Modafinil -- thoughts and experiences

[djsim]

I noticed this today over at Discovery:

Stay-Awake Drug Popular With College Kids Has Addictive Potential

Modafinil, a drug officially approved to treat narcolepsy but increasingly used off-label to improve cognitive performance, has been shown to carry a greater risk of addiction than was previously thought.

Brain scans of 10 healthy men taking Provigil, the version of modafinil made by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon, showed increased levels of dopamine in the part of the brain involved in pleasure and addiction. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that carries messages from nerve cell to nerve cell or other tissues. Drugs that increase dopamine have the potential for abuse [USA Today]. The demonstrated effect is similar to that known to accompany classically addictive stimulants, and federal health officials hope that the findings will serve as a warning that modafinil may have unexpected and tragic consequences for people who use it simply for a brain boost [LA Times].

Modafinil has been on the market since 1999, but off-label use has been on the rise by healthy people who believe it will boost their mental performance. It was thought to be safer than other stimulant drugs, because scientists believed it did not affect the brain’s dopamine system. This small new study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first human evidence that a typical dose of modafinil affects dopamine in the brain as much as a dose of Ritalin, a controlled substance with clear potential for dependence [AP]. With almost $1 billion in sales last year, Provigil is Cephalon’s biggest-selling product, and a longer-acting version called Nuvigil, known as armodafinil, is scheduled to be sold beginning in the third quarter of 2009 [Bloomberg].

Lead researcher Nora Volkow said, “It would be wonderful if one could take a drug and be smarter, faster or have more energy. But that is like fairy tales. We currently have nothing that has those benefits without side effects” [AP]. And the research has led to concessions by some scientists who argue that people should have the right to boost their brains with medications if they so choose. Brain scientist Martha Farah said the new study “goes to show that we need a little caution and a little humility when we’re messing around with our brain chemistry” [AP].​

LINK

I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences with modafinil. I am looking to get off dexamphetamine for my ADD as with all my commitments, it's runing my sleep patterns and therefore making the rest of life quite difficult.
So modafinil: any good for ADD (ie concentration)?

And of course, it wouldn't be OD if people didn't share whether or not modafinil made them high, as the above article suggests (dopamine release??). I'm interested to know whether or not this story is hype, because I'd think anything on par with 20mg Ritalin would be quite well known before a science website got ahold of a "parents - drug canger for your kids!!" piece

 

[footscrazy]

I was part of a study that was testing out the use of modafinil for meth withdrawal. I'm pretty sure I had the placebo though because that was the worst withdrawal I have ever been through. No other experiences apart from that, sorry.

 

[bow-viper1]

This is mainly just a bump because I really feel this is an interesting topic. The reason Modafinil interests me is that I've read that it doesn't smack you in the face like the stronger amphetamines (including Adderall), but still manages to produce the desired therapeutic effects to treat ADD.

I am looking to get off dexamphetamine for my ADD

It's funny you say that, because the reports of its effects actually remind me of Dextroamphetamine more than anything else. Keep in mind I haven't yet experienced Modafinil, but I've been reading about it quite a bit lately.

Here in Texas, there is a study looking into Modafinil for both cocaine and opioid dependence (at the University of Texas at Houston, I believe). Too bad it's 250 miles away from me

 

[hoptis]

Just did a quick search and pulled together some of the stuff I've posted on Modafinil.

That's interesting, I've been taking modafinil almost daily for almost a year now and I don't find it has any emotional effect at all. Things still get to me as much as they used to, other things that make me happy make me happy the same way they used to.

...

I've never had problems taking it five or more days in a row but usually that's the limit for me (only take it during work days), it's nice to give yourself a break anyway but I don't expect there would be problems taking it every day. Do a search for 'modafinil' for more user experiences, there's heaps of threads around.

...

I'm not sure where people get the idea that modafinil might have recreational value, though I keep seeing the suggestion around. Perhaps the marketing of this drug, even in the more subtle ways, promoting modafinil as a "lifestyle" drug or the mental equivalent of viagra has led to this misunderstanding.

As a few others have suggested, I find it fantastic, for what it's designed to do. I use it fairly regularly when I'm sleep deprived or just tired from the weekend. As an added bonus it's also fairly effective as an appetite-suppressant.

Never take more than 200mg at once, and that's of a generic so I assume it's less potent than the real thing. Love it.

Overall I think it's a great drug if you need to function at a high level for prolonged periods and can't be all sketched out. No rec value.

That's pretty much what I find.

...

Agreed that 600mg seems way too much.

For my body, the half-life of modafinil is around twelve hours. I usually take 200mgs during the day if I use it, once when I wake up (around 7am) and another before midday, sometimes even earlier if I can. I've found taking the second 100mg after midday/lunch makes it very hard to sleep (usually around 11pm/midnight).

