Modafinil

In our achievement-driven society, it seems like everyone is looking for a way to gain a competitive advantage and improve their  physical and mental performance. And in recent years, one of the most commons ways that biohackers and high-achievers have created this proverbial “leg up” is through the strategic use of a drug called Modafinil. Although Modafinil was initially created as an anti-narcolepsy drug, the pioneers of the biohacking space quickly realized that its utility extended far beyond helping shift workers hack their circadian rhythms.

Because of its ability to keep users alert, focused, and in “flow” throughout the course of a long work day, Modafinil has become a wildly popular “Smart Drug” that is quickly gaining traction among a plethora of different communities. But, as with anything in the realm of performance enhancement, Modafinil’s increasing popularity has also brought about a slew of wild misinformation, false claims, and unfair allegations.

So, what is the real truth about this drug?

What is it? How does it really affect the body? What are the side effects? Is it effective as a “smart drug”? Is it safe? And what can you expect with this so-called “God Pill”?

That’s exactly what I will be detailing today.

Editor’s Note

Since Modafinil is a schedule IV controlled substance, you can only get it with a doctor’s assistance, and it should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision to prevent and mitigate any of the side effects associated with this drug.

Although I have never been prescribed this medication, my research indicates that it is highly effective at treating the symptoms associated with severe sleep disorders, however, it does not serve as a cure for these conditions.

In comparison to the number of mild and severe medical conditions that Modafinil treats, the research suggests that the side effects associated with the drug are relatively nominal.

Substances like Adrafinil, Fluorenol, or Pitosolant as less intense (but still effective) nootropics to help you stay awake and alert.

While these alternatives have fewer recorded side effects and are less abrasive on your system, in extreme cases, they are not as effective as their pharmaceutical counterparts.

Of the more than 70 reviews that I found on WebMD regarding this drug, the majority stated that they felt temporary improvement that lasted in the range of ten hours, which helped the individuals maintain a more normal lifestyle.

Users report a range of side effects, with some patients having more severe side effects while others had none. This backed-up the scientific data that indicates there are contraindications and side effects in some individuals that are directly associated with this medication.

Background: What is Modafinil?

Modafinil is the generic name for the synthetic wakefulness drug Provigil, which and is primarily used for the treatment of sleep conditions that include, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, sleep deprivation, and shift work sleep disorder.

These disorders are not only inconvenient but for the more extreme cases can be deadly.

Recent studies have shown that Modafinil is also an effective drug when treating some non-sleep related conditions, such as ADHD and Clinical Depression.

As a Schedule IV prescription drug, it is not a supplement that you can simply purchase over the counter at your local pharmacy or GNC.

Other Names for Modafinil

Other names for Modafinil are Modalert, Alertec, Modvigil, and Provigil.

Benefits and effects

The benefits seen by taking Modafinil will depend on your individual symptoms or goals when using the drug.

While some patients experience life changing side effects and the elimination of crippling sleep disorders, other users experience effects that are less remarkable but still beneficial.

Commonly Recorded Benefits for “Normal” Patients:

Here are some of the most commonly recorded benefits by patients taking Modafinil to combat destructive sleep disorders.

• Improved Job Satisfaction:  It is difficult to hold onto a job or regular income when you are unable to remain awake for more than a few moments at a time. This is especially true in today’s knowledge economy, where our attention is precious. Taking Modafinil keeps you awake and able to function normally enabling you to have a functional work life.
• Socializing: Our relationships give meaning to our lives, but it’s not always easy to be care-free and relaxed, even around friends. To maintain a healthy social circle participation is mandatory. Unfortunately, when you are too tired to function, participating in any social event becomes all but impossible. Taking Modafinil allows you to be more engaged in other aspects of life that you may have been missing out on, and be more social as a result.
• Home Life: Raising a healthy family and experiencing a fulfilling home life takes work, and when you are chronically tired or depressed it can feel overwhelming, even impossible to do everything else and still make time for your children and spouse.. Modafinil helps relieve depression and increase your energy levels so that you can connect with those you love in a healthier and more consistent manner.

Modafinil’s clinical benefits can be distilled down to one phrase… Physical homeostasis.

In other words, it helps rebalance and recalibrate your brain and body, negating the effects of disruptive sleep disorders and allowing you to live a normal life again or for the first time.

