Cognitive enhancement.. Limitless pill.. any of those sound a bell? That’s precisely what Modafinil is about, as off-label use of Modafinil has been increasing heavily in recent years. That may or may not be a cause for concern, but that’s something we’re going to examine further in this article.
What is Modafinil?
I’ve associated Modafinil with the famed wonder pill from the movie Limitless for a few reasons. First, Modafinil is an incredibly potent cognitive enhancer, with some people saying that it’s THE most effective. It was initially developed as a treatment for sleep-related disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy. While it is effective in treating those disorders, it started heavily gaining popularity as a study aid and productivity enhancer ever since the release of the 2011 movie Limitless.
The Modafinil experience
Modafinil is a wakefulness-enhancing agent that produces mentally and physically-stimulating effects. You won’t hear people wanting to get high off Modafinil because, in fact, Modafinil does quite the opposite. It will energize you, it will keep you awake and it’s going to alter your mental state, but you won’t feel any euphoria, although a slight mood boost is definitely there.
How does it alter your mental state?
It basically kills laziness and puts you in a productive and motivated mental state. You literally start LOVING work that you like. The work that
You remember things easier, both long-term and short-term (working memory aids in rapidly finishing tasks).
Some people describe Modafinil as a „stronger cup of coffee”, but that’s far from the case. The benefits on mindset make the Modafinil experience entirely different.
Is it the new Adderall?
Modafinil certainly has lots in common with Adderall, though there are some key differentiating features.
First and foremost, Adderall is a stimulant and Modafinil is a eugeroic. The mechanism of action differs, with Adderall affecting the brain in a more pronounced way, particularly when it comes to serotonin and dopamine receptors.
Modafinil acts in a subtler way when compared to Adderall.
Modafinil affects several neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, GABA, glutamate, serotonin, orexin, histamine and dopamine) in a gentle way.
This explains another key difference: the comedown.
Adderall will cause you to crash once the main effects have worn off, which can cause mental fatigue, cognitive dysphoria and anxiety.
Modafinil has a long half-life and its effects wear off slowly over a 12-hour period. There is basically no crash and no addictive potential either.
America is facing a problem with prescription ADHD medication abuse. More and more people are getting hooked on Adderall and that really becomes a serious issue when it’s prescribed to children.
Off-label use of Modafinil
Modafinil is normally prescribed as Provigil, yet people are ordering it online under different brand names to avoid the hassle.
HAB Pharma and Sun Pharma are the two most trusted Modafinil manufacturers. They produce Modafinil and Armodafinil under the brand names Modvigil, Artvigil, Waklert and Modalert. Some people prefer one brand over the other, but you won’t be able to buy directly from them if it’s for personal use.
There are more than a dozen trustworthy Modafinil vendors that basically buy from manufacturers and resell them worldwide.
How to use Modafinil safely
Drink water during the experience. Force yourself to do so, even when you’re feeling ultra-productive and glued to the monitor.
Avoid combining Modafinil with caffeine or other stimulants.
Take it early in the day, so that you get a good night’s sleep.
Wrapping it up
Modafinil is awesome if you’re taking it for the right reasons. While some may condone it, off-label use of Modafinil helped many people to overcome laziness, depression or creative ruts. It’s even helped people get off Adderall. Still, with all its beneficial effects, you should consult your doctor before using it.
Author bio
Carl Sachs is a nootropics researcher and blogger. He has benefited a lot from nootropics and he firmly believes in the therapeutic values of brain-enhancing substances.