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Modafinil Headache Relief – Does Choline work as a Cure?

Posted By: Nootriment |

3.9

There seem to be almost as many blog posts and reviews written about the Modafinil headache as there are about the mental benefits of the drug itself.

As one of the most popular new cognitive-enhancing drugs on the market, Modafinil (generic form of Provigil) has been making a splash in popular culture. This exposure has also translated to illicit sale of the drug on the internet grey market.

Without the supervision – or prescription – of a medical doctor, many people are left to deal with any potential Modafinil side effects on their own. One of the most commonly cited side effects is an intense headache. Is there a way to enjoy the benefits of Modafinil without the trademark headache?

Let’s explore the science behind this new smart drug, and see if there is a way to protect yourself – against side effects like Modafinil headaches, as well as against fraudulent products sold online. There may be some safe, legal alternatives which help alleviate headaches caused by this drug.

Modafinil

Ergogenic Drug

Alertness

Mental Acuity

Focus

How It Works:

Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
Promotes mental acuity & processing
Enhances focus, motivation & energy

Dosage:

Between 100 - 200 mg per day

Safety:

Some Reported Side Effects

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How Modafinil Works

Modafinil for Narcolepsy

Because of the increased activity and alertness promoting effects seen in animal studies, Adrafinil was first tested for use in humans as a treatment for the sleep disorder narcolepsy. It was approved as a prescription drug for narcolepsy in 1986 in France.

Once Modafinil was able to be produced on its own directly, more research was devoted to this drug over its less potent predecessor. Modafinil was also first tested for human use as a treatment for narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that affects a person’s ability to stay awake. Narcoleptics experience excessive daytime sleepiness irrespective of the quality of sleep at night, and can fall asleep randomly multiple times per day.

Modafinil has been successfully used as a treatment for narcolepsy in the United States since its approval as a drug for this sleep disorder in 1998. There have been many double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials that have shown that compared to a placebo, Modafinil is significantly better at improving scores on various sleep tests, including the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Modafinil has been seen to be such a successful treatment for reducing excessive daytime sleepiness and the number of sleep periods during the day in narcoleptics, that novel narcolepsy drugs such as sodium oxybate and pitolisant have been tested against it to prove their efficacy.

Other On-Label Modafinil Uses

Since its approval as a drug for narcolepsy, Modafinil has been studied and approved for use for two other serious sleep disorders, shift-work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD) can occur when the normal circadian rhythm is disrupted, most commonly by a non-standard shift work schedule (hence the name). People who work very late night, overnight, or extended shifts can develop this sleep disorder. Typically these people experience excessive sleepiness when they are awake (during the night), and can experience insomnia or other sleep disturbances when trying to sleep (during the day).

Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a medical condition that affects breathing while sleeping. In people with this condition, the upper airway is blocked by the tongue, soft palate, and/or uvula due to the supporting muscles relaxing involuntarily. This blockage can be partial and cause shallow, labored breathing – known as hypopnea – or it can be a complete blockage and cause breathing to stop temporarily – known as apnea.

People with OSAHS often experience excessive daytime sleepiness due to poor sleep quality at night. The most common treatment for OSAHS is wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) while sleeping at night to keep the airway open. However, even with this treatment for the condition, some people still experience residual sleepiness during the day.

While the cause is different in these two conditions, people with them experience excessive sleepiness when awake. In various double-blind placebo-controlled research trials, Modafinil has been seen to reduce excessive sleepiness and improve wakefulness in people with SWSD and OSAHS. Compared to a placebo, Modafinil has been seen to significantly improve scores on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in multiple studies conducted in people with these conditions.

Modafinil for ADHD

The above sleep disorders are the only officially approved on-label uses of Modafinil. However, it is believed that nearly 90% of all prescriptions of Modafinil are in fact for other uses, considered off-label uses. One of the most common off-label uses of Modafinil is as a treatment for attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

There have been many different studies done in all age groups (children, adolescents, and adults) showing that compared to a placebo, Modafinil significantly improves scores on a variety of tests of ADHD symptoms, including the ADHD Rating Scale-IV School and Home Versions, Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale, Conners’ Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scales, and the DSM-IV ADHD Behavior Checklist.

