Armodafinil, brand name Nuvigil.
Adrafinil is now produced by other manufacturers around the world. In many countries, it is considered an unregulated compound, and is available without a prescription (one exception is Australia, who have categorized it as prescription-only medicine, the same as Modafinil).
How Does Adrafinil Work?
Adrafinil (previously sold under the name Olmifon) is considered a mild central nervous system stimulant.
As described before, it was originally researched for and used by individuals experiencing excessive fatigue and sleepiness. Nowadays it is primarily used as a nootropic as well as for the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Adrafanil has been associated with increased presence of the neurotransmitter Orexin (Hypocretin) which controls how alert and awake you feel.
Higher Orexin levels can give you more energy and also leads to increased production of Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Histamine.
All three of these hormones are directly related to energy levels – especially Histamine, which like Orexin plays a role in regulating wakefulness, arousal, and appetite.
Taking Adrafinil before a studying sessions or a workout can help you stay alert and focused for long periods of time.
Adrafanil further prevents the breakdown of the mood elevating hormone Dopamine by blocking its transport and reuptake, and also increases the release of Serotonin. In this regard, it may be used as a mood enhancer and productivity promoter among individuals who could use some help increasing their motivation levels.
Adrafanil may also stimulate Glutamate receptors which makes it similar to some racetams like Piracetam and Aniracetam. Activation of Glutamate pathways leads to improved synapse plasticity, the ability to learn, and memory performance.
Adrafinil experiences and reviews are generally highly positive with a number of individuals claiming this to be the best nootropic that is currently legal.
People who have tried Adrafinil report that they see a substantial improvement to their cognitive ability – especially in times of higher than normal mental demand. Adrafinil is often used as an alternative to Ritalin or Adderall among people with ADD or ADHD who need to improve their focus.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Adrafinil vs. Modafinil
Adrafinil and Modafinil are very similar, though not entirely identical. According to some reviews, Adrafinil is slightly less effective than Modafinil in comparisons of the same dose sizes. One important difference is that it will take more time to feel the effects of Adrafinil vs. Modafinil and those effects may be spread over a longer period of time as well.
However, because Adrafinil does convert into Modafinil when processed by the body, most users will get a very similar range of effects that are caused by Modafinil. This makes it a suitable replacement for most people who cannot get a prescription for Modafinil.
Below is one user’s review on both Modafinil and Adrafinil, and a comparison of the two experiences:
“I’ve experimented with Adrafinil for about two years and have found it to be a useful stimulant. Initial trials were conducted at 900mg which I found to be substantially stimulating, this stimulation was, for me at least, of considerable duration, and even after dosing relatively early in the day I would often find that I had difficult in sleeping. However in contrast to stimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine I have always fallen asleep (eventually) after taking adrafinil.”
“The nature of the stimulation induced by Adrafinil is distincly different from that produced by other stimulants, being characterised by a particularly cerebal quality- the motor stimulation produced by more conventional stimulants largely absent. One drawback for me is the level of ‘inner tension’that Adrafinil produces especially during the later stages of its effects, often I’ve found that I become irritable and slightly ‘scatty’.”
“The day after has been characterised by feelings of lassitude and exhaustion, though minor compared to that induced by other uppers. I’ve found that taking a second dose when in this state seems to have little or no effect. One curious property of adrafinil seems to be that one cannot be certain wether a given dose will have an effect. It would appear that your natural energy levels have to be at their best to derive an effect from this substance. The most useful quality of adrafinil is motivational-after taking it you find yourself keen to undertake intellectual work and will often stick with the task in hand for far longer than normal.”
“Modafinil though similar has a few unique qualities. It was easier to fall asleep after a dose, it did not produce the inner tension that adrafinil did, and the quality of stimulation seemed subjectivley ‘finer’ than that of adrafinil– which has more of a down and dirty ‘druggy’ feel about it. In addition modafinil does not seem to produce any post dose exhaustion and seems to work when taken consecutively for a number of days. However, unlike adrafinil, modafinil does not seems to focus one as singularly on a given task.”
“From what I’ve experienced both have a low abuse potential, there’s little in states of mind they induce to attract the thrill seeker. But if taken with a particular purpose in mind (eg. completing overdue university assingments) then they definitley have their uses, in fact they probaly the best substances for this sort of task available. ” – Rhizome [1]
Adrafinil Dosage
The recommended dosage for Adrafinil powder is 150 to 300 mg in one day. This powder is water soluble which means you can take it either in capsule format or by mixing it into a drink.
Do not exceed this dosage as you may experience dangerous side effects at higher levels. You can exercise precaution by starting at a lower dose size and only increasing after a few weeks to allow your body to adjust to the compound.
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Adrafinil Side Effects
Unlike other nootropics which are known to pose very little risk of side effects, Adrafinil may cause some unwanted side effects, especially at high dosages.
The most common mild side effects reported with Adrafinil in scientific studies and user reviews include: headaches, nausea, stomach pain, skin irritation, dizziness, anxiety/nervousness, jitteriness, and insomnia.
The risk may not be as high compared to amphetamines and other stimulants like ephedrine and Adderall, but there is some potential for increased blood pressure and other heart-related issues.
Never take Adrafinil if you have a history of heart problems or complications and you should not combine this nootropic with other stimulants including caffeine.