Thought I haven't experimented, I've not found anything that helps to dampen it's effects.

...

Alertness yes but you can end up spending that alertness procrastinating. Motivation, a bit, but I find I get more distracted on modafinil than when straight, it's just that you're more organised with your distraction. I don't find it makes me do heaps of work, you still need to discipline yourself with what you're spending time doing.

...

Modafinil Discussion thread from Aus Drug.

 

[brutus]

I've taken moddafinil once in my life, I believe it increased my concentration a good bit and just woke me up, but then again I was pretty out of it cause of Xanax, so take that anecdote with a grain of salt.

 

[Addera]

Yes, I find Modafinil useful for my ADD. I have also found it useful for getting off Adderall, which I accidentally got addicted to. (By "accidentally" I mean I never intended to use it recreationally, let alone develop a dependence with abuse patterns, but just took it because prescribed it for my ADD. Nonetheless ended up with a nasty habit.) Anyway, I have found modafinil will keep me from craving Adderall and wards off the awful crash from quitting. This may be because it's merely a substitute. I have no doubt it gets one high and can be habit forming, whether "psychologically" or physiologically. However, from a harm-reduction perspective, it seems a lot less damaging to one's heart, etc., than amphetamines; and there's a lot less compulsion to take more to keep upping the "up." So I opt for it, even though it's expensive as all hell.

If anyone who wants to get off Adderall or other amphetamines has any questions about the use of modafinil to do so, I'd be happy to try to answer them, if I can. E-mail if you like.

 

[tadfish]

Its great for study and wish it was used more instead of meth.
Should be peoples first line of defense against sleeping, concentration drug etc.
instead of meth, the amount of people that use meth just so they can stay awake, party longer, do simple task, concentrate etc. is crazy
Its pretty costly i think i posted a long post on it but i thinks it got deleted cause i might of put the prices on there. I just wanted to give people an idea what the cost is.
Indian ones are ok but well can be dodgey, i recon first line u should try a script in ya country before ordering online (don't get it in powder form everytime i have it has beeen shit and made me sick). I hope my post is not deleted might be in another thread, i was telling people the pros and cons of it and pro n cons of cost

[EDIT: Prices. hoptis]

 

[xxkcxx]

I don't take it but the lady I nanny for does.

She uses it mainly because she is narcoleptic and has strange sleep patterns.

She says she can definitely tell the difference between her efficiency and concentration when she takes it and when she doesn't.

She is also a former meth-head and it doesn't get her high.

 

[tadfish]

its not meant to get u high

 

[djsim]

^ Yeh, that's why THIS surprised me.

Sounds interesting so far. I'm on Zyban at the moment to quit smoking and it works really well, probaby because it's almost a merger between an anti-depressant and a stimulant. I find it more a mood-brightner than anything else... must be increasing my dopamine levels quite effectively in order for that to happen.
It's not the lack of sleep that bothers me about Dexedrine so much... it's the burnt out feeling it gives you after taking it everyday for a month... lethargic and all that shit.
Anyway, thanks for the reports so far guys

 

[Madhatter4]

Ive taken 200mgs of Modafinil daily for years. It really helps your concentration and in my opinion is NOT recreational in any way. On several occasions I dosed 400mgs just to see if it would get me high/spun.... the only thing I got was a nasty head ache

 

[RainingDownOxy]

Modafinil, AKA Provigil is in my book, an all right stimulant. Well its not quite a "stimulant" like dex, adderall etc. I was on it for about, hmm. I'd say 3-4 months. I had been on Concerta before getting on the provigil. I would take it twice a day, in the am and one around 3pm in the afternoon. It did ok at keeping me awake, its absolutley nothing like dexidrine or all the other stims. It did do a good job at helping me focus. It actually was really good at the focusing part. You probaly know that you cant abuse it in any way,shape or form but yea id give it a 2 an 1/2 starts out of 5. reason I got off it was my insurance wouldnt cover most of it so i was paying hella duckets so i switched back to adderall which is ok.....

 

[egor]

I'm still just begining my trials with provigil. I have tried doses from 100-300mg on non-consecutive days when I had shit to do. No recreational effects at all, its s strictly utilitarian drug. Works great if you dont sleep well, but the noticable effects are quite muted if taking it when well rested.

DO NOT mix it with 4-aco-mipt!
JWH-073, cannibis, Sida cordifolia tea and low dose klonopin (<2mg, there is marked potentiation between the two; and not at once of course) mix well with it though.

Will try 200mg on its own for a day of jigging finicky walleyes tommorrow to see if it can aid in angling.