Modafinil has also been tested against a traditional ADHD medication, dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). In one double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study, Modafinil and dextroamphetamine were tested against a placebo and against each other. It was found that Modafinil and dextroamphetamine had equal efficacy treating ADHD symptoms, as measured by the DSM-IV ADHD Checklist for Adults.

There are some doctors who are willing to write their patients prescriptions for Modafinil for ADHD. Many doctors who are up to date on the research done on this drug for treating ADHD believe in the efficacy seen in many different trials. It is most likely to be prescribed in cases where traditional stimulants such as amphetamines or methylphenidate based drugs (i.e. Adderall and Ritalin), have not provided adequate results, or have caused serious stimulant-based side effects, often negative cardiovascular effects.

The Recent Rise in Modafinil Popularity

Though Modafinil was first created at the end of the 1970s by a French pharmaceutical company, it was not used exclusively for mental enhancement until quite recently. As previously discussed, in the 1980s the drug began to be prescribed to help narcoleptic patients achieve reliable wakefulness, and then expanded to sufferers of shift-work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Brought to the U.S. by Cephalon in the late 1990s, Modafinil was sold as the brand name drug Provigil. It was around this time that people began to employ Modafinil for the off-label use of cognitive enhancement.

It was quickly discovered that regular use of the drug provided intense boosts to concentration, thinking power, and the ability to focus upon detail-oriented tasks for long periods of time. Studies found that Modafinil dosages led to improved mental performance across a number of tests of reasoning, memory and communication.

One study found that compared to placebo, Modafinil significantly improved motivation, fatigue levels, vigilance, and reaction time. Another similar study found improvements on a variety of tests, including stop-signal reaction time, pattern recognition, spatial planning, and digit span.

This nootropic drug has been featured on various news reports and has even been fictionalized in popular Hollywood movies like “Limitless.” You may remember it as the smart drug pill known as NZT-48.

As more anecdotal reports started to accumulate, evidence of side effects like the infamous Modafinil headache became impossible to ignore. Potentially staying active at low levels for as long as supplementation continues, for days or longer, these headaches are seemingly the most common drawback to this non-addictive smart drug.

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Modafinil Headache Side Effects and Remedies

The Modafinil headache is regularly described as a low-level throbbing that persists for days or even weeks. The headache is noted to begin after a few days of regular Modafinil use. It is not acute or similar to a migraine, but is more of a chronic headache pain that can generally be easily quelled with an over the counter pain reliever such as Tylenol.

Unfortunately, this symptom seems to be unavoidable for most people. User reports indicate that the headache accompanies at least 50% of all Modafinil usage if not more.

These headaches are hypothesized to be caused by the high levels of histamine in brain tissues. Histamines normally function in the body as an inflammatory response to immunity threats. It is possible that these histamines cause swelling which results in headaches.

At this time, there is no peremptory treatment known, other than taking additional over the counter pain killers. This may prove a significant drawback to users who do not wish to have to constantly take analgesics or NSAIDs in combination with their Modafinil regimen. Some users have suggested taking Vitamin C tablets to reduce inflammation as an alternative.

Some individuals find that Choline helps to prevent Modafinil headaches, especially those that occur the day after using this drug. While this treatment is not 100% effective, there are a number of users who report that taking a Choline supplement like Alpha GPC will eliminate most headache symptoms.

Some of the most common cures can involve simply remembering to take care of your basic bodily needs. Many users report that Modafinil use keeps them hyper-focused at the tasks at hand, often being so engrossed in working that they lose track of time, with hours passing without realizing it.

Sitting inactive, being fully mentally engrossed in a task can cause a physical toll on your body. Most people as well have poor posture, and sitting hunched over a desk or computer for hours at a time can lead to neck and back strain, which may further lead to headaches.

Remembering to take short breaks can sometimes help to reduce or eliminate Modafinil headaches. Some users have suggested even setting alarms periodically throughout the day to remind yourself to stop your work, get up, stretch, or take a short walk. Taking a short mental break as well to just clear the mind or meditate is recommended as well.

Keeping your body well hydrated is also highly recommended. Dehydration alone can cause headaches, which may be compounded by the effects of Modafinil in the body.

Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day (typically at least 2 liters, or 8 8-oz glasses, of water per day), possibly even setting an alarm to make sure you drink enough every hour or two hours. There are some phone apps and smart water bottles available now to help remind you to drink adequate water throughout the day.

