TL;DR: Modafinil is a substance that offers a host of cognitive benefits, if used correctly. Learn about this substance and talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you.
Let us just start by saying that, we are not doctors. This article is not medical advice, nor should it be treated as such. This article is purely for educational purposes. Finally, we do not condone the use of any illegal substances nor the use of any prescription drug without a say-so from your physician. *finally inhales* Okay! Onwards.
NOTE: As a quick reference, this article will be discussing a drug that has a Schedule IV legal classification and thus requires a doctor’s prescription to use and possess legally.
NOTE: We recommend that before you jump into the use of nootropics or drugs, you should try to optimize your sleep and your diet as these two can often give you the edge you’re looking for without any added substances.
Introduction
Forget what your teachers and parents told you. Nootropics and drugs are cool, really cool…
Now, we don’t mean that you should do them for the sake of appearing older or edgier to your friends, we mean that nootropic and drug substances are themselves very fascinating. From a molecular standpoint, all the way to an experiential standpoint, these bad boys have intrigued man since the dawn of time itself.
Welcome back, biohacker. Today we will be covering arguably one of the most intriguing kinds of substances, the stimulant. If you’re a biohacker, you will have likely heard of Dave Asprey’s Bulletproof company (as in coffee), and the movies Limitless and Lucy. Well, in this article we will be introducing you to the substance that world-renowned biohackers have used to allegedly grow their businesses to what they are today, as well as the substance that literal movies have been based on: Modafinil.
It is definitely worth mentioning quickly, that while stimulants, in general, can be both dangerous and used recreationally, today we will be talking about them within the context of safe dosages and proper practice. While some people will use these substances to ‘party,’ the biohacker prefers to use these substances for a mental edge when extra productivity is desired or sleep requirements have not been met the previous night.
We will start by telling you when Modafinil came on the scene. Then we will discuss dosages, how Modafinil can be used by the average biohacker; how Modafinil is used by different walks of life; how this substance sizes up against the other big players in the category; briefly discuss some potential side effects; and then give our own closing remarks on Modafinil as a whole. Throughout this article we reference some online forums, anecdotal reviews, give some of our own opinions and consult clinical literature. It’s going to be a fun ride into the world of Modafinil.
Buckle up. Let’s jump in.
Lineage
The substance Modafinil, typically sold under the names Provigil, Modalert, Nuvigil, Modvigil and others, was first developed in France in the late 1970s by experimental medicine professor, Michel Jouvet. Later approved by the FDA in 1998, Modafinil falls into a class of drugs known as “eugeroics” – also known as wakefulness agents. As the classification suggests, it comes as no surprise that drugs in this family are generally used to help treat conditions like narcolepsy, chronic fatigue, and other such ailments related to mental exhaustion and/or sleep deprivation.
In a nutshell, eugeroics are kind of used as if they were longer-lasting, harder-hitting, prescription coffee pills.
Image of Michel Jouvet
Usage
Despite both Modafinil’s classification and designed purpose of plain ‘wakefulness’, Modafinil has been shown to be promising in many different applications when it comes to general cognitive enhancement. A study done by Danielle Turner et al. published in the Journal of the European Behavioural Pharmacology Society displays some incredible findings.
