Modafinil overview, benefits and uses.
Modafinil is an orally administered drug with wakefulness enhancing properties. It is marketed around the world under various names such as Provigil, Vigil and Alertec just to name a few. Modafinil is majorly prescribed to prevent daytime sleep and increase alertness to patients with daytime sleep disorder and other conditions that a doctor may see fit to prescribe it. Some of the daytime sleep disorders include:
Narcolepsy – a medical condition characterized with excessive sleepiness during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnea/ hypopnea syndrome (OSAH) - a medical condition whereby a patient stops breathing briefly or at times takes shallow breaths continuously while asleep causing distress and hence depriving them of a restful night sleep. In this case, use of modafinil is enabled by a breathing device.
Shift work sleep disorder- a non-medical condition whereby a patient is unable to stay awake during the normal scheduled waking hours or going to sleep and staying asleep during the normal scheduled sleeping hours. This phenomenon is common with people working on a rotating shift or working the night shift.
Modafinil was initially produced and experimented as a treatment for narcolepsy patients. However it happens that modafinil as a drug is attributed to increased memory, creativity, motivation and cognition functions which has led to its increased recreational use as a smart drug (nootropics), it increases the levels of natural chemicals, that is, neurotransmitters in the brain controlling wakefulness and sleep.
Modafinil is neither a stimulant nor an amphetamine, the drug works by limiting your brain from making you feel sleep or sluggish. There are no known significant side effects which can affect brain function.
For a medical condition a dose of modafinil should be taken every morning or as directed by the doctor. For non-medical condition or shift work sleep disorder a dose of modafinil should be an hour before any scheduled activity. The risk of modafinil dependency is very low. However it is advisable to take a minimum dose and consult a doctor if you have a history of addition. Most people use modafinil with a supplement that counteracts the side effects of modafinil.
The recommended daily dosage is one 200mg dose.
Modafinil is a within the class of medicine with wakefulness promoting agent which is highly beneficial to patients suffering from daytime sleep disorders as it increases their wakefulness and cognition allowing the user to focus, have s sence of clarity as well as feel motivated. Subsequently, these wakefulness benefits, improved processing accuracy, increased attention, reduced impulsivity and increased productivity makes its non- medical use effective for students, CEO’s, developers and entrepreneurs in general
Here are some of the benefits of modafinil:
Although treatment for pediatric ADHD by modafinil has not been approved, clinical trials show its tolerability and efficiency in treating and reducing pediatric ADHD.
Studies and testimonies on patients and healthy individuals using modafinil indicate reduced appetite and or weight loss after use.
· Depersonalization disorder
Modafinil is proven effective to patients suffering from attention impairment, hypersomnia and under arousal.
Some studies show modafinil could possibly have significance in treatment of cocaine dependency as cocaine withdrawal symptoms are opposite to effects of modafinil. Although the study is inconclusive on whether this treatment could be effective or not, the outcome shows consistency in the reduction of overall cocaine use by addicts.
Combined with scopolamine, Modafinil can be used as to alleviate motion sickness.
· Neurodegenerative/ psychiatric disorder
Modafinil is effective in treating treatment resistant depression and seasonal affective disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar depression, depression, Parkinson’s disease and opiate.
Famous people using Modafinil
An article by the Internal Medicine, an American Medical Association journal published a study done by University of California which reported a significant increase in the US prescription of modafinil over the past decade and most of the prescriptions were off-label use. This shows the extent of cultural use of modafinil as a way of getting something done within the deadline. Most of the users being entrepreneurs and students. Limitless, an American thriller movie also depicts the use of fictional pill to enhance cognitive functions.
Although modafinil is an approved narcolepsy treatment medication, it’s better used as a nootropic (smart drug). Some of the famous people confirmed or speculated to using modafinil are:
A former Silicon Valley executive and currently the founder of The Bulletproof Executive famously known for developing Bulletproof Coffee is one of the most vocal users of modafinil (nootropics). He takes fifteen supplements daily.
A best seller author famously known for writing The Four Hour Workweek, also bio hacker and life hacker was quoted saying that the quality of his life is so much higher when using modafinil.
Joe Rogan is a famous podcast host, a stand-up comedian, actor, television host and Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) commentator. He advocates and enjoys the use of nootropics, he is a fan of modafinil he has his own stack which he named the alpha stack.
Although she has not confirmed to any use of modafinil, Wikileaks revealed a 2011 email by Clinton requesting her staff to research on modafinil. The leak came amid public and media speculation on Hillary’s health. However modafinil is used largely by healthy people to keep up with 24 hour schedules and deadlines.
There was speculation on use of smart drugs by the former president of the United States owing to time zone management as well as something was detected during one of his physical exam. Modafinil is the most likely drug to be prescribed and used off-label to manage shift work sleep disorder and jet lag.
Barry is a retired American professional baseball player involved in a steroids scandal. Reportedly he had been using illegal steroids as well as modafinil to enhance is performance on the field.
An American gold medalist sprinter. Unfortunately she was stripped off her two medals after she tested positive for using modafinil.
Former NFL star with four Super Bowl wins, he created and sells his own nootropic stack Neuro 1 which helps in dealing with effects caused by multiple concussions. He also alleged Tiger Woods had been using that stack for his best golf performances.
