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Adrafinil is a member of a class of stimulants known as eugeroics.
The term is derived from classical Greek words meaning good arousal, which is a fairly candid explanation of the effect eugeroics have on the human central nervous system.
They increase wakefulness without many of the undesirable side effects typically accompanying other stimulants-type drugs. It eases fatigue while delivering an awake and alert state to the user.
In most countries, Adrafinil is legal and available without a prescription which is why it is often purchased as an alternative to the smart drugs Modafinil or Armodafinil.
Adrafinil has been used in some European countries to treat narcolepsy, to aid night shift workers and to increase mental alertness in the elderly.
Side effects, including increased levels of liver enzymes, are possible. Long term use should be monitored by a medical professional.
Working as a mild stimulant to the central nervous system, it provides the user with a sense of feeling awake and alert without increasing the heart rate or causing a rise in blood pressure. Some people report experiencing a slight mood elevation.
Most people do not experience any problems with sleep when taking Adrafinil, but, as a precaution, it is recommended to take it before noon each day.
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Thinking- Converted into Modafinil by the liver
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Adrafinil Introduction
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Originally developed by the French pharmaceutical company, Lafon Laboratories, in 1974, Adrafinil was discovered while researching new analgesics. Michel Jouvet and another scientist developed a group of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds which included Adrafinil in their research for the development of new pain-relieving compounds.
It was found that Adrafinil does not in fact have pain relief effects, but instead belongs to a class of compounds known as eugeroics, or wakefulness promoting compounds. Adrafinil has been seen to have stimulant-like effects, but is not chemically related to traditional amphetamine based stimulants.
During research on Adrafinil’s mechanism of action to determine how it works in the body, the compound Modafinil was discovered in 1976. It was found that when ingested, Adrafinil is transported to the liver, where it is broken down into its component parts.
The main components of Adrafinil are modafinilic acid, which is inactive, and Modafinil. Modafinil was found to be the primary active compound in Adrafinil. This component is responsible for the effects that Adrafinil has in the body.
Adrafinil then is known as a prodrug, to Modafinil, meaning that this biologically inactive compound, when it is processed in the body is converted into its active metabolite, Modafinil. The conversion process takes about an hour, which is when the effects are usually experienced.
Both Adrafinil and Modafinil were originally tested as experimental drugs for treating the sleep disorder narcolepsy, which causes sleeping bouts during the day and excessive daytime sleepiness. In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research trials, when compared to placebo, both drugs were seen to significantly reduce excessive sleepiness and improve wakefulness.
In 2001, Lafon Laboratories was bought by the American pharmaceutical company Cephalon Inc. Cephalon was later acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in 2011, and still operate as a subsidiary of this company today.
Cephalon continued their research and development on these drugs and later was able to synthesize Modafinil directly, without needing to derive it from Adrafinil. As Modafinil is the more potent and faster-acting compound, it is the preferred medical choice as a treatment for various conditions and disorders.
Since 2011, Cephalon has discontinued the manufacture of Adrafinil (labelled as Olmifon) altogether. It is now being manufactured by other pharmaceutical labs around the world though.
Cephalon continues to make the original name brand version of Modafinil, Provigil. As well, they created a refined version of Modafinil known as Armodafinil, which they sell and label as Nuvigil.
Adrafinil Uses
Adrafinil is widely available for purchase on the internet and is legal in many countries, without restriction. In other countries, Adrafinil has been classified it as a scheduled drug which requires a prescription from a medical professional.
Adrafinil is used by those with narcolepsy, other sleep disorders or excessive daytime tiredness. Others who benefit from this drug are people who work the night shift, as well as people whose work requires them to stay awake for extended periods of time without sleep.
Adrafinil is most commonly used as a nootropic, cognitive enhancing compound. It is also sometimes used for focusing the minds of people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adrafinil and Modafinil are said to have positive effects on the mind, including improving memory, increasing concentration and focus, increasing mental energy and alertness, and improving motivation to complete tasks.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Legal Status in the United States
In the United States, Adrafinil is legal to use, buy and possess.
It is currently unregulated and unscheduled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It has not been submitted for, nor has it been approved by the FDA, for any specific clinical uses requiring a prescription.
The Drug Enforcement Agency, likewise, has no jurisdiction over Adrafinil as it is not classified as a controlled substance.
No prescription is needed to acquire Adrafinil under its current legal status and citizens are free to purchase it domestically or to import it for personal use. In the USA, Adrafinil falls into a sort of grey area for substances which are not approved or regulated by the FDA, but are also not illegal to buy and use.
These substances still must meet all the sanitation requirements of other supplements and substances, but they lack the approval of the Food and Drug Administration which approved substances and medications have. For this reason, you will not see Adrafinil marketed in health supplements, but you can still lawfully buy the pure ingredient.
FDA laws surrounding the sale, labeling, and distribution of unregulated, unscheduled compounds that have not been approved for human use makes these products hard to find for sale in the USA.
Legal Status in the United Kingdom
Adrafinil is not a regulated drug in the UK and does not require a prescription. It is an uncontrolled substance that has not been approved for human use. There are not any current UK based vendors, however it is possible to import small quantities for personal use (often an amount less then a three month supply is considered “for personal use”).
