Modafinil

Modafinil (Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil) is a wakefulness promoting agent (eugeroic) with nootropic effects used to enhance cognition, reduce fatigue, and increase alertness. It is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorder, and narcolepsy. However, studies have shown that modafinil may also be useful off-label for alleviating the symptoms of depression, , bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, seasonal depressive disorder, ADHD, and various other diseases which cause fatigue as a symptom.

Modafinil
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Modafinil, Alertec, Modavigil, Modiodal, Provigil, Modalert
Substitutive name	Modafinil
Systematic name	2-[(Diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Stimulant / Eugeroic
Chemical class	Benzhydryl
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 25 mg Light 50 - 100 mg Common 100 - 200 mg Strong 200 - 300 mg Heavy 300 mg + Duration Total 5 - 10 hours Onset 20 - 60 minutes Come up 20 - 60 minutes Peak 3.5 - 5 hours Offset 1 - 3 hours After effects 2 - 6 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions
Hormonal Birth Control
CYP2C19-substrates

Summary sheet: Modafinil

The substance has also been used as a doping agent by various athletes due to its effects on physical stimulation. It has recently gained popularity for its use as a smart drug to improve memory and increase productivity.

Chemistry

Skeletal formula of benzhydryl molecule.

Modafinil is a synthetic molecule of the 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 R₂, 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. Modafinil has recently been shown to act as an uptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitter dopamine, evidently leading to increased extraceullular concentrations of dopamine and dopaminergic neurotransmission. This essentially allows dopamine to accumulate and be reused, causing physically stimulating and motivating effects.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

The physical effects of modafinil can be broken down into several components. These are described below and generally include:

• Stimulation - In terms of its effects on the user's physical energy levels, modafinil is commonly considered to be stimulating and energetic, but can be considered as much less stimulating when compared to amphetamine. This stimulation encourages physical movement and activities such as running, playing sports, socializing, and/or exercising. The particular style of stimulation which modafinil presents can result in jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or other involuntary movements comparable to that of traditional stimulants at high doses, but are manifested much less consistently and intensely when compared to amphetamine or cocaine.
• Dehydration - Dehydration and dry mouth commonly occur due to an increase in motivation to engage in physical activities as well as an increased sense of focus which causes one to forget to drink water.
• Headaches - In terms of physical discomfort, modafinil can cause headaches especially if dehydrated, if you have not eaten food, or if you have been sitting in an awkward position for an extended period of time focused intensely on a task.
• Photophobia - Although uncommon, modafinil can cause a temporary visual intolerance to light.
• Appetite suppression - The above components are also accompanied by a suppression of appetite which is usually less intense in strength in comparison to the appetite suppression experienced with amphetamine.
• Diarrhea - Modafinil has the tendency to increase the frequency of bowel movements in certain individuals.
• Increased heart rate
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Body odor alteration - Modafinil can potentially leave a very distinguishable smell of sulphur in one's urine. This is likely because modafinil is classified as a sulphinyl benzhydryl molecule and therefore contains sulphur.

Cognitive effects

The cognitive effects of modafinil can be broken down into several components. These are described below and generally include:

• Wakefulness
• Focus enhancement
• Thought acceleration
• Memory enhancement
• Motivation enhancement
• Emotion enhancement
• Anxiety

Toxicity and harm potential

Lethal dosage

The median lethal dose at which 50% of participants die (LD50) 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. After overdosing on 5000mg of modafinil in a suicide attempt, a fifteen-year-old female reported a severe headache, nausea, and tachycardia, but did not appear to have any lethal or long-term effects.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Although it is often used on a daily basis for extended periods of time, the long-term safety and effectiveness of modafinil have not been determined. This substance does seem to have a tolerance and has been used by people for many months in a row with no noticeable side effects. Despite this, however, it does not seem to be addictive.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

• "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] & "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - 25x compounds are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with Modafinil should be strictly avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation and heart strain. This can result in increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, and heart failure in extreme cases.
• "[[UncertainInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol's depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
• "[[UnsafeInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Combinations with DXM should be avoided due to its inhibiting effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. There is an increased risk of panic attacks and hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with serotonin releasers (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.
• "[[UnsafeInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
• "[[UncertainInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
• "[[UncertainInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
• "[[UnsafeInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Modafinil may be dangerous to combine with other stimulants like cocaine as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
• MDMA - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with other stimulants.
• "[[DangerousInteraction" contains a listed "[" character as part of the property label and has therefore been classified as invalid.]] - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.

Legal issues

Modafinil is legally approved for medical purposes worldwide. However, it is illegal to sell and possess in most countries without a prescription.

• United States: In the United States, modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance. It is illegal to buy, sell, or possess the drug without a prescription or DEA license.
• Canada: Modafinil is listed as a Schedule F prescription drug in Canada and it can be prescribed for human and veterinary use.

See also

• Responsible use
• Nootropics
• Stimulants
• Armodafinil
• Caffeine
• Amphetamine
• Modafanil (Wikipedia)
• Modafanil (Erowid)
• Modafinil experiences (Erowid)