The study was conducted with 60 participants being divided into 2 double-blind, randomized groups. One group was given a single oral dose of Modafinil of either 100mg or 200mg (depending on the body weight of the participant), and the other group was given a controlled placebo. The findings were as follows:
Modafinil significantly enhanced performance on tests of digit span, visual pattern recognition memory, spatial planning and stop-signal reaction time. These performance improvements were complemented by a slowing in latency on three tests: delayed matching to sample, a decision-making task and the spatial planning task. [1]
But there’s more. Unsurprisingly, Modafinil is often compared to a couple of its cousins. In psychiatric literature, Modafinil’s familial relatives generally include some popular suspects; these are Adderall – which we will get to soon – as well as the active ingredient in the prescription drug Concerta, methylphenidate. Both Adderall and Concerta are used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain (if you want to learn more about your psychology and how to control it, click HERE.). [2][3]
We bring up how Modafinil is often compared to others because generally speaking, when patients are prescribed methylphenidate (Concerta), for example, there are some well-documented cognitive drawbacks to its usage. These effects usually have to do with slightly impared memory functions of various sorts. [4] Conversely, though, Modafinil gets even more interesting when we look at what else the researchers had to say about their findings with Modafinil as compared to methylphenidate:
In contrast to previous findings with methylphenidate, there were no significant effects of the drug on spatial memory span, spatial working memory, rapid visual information processing or attentional set-shifting. Additionally, no effects on paired associates learning were identified. [5]
Essentially, what this study suggests is that while Concerta may work for some people for some purposes, Modafinil seems to be outclassing its cousin in terms of total cognitive and performance ROI.
If you’re wondering what Modafinil actually feels like, you can expect to notice the following effects:
- Mood lift
- Energy
- Focus
- Motivation
- Optimistic
- Flow-like states (check out our article on this HERE)
Read more on other smart drugs, or nootropics in our article here.
Tolerance and Safety
So, by now you’re probably asking yourself where you can get some Modafinil… However, before we discuss that, it’s important for us to discuss tolerance and the safety of the drug in humans. A study performed by Merrill Milter et al. was published in the Sleep Medicine Journal in order to look at the long-term health effects and efficacy of Modafinil on narcolepsy.
The researchers took 478 adult patients with a diagnosis of narcolepsy and had them complete one of two 9-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, clinical trials of Modafinil. Subsequently, these patients were enrolled in two 40-week, open-label, extension studies, meaning that the patients now knew what they were taking and had taken it for a total of almost a whole year altogether. Here’s, in short, what the researchers found based on these two trials:
The majority of patients (∼75%) received 400 mg of modafinil daily. Disease [narcolepsy] severity improved in >80% of patients throughout the 40-week study. At weeks 2, 8, 24, and 40, disease severity was ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’ in 49, 58, 59, and 58% of patients, respectively….[6]
But while this article is not about narcolepsy, and as the studies were longer in nature, the researchers concluded this, as well, which is very relevant to our conversation:
Modafinil is effective for the long-term treatment of EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness) associated with narcolepsy and significantly improves perceptions of general health. Modafinil is well tolerated, with no evidence of tolerance developing during 40 weeks of treatment…The most common treatment-related adverse events were headache (13%), nervousness (8%), and nausea (5%). Most adverse events were mild to moderate in nature. [7]
Even though some users have reported that in their personal experience they feel as though they have built up a tolerance to Modafinil, large-scale clinical studies have found no evidence of tolerance with Modafinil at therapeutic dosages even with prolonged use (for 40 weeks and as long as three years). [8] Therefore, perhaps tolerance comes down to a case by case basis. There are in fact fairly famous accounts of people taking the drug religiously for a much longer period of time than 3 years…
Consider that Dave Asprey, founder of the Bulletproof Coffee and Bulletproof health supplement line, admits to taking Modafinil practically “everyday for 8 years straight.” In fact, he even credits much of the productivity required to build his company to Modafinil. Even after such prolonged use, he continues to sing big M’s praises. [9] Guess for some people there’s no getting tired of Modafinil (pun intended).
Dosage
While some people have reported experiencing effects from as little as 25-50mg of orally ingested Modafinil, the typical dose lies somewhere between 100mg on the low end to 400mg on the high end. This dosage is recommended to be taken in the morning with or without food. [10]
NOTE: Fascinatingly, unlike many other substances, sometimes with Modafinil, less is more. While some users claim to have very little effects on as much as 400mg of modafinil, those same users reported experiencing great cognitive enhancement from a 150mg dose, according to some online forums. In light of this, your personal sweet-spot might require a little bit of personal experimentation and research. Remember, though, that effects and tolerance of substances depend on not just the substance, but also on your particular neurochemistry.
