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Consistently rated as one of the strongest nootropics available, Modafinil is a smart drug that a lot of people are seeking out today to manage various conditions.
Modafinil is a medication initially developed to promote wakefulness among people with excessive daytime fatigue. It is sold under the name Provigil in the U.S. and is often branded as Modalert in other countries.
The reported effects of Modafinil are quite appealing, offering better energy levels and more alertness for healthy adults as well as individuals suffering from sleep disorders.
Certainly in our highly caffeinated society, we all understand the benefits of a supplement that can help you feel more awake and give you greater focus. One of the best reasons for using Modafinil as opposed to other stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin is that this drug provides a more balanced boost to your mental energy. Additionally, Modafinil does not usually cause the jitters or nervousness often associated with coffee.
What are some of the most common Modafinil effects that users experience when taking this medication?
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
Modafinil History
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
Modafinil was developed in 1976 by a scientist working for Lafon Laboratories in France. This pharmaceutical company was bought by Cephalon Inc in 2001, and still to this day makes the most popular brand-name version of Modafinil, Provigil.
The discovery of Modafinil occurred due to testing that was done on another similar compound, Adrafinil. Adrafinil and Modafinil has a very similar molecular structure, with the only difference being that Adrafinil has a hydroxyl group that Modafinil lacks.
This similarity in structure makes sense when you consider that Adrafinil is the prodrug of Modafinil. In the body, Adrafinil is metabolized into its component parts, namely modafinilic acid and Modafinil. During testing to determine Adrafinil’s mechanism of Action, Modafinil was determined to be the primary active component of Adrafinil.
Adrafinil and Modafinil are part of a classification of compounds known as eugeroics, or wakefulness promoting agents. They have stimulant-like effects and promote alertness, but they are not related to traditional amphetamine based stimulants.
The exact mechanism of action of Modafinil is still unknown. In research studies Modafinil has been seen to have an effect on a variety of neurotransmitters and the transporters in the brain and central nervous system, including Dopamine, Epinephrine (Adrenaline), Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline), Histamine, and Orexins (Hypocretins).
The latter two, Histamine, a neurotransmitter, and Orexin, a group of neuropeptides, are involved with regulating sleep and wake states, arousal, and appetite. It is believed that much of Modafinil’s effects in the body comes from the effects it has on these compounds.
Approved Modafinil Uses
As a wakefulness-promoting compound, Modafinil was first tested for human use as a treatment for the sleep disorder narcolepsy. People with this condition have issues maintaining wakefulness, often feeling excessive sleepiness and falling asleep randomly during the day, regardless of the amount of high quality sleep the previous night.
Many different studies have all shown that Modafinil is significantly better at promoting wakefulness in narcoleptics than a placebo. Various similarly designed double-blind placebo-controlled studies have shown that after treatment with Modafinil, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores are improved above baseline levels and placebo levels.
Modafinil was first approved for use as a prescription treatment for narcolepsy in France in 1994, and by the FDA in the United States in 1998. Since then, two more sleep disorder related uses have been officially approved as well.
Modafinil has been seen to improve the excessive sleepiness seen in people who suffer from shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD). This circadian rhythm disorder can develop in people who sleep during the day, and are awake at night for work, either on a continuous or occasional basis.
This switching from a normal daily rhythm of being awake during the day and sleeping at night does not go well with some people’s internal biological clock, and they experience excessive sleepiness when awake, and potential sleep disturbances when trying to sleep.
In multiple studies, it has been seen that compared to a placebo, Modafinil significantly reduces excessive sleepiness in people with shift-work sleep disorder. Scores on the patient administered Epworth Sleepiness Scale as well as the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire have been seen to improve, while attention lapses as measured by the Psychomotor Vigilance Test have been seen to decrease.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome is a potentially serious sleep disorder that affects breathing while sleeping. In this medical condition, the muscles of the throat and mouth relax involuntarily, which allows the tongue, uvula, and soft palate to block the airway.
The upper airway becomes either partially blocked leading to shallow, labored breathing, known as hypopnea, or it can become completely blocked, which temporarily stops breathing, which is known as apnea. There can be many of these breathing episodes a night, leading to poor sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
The normal treatment for this condition is wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine while sleeping. Sometimes, even with treatment for OSAHS, people with this condition still experience residual daytime sleepiness.
Modafinil has been used as an adjunct treatment to treat this symptom of OSAHS. Studies have shown that compared to a placebo, Modafinil significantly reduced residual daytime sleepiness when used as an adjunct treatment for people with OSAHS receiving CPAP treatment.
