This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
Modafinil: Difference between revisions
>BronzeManul m Grammatics |
>Unity Small modifications to intro, chemistry, subjective effects, toxicity and harm potential, added some cites tags. |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
| ''[[Modafinil/Summary|Summary sheet: Modafinil]]'' | | ''[[Modafinil/Summary|Summary sheet: Modafinil]]'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
'''Modafinil''' (commonly known by the brand names '''Provigil''', '''Alertec''', '''Modavigil''', among others) is a wakefulness-promoting agent | '''Modafinil''' (commonly known by the brand names '''Provigil''', '''Alertec''', '''Modavigil''', among others) is a synthetic [[psychoactive class::eugeroic]] (i.e. "wakefulness-promoting agent") pharmaceutical that produces [[nootropic]] and mild-to-moderate [[stimulant|stimulating]] properties when [[Routes of administration|administered]]. It is commonly used to enhance cognition, reduce fatigue, and increase alertness. | ||
Modafinil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorder and narcolepsy.<ref>Provigal (Manufacturer's Website) | http://www.provigil.com/</ref> However, studies have shown that modafinil may also be useful off-label for alleviating the symptoms of depression,<ref>Modafinil augmentation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy in MDD partial responders with persistent fatigue and sleepiness (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17729016</ref>, bipolar disorder,<ref> A placebo-controlled evaluation of adjunctive modafinil in the treatment of bipolar depression (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17671288</ref> Parkinson's disease,<ref>Neuroprotective effects of modafinil in a marmoset Parkinson model: behavioral and neurochemical aspects (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16940766</ref> seasonal depressive disorder,<ref>PubMed - Modafinil treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder/winter depression: an open-label pilot study (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15306145</ref> ADHD,<ref>Modafinil improves symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder across subtypes in children and adolescents (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18280848</ref>and various other conditions which have fatigue as a symptom. | |||
Modafinil has also been used as a doping agent by various athletes due to its ability to produce [[Stimulation|physical stimulation]].{{citation needed}} It has recently gained mainstream popularity for its use as a [[nootropic|"smart drug"]] to [[Memory enhancement|improve memory]], counteract the desire for sleep, and increase productivity.{{citation needed}} | |||
==Chemistry== | ==Chemistry== | ||
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. | 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. | ||
{{Modafinil/Pharmacology}} | {{Modafinil/Pharmacology}} | ||
| Line 17: | Line 19: | ||
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}} | {{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}} | ||
In comparison to traditional stimulants such as amphetamine, this compound induces an experience which is far less forceful, recreational and euphoric. It instead focuses on general [[wakefulness]] and [[motivation enhancement]]. | In comparison to traditional stimulants such as [[amphetamine]], [[methylphenidate]] or [[cocaine]], this compound induces an experience which is far less forceful, recreational and euphoric. It instead focuses on general [[wakefulness]] and [[motivation enhancement]]. | ||
===Physical effects=== | ===Physical effects=== | ||
| Line 36: | Line 38: | ||
*'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Motivation enhancement]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Emotion enhancement]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Time distortion]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Emotion enhancement]]''' or '''[[Effect::Emotion suppression]]''' | |||
*'''[[Effect::Anxiety]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Anxiety]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect:: | *'''[[Effect::Increased music appreciation]]''' - While modafinil is capable of producing this effect, it does not do so as reliably as it does with traditional [[stimulants]] or [[entactogens]]. | ||
==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
The long-term safety and effectiveness of modafinil as a drug of regular usage have not been determined.<ref>Pharmacotherapy for excessive daytime sleepiness | http://www.smrv-journal.com/article/S1087-0792(04)00024-3/abstract</ref> Anecdotal | The long-term safety and effectiveness of modafinil as a drug of regular usage have not been determined.<ref>Pharmacotherapy for excessive daytime sleepiness | http://www.smrv-journal.com/article/S1087-0792(04)00024-3/abstract</ref> Anecdotal reports from people who have tried modafinil within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this substance at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). | ||
It is worth noting, however, that as this compound is a commonly prescribed | It is worth noting, however, that as this compound is a commonly prescribed pharmaceutical, it is considerably less likely to have unpredictable adverse health effects than the typical [[research chemical]]. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] if choosing to use this substance. | ||
===Lethal dosage=== | ===Lethal dosage=== | ||
[[Toxicity::The median lethal dose at which 50% of participants die ([[LD50|LD<sub>50</sub>]]) from modafinil for human beings has never been reached]]. No life-threatening effects have taken place in clinical trials involving the administration of 1000mg to 1600mg of modafinil per day for 7 to 21 consecutive days. Intentional acute overdoses of 4500mg and 4000mg in two adult subjects and an accidental ingestion of 800mg by a three-year-old child did not result in any life-threatening effects or death.<ref>The National Library of Medicine - PROVIGIL | http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=fd75a8a7-a8ab-4141-9af9-989a220b9c19</ref> After overdosing on 5000mg of modafinil in a suicide attempt, a fifteen-year-old female reported a severe [[Headaches|headache]], [[Nausea|nausea]], and [[Abnormal heartbeat|tachycardia]], but did not appear to have any lethal or long-term effects.<ref>Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine - Unsuccessful Suicide Attempt of a 15 Year Old Adolescent with Ingestion of 5000 mg Modafinilhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2725258</ref> | [[Toxicity::The median lethal dose at which 50% of participants die ([[LD50|LD<sub>50</sub>]]) from modafinil for human beings has never been reached]]. No life-threatening effects have taken place in clinical trials involving the administration of 1000mg to 1600mg of modafinil per day for 7 to 21 consecutive days. Intentional acute overdoses of 4500mg and 4000mg in two adult subjects and an accidental ingestion of 800mg by a three-year-old child did not result in any life-threatening effects or death.<ref>The National Library of Medicine - PROVIGIL | http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=fd75a8a7-a8ab-4141-9af9-989a220b9c19</ref> After overdosing on 5000mg of modafinil in a suicide attempt, a fifteen-year-old female reported a severe [[Headaches|headache]], [[Nausea|nausea]], and [[Abnormal heartbeat|tachycardia]], but did not appear to have any lethal or long-term effects.<ref>Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine - Unsuccessful Suicide Attempt of a 15 Year Old Adolescent with Ingestion of 5000 mg Modafinilhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2725258</ref> | ||
===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ||
The chronic use of modafinil can be considered as [[Addiction potential::not addictive with a low potential for abuse]]. It does not seem to be capable of causing psychological dependence among | The chronic use of modafinil can be considered as [[Addiction potential::not addictive with a low potential for abuse]]. It does not seem to be capable of causing psychological dependence among most users.{{citation needed}} | ||
Tolerance to many of the effects of modafinil [[Time to full tolerance::develops with prolonged and repeated use]]. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::3 - 7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::1 - 2 weeks]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Modafinil may present a cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[benzhydryl]] [[nootropic]] | Tolerance to many of the effects of modafinil [[Time to full tolerance::develops with prolonged and repeated use]]. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::3 - 7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::1 - 2 weeks]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Modafinil may present a cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[benzhydryl]] [[nootropic|nootropics]]]], meaning that after the consumption of modafinil, all related eugeroic compounds such as [[armodafinil]] and [[adrafinil]] will display a reduced effect. | ||
===Dangerous interactions=== | ===Dangerous interactions=== | ||
| Line 75: | Line 76: | ||
*[[Armodafinil]] | *[[Armodafinil]] | ||
*[[Caffeine]] | *[[Caffeine]] | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||