Legal Status in Canada
Canada considers Adrafinil an unregulated drug. Adrafinil has not been assigned a Drug Identification Number (DIN) by Health Canada. It is legal to purchase it within the country as a research compound, or for private citizens to import small amounts for personal use.
Legal Status in Australia
The Department of Health and Ageing’s Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia has categorized Adrafinil as a Schedule IV Prescription Only Medicine. Therefore, unlike most other countries, a prescription is needed to obtain Adrafinil legally in Australia.
While it is possible to buy Adrafinil online from many vendors without a prescription, and the import of prescription drugs is legal in Australia, you will still require proof of a prescription once the drug reaches Australia. It may be legal to import Adrafinil from another country if you travel overseas and bring back an amount considered for personal use, however there are not really any reports either confirming or denying the success of this method.
Is Adrafinil Legal?
Adrafinil is a powerful nootropic agent, providing the user with a sense of alertness and awareness without many of the unwanted stimulant type effects such as agitation and anxiousness which commonly accompany other stimulants. Adrafinil is sometimes used for off-label purposes such as for increased energy, as a study pill, or for boosting productivity.
It should not be taken by those with epilepsy, liver or kidney impairment, those taking anti-psychotic drugs or by pregnant women. Having a doctor monitor your liver enzymes is a good idea if taking this drug over any period of time.
Adrafinil is legal to buy and use in the USA, UK and in Canada. In Australia, a prescription is needed. Some countries requiring a prescription will allow patients to import small quantities for personal use.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has added both Modafinil and Adrafinil to its list of prohibited substances for athletic competition. Athletes should be aware of Adrafinil’s prohibited status.
As regulations in every country continue to shift and change frequently, it is important to check with the regulating agency in the country in which you live or plan to travel to determine whether Adrafinil is legal in these jurisdictions.
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Adrafinil Side Effects
Many people who take Adrafinil at proper dosages on a recommended dosing schedule do not experience any side effects. However, there have been some mild side effects that are reported from user reviews online including: headache, nausea, anxiety, stomach pain, skin irritation or rash, insomnia, weight and appetite loss, and restlessness.
Some people experience mild side effects when they first start taking a new compound as their body adjusts to it. It is common to experience side effects for the first 2-3 weeks of taking Adrafinil that subside as your body adjusts. If you continue to experience side effects after that point, then consider taking a lower dosage and see if your side effects subside.
Insomnia is a commonly reported effect of Adrafinil and Modafinil that in the majority of cases is not a true negative reaction to the compounds, but rather due to improper dosage timing. The long half-life of these compounds means the stimulating, wakeful effects are felt many hours after they are ingested. To avoid sleep disturbances, it is recommended to take your Adrafinil in the morning.
There is a possibility of developing one of group of rare, but very serious cutaneous reactions when taking Adrafinil, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Symptoms of this include fever, body aches, sore throat, coughing, itching, and a red/purple rash that spreads and blisters.
There is strong evidence suggesting that people who have certain human leukocyte antigens have a genetic susceptibility to developing these conditions when they take certain medications, including Adrafinil. If you believe you have developed a skin and mucous membrane reaction/rash, then stop taking Adrafinil and talk to your doctor immediately.
Another serious concern of using Adrafinil is the hypothetical potential for elevated toxic liver enzymes. During the natural breakdown process of many different compounds, the liver needs to produce various enzymes. These enzymes are a natural bodily product and are necessary to utilize these chemicals in the body, but issues can arise if levels get too high.
It is believed that if Adrafinil is taken on a regular, everyday basis for long periods of time that these toxic enzymes could build up and eventually cause liver damage. Similar concern exist when using compounds like certain NSAIDs (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) or alcohol, which are metabolized in the liver.
It is therefore recommended that Adrafinil only be used on an occasional basis, when needed. It is recommended that you have your liver enzyme levels tested regularly by your doctor to help prevent any high levels from occurring, especially if you do choose to take Adrafinil more regularly.
Other Nootropic Options
If you live somewhere where Adrafinil is considered a prescription medication, have liver disease/issues, or are concerned about the potential liver issues with prolonged Adrafinil use, then choosing a different nootropic compound may be the best option for you. One route that many people go is using one of the Racetams.
The Racetams are a family of compounds that are all related to Piracetam. Originally developed in Belgium at UCB Pharma in the 1960s, Piracetam is considered the first nootropic. It has been observed to have positive effects on Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter associated with memory, learning ability, and executive function.
Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam are some of the most common derivatives of Piracetam that have been developed over the years. These compounds are all more potent than their parent compound, and typically have additional nootropic effects.
For example, Aniracetam is considered about 4-5 times as strong as Piracetam, has stronger AMPAkine effects then its precursor, and also is said to have some anxiety-relieving effects. Phenylpiracetam is considered 50-60 times as potent as Piracetam, and users report that it has strong mental energy, learning capacity, memory, and concentration boosting effects.
The Racetams are available in a variety of formats, such as Aniracetam capsules and Oxiracetam capsules, or Pramiracetam powder and Phenylpiracetam powder. Do your research to determine which format and strength of compound is best for your needs.
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Article last updated on: April 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
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