Off-Label Modafinil Use: ADHD
In the US, Modafinil is classified by the FDA as a Schedule IV prescription drug. It has been officially approved for the on-label uses of treating narcolepsy and shift-work sleep disorder, and as an adjunct treatment for the excessive daytime sleepiness of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Any other uses of Modafinil are technically considered off-label. However, it is estimated that as many as 90% of the prescriptions written for Modafinil are in fact off-label. While still used as a treatment for serious sleep disorders, the practical uses of Modafinil today have expanded far beyond these approved uses.
One of the most common off-label uses of Modafinil is for managing the symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Because of its stimulant-like effects, Modafinil has been used by some people as an alternative to traditional amphetamine and methylphenidate based ADHD medications (e.g. Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Focalin, Dexedrine).
In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research studies, Modafinil has been seen to improve scores on various tests of ADHD symptoms, including the DSM-IV ADHD Checklist, the Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale-IV, the ADHD Rating Scale-IV Home and School versions, and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale.
In one study, Modafinil produced a pattern of cognitive enhancement similar to healthy adults, with improvements seen in tests of short-term memory span, visual memory, spatial planning, and stop-signal motor inhibition.
Modafinil has even been tested against a conventional ADHD medication, dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), to prove its efficacy. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-phase crossover study, patients were given one of three treatments (Modafinil, dextroamphetamine, or placebo) for two weeks, than each of the other two treatments, each for two weeks.
It was seen that both active medications significantly improved scores on the DSM-IV ADHD Checklist for Adults compared to scores when patients were on placebo. Trend level of significance was also seen on a controlled oral word association test.
The results seen with the Modafinil were considered quite similar to those seen on dextroamphetamine, and the researchers suggested that while larger, longer-term studies were still needed to confirm their results, that Modafinil should be considered as a viable alternative to some conventional medications used for treating ADHD.
There are some doctors who will write a prescription for Modafinil for ADHD. Off-label prescriptions are entirely legal, and every doctor is allowed to write them at their own discretion. Some doctors who have read the research on Modafinil are more likely to prescribe this drug as an alternative to other ADHD medications. It is most commonly prescribed in cases where conventional medications may have not worked as wanted, or in the case of amphetamine based side effects, such as cardiovascular issues.
Modafinil as a Cognitive Enhancer
The other most popular off-label use of Modafinil is as a smart drug or cognitive enhancer. Many different people from university students to high-powered business executives have reported using Modafinil to give them a competitive edge.
Used as a nootropic drug, Modafinil is said to improve memory formation and recall, improve learning ability, enhance concentration and focus, and boost productivity.
Users report feeling alert and focused for hours at a time, completing many tasks that would typically take longer. Many students will use Modafinil while studying to help prepare for tests, as well as while taking their tests to improve their concentration and recall of the facts they learned.
While it is still fairly limited at this time, there has been some research done that backs up the claims of users. One double-blind, placebo controlled, fully within-subjects study had subjects given either a placebo or Modafinil, and then asked them to complete a series of cognitive and subjective assessments. It was found that compared to the placebo group, the Modafinil group showed improved scores on tests of fatigue levels, reaction time, motivation, and vigilance.
Another similar study aimed to determine the cognitive enhancing potential of Modafinil when participants had to perform an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests. It was found that compared to the placebo group, participants in the Modafinil group had improved scores on tests of digit span, spatial planning, visual pattern recognition, and stop-signal reaction time.
Along with these straight score improvements seen, there was also a delayed latency to answer seen in several tests, that suggested an inhibition of prepotent responses (inhibition of a natural or dominant responses to instead give a response that achieves a certain task or goal). This inhibiting of impulsive responding led the researchers to suggest that Modafinil could be useful in the treatment of ADHD, and in fact the first ADHD study mentioned above was a follow-up by these same researchers.
The Top 5 Nootropic Modafinil Effects
As has been previously discussed, Modafinil was developed as a drug for those with the severe sleep disorders narcolepsy, and it now is also used for obstructive sleep apnea and people who are engaged in night-shift work who have developed shift-work sleep disorder. These conditions make it almost impossible for individuals to maintain a healthy sleep cycle, resulting in drowsiness and lowered cognitive function.
Modafinil is able to help these individuals function normally because it acts as an alertness promoting agent. But Modafinil is more commonly sought out today for its cognitive enhancing effects. Some of the key nootropic effects that Modafinil users have reported in online reviews are discussed below.
1. Significantly Reduces Drowsiness:
When using Modafinil, you will feel highly stimulated like your brain is firing on all cylinders. This can lead to increased productivity, motivation and drive. Sensations of fatigue will be replaced by a complete feeling of balanced mental energy and alertness.
One of the main pillars behind the aforementioned benefits of Modafinil is its ability to greatly reduce drowsiness and promote alertness. Long term users have often stated that it is practically impossible to fall asleep within a few hours of taking Modafinil.