Commonly Recorded Benefits for Performance Focused Patients

I also know of plenty of entrepreneurs and startup employees who convince their local doctor to give them a prescription to help with the ridiculous workloads they are facing.

Since these individuals don’t technically suffer from a sleep disorder, I wanted to discuss the performance related benefits separate from clinical benefits.

• Increased Productivity: The most common benefit that I found reported from a wide variety of high achieving individuals is an increase in productivity. Some claim that it gives them laser like focus, others that it simply balances their energy levels, but nearly everyone who uses Modafinil reports some sort of increase in their motivation and productivity.
• Increased Mental Endurance: One of the most difficult parts about being a knowledge worker is trying to operate at full capacity for hours on end. Modafinil seems to provide a quick solution. Nearly everyone I know who has tried the drug claims that they were able to work far longer than normal while maintaining their productivity over the long hours.
• Improves Decision Making: Another commonly reported benefit is that Modafinil helps man people improve their decision making. Or rather, it helps them reduce their propensity to make impulsive or otherwise “bad” decisions.

How It Works

Modafinil targets dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamus of the brain which creates orexin, hypocretin, and dopamine, thereby elevating mood, alertness, and energy levels.

Research indicates that dopamine release from exercise, excitement, and diet correlates with increased happiness, concentration, and fulfillment in individuals.

Many individuals experiencing cognitive dysfunctions lack sufficient dopamine production, which can be improved with a proper Modafinil dosage.

To optimize Modafinil’s effectiveness and prevent tolerance buildup, take it at your prescribed dosage only one to three times weekly.

Patients usually experience slight improvement after initial doses, with effects becoming more pronounced as medication accumulates in their body.

Short-term effects desired by Modafinil users for performance enhancement typically diminish after approximately ten hours.

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Is Modafinil Actually a Nootropic “Smart Drug”

Given the benefits mentioned, you might wonder if Modafinil lives up to its reputation as the “Smart Drug” proponents claim.

Modafinil’s association with “NZT-48” lacks evidence of long-term cognitive function enhancement according to studies up to 2017.

Studies suggest Modafinil’s effects on focus or creativity stem from its primary function of boosting wakefulness and energy.

Moderate caffeine intake throughout the workday can achieve similar stimulant effects as Modafinil, albeit less pronounced and safer.

Dosage

To leverage its 9-10 hours of wakefulness, take Modafinil in the morning or 2-3 hours before starting a shift.

This medication is taken with or without food and usually starts with a 12-week or shorter prescription, reviewed regularly.

Due to its interactions with other medications, Modafinil should not be shared with friends and family without prescriptions.

If purchasing online, consult your doctor before taking it with other prescribed medications.

Store it at room temperature in a dry place, and keep it out of reach of children.

Regardless of their condition, nearly all adult patients are prescribed the same 200 mg/day dose.

Considered a last resort for children, this drug may induce adverse psychiatric and dermatologic effects.

Side Effects

While Modafinil has been shown to produce severe side effects in some individuals, they are extremely rare.

Stop Modafinil use and seek medical attention if you experience allergic reactions like skin rash, blistering, fever, or jaundice.

As this medication alters brain chemistry, certain side effects should prompt immediate cessation of use as they signify red flags.

These include hallucinations, depression, anxiety, chest pains, trouble breathing, unusual thoughts and aggressive behavior, and suicidal thoughts.

While rare, Modafinil may cause side effects. Initially, common ones may occur during the first few uses.

Less severe side effects include headaches, back pain, dizziness, nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, insomnia, stuffy nose. These side effects may require your dosage be modified, or that you be changed to a different medication.

As mentioned earlier, Modafinil alters brain chemistry, potentially resulting in the common “side effect” of a workaholic, robot-like state.

A friend of mine with a prescription for Modafinil once told me that he will often find himself “…In a state of emotionless focus. I didn’t want to do anything except work. My appetite, libido, and desire to ‘goof off’ disappeared and were replaced by a steady state of focus.”

While some seek the drug for robot-like focus, acquaintances have reported feeling less compassionate, loving, and empathetic while using Modafinil.

Modafinil Reviews

Of the 70+ Modafinil reviews I found on WebMD, nearly all of users stated that they felt a temporary improvement in their alertness and focus which lasted around 10 hours and enabled them to live a more normal lifestyle.

