Modafinil: Difference between revisions

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Modafinil is a synthetic molecule of the [[chemical class::benzhydryl]] class. Benzhydryl compounds are comprised of two benzene rings attached to a single carbon molecule. Modafinil is classified as a sulphinyl benzhydryl molecule, as it also contains a sulphinyl group, a sulphur molecule double-bonded to an oxygen molecule, attached to the carbon of the benzhydryl group. From this sulphur group at R<sub>2</sub>, an acetamide group is bound at its free carbon through a carbonyl group to a terminal amine group. Modafinil is structurally analogous to fluorafinil, another benzhydryl stimulant. While modafinil is a racemic mixture, a similar medication, armodafinil, consists of only the (−)-(R)-enantiomer of modafinil.

~~==Pharmacology==~~

Research suggests that modafinil increases hypothalamic histamine levels in the brains of rats, which may contribute to its locomotor effects.<ref>European Journal of Pharmacology - Involvement of central histaminergic systems in modafinil-induced but not methylphenidate-induced increases in locomotor activity in rats (ScienceDirect) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001429990701031X</ref> Modafinil has recently been shown to act as a [[reuptake inhibitor]] for the [[neurotransmitter]] [[dopamine]], evidently leading to increased extraceullular concentrations of dopamine and dopaminergic neurotransmission.<ref>The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics - Evidence for the Involvement of Dopamine Transporters in Behavioral Stimulant Effects of Modafinil (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672878</ref> This essentially allows dopamine to accumulate and be reused, causing physically stimulating and motivating effects.

==Subjective effects==

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 Modafinil is a synthetic molecule of the [[chemical class::benzhydryl]] class. Benzhydryl compounds are comprised of two benzene rings attached to a single carbon molecule. Modafinil is classified as a sulphinyl benzhydryl molecule, as it also contains a sulphinyl group, a sulphur molecule double-bonded to an oxygen molecule, attached to the carbon of the benzhydryl group. From this sulphur group at R<sub>2</sub>, an acetamide group is bound at its free carbon through a carbonyl group to a terminal amine group. Modafinil is structurally analogous to fluorafinil, another benzhydryl stimulant. While modafinil is a racemic mixture, a similar medication, armodafinil, consists of only the (−)-(R)-enantiomer of modafinil.
-==Pharmacology==
+{{Modafinil/Pharmacology}}
-Research suggests that modafinil increases hypothalamic histamine levels in the brains of rats, which may contribute to its locomotor effects.<ref>European Journal of Pharmacology - Involvement of central histaminergic systems in modafinil-induced but not methylphenidate-induced increases in locomotor activity in rats (ScienceDirect) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001429990701031X</ref> Modafinil has recently been shown to act as a [[reuptake inhibitor]] for the [[neurotransmitter]] [[dopamine]], evidently leading to increased extraceullular concentrations of dopamine and dopaminergic neurotransmission.<ref>The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics - Evidence for the Involvement of Dopamine Transporters in Behavioral Stimulant Effects of Modafinil (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2672878</ref> This essentially allows dopamine to accumulate and be reused, causing physically stimulating and motivating effects.
 ==Subjective effects==