With everything on Modafinil dosage said, Modafinil has been shown to be very safe in animal trials. In rats, oral lethal dose values reported from 1000-3400mg/kg of body weight. [11] This translates to an average 170lbs male requiring about 80g of Modafinil to be on the lower end of potential lethal overdose!
Modafinil for the Biohacker
With all the studies out of the way, we are now going to simply focus on how you, the biohacker, can benefit from this substance, should you choose to take it. As suggested by the introduction, Modafinil is taken by most biohackers for other cognitive-enhancing properties that far exceed those seen by good ol’ Starbucks or your favorite energy drink.
Modafinil lasts in the body for approximately 12-15 hours. [12] Users begin to feel effects between 20 minutes to 1 hour after ingestion and it can be taken with or without food. Once the user begins to feel the effects of Modafinil, the cognitive enhancement properties the user will experience include, wakefulness, mood lift, increased focus, increased attention span, and longer flow states. What you do with these benefits is your business, but we recommend trying some meditation or just generally getting sh*t done. In any case, do plan out your day beforehand, as you don’t want to be accidentally sucked into color coordinating your bookshelf or playing Minesweeper for 15 hours (unless that’s your plan, of course).
Modafinil and Others
The effects have been so well reported that Armed forces of several countries are known to have expressed interest in Modafinil as an alternative to amphetamine—the drug traditionally employed in combat situations or lengthy missions where troops face sleep deprivation. [13] In fact, even The French government indicated that the Foreign Legion used Modafinil during certain covert operations in order to give their operatives more attention and defence against the drudges of insufficient rest. [14]
Additionally, as we’re talking about armies, you may have heard of the US Airforce’s “go pill.” While historically this topic was shrouded in secrecy and lore, we have finally been told publically about the not-so secret cognitive enhancement weapon used by the U.S. Air Force for a mental edge over its opponents. As of November 2012, modafinil is the only drug approved by the Air Force as a “go pill” for fatigue management. [15]
Pretty neat.
Modafinil and Other Stims
If you’re on the greener side of things and haven’t had much experimentation with stimulants or substances in general, when looking at the effects of Modafinil, you may be asking, doesn’t a simple cuppa joe do these same things? The simple answer is, no.
Whereas caffeine works on the brain as a stimulant, Modafinil technically enters the system in a different way. Modafinil acts as an atypical, selective and weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor. [16] In other words, Modafinil allows more dopamine – the focus, attention, and reward neurotransmitter – to accumulate in a neural synapse, before finally breaking through and, in a sense, ‘flooding your brain.’ This results in more focus for many users, without necessarily giving off the type of stimulation that caffeine would.
Interestingly enough, many biohackers are known to combine modafinil with coffee as their respective effects have been reported to be mutually reinforcing. If you’re interested in learning how to dose this ‘stack’ accordingly, please click HERE.
The next question you may have then, is how Modafinil differs from a more potent stimulant, such as the infamous pharmaceutical titan, Adderall.
While the answer to this question is not simple, in a nutshell, Modafinil has been described as an “atypical” DAT (dopamine active transporter) inhibitor, and shows a profile of effects that is very different from those of other dopaminergic stimulants. [17] For instance, Modafinil produces wakefulness reportedly without the need for compensatory sleep, and shows a relatively low, if any, potential for abuse. [18] Conversely, Adderall has a higher potential for abuse given its euphoric effects unassociated with Modafinil. Modafinil also showed that it inhibits caloric consumption far less than some of its cousins, like Adderall and the aforementioned methylphenidate. [19]
Another factor that significantly differentiates Adderall from Modafinil is Adderall’s overdose and side effect potential. Suffice it to say that in 2012, over 116,000 people were admitted to rehab for an addiction to amphetamines, like Adderall, in the USA alone. [20] This is perhaps what results in Adderall’s Schedule 2 classification (same as morphine and opium), as opposed to Modafinil’s Schedule 4 classification (a category for drugs with valid medical uses and low but significant addiction potential).