Reports varied, with some noting severe side effects while others claimed none, highlighting individual differences in medication response.

These reviews backed up my own experience, after using Modafinil on and off for the past three or so years.

Anecdotal reports corroborate scientific data, indicating medication-associated contraindications and side effects in certain individuals.

Stacking

>Phenibut

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To alleviate anxiety side effects from higher Modafinil doses, consider stacking it with low doses of Phenibut as a recommendation.

I suggest starting out with a lower dose of Modafinil and work your way up as needed. Use Phenibut sparingly to prevent tolerance buildup and preserve its efficacy over time.

Avoid daily use of this stack; twice weekly should suffice to maintain motivation and mental clarity.

Taking this stack more frequently will decrease this stack’s effectiveness and give you diminishing returns over the long haul.

Note that Phenibut, akin to gamma-aminobutyric acid, a natural sleep-promoting compound, may counteract Modafinil’s wakefulness effects.

I recommend starting with 50 to 100 mg of Modafinil and 250 to 500 mg of Phenibut in this stack, adjusting doses accordingly.

Caffeine (+ L-Theanine)

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Low dose caffeine, such as you’d find in decaf coffee or a cup of tea, pairs quite nicely with Modafinil. If you’re used to a cup of joe to get your day started, it’s fine to take Moda as well.

I recommend limiting caffeine intake to around 200mg (1-2 cups) to avoid feeling overstimulated, even for coffee enthusiasts.

A popular and effective nootropic stack is caffeine + L-theanine, which you can get from plenty of vendors online. L-theanine is a nootropic in its own right, and coupled with caffeine, helps curb any potential jitters.

1P-LSD

You may have heard of “microdosing“. If not, here’s a brief summary: it entails the increasing trend, especially among young professionals, of consuming small doses of LSD or psychedelic mushrooms.

At low doses, these hallucinogens have profound cognitive benefits, such that they perform as nootropics.

1P-LSD is a close analogue of LSD which has the same effects and benefits. At low doses (around 10 ug), you’ll feel happier, more social, and more creative. It might sound bold, but from personal experience, I can confirm the very real benefits of microdosing.

Whereas Modafinil seems to activate the goal-oriented part of the brain, LSD microdoses do the opposite: ignite your creative spark. Modafinil is to the left brain as LSD micro is to the right brain.

Alternatives

I’ve covered several Modafinil alternatives in this article. Here’s a comprehensive list of substances providing similar or identical effects.

• Caffeine: While caffeine is not recommended as a cure for narcolepsy, it proves quite effective for treating fatigue. Excessive intake of this alternative may cause jitteriness, anxiety, moodiness, tremors, bad breath, and insomnia as side effects. Consult your doctor for a racing heart or shortness of breath due to its stimulant effect on the heart.
• Gotu Kola: This herbal stimulant affects the central nervous system and has been known to combat drowsiness, reduce mental fuzziness, and energize the brain by inducing the body to produce choline that’s primary function is to improve brain function. In this aspect, Gotu Kola may be a better option than Modafinil.
• Country Mallow: Also known as Sida Cordifolia, this herb contains ephedrine; a natural fatigue fighter. If you want to fight narcolepsy without resorting to pharmaceuticals, Livestrong recommends consuming five teaspoons of this herb as a strong tea. Before altering your medication or adding new supplements, consult your doctor to prevent potential drug interactions and ensure safety.
• Adrafinil: Worth mentioning again. Just like Modafinil, Adrafinil is a synthetic drug.

Closing Thoughts

Modafinil’s positive impact on chronic conditions like narcolepsy, shift sleep disorder, and sleep apnea is significant and cannot be overlooked.

Continued positive results with Modafinil use are likely if you monitor your dosage and avoid consecutive daily intake.

Allegations portraying Modafinil as the new “God Pill” or “Limitless Drug,” enhancing productivity, creativity, and memory, seem exaggerated.

Results appear linked to the drug’s wakefulness-promoting ability, aiding normal functioning and alertness without long-lasting nootropic effects.

So for anyone looking to use Modafinil as a cognitive enhancer, it’s great for a short burst of productivity. Contraindications and adverse effects suggest this isn’t ideal for long-term, daily use.

Instead, healthier alternatives like Country Mallow, Gotu Kola, and 1P-LSD all make for sound choices in my book.