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Provigil Experiences – Good and Bad Reports of Effects

Posted By: Nootriment |

provigil experiences What kind of experience is typical when taking the drug Provigil for sleep disorders or for cognitive enhancement?

Provigil is the brand name for a wakefulness agent also known as Modafinil.

This drug was developed in the 1970’s, primarily as a method to deal with sleep deficits.

It is also used off-label for its ability to improve focus, cognition, mental function and even mood in people.

Provigil experience reports and user logs posted online describe this drug as producing a sense of intense alertness and concentration without leading to stimulant-like side effects.

What else can you expect to feel when taking Provigil pills?

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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Provigil History

Provigil and Narcolepsy

Because of the stimulant-like and wakefulness promoting effects Modafinil was seen to have in animal studies, the first human clinical trials were concerned with testing the drug as a treatment for narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects sleep and wake states, and the ability to maintain wakefulness. Research has shown that a primary cause of narcolepsy is decreased Orexin neurons in the brain, causing decreased levels of this neurotransmitter which regulates sleep and wake states in the body.

People with this condition experience excessive sleepiness during the day regardless of good quality sleep at night, and can fall randomly and instantly asleep without warning multiple times throughout the day.

Provigil has been approved as a prescription drug to treat narcolepsy since 1998 in the United States, and since 1994 in France. Before and since its approval, there have been countless double-blind placebo-controlled research trials done that have shown its effectiveness for reducing excessive sleepiness and improving wakefulness compared to a placebo.

In trials, when taking Modafinil, people’s scores on the self-administered Epworth Sleepiness Scale significantly increase compared to scores when taking a placebo. The number of sleeping episodes during the day significantly decreases, and the latency to fall asleep as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness test increased significantly.

Provigil Use for Other Sleep Disorders

Since its approval for use as a prescription treatment for narcolepsy in the 1990s, Provigil has been approved to help reduce excessive sleepiness in two other serious sleep disorders: shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Shift-work sleep disorder is a cirdian rhythm related sleep disorder that can sometimes occur in people who alter their sleep and wake schedules due to work shifts. People who consistently or intermittently work late night or overnight work shifts can sometimes experience excessive sleepiness while they are awake at non-standard wake hours (i.e. at night), and also experience insomnia when they try to sleep during non-standard sleep hours (i.e. during the day).

Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a medical condition that involves the temporary cessation of breathing during sleep. This most typically occurs because the muscle supporting the tongue, uvula, and soft palate of the mouth involuntarily relax, blocking the airway either partially (hypopnea), or completely (apnea). These people often excessive daytime sleepiness caused by having very poor sleep quality due to as many as hundreds of breathing episodes each night.

As seen with narcolepsy, multiple research studies have shown that Provigil is an effective treatment for reducing the excessive sleepiness seen in these conditions. In one study, performance on a Psychomotor Vigilance test was improved compared to a placebo when patients with shift-work sleep disorder were given Provigil an hour before their work shift. A study on OSAHS reported that patients gave improved scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale when taking Modafinil compared to scores on a placebo.

The FDA has officially approved Provigil (and Modafinil in general) as a Schedule IV prescription medication for use as a prescription treatment for the sleep disorders narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Using Provigil for ADHD

As already mentioned, Provigil is only officially approved to treat the above discussed sleep disorders. These are considered “on-label” uses, since they are officially approved uses of the drug.

Any other uses are considered “off-label.” It is estimated though that as many as 90% of all prescriptions written for Provigil are in fact for off-label uses. Two of the most common off-label uses of Provigil are for ADHD and as a cognitive enhancer or smart drug.

There has been much research done using Modafinil for improving the symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and especially for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials have found that compared to a placebo, Modafinil significantly improves performance on a number of tests, including the DSM IV ADHD Behavior Checklist, the Global Clinical Impressions of Change, and the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) School and Home Versions.

Provigil has even been tested against traditional ADHD medications to prove its effectiveness. One study compared Provigil to a placebo, and also to dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-phase crossover study had patients take one treatment (placebo, Modafinil, or dextroamphetamine) for two weeks, then were switched to another treatment for a following two weeks, and then switched again, until all patients had been tested on all three treatments.

