What is Modafinil?
Modafinil (also known as Provigil) is widely known as a nootropic drug. This means that it belongs to the category of ‘smart drugs.’ However, in its literal terms, it is not exactly a smart drug. What it is, is a prescription drug used to enhance a person’s abilities, mainly the brain functions. It was first created to treat narcolepsy; a neurological disorder that affects your ability to sleep and stay awake. Resulting in excessive sleep patterns during the day. This belongs to a class of drug known as eugeroic i.e. a wakefulness-promoting agent.
Is It Like Coffee?
Actually, no! Modafinil is not like coffee or caffeine because this drug does not only keep you from falling asleep, but also alters the brain chemistry, i.e. neurotransmitters, which boost your concentration, cognitive functions and focus, as a result. So, this part does make you smart, but boosts your mental focus for a given period of time.
This boost in cognitive brain functions comes about due to the release of enough adrenaline and dopamine. Their neurotransmission, unlike other similar drugs, one cannot become addicted to it and neither does it create any feelings of euphoria or ecstasy for the user.
Benefits of Taking Modafinil
Everyone has room for improvement in their brain, even geniuses and taking modafinil makes things a little more effortless. There have been people that have taken it for long periods of time who have confessed to it improving their performance with studies, work and any day-to-day activities, and through these experiences they have also vouched for it being much safer than the other brain-enhancing drugs like Tylenol (Pain killer) or Adderall (prescription amphetamine used as a performance enhancer and for people with ADHD).
Improves Concentration and Focus
Focus, as we all know, is significantly important to everyday productivity. We see tons of videos and talks by people telling us to ‘be in the now’ and ‘focus on the present moment’ and give advice about incorporating yoga and meditation into our lifestyles.
This is all well and good, but not everyone has the time to or can-do yoga or meditation regularly. Not to mention some of us want instant results in specific situations like examinations or important presentations. Enter modafinil, it helps you learn better by enhancing your concentration. It will not turn you into Bradley Cooper from the movie Limitless, but it will remove all the ‘junk’ from your brain that interrupts clear thinking and instead makes you more focused and efficient.
Reduces Fatigue
Other studies that have been done, prove another positive effect. Some of ushave tasks that require us to be awake for the most part of the night i.e. interrupting our normal sleep cycles, which would mean feeling groggy and tired the next day. With modafinil, the effect of using it is that it reduces this fatigue and enhances mental performance without having the side-effects of feeling like you haven’t slept the next day. While you would be irritated due to lack of sleep, with this drug it is the reverse effect, you would feel more awake, more alert and less sleep-deprived.
However, it is important to note that it does not ‘replace’ sleep, so it is advisable to get at least a few hours of sleep (between 6 to 8 hours) at some point: https://www.dreams.co.uk/sleep-matters-club/top-10-benefits-good-nights-sleep/
Are There Any Side-Effects?
There are no serious side-effects of this drug, including the fact that it is not addictive because it is safe and can be used as a long-term supplement.
However, the potential side-effects that can occur are:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Headaches
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) – a very rare skin reaction that looks like a rash
- Dehydration
How Do You Use It?
Sleeping well – Only if you get a good night’s sleep, will modafinil work for you. Getting about 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night makes the drug work better in your system. If you get a good amount of sleep, you can take modafinil about 30 to 45 minutes before you start your day or your work.
Eating well – Eating a healthy diet will also make modafinil work better. This means a healthy breakfast, eating clean and no junk foods. A clean diet is necessary for everyone anyways, so why not incorporate it while taking modafinil. Eating is essential. Learn all about eating clean here.
