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Modafinil is an alertness-boosting drug that has a lot of popularity among Nootropic users and individuals who want to increase their productivity.
Whether you are a student who needs to overcome excessive fatigue to perform better academically or an entrepreneur working long hours, there are many benefits to taking Modafinil (Provigil, Modalert, Alertec) tablets.
Unlike most other Nootropics and smart drugs, using a Modafinil dosage requires a fair bit of planning. The extended half-life of this drug means that its effects will last all day long and potentially into the night depending on when you take it.
While sometimes this can be beneficial for all-night work session, it may also lead to insomnia or other disruptions to your sleep patterns. What is the Modafinil half-life and how should you be using this drug to compensate for its prolonged effects?
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
Modafinil History and Uses
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 is a eugeroic (wakefulness-promoting drug) that was first developed in 1976 by French neurophysiologist Michel Jouvet. Its discovery came about from research on a group of of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, including the drug Adrafinil.
Adrafinil was first discovered in 1974, two years before Modafinil. In research to determine its mechanism of action, it was discovered that Adrafinil is metabolized into the active compound Modafinil and the inactive modafinilic acid. This means that in the body Adrafinil acts as a prodrug of Modafinil: after Adrafinil is consumed it is broken in the liver into Modafinil, which then acts on various systems in the body.
Initial animal studies on Modafinil found that it caused hyperactivity and an increase in locomotor activity. Because of these observed stimulatory effects, Modafinil was first tested in humans as a treatment for narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects the body’s ability to control sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy exhibit excessive sleepiness and can even randomly and instantly fall asleep throughout the day. Multiple double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials have shown that Modafinil is significantly better at improving wakefulness and decreasing excessive daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy than placebo.
Modafinil has even been tested in conjunction with other traditional narcolepsy drugs such as sodium oxybate. One trial compared the effects of sodium oxybate and Modafinil to placebo and to each of the active medications alone, and found the best improvement in Wakefulness Maintenance Test scores in the combinaton group. The researchers concluded that both medications are effective treatments for narcolepsy, and suggest that using them together leads to an additive effect.
Another sleep disorder that Modafinil has been study for is shift-work sleep disorder. This is a circadian rhythm (normal sleep/wake cycles based on daytime and nighttime) disorder that occurs in people who work late or overnight shift work, and also very long shifts, as is seen in healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses. The condition causes sleepiness and wakefulness issues when awake during non-normal awake hours, and can also cause insomnia when trying to sleep outside normal sleep times (i.e. sleeping during the day).
In multiple studies, Modafinil has been seen to improve wakefulness significantly more than placebo in people with shift-work sleep disorder. One study found that a dose of Modafinil before a shift started led to a decrease in attention lapses compared to placebo, and also did not cause insomnia when patients were able to try and go to sleep after work.
Modafinil has also been studied as an adjunct treatment for the symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Sleep apnea/hypopnea is a condition where the airway is partially blocked leading to shallow breathing (hypopnea) or completely blocked leading to cessation of breathing (apnea) caused by the tongue or soft palate blocking the airway.
This disrupted breathing can cause the person to wake up multiple times a night, or have generally poor sleep quality in general even if they do not wake. The poor sleep quality often leads to excessive daytime sleepiness. As with its previously stated uses, Modafinil has been seen research to improve daytime sleepiness and improve wakefulness compared to placebo when used by patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Modafinil has been approved by the FDA as a drug to treat narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, and as an adjunct treatment for improving sleepiness caused by obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea. Modafinil is available as a prescription drug only.
In addition to the on-label sleep disorder related uses there are a growing number of off-label uses that doctors will sometimes prescribe Modafinil for, most specifically for attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
While not officially approved for this use, some doctors will prescribe Modafinil to patients with ADHD, most commonly when there have been adverse effects with more traditional stimulants like Adderall (amphetamine), Ritalin or Concerta (methylphenidate), Focalin (dexmethylphenidate), or Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).
In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled studies in both adults and children/adolescents, when compared to placebo, Modafinil has been seen to significantly improve scores on various tests including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV ADHD Checklist, Controlled Oral Word Association test, Connors Ratings Scales ADHD, and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale.
Modafinil Review
As previously stated, Modafinil is an FDA approved eugeroic used to promote wakefulness and improve excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. This drug affects levels of various neurotransmitters in your brain including Histamine, Dopamine, Epinephrine, and Orexin (Hypocretin) to stimulate enhanced wakefulness and mental energy.
Many user reviews say that it completely eliminates the need for sleep and makes you feel fully energized and focused. It has been found to improve mental performance in tasks related to cognition, memory, concentration and alertness.
While there is some debate about whether Modafinil should in fact be considered a nootropic, it is widely regarded as the strongest smart drug available and much safer than Adderall or similar ADD/ADHD drugs.
Unlike amphetamine-based stimulants, Modafinil is not associated with certain dangerous side effects and is not considered to be addictive or prone to symptoms of withdrawal.