Due to Modafinil’s effects on sleep, timing of doses require careful planning. Due to the medication having a half-life of 12 to 15 hours it is often recommended to take it in the morning.
Although Modafinil has shown to improve alterness and congnitive ability for sleep deprived idividuals it must be noted that in order to derive the full benefits of this medication it is recommended to partake in a regular and healthy sleep cycle.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
2. Greatly Improved Productivity:
Going hand in hand with higher energy levels is the fact that Modafinil makes your brain more productive.
The actual mechanisms and effects of this can vary from person to person. Some people may become more creative with the ability to write better and more fluidly. Others will find themselves better able to put abstract connections together which can be very helpful when engaging in difficult mental work like performing calculations or reading technical articles.
Your brain may feel like it is working at a faster pace and you will experience better short term memory capacity – a concept that is closely related to fluid intelligence.
Modafinil is also much more likely to foster a can-do type of attitude. Instead of putting things off, users are more inclined to attack a project, dig in their heels and get it done. Some reviews state that it is very difficult to procrastinate when taking this drug.
3. Keeping Track Of Time:
An interesting and more common side-effect is that Modafinil makes it more difficult to actually keep track of time. Sometimes you may sit down and think that you have only worked for an hour meanwhile many hours have passed. It is difficult to explain why this happens, but the prevalence of this effect is noteworthy.
It is important for individuals to understand this common side-effect and utilize management tools to minimize this effect. Common management techniques include setting alarms and planning out the day in writing.
4. Loss Of Appetite:
Many users experience appetite suppression when taking Modafinil. It is possible that Modafinil interrupts some of the signals sent from your stomach to your brain that tell you to eat.
We do know that this drug affects certain neurotransmitters resulting in appetite suppression so it is important that you are aware of it and work around it.
One of the ways to deal with this is to eat a good meal right before taking your Modafinil. Another management technique often used is snacking on things like nuts or raisins very slowly throughout the day.
Some people do use Modafinil for weight loss, but it has not been approved for this purpose. Individuals interested in Modafinil for the use of weight loss must be warned that excessive calore deficiency can often lead to impaired mental function and other negative effects.
5. Enhanced Sensory Perception:
Another unexpected effect of Modafinil is that it can lead to enhanced sensory perceptions. This is seen with a number of other Nootropic supplements and can be rather pleasurable when approached with the right frame of mind.
Most people find that their sense of touch and vision are mainly affected, but it may also enhance your auditory sensations especially when listening to music. As far as sight is concerned, Modafinil can make lights and colors appear brighter and allow you to distinguish small details more easily.
Some athletes find that this drug even improves their hand-eye coordination and reaction time possibly due to faster visual processing. If you are interested in experiencing these effects for yourself, talk to your doctor to see if a prescription can be obtained to buy Generic Modafinil online.
Dosages and Interactions
There are no official prescription guidelines for off-label Modafinil uses. For the most part, many people will follow the guidelines that have been set out for approved on-label uses as a guide.
For narcolepsy, dosages of 200 mg per day, taken in the morning are standard. In some severe cases, a slightly higher dosage is prescribed, normally around 300 mg a day. Sometimes, the dosage will be split, one dose taken in the morning after waking, and one near noon.
It is typically recommended not to take a dosage after noon, as this may interfere with normal sleep patterns.
Dosage and schedule for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome is the same as narcolepsy. For shift-work sleep disorder, a 200 mg dosage is typically taken soon after waking, typically 30-60 minutes before the start of the nighttime work shift. Some people who are working an extended shift have reported that they take an additional 100-200 mgs a few hours into their shift, as they feel the Modafinil effects start to wear off around eight hours.
For nootropic purposes, many people will start with the standard 200 mg dosage taken in the morning. Most people say that this amount gives them a steady amount of energy, focus, and productivity during the day. Some people will take another dosage around noon or slightly after if they are planning on working or studying late into the night.
Dosages up to 400 mg per day have been used in research settings and have generally been well tolerated. Overall there does not seem to consistently be any increase in Modafinil effects seen at this higher dosage compared to the 200 mg dosage. As with most drugs, there is a higher potential for side effects at a higher dosage though, so with the lack of evidence of increased effects, most people stick with the 200-300 mg dosage range.
There are some negative drug interactions to be aware of when taking Modafinil. If you have been prescribed this drug by your doctor, they will know your medical history and the medications you already take, and should be able to discuss any potential contraindications with you.
If you are taking Modafinil off-label, then you need to do your own research to determine if there may be any negative interactions with drugs or supplements you already take.