They found that patient scores on the DSM IV ADHD Behavior Checklist were significantly improved when taking either of the active medications compared to the same patient’s scores when on a placebo. The researchers concluded that while a larger-scale, longer-term study was still needed to show if there are any long-term effects, that Modafinil should be considered a viable alternative to conventional ADHD drugs, especially in situations where those drugs may not have provided adequate results.

The writing of off-label prescriptions is entirely legal, and is done for many drugs that have grown to have successful uses outside of their FDA approved uses. There are some doctors who will write a Modafinil prescription for their patients for ADHD, especially in situations where traditional ADHD medications have had adverse effects such as cardiovascular complications.

While some doctors are willing to write these prescriptions based on their patients needs, there is believed to be a potential degree of scrutiny placed on doctors who write off-label Modafinil prescriptions, and therefore some simply will not.

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Positive Experiences with Provigil

Another very popular usage that is even more difficult to get a prescription for is taking Provigil for cognitive enhancement or nootropic purposes. People ranging from university students to Wall street bankers to high-ranking executives in various fields all want to take Modafinil.

There are a number of benefits which have been associated with Provigil experiences. These include cognitive enhancement related to improved memory. Studies have demonstrated it leads to a positive impact on short-term and episodic memory formation in the brain.

There are additional studies showing that it helps to improve speed of cognition, vigilance, and even motivation. Other studies show that it helps to increase Dopamine levels in the brain, leading to improved mood and feelings of well-being.

Modafinil is said to eliminate the negative effects of sleep deprivation so that users experience normal levels of daytime energy and alertness. For these reasons, Provigil has also been sought after as a jet lag remedy and for use by business people or students when working long hours through the night.

Another not uncommon Provigil experience is of unintended weight loss. For anyone who is obese or overweight, this side effect can have some very positive implications. This drug has an appetite suppressing effect on its users – an effect which is documented to be strongest among people who engage in shift work.

A 2008 study showed that those engaged in simulated shift work lost weight in a dose dependent fashion, with those taking 200 mg per day reducing caloric intake by 18% and those taking 400 mg per day reducing caloric intake by 38%.

Users’ Provigil Experiences

provigil user experience log More and more people are turning to Provigil out of a curiosity for cognitive enhancement drugs and supplements. This is common among students, but also among people who are out of school and simply want to improve their intellectual abilities to stay sharp at work and in life.

A number of user reviews say that Provigil helps them to learn and retain information better and makes thinking through difficult problems much easier.

You may find that your brain seems to work faster and you can concentrate with little distraction. Experience logs also point out that this drug can help students to stay awake longer, study harder, and be more successful in their classes.

For this reason, Provigil use is understandably high among universities such as Cambridge and the Ivy League schools in the USA.

Working professionals also report many additional benefits concerning fatigue levels, motivation, reaction time, and vigilance. Many report that it helps to improve their mood, promotes feelings of well-being and lessens stress and anxiety.

Others have said it helps them to think on their feet faster and when reading or writing long, highly technical articles. Studies on doctors have found this drug helps to improve their brain function when they are sleep deprived following long shifts at the hospital.

A common positive review of Provigil is that it dramatically enhances motivation, drive and confidence. Many times, new users of this drug say that within a week of starting to take it, they were able to complete some long-delayed project that had been sitting on their desks for months.

This type of experience is reported time and time again with authors saying it helped them to overcome writer’s block and developers saying it allowed them to kick their procrastination habit for good.

The following are some positive user reviews from people who have taken Modafinil for a variety of purposes:

“I started Provigil (Modafinil) to treat the extreme fatigue due to major depressive disorder. I’ve only been taking 100mg daily for two days, but the effects are immediate. I can think faster and more clearly (no more brain fog), my depression is non-existent, and I have a tremendous boost of energy! The only side effect has been heart palpitations in the afternoon. I’ve read this goes away after about a week. Not bothersome enough to stop. […]” – SadandSleepy [1]

“I dont even know where to start…. This Med is heaven sent. I had trouble staying awake during the day. I couldn’t sit down for 20 minutes without dozing off and snoring like a chainsaw. Going to the movies was a waste of time and money. I was hesitant about taking this med as with any other meds but I finally took the plunge after 1.5 years of online research and so glad I did.