Other Modafinil Side Effects

Besides Modafinil headaches, this drug is typically well tolerated. As with all drugs though, some people may experience mild side effects, especially as they are adjusting to the drug’s effects in their body. Many of these side effects are transient and typically cease or decrease after an adjustment period.

Some of the most commonly reported side effects of Modafinil include:

nausea
anxiety
nervousness
stuffy/runny nose
back pain
heartburn
indigestion
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea
dizziness/lightheadedness
loss of appetite
weight loss
insomnia

Sometimes side effects are caused by too high of a dosage. Everyone’s physiology is different, and a normally suggested dosage may be too much for some people.

Try taking a lower dosage for a while and see if the side effects decrease or stop. If you are not getting the benefits you want at a lower dosage, then you can slowly increase the dosage again back to normal levels.

If the side effects come back when on the normal dosage again, and the lower dosage doesn’t produce the desired effects, than this drug just may not be right for your body. Consider using a Modafinil alternative, such as Adrafinil (discussed below).

Insomnia has sometimes been reported with Modafinil use. The most common cause of these effects is simply the timing of dosages. As a wakefulness promoting drug with a 12-15 hour half-life, Modafinil can cause sleep disturbances if taken too late in the day.

It is typically recommended to take Modafinil in one dose in the morning. Sometimes the dosage is split, and one dose is taken in the morning and another at noon to give effects later into the afternoon and evening. It is not recommended to take Modafinil later than noon in the day unless you are planning to be working late into the night.

While rare, there is the possibility of certain very serious skin reactions that can occur with Modafinil use. It is believed that there is a genetic predisposition that causes some people to react with certain drugs including Modafinil. The skin conditions that have been seen include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

If you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, and a red/purple spreading blistering rash that is concentrated on the skin and mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, mouth, and genitals, then stop taking Modafinil and seek medical attention immediately. While quite rare, these conditions can be life-threatening, and should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible.

Getting a Prescription for Modafinil

provigil headache If you are taking Modafinil under the supervision of a doctor, you might have additional remedies available for side effects like Modafinil headache. Your doctor can fine tune the dose, confirm that no other medications or lifestyle choices are interfering with proper function, and provide prescription strength headache relief if necessary.

Of course, if you purchase Modafinil without a prescription over the internet as many people do, you won’t have this resource available.

Side effects like these are generally light, but in the event that they are tied to more serious conditions or risks, having the counsel of a doctor is essential. To get a prescription, you generally need to have been diagnosed with narcolepsy or another sleep disorder, as promoting wakefulness for these patients is the intended on-label use of Modafinil.

Individuals who fail to attain a prescription by their doctor can look into alternative nootropics which can also support concentration and cognition.

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Is Ordering Modafinil Online Legal?

Users have reported the worst Modafinil headaches often come from drugs purchased via international pharmacy websites. While many people have placed orders for Modafinil on these sites, user reports online are filled with unpleasant stories of lost money and fake pills. U.S. Customs routinely seizes orders from these sites, and the same is the case for other countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.

If prescription drugs are found without proper medical documentation, they will be confiscated every time. At this point you will lose your investment, you won’t get your Modafinil, and you may be registered as an offender with the DEA.

For individuals who manage to receive their order of Modafinil there is still a risk as to whether the medication is authentic and not tainted with toxic compounds. Generics such as Modalert or Modvigil may not always be authentic and may have a lower purity grade than the real medication.

A viable alternative is to shop exclusively at reputable U.S. vendors. You may find that several supplements which are classified as nootropics produce similar or identical benefits to Modafinil – legally and safely.

Using Adrafinil – Are There Side Effects?

Many people substitute Adrafinil for Modafinil. Adrafinil is safe, completely legal, and requires no prescription to buy in the U.S. and many other countries. Once inside the body, Adrafinil is converted directly into Modafinil by the liver. After this process, which takes about an hour, the users report feeling the exact same effects as with a regular dose of Modafinil.

Do the same side effects also apply? It seems that the aforementioned Modafinil headache does indeed occur for individuals who take Adrafinil as well.

Adrafinil also puts extra stress on the liver, through forcing the production of more toxic liver enzymes. This stress can be managed by using Adrafinil less frequently. As for the Modafinil headaches, an easy remedy may simply be to stay hydrated while enjoying the benefits of smart drugs like these.

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