Some of the known drug interactions with Modafinil includes, but is not limited to:
- Blood pressure medications
- Warfarin
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs)
- Hormonal contraceptives
- Cyclosporine
- Midazolam
- Triazolam
- Phenytoin
- Diazepam
- Propranolol
- Clomipramine
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Cough and cold medications containing psuedophedrine, guaifenesin, hydrocodone, phenylephrine and others
Modafinil Side Effects
In most research studies, Modafinil has been generally well tolerated, with an incidence of side effects that is similar to placebo. User reviews are similar, often reporting no side effects, or a certain few mild side effects.
The most commonly reported Modafinil side effect is headaches. The exact cause of the headaches has not been determined at this time. Most people find that taking a lower dose and keeping hydrated can help to reduce or eliminate this side effect.
Other commonly reported Modafinil side effects include:
- nausea
- nervousness
- anxiety
- rhinitis (stuffy/runny nose)
- back, neck, shoulder pain
- diarrhea
- dizziness/lightheadedness
- hearburn
- indigestion
- upset stomach
- dry mouth
- skin dryness
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
In some cases, side effects are present when first starting to take Modafinil, and subside after the body adjusts to the drug. In a number of cases, side effects are dosage related. Taking a lower dosage for a while may help to reduce or eliminate adverse effects.
If you are not getting the benefits you would like at the lower dosage, then slowly increase your dosage over a number of days to weeks back to a full dosage. Keep track of any side effects that may occur with the increasing dosage. If the side effects are not manageable for you at a normal dosage, and a lower dosage does not have the desired effects, than it is possible that Modafinil is just not right for your personal physiology.
While rare, there is a chance of getting a serious skin and mucous membrane reaction, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). There is strong evidence for a genetic predisposition to this series of related dermatological issues that are provoked by certain drugs, including Modafinil. While quite rare, this is a possibility to consider when taking Modafinil.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is the least severe (but still quite serious) and most common condition reported. Symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome include fever; flu-like symptoms such as chills, body aches, cough, and sore throat’ and a spreading red or purple rash that may blister. The rash is most typically found on the skin and the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and genitals.
If you have any of these symptoms, the discontinue use of Modafinil right away. and speak with your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room.
Non-Prescription Nootropic Alternatives
Because it is only legally available with a doctor prescription that is typically only given for sleep disorders, many people who want to experience Modafinil’s effects will turn to other nootropic alternatives. One of the alternatives that is most similar to Modafinil is in fact its predecessor and prodrug, Adrafinil.
As previously discussed, Adrafinil is broken down in the liver into its component parts, including the active compound Modafinil. Many people will use Adrafinil as a legal way to experience Modafinil’s effects.
Adrafinil is an unregulated, unscheduled compound that is legal to buy and use in many countries of the world, including the United States. While it isn’t available at physical pharmacies, many online nootropic stores sell Adrafinil in pill and powder formats.
The effects of Adrafinil are considered quite similar to Modafinil’s effects. Adrafinil is less potent than Modafinil, as the conversion in the body is not a perfect one:one. Therefore, a larger dosage of Adrafinil will need to be taken to equate to a regular Modafinil dosage.
Because of how it is metabolized in the liver, there is the possibility of a buildup of liver toxic enzymes associated with the continual use of Adrafinil. Because of this, most people will only use Adrafinil on an occasional, as needed basis, and not every day. Modafinil does not have this issue, as it is not metabolized the same way. However, even with this potential issue, many people are happy with the effects of Adrafinil, and will use it as a legal substitute for Modafinil.
The Racetams family of compounds are another popular nootropic smart drug alternative that some people will use. The Racetams are all derived from the original parent compound Piracetam. First developed in the 1960s, Piracetam is considered the original nootropic. In fact the term “nootropic ” – from Greek, meaning “to turn the mind” – was developed to describe this first member of a group of compounds with cognitive enhancement effects.
While the exact mechanisms of action have not been determined, some of the ways these compounds act in the body are known. The Racetams are believed to have effects on the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine and its cholinergic receptors in the brain and central nervous system, which is thought to increase general cognition, and improve memory formation.
Racetams have also been seen to have an effect on increasing oxygen and glucose uptake in brain cells, which may lead to greater alertness and mental fluidity. Piracetam has been seen to positively modulate AMPA-sensitive Glutamate receptors, which is believed to help facilitate learning and memory. Finally, the Racetams have been seen to help improve cell membrane fluidity, leading to overall improved brain health.
Since the development of Piracetam, further research has helped developed derivatives that are more potent then their parent compound. Some of the most popular Racetams today include Oxiraetam, Aniracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam.
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- Wisor J. Modafinil as a catecholaminergic agent: empirical evidence and unanswered questions. Front Neurol. 2013
- Generali JA, Cada DJ. Modafinil: Parkinson disease-related somnolence. Hosp Pharm. 2014
Article last updated on: April 10th, 2018 by Nootriment