I now stay awake all day without falling asleep everywhere I go. If I could describe how I feel on this I would compare it to a time I was 13 years old wanting to go out and play street ball with my friends where they are all there waiting for me to come out. I was anxious but not in a negative way more like a kid waiting for xmas.” – Pixi Stix [1]

“This medicine is literally a life changer. For so long I took adderall to get me through the day and to sustain focus during college courses. Adderall gave me severe anxiety and depression and I thought I had lost all hope seeing as that is “the best” drug for ADD… WRONG!

Modafinil gives you the same level of focus without ANY side effects… no anxiety, no depression, no euphoria (which is great because adderall is very addictive) and minimal weight loss. It has improved my life to the point that my friends and family members have been commenting on how great I sound.

I just wanted to share my experience (never have before, but I felt compelled to because this is an emotional topic for me) in case you’re nervous about giving it a shot.” – There is Hope [1]

“I started taking this for adhd when I realized that adderall wasn’t cutting it anymore. Adderall works for about a year and then starts to become ineffective unless you keep upping your dose. After a year and a half I started searching for alternatives and came across this MIRACLE.

It is not prescribed for adhd in the united states so insurance will not cover it for the most part. I have to order it overseas (it is technically illegal to do so in the US but customs only cares about abusive drugs). I really hope some researchers test armodafinil and modafinil for adhd and depression. It has done a lot for me. I highly recommend it.” – kat kat [1]

“I’m a 28 yo male, with former drug addiction (mainly GHB), ADHD and anxiety/depression related symptoms and treated with Zoloft 100 mg., baclofen 70 mg., modafinil 400 mg. daily and clonazepam 2-4 mg. when needed. Modafinil helps me to concentrate and focus without the side effects I’ve experienced with dexamphetamine, dexmethylphenidate and Ritalin® (methylphenidate). It also helps me with drowsiness and fatigue, caused by baclofen.

Although I am a former drug addict, I don’t experience any addiction or dependence problems with modafinil. I’m from the Netherlands, where my insurance covers the above medications fully.” – wdekok [1]

While there are many more positive reviews out there for Modafinil than negative reviews, there are still some people for whom the drug does not have the desired effects, or simply does not seem to be strong enough:

“I’ve been taking Modafinil for 10 years, highest dose they can prescribe. In fairness, I have a 2 problems going on. The narcolepsy and a sleep disorder. I do not get adequate REM sleep. The best sleep I’ve ever had was with IV sedation for surgery. I wake up every day tired. Though taking Modafinil helps, it is not consistently helpful and does not prevent me from nodding off…depending on situation. My doctor has not wanted to switch drugs. I can say it helps some, but is not as effective as I’d hoped for.” – debbinz [1]

“Hi, I have taken this medicine for a year. I have found that it works, but it takes a lot of work (if that makes any sense.) I I am on 400mg a day for narcolepsy. I have found with this medicine if I take it and then eat, almost no effect, if I eat wait about an hour, take the pill then that’s fine. If I don’t drink a lot of water then it doesn’t matter, because it doesn’t work. For a person that always wants to sleep, scheduling this little pill twice a day is almost not worth it.” – Ketura [1]

“I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Pretty much bed ridden. Took 100 mg of Modafinil. Within 5 minutes, had lots of pressure in my head.Very unpleasant. Did absolutely nothing to make me feel better. Instead, felt worse. Extreme pressure in head lasted 90 minutes. Then mild headache rest of the day. Very disappointing.” – Michael Westen [1]

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Provigil Dosing and Side Effects

Users should consult with their doctors to determine the appropriate dosage for this prescription medication. The only official recommended dosages are for approved prescription uses.

Studies have indicated that Provigil is well-tolerated for amounts up to 400 mg per day. However, there have not been results to show any additional benefits will result from that higher dose, and the potential for side effects may be increased. The average dosage is 200 mg per day.

Given the high cost of Provigil pills, it is best to use the smallest effective dosage possible. Anyone taking this drug to treat shift work disorder should take their dose approximately an hour before work starts. Otherwise, use Provigil as a single administration in the morning.

Taking Provigil later in the day (after noon or later) has been known to cause some issues. The half-life of Modafinil is fairly long – 12 hours – and its wakefulness promoting effects can negatively interfere with normal sleep patterns and cause difficulty falling and staying asleep.

