Modafinil

Modafinil is a stimulant which is often referred to as a “wakefulness-promoting drug” or “eugeroic” because its stimulant activity is relatively subtle. It’s used for conditions characterized by excessive sleepiness and fatigue.

The drug is also taken for cognitive enhancing purposes and to help people remain alert for longer periods. Modafinil is particularly effective at supporting cognitive performance in sleep deprivation.

A number of actions may contribute to the substance’s pharmacology, but the most important actions appear to be connected to dopamine and norepinephrine.

Modafinil: Provigil; Modavigil; Alertec; Modalert; Modvigil; Modatec; Modiodal

Dose

Oral (Medical)

Common: 200 mg (1x per day)

Range: 100 – 400 mg (400 mg is for split-dosing)

Oral

Light: 50 – 100 mg

Common: 100 – 200 mg

Strong: 200 – 300 mg

Timeline

Oral

Total: 6 – 12 hours (most effects gone in 8 – 10 hours)

Onset: 00:20 – 00:45

Experience Reports

Erowid

References

(2015) The increasing lifestyle use of modafinil by healthy people: safety and ethical issues

(2015) Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review.

(2014) Retrospective Review of Trend in Modafinil Overexposures Reported to American Poison Information Centers

(2013) Efficacy of modafinil on fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with neurological disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

(2013) Modafinil as a catecholaminergic agent: empirical evidence and unanswered questions.

(2013) The neurobiology of modafinil as an enhancer of cognitive performance and a potential treatment for substance use disorders.

(2013) Electrophysiological and amperometric evidence that modafinil blocks the dopamine uptake transporter to induce behavioral activation.

(2012) Practical Use and Risk of Modafinil, a Novel Waking Drug

(2011) Effect of modafinil on learning and task-related brain activity in methamphetamine-dependent and healthy individuals.

(2010) Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: A systematic review.

(2010) A retrospective review of supratherapeutic modafinil exposures.

(2010) Modafinil for narcolepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

(2009) Toxicity from modafinil ingestion.

(2009) Effects of modafinil on dopamine and dopamine transporters in the male human brain: clinical implications.

(2009) Dopamine D2(High) Receptors Stimulated by Phencyclidines, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Salvinorin A, and Modafinil

(2009) Unsuccessful Suicide Attempt of a 15 Year Old Adolescent with Ingestion of 5000 mg Modafinil

(2008) Modafinil: a review of neurochemical actions and effects on cognition.

(2008) Dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors are essential for the arousal effect of modafinil.

(2006) Modafinil occupies dopamine and norepinephrine transporters in vivo and modulates the transporters and trace amine activity in vitro.

(2006) Does modafinil produce euphoria?

(2000) Efficacy of modafinil compared to dextroamphetamine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults.

(1992) Role of catecholamines in the modafinil and amphetamine induced wakefulness, a comparative pharmacological study in the cat.

(1988) Successful treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia and narcolepsy with modafinil.