Gallopin et al (2004) recorded VLPO neuron electro-physiology in rats with and without Buy Modafinil and found that it inhibited sleep drive by increasing DA and noradrenergic inhibition.

The Benefits

In addition to treating conditions like narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, modafinil is also used by healthy people to boost their cognitive function. It is a stimulant that increases activity in the central nervous system, making the user feel more alert and energetic.

Some people without an underlying condition use it as a cognitive enhancer, hoping that it will help them think faster and be more efficient at their jobs. While there is a growing body of research that supports the cognitive benefits of smart drugs such as modafinil, experts caution that it is important to avoid them if you do not have an underlying health condition that warrants their use.

According to a study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, those who take modafinil perform better on complex tests of cognition than those who do not take it. This is a major finding because it suggests that the drug can improve cognitive performance in normal adults who are not sleep-deprived.

Other studies have shown that modafinil can increase the brain’s availability of acetylcholine and dopamine, which are both essential to cognitive processes. The drug also decreases the amount of the sleep-inducing chemical adenosine in the brain.

The Side Effects

Originally, modafinil (Modalert Tablet) was used for narcolepsy, but it’s been taken more and more often by healthy people who want to be more productive, high school students who are studying for exams, people working late nights, and even soldiers on shifts. It’s also sold as a non-prescription drug for ADHD, idiopathic hypersomnia, jet lag, depression, and dementia.

The drug works by blocking the reuptake of the chemical DAT, which increases dopamine in certain brain regions and causes you to feel alert. It is thought that this increased dopamine may help you to resist sleepiness, as does histamine, another brain chemical that makes you feel awake.

A team of researchers led by Dr Ruairidh Battleday and Anna-Katharine Brem reviewed all 24 studies that tested how modafinil improves cognitive ability. They found that in basic tests of cognition, the effects were mixed, but that more complex tasks involving planning and decision making, learning and memory, and executive function all improved with the use of modafinil.

There are a few side effects, but they are usually mild and short-lived. The most common are nausea, dizziness, and headache. Some people may have stomach pain or loss of appetite. If you experience any of these, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The Dosage

Modafinil is a wakefulness-enhancing drug that has been approved by the FDA to treat sleepiness related to narcolepsy, shift work disorder, and sleep apnea. It is a very low-dose medication and it has been shown to have few side effects in normal people when used in moderation. It is also not a stimulant, so it does not have the side effects associated with many common stimulants like caffeine or cocaine. It also has minimal effects on the neuroendocrine system.

However, despite these benefits, it is important to note that modafinil does not make you more intelligent. It does help improve memory and decision-making, but it does not increase creativity or flexibility of thinking. According to a study done by The NHS, Modafinil has the same effect on brain activity as caffeine in the first few hours after dosing, but then levels of cortical glutamate return to baseline, and there is no evidence that it makes you any smarter.

It is also important to know that if you take Modafinil, you should avoid any activities that require quick reactions until you feel the effects wear off. You should also not drive or operate machinery until you are aware of how the medication affects you. This medication interacts with several other medications, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.

The Bottom Line

Modafinil’s wake-promoting effects match stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, though its structure is quite different. It also heightens alertness much like caffeine does. But unlike those drugs, it does not appear to cause euphoria or increase blood pressure, nor do its effects last as long. It is perhaps the most unique of all stimulants, a cognitive enhancer with clean side effects, boosting higher-order thinking and perception without causing the physical effects that can lead to addiction.

The mechanism of how modafinil makes us smarter is still not fully understood, but it may work by inhibiting CYP2C9, one of several cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of several important neurotransmitters and their precursors. This would allow more serotonin to be released, and enhance both its antioxidative and wake-promoting effects.

While studies of modafinil’s efficacy and safety have been largely positive, it remains a prescription drug that should not be used by healthy people long term. This is because it crosses the blood-brain barrier and can affect many systems, including the cardiovascular system.

That said, some doctors are willing to prescribe it off-label for healthy people who need to concentrate at work. There is a large online community of “nootropic” users who order the drug from somewhat shady pharmacies, and while some experience unpleasant side effects, most report that it can dramatically boost their concentration.