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Even though it is primarily known as a cognitive-enhancing “smart drug,” Modafinil’s weight loss effects are frequently discussed as a secondary reason to try the pharmaceutical. Is this a viable use for Modafinil, or is it indeed more of a sometimes positive side effect?
It’s rarely recommended to try to use a medication for any purpose other than its intended effects. However just like a lot of current drugs, Modafinil’s current role as a cognitive-enhancing, concentration boosting mind drug is in fact an unintended positive side effect of the drug’s original application.
As a result, it’s worth taking a look at the safety and efficacy of the Modafinil and Provigil weight loss mechanisms. Here’s some history on the original uses of Modafinil, popular off-label uses, what we know about Modafinil weight loss effects, and how to safely purchase Modafinil and nootropic alternatives online.
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
Modafinil History and Original 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 was first discovered in 1976 in France by scientists working for the pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories. The discovery of Modafinil came about due to tests to determine the mechanism of action of another related compound, Adrafinil.
First developed in 1974, Adrafinil is considered the prodrug of Modafinil. In the body, Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver. The primary active component of Adrafinil has been found to be be Modafinil.
The precise mechanism of action of Modafinil is still unknown. Studies have shown that it does have an effect on a variety of neurotransmission systems in the brain and central nervous system, including Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Histamine, and Orexin (Hypocretin).
Modafinil is classified as a eugeroic, or wakefulness-promoting compound. It has stimulant-like effects, even though it is not related to traditional amphetamine based stimulants. Due to its stimulating, alertness promoting effects, Modafinil, and Adrafinil before it, was first tested a treatment for narcolepsy in humans.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness; narcoleptics also can fall asleep randomly throughout the day. In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research studies, compared to placebo, Modafinil is able to significantly improve wakefulness and reduce excessive sleepiness, as measured by various tests, including the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
Modafinil was approved as a Schedule IV prescription drug for the treatment of narcolepsy in the United States in 1998. Since that time, it has been officially approved as a treatment for shift-work sleep disorder, and as an adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD) is a circadian rhythm disorder that causes excessive sleepiness as well as insomnia in people who are awake to work late night or overnight work shifts and sleep during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a medical condition that causes labored breathing or the temporary stopping of breathing during sleep, consequently leading to excessive daytime sleepiness that sometimes persists even with traditional treatment for the condition.
While the cause in both conditions of excessive sleepiness is different, Modafinil has been used successfully to remedy it. In a study on people with SWSD, patients given a dose of Modafinil before a work shift had lower fatigue levels and better performance as measured by scores on the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire than placebo patients. In tests using Modafinil as an adjunct treatment for excessive sleepiness in OSAHS patients, improved scores were seen on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale compared to placebo patients.
Modafinil for ADHD
Any use for Modafinil that is not one of the above mentioned sleep disorders is technically considered an off-label use. Prescriptions for off-label uses of drugs are entirely legal, but up to the discretion of individual doctors to determine if they choose to write them or not.
One of the most prescribed off-label uses of Modafinil is for improving the symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is believed that because of its alertness-promoting and stimulant-like effects, Modafinil can help to manage the symptoms of these conditions.
In multiple studies on various age groups (children up to adults) of people with ADHD, it has been seen that compared to a placebo, Modafinil is significantly better at improving scores on a variety of memory and attention tests, such as tests of visual and short-term memory, spatial planning tests, and stop-signal motor inhibition tests.
Improvements have also been seen in a number of checklists and scales of ADHD symptoms, including the Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale-IV, ADHD Rating Scale-IV School and Home Versions, Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale, and the DSM-IV ADHD Behavior Checklist.
Some tests have been done comparing Modafinil to traditional medications for ADHD, such as dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). One study found that both active medications improved scores on the DSM-IV ADHD Behavior Checklist for Adults significantly over placebo group scores, and that Modafinil’s efficacy was similar to that of dextroamphetamine.
Nootropic Uses For Modafinil
One of the most popular off-label uses of Modafinil that it does not typically get prescribed for is as a cognitive enhancer. Modafinil has been used for its nootropic effects for many years now, with users reporting that it improves memory, concentration, focus, and productivity.
The discovery of Modafinil’s strong cognitive enhancing qualities, such as heightened concentration and sharper thoughts can at best be considered unintended.
People with jobs requiring attention to detail, such as reading, technical work or design, have reported that they can pay attention to tasks for long periods of time without distraction, maintaining consistently high mental focus throughout.
These cognitive-boosting effects were discovered by the mainstream media over the past several years, resulting in a huge surge of interest in Modafinil (brand name – Provigil).
A high profile news story about Modafinil on the classic television show 60 Minutes and an article in Rolling Stone was followed by a fictionalized account of the drug in the Hollywood movie “Limitless.”
These events created a frenzy of demand for Modafinil, which resulted in the cropping up of several international websites devoted exclusively to illicit sales of the drug to customers in the U.S.
While still considered an off-label use, taking Modafinil for increased attention, motivation, energy and cognitive effects is now the most common use for the drug.
There are countless positive reviews online from people ranging from college students who use Modafinil to study and take exams, to high powered business executives who use it to prepare and present detailed presentations, to computer programmers who use it to concentrate and write code for many hours at a time.
While its use as a cognitive enhancer does not have as much scientific backing as other approved uses, there has been research done that show Modafinil may have a positive cognitive effect. Two literature reviews done on the compiled research found that there were trends that emerged, showing that Modafinil may improve memory, specifically episodic memory and working memory, as well as improve executive function.
