If you have narcolepsy or ADHD, you've probably heard of modafinil for. Created in the 1990's as a medication to help fight narcolepsy, it's rapidly been growing in popularity.

Perhaps you've also heard that many entrepreneurs such as Dave Asprey, and other Silicon Valley executives, are using it to get better focus and help treat ADHD.

...but what is modafinil, and what are its side effects?

In this article we will cover:

  • Modafinil Dosages

  • Modafinil Uses

  • Modafinil Side Effects

  • How to Get Prescribed Modafinil

So, if you've heard of this drug before and are considering getting a prescription to it, then please read this article from start to finish, to learn the facts about it.

What is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a eugeroic drug, commonly sold under the brand names "Provigil" and "Modalert." It was first created to treat narcolepsy in the 1990's, and was approved by the FDA for medical use in 1998. Since then, it's grown very popular.

For those who can't get a prescription, there's a growing black market to buy modafinil online, and while some users claim this works, we certainly cannot recommend this.

Most users choose to get a doctor's prescription, and to get their Provigil from a verified pharmacy, such as Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS.

What Can Modafinil Treat?

Modafinil can treat a wide variety of symptoms and disorders, however it's most commonly prescribed to patients suffering from narcolepsy.

Here's what Web MD has to say about this:

"Modafinil reduces extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as periods of stopped breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). It is also used to help you stay awake during work hours if you have a work schedule that keeps you from having a normal sleep routine (shift work sleep disorder)."

"This medication does not cure these sleep disorders and may not get rid of all your sleepiness. Modafinil does not take the place of getting enough sleep. It should not be used to treat tiredness or hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder."

"It is not known how modafinil works to keep you awake. It is thought to work by affecting certain substances in the brain that control the sleep/wake cycle."

So, while it's typically used to treat sleep disorders, it does not cure these disorders. Modafinil is thought to work by affecting GABA in the brain, thus stimulating an "awake state." Similar to using CBD oil, many patients use modafinil to help them cope with chronic sleep disorders, and other ailments which are often difficult to cure.

Modafinil Dosage

The dosage you take may depend on the severity of your symptoms, however most doctors do not prescribe anymore than taking 200mg per day.

Some people may do fine with just 50mg or 100mg of modafinil per day, taken first thing in the morning, and other users with more serious conditions, may need to take up to 400mg.

Overall, the best modafinil dosage will depend on a few things:

  • Your tolerance to stimulants

  • The severity of your condition

  • What it's being used to treat

  • Your individual biology

Some users will tolerate modafinil very well, with minimal side effects, and will see incredible improvements in their sleep disorders and alertness levels while awake.

Others, however, might want to take a different route, and try to get prescribed sleeping pills for the evening, and another stimulant such as Adderall for the daytime hours. If you do get prescribed modafinil, it's best to take it and wait, to see how it affects you. Modafinil has a very long half-life, so it doesn't reach full effect for up to four hours.

Modafinil Side Effects

While modafinil does have many benefits, and is used to treat narcolepsy quite effectively, it does have some potential side effects you should be aware of.

Here are some common Modafinil side effects, according to RX List:

  • Sleeplessness

  • Anxiety

  • Nausea

  • Diarrhea

  • Stuffy Nose

  • Dizziness

  • Nervousness

As with any prescription medication, when you take modafinil you should work with your doctor to closely monitor the side effects and potential negatives of this medication.

How to Get Prescribed Modafinil

If you do have narcolepsy, ADHD, or another disorder that modafinil may help treat, consider talking to your licensed medical practitioner about being prescribed this drug. Most doctors are willing to work with patients, when they believe they are genuinely suffering from a condition which a prescription would help drastically improve.

This being said, most doctors might prefer to start you off on a more proven medication, such as Adderall, or Ritalin. Many users find these work quite well for them, too. If you do not believe that those medications are right for you, however, be sure to let your doctor know, and they will most likely be willing to prescribe you something that works.

In Conclusion

In summary, modafinil is a fascinating new drug which is not only being used to help patients combat narcolepsy, ADHD, and other sleep disorders, but even to help impulse control. Be sure to understand the potential benefits, uses, dosages, and side effects of modafinil, before you start looking into getting prescribed.

It's also best to get modafinil via prescription, from a licensed medical care practitioner, rather than resorting to shady online companies which are often scams. Always be sure to consult with a doctor before you try a new medication, and work with them to help treat your unique symptoms and disorders, too.