Insomnia is a common effect with Adrafinil that in most cases is not a negative reaction to the compound, but rather due to poor dosage timing. Due to its long half-life, the stimulating effects of Adrafinil can still be felt many hours later. To help avoid sleep disturbances it is recommended to take your dosage in the morning, before noon.
There is a possibility of developing one of a series of rare skin and mucous membrane reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which involves a fever, flu-like symptoms, and a rash that spreads and blisters.
There is strong evidence that certain people who have select human leukocyte antigens have a genetic susceptibility to developing these conditions when taking certain medications like antibiotics, anesthetics, and Adrafinil or Modafinil.
Stop taking Adrafinil and speak with your doctor immediately if you think you may have developed symptoms of these conditions, as they are serious and can be fatal.
Adrafinil liver toxicity has been well documented, though some perspective is necessary. While it is true that breaking down Adrafinil and converting it into Modafanil does put some strain on the liver and raise hepatotoxic enzyme levels, this effect has been likened to the equivalent risk factor of taking Tylenol on a regular basis.
At safe dosages when used occasionally, Adrafinil is considered safe to use by healthy individuals. However, if you have a history of liver problems you should not take this substance. You should also not mix Adrafinil with any other drugs or alcohol. It is best to check with your doctor and seek professional advice before using this or any other health supplement or nootropic.
Buying Adrafinil and Other Nootropics
You can buy Adrafinil online in the USA without the need for a prescription. In the US and many other countries such as Canada and the UK, Adrafinil is an unregulated, unscheduled compound. It is legal to buy and own, and does not require a prescription.
FDA laws make the sale of Adrafinil very limited, but it is available from a number of reputable online nootropic vendors. Adrafinil powder is typically sold in 10 gram or 20 gram packages and retails for $39.99 / 10 g. Make sure to purchase a GMP certified product to ensure that you are getting a pure and high quality product.
If you live somewhere where Adrafinil is considered a prescription medication, have liver issues, or you are concerned about potential liver complications from long-term use, then there are other nootropic options to consider, including one of the Racetams.
The Racetams are a family of cognitive enhancing smart drugs that are all derived from the original nootropic, Piracetam. Piracetam was first developed by Romanian scientist Corneliu Giurgea at UCB Pharma in Belgium in the 1960s.
Piracetam has been observed to have positive effects on Acetylcholine levels and activity in the brain and central nervous system. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that has effects on mental processing, learning ability, memory, and focus.
The derivatives of Piracetam, including Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Phenylpiracetam, and Pramiracetam, are all more potent compounds then their parent compound Piracetam. For example Phenylpiracetam is said to be between 50-60 times as powerful as Piracetam, and has strong mental energy and concentration effects.
Racetams come in a variety of formats, including Aniracetam capsules and Pramiracetam capsules, or Oxiracetam powder and Phenylpiracetam powder. Choose whichever format and strength of Racetam works best for your needs.
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- Rhizome. "Adrafinil and Modafinil: Some Observations: An Experience with Adrafinil & Modafinil (exp10393)". Erowid.org. Jan 18, 2002. erowid.org/exp/10393
- Siwak CT, Tapp PD, Milgram NW. Adrafinil disrupts performance on a delayed nonmatching-to-position task in aged beagle dogs. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003
- Chariot J, Appia F, Vaille C, Rozé C. Effect of modafinil on pancreatic exocrine secretion in rats. A comparison with adrafinil and related drugs. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 1987
- Dubey S, Ahi S, Reddy IM, Kaur T, Beotra A, Jain S. A novel study of screening and confirmation of modafinil, adrafinil and their metabolite modafinilic acid under EI-GC-MS and ESI-LC-MS-MS ionization. Indian J Pharmacol. 2009
- Siwak CT, Gruet P, Woehrlé F, Schneider M, Muggenburg BA, Murphey HL, Callahan H, Milgram NW. Behavioral activating effects of adrafinil in aged canines. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2000
Article last updated on: April 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
5 Comments
If you have the Adrafinil in the pure powder form, how would u regulate a proper dosage, without a scale. Any ideas or helpful methods would be greatly appreciated. Thnx.
Hi Johnny,
The only way to be 100% confident in the dosage would be to use a digital scale. They are very cheap at around $15 if you buy them on Amazon.
You could use a minispoon to measure out your dosage as described in this guide. However, these spoons often lack the precision necessary to be 100% confident in your dosage.
If you are taking other nootropics would it be safe to take adrafinil once a day ?
Just wondering if some kind of side effect would happen?
Right now i’m on a stack doing Piracetam, Oxiracetam,Aniracetam, and pramiracetam.
Thank you in advance.
Tenho 24 ano sou do sexo masculino não tenho nenhum problema de saúde, irei compra a embalagem em capsula. Cada capsula conte 300 mg.
* Gostaria de saber qual seria a dosagem inicial recomendada a tomar?
* Depois de quanto tempo posso subir?
* Qual o máximo por dia ?
* Durante quanto tempo posso tomar?
* Quanto tempo de intervalo devo dar para retorna a tomar ?
Muito obrigado pela atenção !! Ficaria muito grato voce poder me ajudar nessas questões .
Obrigado!
Hey Nootriment,
Thanks for the Adrafinil review. I really like trying new things to improve my performance and my lifestyle. You guys rock.
Thanks,
Dennis