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Modafinil (Provigil is the most popular brand name) is a powerful focus-enhancing drug, but not everyone who wants to use it is able to get a prescription for it. Most individuals who do manage to get a prescription find that the cost is too high to permit regular use.
Despite these barriers, demand for this smart drug remains at unprecedented levels due to the hype, surrounding its efficacy, cultivated by the media and in movies like “Limitless.”
This has led to a surge in the supplement market of so-called Modafinil alternatives that are available for purchase over the counter and without a prescription. How effective are these Modafinil replacements? Are there any nootropic supplements that offer a viable alternative to the high cost of Provigil pills?
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
Modafinil for Focus and Energy
Related Topics
- What is Modafinil? (Provigil)
- How Does Provigil Work?
- Effects and Benefits
- User Reviews
- Typical Experiences
- Recommended Dosages
- How to Take
- Provigil Uses
- Use for ADHD
- Effects on Weight Loss
- Negative Side Effects
- Abuse Warnings & Dangers
- Comparison to Adrafinil
- Comparison to Armodafinil
- Comparison to Adderall
- Where to Buy
- Generic Modafinil Brands
- Is Modafinil Legal?
- How to Get Modafinil
- Review of Online Sources
If you are interested in getting this drug, you have probably heard Modafinil being talked about as the real-life version of NZT-48 from Limitless. You might be enticed by claims that this is Wall Street’s drug of choice and all the thousands of reviews in online biohacking communities from people who have tried it.
Modafinil might be one of the most famous cognitive enhancers with studies showing it can increase focus, concentration and drive in even healthy individuals.
Clinical trials have demonstrated it can improve memory, lift mood and help you be more productive while sleeping less. Who wouldn’t want to buy this drug?
A History of Modafinil (Provigil)
Modafinil is classified as a Eugeroic substance, increasing levels of wakefulness and mental vigilance in individuals who are sleep deprived. Unlike other stimulants such as amphetamines that affect the whole body, eugeroics like Modafinil are believed to have more targeted effects on the central nervous system and brain.
After seeing activity and alertness effects in animal studies, the initial studied use of Modafinil during the 1980’s centered on the treatment of the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a disorder that affects sleep and wakefulness states. Most people with the disorder experience excessive daytime sleepiness and can sometimes instantly fall asleep throughout the day.
Multiple double-blind placebo-controlled studies have shown that Modafinil is more effective at decreasing excessive sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy than placebo. Scores on tests of wakefulness and latency to sleep have been seen to improve with this stimulant medication.
Since then, its use has expanded into other sleep disorders, specifically obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome and shift-work sleep disorder. As a wakefulness promoting agent, Modafinil has proven highly effective in treating these conditions, enabling patients to overcome extreme fatigue and live full, productive lives.
Modafinil is a prescription drug in many countries of the world including the United States. It is approved for use for narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.
In recent times, uses of Modafinil have extended far beyond the treatment of daytime sleepiness. In various research studies, this drug has shown therapeutic benefits for improving the symptoms of conditions ranging from attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis. Modafinil is also believed to offer some neuroprotective effects.
Multiple double-blind placebo-controlled studies have shown the Modafinil is effective for improving symptoms of ADHD, especially helping to improve concentration and focus.
In a study that compared a conventional ADHD stimulant medication (dextroamphetamine) and Modafinil against a placebo, patients who took either of the active drugs had significantly improved scores on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ADHD Checklist compared to scores from patients who received placebo. The researchers concluded that Modafinil should be considered as a viable alternative medication to currently prescribed stimulant drugs.
Modafinil is also commonly used as a nootropic compound for increasing concentration, focus, learning ability, and memory in healthy individuals. A couple reviews of multiple studies have concluded that in research trials Modafinil has been seen to improve working memory, episodic memory, and executive function.
While all of these applications are considered to be “off-label” in the United States, there is widespread support for the use of Provigil in the medical and research community. Many physicians view it as a safer alternative to conventional stimulant medications like Ritalin, Dexedrine, Focalin, Adderall and Vyvanse.
It is estimated that as much as 89% of all Modafinil prescriptions in the United States are written for off-label conditions that the FDA has not expressly approved this drug for. These prescriptions are perfectly legal, but there is increasing scrutiny into the practice.