If you are interested in getting a prescription for Modafinil, you should speak to your doctor to find out if you are eligible. A qualified health care professional or pharmacist can also tell you more about the proper way to use Modafinil pills and determine whether you may have any pre-existing conditions which could preclude you from using them safely.
Some people choose to purchase this drug online from overseas pharmacies, but this is potentially risky and may be illegal depending on which country you live in. Another alternative is to purchase Adrafinil which is legal in the USA and converts into Modafinil in the liver.
Adrafinil is less powerful than Modafinil and should be used sparingly to avoid negative side effects, but it is significantly more affordable on a per dosage basis.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Modafinil Half Life
In comparison to most other nootropics and smart drugs, Modafinil has a very long half-life which makes it ideal for certain medical applications like treating narcolepsy but less ideal for cognitive enhancement.
Modafinil’s half-life is recorded at between 12 – 15 hours from initial administration. This means it will take 12-15 hours for half of the drug to be eliminated from your system.
Many people who use Modafinil say that they would prefer that this drug have a half-life closer to 3-4 hours which is typical of other compounds such as Pramiracetam or Noopept.
Since Modafinil is reported to virtually eliminate sensations of fatigue and the need for sleep. As a result of its relatively long half-life, the timing of doses is key when taking this medication.
If taken later in the day, Modafinil could lead to insomnia or restlessness late at night. This can significantly disrupt your natural sleep pattern and circadian rhythms.
For individuals planning on getting to sleep between 11 PM and 12 AM at night, Modafinil should not be taken after lunch. A common schedule is to take half of a Modafinil 200 mg pill right when waking up and then take the other half just before noon. This will ensure that the full benefits of Modafinil are derived without losing the benefits of a healthy sleep cycle.
Another point of consideration when taking Modafinil pills is that most users state that it requires approximately 60 – 90 minutes for the full effects to kick in. According to a pharmacokinetic analysis, peak blood concentrations of this medication have been recorded at approximately 2 – 4 hours after taking it.
When taking these factors into consideration individuals might want to consider taking Modafinil at least 1-2 hours before work.
One individual even reported setting their alarm one hour ahead of when they normally wake up to take a dosage of Modafinil. After going back to sleep for an hour, this person was able to wake up feeling fully refreshed because the drug had been properly absorbed.
A further question is whether this smart drug performs best when taken with liquids or with food.
Users have stated that for immediate results, Modafinil capsules should not be taken with food and ideally should be consumed on an empty stomach.
When ingested with food, the absorption of Modafinil can be delayed by up to one hour. For this reason, there are recommendations that Modafinil be taken before breakfast.
Effects on Sleep Cycles
What should you do if you have taken a Modafinil dosage too late in the day and are now having trouble falling asleep? One option is to simply do nothing and accept that you will get to sleep later than you will like that night. You may then want to take a dosage of this eugeroic compound as soon as you awake the next morning to reduce any feelings of fatigue or exhaustion.
This might be something you can do safely in the short-term (provided you speak to a doctor first), but it should not be relied on for the long-term. Your body needs sleep to maintain proper health and for various cognitive functions such as memory consolidation.
Another option would be to take Nootropics that promote sleep and restfulness such as Phenibut or Melatonin.
These substances may help you achieve restful sleep even with Modafinil still in your system. In fact, a number of users take these supplements on an on-going basis to balance out the effects of Modafinil and Adrafinil.
Again, it is important to check with your doctor before engaging in this practice to find out about any possible side effects. At the end of the day, planning your dosages accordingly is the best way to deal with the relatively long half-life of Modafinil’s effects.
Modafinil Side Effects
While it is generally well tolerated when taken at appropriate dosages, there are some common side effects that can occur. The most commonly reported side effects from user reviews and clinical trials include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa)
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Indegestion
- Dizziness
- Insomnia (especially when taken too late in the day)
While rare, there is the possibility of more serious side effects, especially the serious skin and mucous membrane conditions Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). These reactions have only been seen in a very small percentage of pediatric patients during trials (<0.8%), and no serious skin reactions have been reported in adult clinical trials.
It is important to be aware of these effects though. If you experience a fever, flu-like symptoms, or a spreading rash that begins to blister than it is recommended to speak with your doctor immediately and discontinue Modafinil use.