Will update as I get more experience and can better describe its effects

Egor

 

[El Cubano Poco]

DJ Sim- I'm also on dex and looking for a kinder alternative.
How long have you been on dex, and what made you stop specifically?

If only Modafanil wasn't so bloody expensive

 

[dokomo]

DJ Sim- I'm also on dex and looking for a kinder alternative.
How long have you been on dex, and what made you stop specifically?

If only Modafanil wasn't so bloody expensive

I'd really appreciate some feedback from people wanting to get off of dex...

I'm currently on Modafinil and looking to get on dex. I'm taking 200mg a day, and while it keeps me awake, I tend to sort of "phase out" and lose focus alot. What have you found to be the downsides of dex?

 

[2muchpain]

i suffer from serious fatigue from FM and the side effects from opiates i take (as prescribed) for pain. would this drug be suitable and does anyone know if it is available in the uk please?

 

[Valium]

I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences with modafinil. I am looking to get off dexamphetamine for my ADD as with all my commitments, it's runing my sleep patterns and therefore making the rest of life quite difficult.
So modafinil: any good for ADD (ie concentration)?

And of course, it wouldn't be OD if people didn't share whether or not modafinil made them high, as the above article suggests (dopamine release??). I'm interested to know whether or not this story is hype, because I'd think anything on par with 20mg Ritalin would be quite well known before a science website got ahold of a "parents - drug canger for your kids!!" piece

My experiences: I'd take the max dose in the morning on nights i'd not have slept enough so as to be alert during the following day - Results: while you're on you're feet, you feel sort of energized. Slightly elevated pulse, like 3 bpm more than usual, and 1mm Hg sys CV BP elevation noted. It's not nasty like too much caffeine or some ephedra bought offline [sorry ephedra folks, i consider it a 'dirty' simulus feeling], but it seems as if though as soon as you sit down and have a cup of tea, someone is poking you to get up, and you're all confused and asking 'where am i?;. It's at best a mild stimulant, I think it's not efficient enough to be employed successfully in shift-work related disorders.

If it helps your AD/HD, good for you. Otherwise it has as much to do with alleviating ADHD symptoms as does catfood...Off label it's prescribed for ADD by psychiatrists who are concerned more with scheduled substances prescribed per month instead of curing/treating/managing the disorders of their patients. It works as well for AD/HD as Wellbutrin. Effexor is also prescribed for AD/HD now, as is Zoloft and believe it or not Tofranil PM, but not plain Tofranil. Some psychiatrists will even recommend buying VIVARIN [caffeine pills] claiming that they work just as well as methylphenidate and amphetamines in management of AD/HD. But these doctors quickly get placed on probation someway or the other.



How does it compare to 20mg of Ritalin? I'd say double the Max dose might give you something vaguely similar to that unstoppable rush you get from 5 mg of Ritalin, but 20 is not modafinil territory, no. It's schedule 4 mostly because by MPD and/or AMP-naive patients, its misused for a few days until it gets too boring even for such an innocent population. Also, it's used ground up in street drugs to add a kick to things.

For management of ADD, consider something like VYVANSE instead of amp or MPD....VYVANSE is waaaay less addictive and very powerful. It's just considered weak and useless but if you know how it works, you'll realize how useful it is in ADD. Unfortunately, AMP and MPD and d-MPD are the only things that are very effective for AD/HD, along with atamoxapine to a lesser degree.

any specifics questions, PM me, dont hesitate. always willing to help a person in a situation i'm not new to.

 

[Valium]

i suffer from serious fatigue from FM and the side effects from opiates i take (as prescribed) for pain. would this drug be suitable and does anyone know if it is available in the uk please?

i believe it would be a wonderful idea to give it a try. it certainly does curb fatigue a bit, but the problem is, narcotic painkillers seem to override any sort of counteractive measure taken against them.

as for the UK, i don't know, but i highly doubt it would be a problem to obtain it in the UK...it's not exactly an illicit street drug.

 

[djzmo]

I don't find it addictive even though I have an addictive personality, there is no withdrawal at all. It helps me stay awake and combat my delayed sleep phase syndrome sometimes. It's also great for concentration, I can read much better and much faster while on it. The only downsides are that it lasts forever on my system so I can't sleep sometimes and gives me headaches/upsets my stomach every now and then.

This thing WON'T push your IQ further, but it will help you take advantage of yours much more.

 

[xxl]

Addictive inasmuch as you like the speedy feeling it gives and want to continue feeling that way.

My problem was with tolerance, which developped quickly: 100 mg gave me 12 hours wakefulness at first, after 5 months only 8 hours and so on.

Another problem is that it caused my short-term memory to malfunction. This side-effect is well-known with Modafinil.

I wouldn't advise anyone to take it long-term. It's a drug to be used only when badly needed, like when you had a sleepless night and still want to go to work.