In 2008, the manufacturer Cephalon had to pay a $425 million settlement for charges that it had been illegally promoting Provigil for off-label conditions. These days, lawyers advertise all over the place soliciting clients who have been prescribed Provigil off-label and experienced side effects.
Despite the fact that Provigil is often well tolerated and has a fairly low risk of side effects when used at appropriate doses, the negative publicity may be making it more difficult to get Modafinil prescriptions for ADHD and similar conditions.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Modafinil Alternatives
Given all of this, it is not surprising that interest has spiked in supplements and nootropic compounds that offer a safe and effective alternative to Modafinil. Some people may try their luck and attempt to buy Modafinil online from so called “online pharmacies,” but if you live in the USA, Modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance and you need a doctor prescription to use it in the country.
It is not necessary to risk your health and legal standing by ordering from offshore drug stores. There are lots of other powerful compounds that you can take to approximate some of the cognitive enhancement effects that Modafinil promises.
Alternative #1: Adrafinil
For anyone who wants effects as close to the real thing as possible, Adrafinil is the best bet. Adrafinil is the prodrug to Modafinil, meaning that after it is consumed it gets converted into Modafinil when it is metabolized by the body.
In fact, Adrafinil was the original drug developed during the 1970’s and Modafinil was only discovered after the fact. The effects are identical, though Adrafinil (previously sold under the brand name Olmifon) is less potent.
It takes an hour longer to become active and requires a dosage that is approximately 50% greater than a Modafinil dose. This is due to the fact that not all of the Adrafinil consumed will be converted into Modafinil; the majority of Adrafinil is instead converted into the inactive modafinilic acid.
In the USA, UK, Canada and most of Europe, Adrafinil is legal to buy and does not require a prescription. In the USA Adrafinil is an unregulated, unscheduled compound; it is legal to buy and use, however the sales of compounds like this can be limited due to FDA laws surrounding products like this.
Alternative #2: The Racetems
The Racetams are the original class of nootropics, with Piracetam being the first compound developed. Despite being a derivative of GABA, Piracetam has not been seen to interact with GABA levels or receptors. Instead, the Racetams are believed to primarily work on the cholinergic system and affect levels of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine.
Since it was first developed in the 1960s, more potent derivatives of Piracetam have been developed, including Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam.
Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic compound derived from Piracetam and said to be 60x stronger. This compound has a slightly stimulating mechanism of action, resulting in increased energy and focus.
Like other Racetam compounds, it is believed to increase mental fluidity and working memory by modulating Acetylcholine receptors. The compound is also observed to increase Dopamine activity which explains the intense focus and motivation that users report they feel.
Like Adrafinil, the Racetam are unscheduled, unregulated compounds in the USA. It is legal to buy, own, and use them, but sale within the US is somewhat limited due to FDA laws surrounding sales, distribution, and labeling. Some specialized online store based in the US do exist, or many people will buy from international vendors and import their Racetams.
Alternative #3: Sulbutiamine
Sulbutiamine is a popular option for anyone looking to replicate Modafinil’s effects and enhance mood at the same time. This supplement is a specially engineered form of Vitamin B1 that bonds two molecules together for increased penetration of the blood-brain barrier.
Thiamin (Vitamin B1) is critically important for energy metabolism in the brain. Sulbutiamine takes this to the next level by significantly boosting mental energy without any stimulant-like side effects. Reviews of Sulbutiamine say this supplement delivers a clear, focused sense of alertness while also promoting a positive outlook and improving sociability.
Which Modafinil Alternative Should you Try?
This is a small selection of some of the cognitive enhancement supplements available that can give you similar benefits to the drugs Provigil and Modafinil.
All of these nootropics are currently available without a prescription and can be purchased online. Depending on your reason for wanting to use Modafinil, you may find that one of the alternatives listed above is better suited for your particular needs.
If you want a straight Modafinil replacement, then Adrafinil makes the most sense. If you are more interested in the mood enhancing properties of Modafinil, you may want to investigate Sulbutiamine. If you are looking for a supplement that can give you intense energy and reduce side effects of sleep deprivation, Phenylpiracetam might be a better choice.
Remember to research any supplement thoroughly before you decide to start taking it and check with a medical professional first.