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- Winder-Rhodes SE, Chamberlain SR, Idris MI, Robbins TW, Sahakian BJ, Müller U. Effects of modafinil and prazosin on cognitive and physiological functions in healthy volunteers. J Psychopharmacol. 2010
- Andrade C, Kisely S, Monteiro I, Rao S. Antipsychotic augmentation with modafinil or armodafinil for negative symptoms of schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Psychiatr Res. 2015
- Wang XF, Bi GH, He Y, Yang HJ, Gao JT, Okunola-Bakare OM, Slack RD, Gardner EL, Xi ZX, Newman AH. R-modafinil attenuates nicotine-taking and nicotine-seeking behavior in alcohol-preferring rats. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2015
- Young JW, Geyer MA. Action of modafinil--increased motivation via the dopamine transporter inhibition and D1 receptors? Biol Psychiatry. 2010
- Cengiz Mete M, Åženormancı Ã-, Saraçlı Ã-, Atasoy N, Atik L. Compulsive modafinil use in a patient with a history of alcohol use disorder. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2015
- Galvin E, Boesjes H, Hol J, Ubben JF, Klein J, Verbrugge SJ. Modafinil reduces patient-reported tiredness after sedation/analgesia but does not improve patient psychomotor skills. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2010
- Turner C, Belyavin A, Nicholson A. Duration of activity and mode of action of modafinil: Studies on sleep and wakefulness in humans. J Psychopharmacol. 2013
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
7 Comments
I took modafinil 200mg more then 30 hours ago but i still feel its effect of numbness is this common among users
Hi Rahul,
Numbness is a side effect mentioned among a small number of Modafinil users. The website Treato reports that 0.23% of user posts they examined reported feeling numbness and it is the #28 most common side effect reported with the drug. The reports I briefly read did not mention the duration of the side effect, but you can read http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/modafinil/numbness+and+tingling for more information. What source did you obtain your Modafinil from? If you are concerned about the side effect, it is always best to seek advice from your physician.
if i take half of modalert 100mg tablet ie only 50mg, how long will it stay in my body? and will i be able to focus with small doses of 50mg?
i have after effects now 3 days ,i use modifinil 3 days ago and now i feel still energenic en focust en upgraded ,its like thats healing my brains .
i also use proteins ,magnesium,b vitamins,vitamine D ,yogurt with rist oil and Cocus ,baking soda ,lot of nuts ,and testosterone booster and spiritually i meditate so i was feeling already ok than i use modifinil ,its like that modafinil start mij head engine bud its still going it feels happy and great ,bud i must careful i am 100% nature so i thake my rest and peace.
also i have more brain capacity now and spiritual modafinil gets your on higher ground ,i see more in the spirit world ,i help people and with modafinil my intiuotion dubbels ,bud i think its was already strong gift ,bud now i ruling my life more and emotionally i am more in balans becose my brain cant order the emotions more .
I can definitely feel concrete effects within an hour or so of taking it. Wiki says that peak plasma levels are achieved two or three hours post-ingestion, which is pretty consistent with my personal experiences with the substance: http://corpina.com/how-long-does-modafinil-take-to-start-working/
Agree wholeheartedly with your point here: “What should you do if you have taken a Modafinil dosage too late in the day and are now having trouble falling asleep? One option is to simply do nothing and accept that you will get to sleep later than you will like that night. You may then want to take a dosage of this eugeroic compound as soon as you awake the next morning to reduce any feelings of fatigue or exhaustion.”
Especially since Modafinil doesn’t interfere with sleep debt accumulation (unlike Adderall and Ritalin), so the second night you will sleep just as if you would sleep after pulling an all-nighter sans Moda.
Hi, This morning at 7:30 I took prescribed Modafinil 100mg for the first time. now it is 11am, yet I don’t feel any side effect also not aweakfullnes or energy feeling.
Since I am living alone in the strange country and I don’t understand the language here, I am scare and very confused. if some thing happened what should I do?
After how many hours Modafinil will show it is negative or positive effects?
If I get muscles pain or headache shall I stop taking Modafinil or continue taking it. In few days I have big very difficult exmas. If I feel any side effect in which stage should I stop taking it? Please advise me.
I am not drinking alchol or smooking. and sorry for my bad English.
Bonjour, un petit témoignage…
Patrick 57 ans, syndrome d’apnées/hypopnées obstructives, avec signes de narcolepsie.
Je suis suivi par plusieurs pneumologues et neurologues ( en clinique du sommeil).
Je prends depuis plus de 7 ans, 3 comprimés 100mg de MODAFINIL ( MODIODAL) par jour .
{ 2 au lever et 1 à midi )
Mais, on n’a jamais réussi à réguler mon sommeil.
J’ai essayé de ne prendre qu’1 Modafinil le matin et 1 à midi …. mais, c’etait Pire .
J’ai RDV le 24 mai 2018 en clinique du sommeil avec mon Neurologue pour une consultation et une nouvelle prescription d’execption .
Je crois que je vais lui demander d’augmenter la posologie: passer à 4 x 100mg : ( c’est à dire en rajouter 1 à 10h00 du matin car je m’effondre l’apres-midi ( sieste de 2,3h ou plus) et quand arrive le soir, je m’endors sur mon fauteuil [comme un Narcoleptique] laissant tomber ce que j’ai dans les mains , et sans avoir le temps d’aller me coucher dans le lit !!!! …. et sans mettre ma PPC ( appareillé depuis 6ans peu d’apnées en quantités mais très longues … jusqu’a 112 secondes !!! )
Je vous tiendrai au courant après mon RDV .
Cordialement
Patrick Clavé.