Side Effects of Modafinil
According to documentation distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, one-third of participants in clinical trials reported experiencing headaches; 11% reported nausea; other negative side-effects such as nervousness, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, dizziness, and gastrointestinal problems were reported by fewer than 10% of participants. [21] So – and not to disparage the real potential side effects of these drugs – the side effects so far seem to be in line with watching daytime news nowadays…
Rare occurrences have been reported of more serious adverse effects, including severe skin rashes and other symptoms that are probably allergy-related. From the date of initial marketing, December 1998, to January 30, 2007, the US Food and Drug Administration received only six cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions associated with Modafinil, including erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and DRESS syndrome, involving adult and pediatric patients. [22]
Closing Remarks
While we do not condone the use of any illegal drugs, we take pride in evaluating the research and coming to our own conclusions regarding what is safe and helpful to put in our bodies.
If used correctly, Modafinil can be an incredible tool in the biohacker’s toolbox for cognitive enhancement. It can increase flow states allowing for better memory, focus, and attention. Furthermore, Modafinil has been clinically shown to be both safe and effective at giving all kinds of people acute cognitive boosts at dosages as small as 100mg. Today, Modafinil remains a Schedule 4 prescription drug in the USA and Canada; but a simple discussion with your doctor regarding your needs may lead to the exact prescription you require to see what this substance can do for you and your journey.
It is true that Modafinil is not nearly as popular as its cousins Adderall and Concerta. However, patients, clinicians, armies, air forces and biohackers alike are coming around to Modafinil’s powerful cognitive benefits that boast a lower physiological price-tag than the pharmaceutical alternatives.
Remember that for some, less is more; and for others coffee is a useful adjunct. Moreover, be mindful that Modafinil is a wakefulness agent and has a half-life of about 15 hours, so you should schedule your sleep accordingly to ensure that you can reap the advantages of wakefulness without tarnishing the benefits of a sound sleep (want to sleep better? Click HERE).
We will leave you with this final research conclusion provided to us by a 2015 review of clinical studies looking at possible nootropic effects of Modafinil in healthy people conducted by R.M. Battleday et al.:
“…whilst most studies employing basic testing paradigms show that modafinil intake enhances executive function… half show improvements in attention and learning and memory, and a few even report impairments in divergent creative thinking. In contrast, when more complex assessments are used, modafinil appears to consistently engender enhancement of attention, executive functions, and learning. Importantly, we did not observe any preponderances for side effects or mood changes.” [23]
Boom.
Best of luck, biohacker, and as always, keep moving UpRiver.
References:
[1] Turner, D.C., Robbins, T.W., Clark, L. et al. Cognitive enhancing effects of modafinil in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology 165, 260–269 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-002-1250-8
[2]
[3] https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-63163/adderall-oral/details#:~:text=This%20combination%20medication%20is%20used,of%20drugs%20known%20as%20stimulants
[4] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002130050284
[5] Turner, D.C., Robbins, T.W., Clark, L. et al. Cognitive enhancing effects of modafinil in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology 165, 260–269 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-002-1250-8
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945700000319
[7] ibid
[8] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10828434/
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSOIZvSKEgI
[10] https://www.rxlist.com/provigil-drug.htm#dosage
[11] “Provigil Prescribing Information” (PDF). United States Food and Drug Administration. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. January 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
[12] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5412/smpc#:~:text=The%20excretion%20of%20modafinil%20and,doses%20is%20about%2015%20hours.
[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_and_culture_of_substituted_amphetamines#:~:text=Amphetamine%20was%20also%20given%20to,of%20U.S.%20Air%20Force%20pilots.
[14] https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/sleepless-in-battle/
[15] Air Force Special Operations Command Instruction 48–101 (sects. 1.7.4), U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, November 30, 2012.
[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654794/
[17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654794/
[18] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10757254/
[19] ibid
[20] https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/adderall/
[21] https://www.tevagenerics.com/product/modafinil-tablets-civ
[22] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil
[23] Battleday RM, Brem AK. Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015 Nov;25(11):1865-81. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.028. Epub 2015 Aug 20. PMID: 26381811.