While Provigil is well-tolerated and has a strong safety record, there are still a few side effects that can occur. The most common side effects reported include headaches, upper respiratory infections, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. In rare cases, elevated blood pressure may occur (about 2% of the time).

Very rare, but serious, skin conditions have been reported from a small number of Modafinil users. While it is not clear in each case if the Modafinil was in fact the cause of the skin condiiton, it is important to be aware of this possibility. The skin conditions that have been reported as possible while on Provigil include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS).

In most cases, side effects are usually mild and typically can be avoid by starting out with the lowest possible effective dose. On the whole, Provigil experience logs tend to report more positive effects than negative ones, but safety should always be the first priority.

Some Provigil user experiences are very positive, only reporting positive effects and no side effects:

“I take Modafinil / Provigil for head injury related problems. I’ve tried Ritalin it didn’t work well. Provigil is excellent, no side effects or problems. Perfect.” – Frenchmen [1]

“Have taken both Nuvigil 250-375 and Provigil 200-300 (1 to 1.5 tabs of each) They are wonderful for both memory and Attention (don’t have Hyperactive/Impulsive criteria); Not amphetamines, I have stopped suddenly with no withdrawal whatsoever; Schedule 4 not 2–Dont have to see Dr every month. No side effects at all for me” – Peter50 [1]

Other reviews do report that Modafinil was not the right drug for them, and either it did not address their needs properly, and/or caused side effects that caused them to stop use:

“I have ADHD, tried Modafinil 100mg, side effects, stomach upset, lost appetite, can’t sleep at all for 2 days. Headache. Made me feel jittery, I felt all over the place couldn’t concentrate actually. Also made me feel unsocial and bad mood. The only thing is yes you won’t sleep. Gave it a try a few more times, don’t like it. Sticking to Adderall, much better for ADHD!!!” – MilashkaNY [1]

“I was put on Provigil a year and a half ago and can no longer take it. I was one of the ones that had a horrible reaction to it. At first it was just a headache then I would crash around 5… the the headaches got worse, no medicines helped with the headache. Then I started itching. At first I didn’t connect it to the Provigil, then I broke out EVERYWHERE with a rash that was like poison ivy just worse. So I am no longer on any medicines and lets just say that most days are very hard and I am so very tired.” – Anonymous [1]

Adrafinil: A Non-Prescription Provigil Alternative

As has been discussed, Provigil is a prescription-only medication in many countries around the world. This can make it very difficult to obtain if you do not have an approved condition, or a doctor who is willing to write an off-label prescription for a studied condition like ADHD. Additionally, off-label prescriptions are not typically covered by insurance, and both generic Modafinil and brand name Provigil can be very pricey.

Some people will turn to the “grey market” to buy Modafinil from online pharmacies. While there are some legitimate online pharmacies that require a prescription to dispense Modafinil, there are many that do not. The issue with these sources is that the quality and purity of these products is unknown, and there is a potential risk to your safety from taking them. Additionally, it is technically illegal to possess and use any prescription drugs for which you do not have a prescription, and there could be legal ramifications for buying Modafinil in this way.

There is a non-prescription alternative to Modafinil that is said to work nearly as well that many people have decided to try instead. Provigil is a derivative of a compound known as Adrafinil which is legal in the US without a prescription.

Adrafinil is the pro-drug of Modafinil. In the body, Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver into the inactive modafinilic acid, and the active Modafinil. Adrafinil was in fact discovered before Modafinil, and was also used as a treatment for narcolepsy. During testing to determine the mechanism of action of Adrafinil, Modafinil was discovered.

Because Modafinil is more potent than Adrafinil, it became the favored drug, and use and production of Adrafinil decreased. In medical settings Provigil is used exclusively since it has a more direct mechanism of action and does not need to be metabolized by the liver in order to be made active.

As an off-label nootropic though, use of Adrafinil is still flourishing. Because it is less potent, more Adrafinil needs to be taken to get the same effects as Modafinil, but users do report that with the proper dosage the effects are very similar between the two drugs.

Because it is broken down in the liver, there is the potential for Adrafinil to cause a buildup of hepatoxic enzymes. Because of this, most people will only use Adrafinil sparingly, and not every day. Instead they typically use it when they need a “boost” on an infrequent basis.

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