One research study found that Modafinil improved scores on a battery of cognitive tests and subjective assessments compared to a placebo. Motivation, fatigue levels, vigilance, and reaction time were all seen to be improved in the Modafinil group compared to placebo group scores.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
How Does Modafinil Cause Weight Loss?
Another interesting effect of Modafinil use has recently been noted – the potential weight loss effect that Modafinil might have on individuals. While this is viewed as a negative side effect for some people, many other users are happy to learn of this unintended side effect.
Studies have indicated that Modafinil users have been able to lose weight and keep it off. Some reports of Provigil weight loss indicate as much as a 10-point change in Body Mass Index (BMI) over the course of a year.
Old fashioned diet pills used amphetamines to curb appetite. These pills made the heart rate increase dramatically, putting enormous strain on the body. Modafinil on the other hand is believed to curbs appetite without spiking the body’s levels of Dopamine and Norepinephrine. This means there are no serious side effects like dangerous increases in blood pressure or added strain on the heart.
While the exact mechanism of appetite suppression is not known, it is thought that Histamine and Orexin may play a role. Modafinil has been seen to increase concentrations of the neuropeptide Orexin in the brain and central nervous system.
Orexin is responsible for regulating wakefulness, as well as appetite. Orexin in turn stimulates the release of Histamine, a neurotransmitter that as well regulates sleep and wake states, arousal, and appetite. Together elevated levels of these compounds is believed to help surpress the appetite.
One theory of why Modafinil is generally associated with weight loss in users has to do with the fact that the body burns more calories when awake. Since Modafinil or Provigil lead to the individual feeling more alert and sleeping for less time each day, this could lead to a metabolism boosting effect. More time awake during the day also naturally leads to increased activity, which could up calorie burning.
Because of the effect that Modafinil has on Dopamine transport, levels of this neurotransmitter often rise with use. Dopamine is believed to be tied to motivation, which is often said to be increased when using Modafinil. This increase in motivation could play a role in weight loss as well, helping people to adopt and stick to a fitness routine and/or diet.
Finally, one of the key effects that Modafinil is said to have is increasing concentration and focus. Many user reports have said that they often sit down at their computer to do some work and the outside world is forgotten for hours at a time. It is very easy in situations such as these to forget to eat and drink.
When you are incredibly focused on a work or school task for hours at a time, it can become easy to forget to eat regularly. While it is not a healthy effect of the drug, this inadvertent fasting can lead to weight loss if maintained over a period of time.
Considering all of these factors together it is not surprising that the average user can lose a significant amount of body fat with this drug.
Modafinil Side Effects
It is also possible that some of the more undesirable side effects of Modafinil could be causing weight loss.
Nausea is one of the most commonly reported side effects of Modafinil. If a person is feeling nauseous then they are unlikely to want to eat. Extended periods of nausea can lead to much lower than normal calorie consumption throughout the day, inadvertently leading to a calorie deficit and weight loss.
Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, and indigestion are other fairly common side effects of Modafinil that could contribute to weight loss.
Some other common mild side effects of Modafinil include headaches, anxiety, nervousness, back pain, rhinitis, and dry mouth/skin.
While rare, there is the possibility of developing one of a group of skin and mucous membrane conditions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). There is believed to be a genetic predisposition to drug related reactions that a small number of people have, and Modafinil is one of the drugs thought to trigger it.
These conditions can be very serious and even life-threatening. It is important if you develop symptoms such as a fever, sore throat, body aches, widespread skin pain, a red or purple rash, and blisters on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals, that you stop taking Modafinil and seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or an emergency room.
Is Modafinil Legal To Buy?
Modafinil has been classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the FDA. For this reason individuals can only legally buy it with a prescription from a doctor. These prescriptions can be hard to come by as Modafinil’s approved use is only for the treatment of narcolepsy and other serious sleep disorders.
Modafinil is generally not prescribed for cognitive enhancement and it is never prescribed officially for weight loss.
For this reason many individuals try to purchase Modafinil from an international online vendor.
Countries like India and Mexico do not restrict the use of Modafinil, as a result individuals see these online vendors as an easy point of access for this drug. However, once the shipment arrives at U.S. Customs, it will be seized if Customs officers discover its contents.
If the ordered package does make it through customs, individuals still have no way of verifying if the pills are authentic or fraudulent. This presents a serious financial and health risk that no one should be taking. Consuming these pills in hopes of weight loss may be a long shot, or worse – dangerous.
Adrafinil and Weight Loss
As many of you likely know, Adrafinil is a drug with similar effects as Modafinil and this is true for weight loss as well. Adrafinil is a viable alternative to the monetary and health risks associated with ordering Modafinil (Provigil) from overseas websites.
In the body, Adrafinil is the direct precursor to Modafinil, meaning the body converts one into the other. Once liver enzymes come into contact with Adrafinil, compound becomes Modafinil and produces all of the same mind and body effects. This includes diet suppression.
Adrafinil is an attractive alternative to Modafinil as it is considerably cheaper and is available without prescription. In fact, individuals can easily buy Adrafinil at many reputable U.S.-based nootropic websites.
While most people are interested in the dramatic cognitive benefits associated with the medication, Modafinil weight loss effects are still attractive to some. As with any drug, especially one intended to encourage weight loss, it is very important to proceed cautiously and respectfully.
Dramatic overnight changes in body mass are not healthy and most likely not sustainable. Gradual, sustained change is always preferable. Modafinil and Provigil weight loss occur because the drug curbs the appetite gently and naturally, without the harsh side effects associated with traditional diet pills.
If users experience drastic weight loss over a short period of time, the advice of a doctor is strongly recommended.
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Article last updated on: April 11th, 2018 by Nootriment