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- Mereu M, Bonci A, Newman AH, Tanda G. The neurobiology of modafinil as an enhancer of cognitive performance and a potential treatment for substance use disorders. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2013
- Artsy E, McCarthy DC, Hurwitz S, Pavlova MK, Dworetzky BA, Lee JW. Use of modafinil in patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2012
- Brandt MD, Ellwardt E, Storch A. Short- and long-term treatment with modafinil differentially affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Neuroscience. 2014
- Davies M, Wilton L, Shakir S. Safety profile of modafinil across a range of prescribing indications, including off-label use, in a primary care setting in England: results of a modified prescription-event monitoring study. Drug Saf. 2013
- Murphy HM, Ekstrand D, Tarchick M, Wideman CH. Modafinil as a cognitive enhancer of spatial working memory in rats. Physiol Behav. 2015
- Liira J, Verbeek J, Ruotsalainen J. Pharmacological interventions for sleepiness and sleep disturbances caused by shift work. JAMA. 2015
- Fernández A, Mascayano F, Lips W, Painel A, Norambuena J, Madrid E. Effects of modafinil on attention performance, short-term memory and executive function in university students: a randomized trial. Medwave. 2015
- Schmaal L, Goudriaan AE, Joos L, Dom G, Pattij T, van den Brink W, Veltman DJ. Neural substrates of impulsive decision making modulated by modafinil in alcohol-dependent patients. Psychol Med. 2014
- Liu X, Petit JM, Ezan P, Gyger J, Magistretti P, Giaume C. The psychostimulant modafinil enhances gap junctional communication in cortical astrocytes. Neuropharmacology. 2013
- Funayama T, Ikeda Y, Tateno A, Takahashi H, Okubo Y, Fukayama H, Suzuki H. Modafinil augments brain activation associated with reward anticipation in the nucleus accumbens. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2014
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
8 Comments
I know this was posted a long time ago, but Modafinil is the real deal. I have taken it occasionally. Take it as needed and not daily. You’ll adapt to it if you take it too often. I love it, great focus. It’s a prescription drug, so not something you are going to get at GNC. It has been used by military pilots on long flying missions and there has been talk in recent years they might approve it for jet lag. It is mostly used today for narcolepsy. My favourite way to take it is low dose (50mg) with a small cup of coffee (not too much). Find the Minimum effective dose as it varies a lot for people. The best description of it I’ve heard is that it’s like an “anti-drug”. it clears away the fog. Think of it like a step up from coffee. You get the mental stimulation, clarity, focus…but without the jitters/anxiety/crash. It’s good for studying for exams. I suffer from insomnia, so I would take it first thing in the morning if I had a bad nights sleep and it would make me feel normal. Don’t take it after about 2-3pm unless you have no intention of going to sleep that night.
Where can I get modafinil? Shoot me an email [email protected] .com
I would like to know how to get modafinil. Please reply me.
You can only get modafinil through a prescription from your doctor and it is not easy to get.
https://www.modafinilcat.com/uk, https://www.modup.net/, http://www.powdercity.com/ are all sites that sell them also you might want to look into Reddit Nootropics group they have an extusahstive list of places to get them from their also tell you infomation about their reputation and everthing.
I suffer from sever form of narcolepsy I have to take a 200mg tablet at 5hree in the morning and again about 8:00 a.m. just to wake up. I carry around a two part shot I dare not leave without on the rare occasion I do leave my house cortisol just Incase I do have an accident. I can not stay awake..It is embarrassing to say the least. For someone that is really sick,also brain tumor,chronic kidney failure the list goes on..I must take the two pills a day or sleep all the time. Within a heartbeat I could be talking the next snoring. At least with taking the modafil I stand a fighting chance of staying awake at least until after twelve noon. The people who wants to take it because they want to be clicking on all eight cylinders and it is making you so called smarter..I would just like to be awake during my time. I have been a sleepy person for most of my life. Try having a conversation and you fall asleep or watching your child in a pagent them win and you were asleep or your son have an ti qunado exhibition and be the one asleep…I just want to stay awake…And function as much as possible…Smart if you don’t have it by now forget it.
The closest drug to Modafinil is Adrafinil. Best stimulant that promotes wakefulness and alertness, keeps you focused and productive!
também quero! Alguma dica de onde comprar?