Limitless
In 2013 the movie Limitless captured the fantasies of audiences around the world. The movie follows a man who finds a fictional drug called NZT, which enhanced his memory and IQ to superhuman levels. While the drug NZT was itself fabricated in a way only Hollywood could, the inspiration for NZT is a real category of drugs, called nootropics.
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Nootropics are a class of drugs that are known as smart drugs or cognitive enhancers. They improve one or more aspects of mental function such as memory, motivation or attention- but without any serious side effects. One of the most powerful nootropics is a prescription medication known as modafinil, which is sold under the brand name Provigil in the United States. Originally designated as a drug to help treat narcolepsy and excessive sleepiness, modafinil is now being purchased by students, high level executives and even law enforcement in order to perform better at their jobs. Research has shown that even in non-sleep-deprived individuals, Provigil improves working memory, pattern recognition, spacial memory, attention, mood and alertness. Provigil has also shown itself to be neural-protective, restoring normal levels of learning ability to amphetamine addicts as well as demonstrating potential to treat cocaine withdrawal. The military once commissioned a study that showed 600 mg of modafinil given in three doses maintained pilot accuracy even after having gone 40 hours without sleep. The wakefulness properties of the drug make it particularly desired by students, maintaining their performance on tests even after pulling an all-nighter.
About Provigil
Unlike Adderall which uses the reward system to stimulate the brain, modafinil directly works on the the systems that control sleep and memory function. In short, while stimulants like Adderall or a cup of coffee uncomfortably shock the brain awake, modafinil does away with sleepiness in the first place.
Modafinil is currently classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States meaning that it is illegal to import or buy without a prescription. However, many countries do not consider modafinil as a controlled substance and provide it over the counter. A common method for those wishing to get their hands on modafinil without a prescription is to buy it from India (where it is known as Modalert) and have it sent overseas illegally. Despite being against the law, most deliveries will make their way through U.S. customs to arrive at your front door. There are many websites that will order Modalert for you and will give a reshipment or a refund if your package is seized. However be cautious, as there also exists many sites that will scam prospective buyers.
Modafinil is currently classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States meaning that it is illegal to import or buy without a prescription. However, many countries do not consider modafinil as a controlled substance and provide it over the counter. A common method for those wishing to get their hands on modafinil without a prescription is to buy it from India (where it is known as Modalert) and have it sent overseas illegally. Despite being against the law, most deliveries will make their way through U.S. customs to arrive at your front door. There are many websites that will order Modalert for you and will give a reshipment or a refund if your package is seized. However be cautious, as there also exists many sites that will scam prospective buyers.
Administration and Side effects
Modafinil is a 100 mg or 200 mg pill that is taken orally. True narcoleptic patients take upwards of 600 mg at a time. There is a diminishing return with higher dosages for a non-narcoleptic so anything above 200 mg will not yield anything significant. The pills can also be broken in half so doses of less than 100 mg are possible. Unlike Adderall IR, Modafinil is not water soluble so do not bother with snorting or taking it under the tongue. Modafinil will last for over 12 hours, up to 16 hours. Taking it anytime in the afternoon will not be a good idea as it will force you to stay up most of the night.
Despite the seemingly unlimited benefits it seems to offer, modafinil does come with several side effects that will make it an unpleasant experience unless addressed properly. Common side effects of modafinil include dry mouth and increased urination. Like with Adderall and Vyvanse, it also acts as a significant appetite suppressant. Be sure to force yourself to drink water and eat food to prevent dehydration and headaches. While it is possible to use modafinil to pull all-nighters with ease, it is not recommended because the effects of sleep deprivation will hit all at once after modafinil wears off. In order to achieve its wakefulness effects, modafinil relies on the histamine system. Does the word histamine sound familiar? An overactive histamine system happens to be the cause of allergies. So if you have allergies, modafinil will make them temporarily worse. Allergy medications such as benadryl will also dull the effects of modafinil because they act as antihistamines. Lastly, modafinil interferes with some forms of female birth control. Women on the pill will see a reduction in the effectiveness for up to two weeks after taking modafinil.
Modfinil has been documented to cause a serious, life-threatening rash called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (do not google-image it) where the layers of the skin literally separate from themselves. However, do not be worried. The condition is exceedingly rare and effects far less than one percent of those who take it. In fact many medications including Tylenol can cause it.We simply do not hear about it because it is so rare.
Despite the seemingly unlimited benefits it seems to offer, modafinil does come with several side effects that will make it an unpleasant experience unless addressed properly. Common side effects of modafinil include dry mouth and increased urination. Like with Adderall and Vyvanse, it also acts as a significant appetite suppressant. Be sure to force yourself to drink water and eat food to prevent dehydration and headaches. While it is possible to use modafinil to pull all-nighters with ease, it is not recommended because the effects of sleep deprivation will hit all at once after modafinil wears off. In order to achieve its wakefulness effects, modafinil relies on the histamine system. Does the word histamine sound familiar? An overactive histamine system happens to be the cause of allergies. So if you have allergies, modafinil will make them temporarily worse. Allergy medications such as benadryl will also dull the effects of modafinil because they act as antihistamines. Lastly, modafinil interferes with some forms of female birth control. Women on the pill will see a reduction in the effectiveness for up to two weeks after taking modafinil.
Modfinil has been documented to cause a serious, life-threatening rash called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (do not google-image it) where the layers of the skin literally separate from themselves. However, do not be worried. The condition is exceedingly rare and effects far less than one percent of those who take it. In fact many medications including Tylenol can cause it.We simply do not hear about it because it is so rare.
Addictive Potential and Safety
Modafinil is classified as a schedule IV substance which places its risk factor very low. Being caught in illegal possession of modafinil without a prescription will yield a small slap on the wrist. Due to the fact that modafinil relies less on the dopamine system than amphetamines do, its addictive potential is very low. It unlikely that a user will develop a chemical dependence on the drug; however, there is a chance (like with any substance) of developing a psychological dependency, where the user believes they they cannot function without modafinil. Due to the placebo effect this belief will cause the user to feel physically worse. Despite anecdotal evidence, studies have shown that modafinil does not build a tolerance. Regular users however, will become used to the state of mind that modafinil provides and will perceive a tolerance even though the effects of the drug are just as strong.
It is difficult to overdose on modafinil but that does not mean you should try. An overdose of modafinil will cause psychosis, dopamine sickness and many other possible, permanent problems. Lastly, there exists a legal non-prescription pro-drug version of modafinil called armodafinil which once digested, is turned into modafinil by the body. However this process is very taxing on the liver and will likely lead to eventual liver poisoning. It is highly recommended that you stay away from armodafinil.
It is difficult to overdose on modafinil but that does not mean you should try. An overdose of modafinil will cause psychosis, dopamine sickness and many other possible, permanent problems. Lastly, there exists a legal non-prescription pro-drug version of modafinil called armodafinil which once digested, is turned into modafinil by the body. However this process is very taxing on the liver and will likely lead to eventual liver poisoning. It is highly recommended that you stay away from armodafinil.