Substances / Modafinil

Modasomil®, Vigil®, Provigil®

The active ingredient modafinil belongs to the group of stimulants and has a wakefulness-promoting effect. In Switzerland, Modasomil®, which contains modafinil, is only approved for the treatment of narcolepsy (a neurological disorder that affects sleep-wake regulation). In addition, off-label use of modafinil (i.e., use outside the approved indications) is known, among others, for the treatment of ADHD or depression. Due to its wakefulness-regulating properties, modafinil is also used as a so-called "smart drug", as a doping substance or as a recreational drug.

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Effect

The mechanism of action of modafinil is not yet fully understood. It is assumed that modafinil binds to the dopamine transporter and inhibits dopamine reuptake. Unlike other stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate (Ritalin®, Concerta®), which in equivalent wakefulness-promoting doses increase neuronal activity throughout the brain, modafinil acts primarily on the brain regions responsible for controlling waking, sleep, wakefulness and vigilance (sustained attention).

Modafinil thus promotes alertness (physical and mental), increases attention and motor activity. Due to its stimulating, wakefulness-promoting properties, modafinil is consumed by healthy people as a so-called "smart drug" or "cognitive enhancer".

According to user reports, modafinil has a much more subtle effect than other stimulants and does not trigger comparable states of intoxication. Modafinil causes less physical restlessness and the sleep-wake rhythm is less disturbed.

A mood-lifting and euphoric effect is controversial. According to a publication of the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), modafinil causes psychoactive and euphoric effects, whereas various studies point to the lack of a euphoric effect.

Dosage

The recommended daily dose when prescribed by a doctor is 200 mg at the beginning. If there is an insufficient response to this dose, a maximum daily dose of 400 mg may be administered/taken.

The long-term effect of modafinil when taken regularly and over a longer period of time has not yet been studied. If taken over a longer period of time, regular monitoring by a medical specialist is therefore recommended.

Duration

Onset of effect

after approx. 20-60 minutes.

Duration of action

approx. 5-10 hours. After effects are possible even longer

Appearances

In powder or tablet form. Modafinil is present as a racemate.

Risks

Risks

In 2011, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommended limiting the marketing authorisation for modafinil to the treatment of adults with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Due to the possible risks and side effects, modafinil has since not been approved for other indications, for the treatment of children and adolescents, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side effects may include: Headache, nervousness, palpitations, abdominal pain and/or dry mouth. In addition, modafinil may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives! Therefore, the use of additional contraceptive methods is recommended while taking it. Further risks are cardiovascular diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias, diseases of the heart muscles, cardiac insufficiency and/or high blood pressure. Furthermore, the consumption of modafinil can affect the psyche and cause hostility, aggression, psychosis/psychotic disorders, depression, insomnia, up to delusions and/or anxiety.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose with modafinil alone or in combination with other medicines: Insomnia; central nervous symptoms (restlessness, disorientation, confusion, agitation, hallucinations); nausea, diarrhoea; palpitations, high blood pressure, chest pain, slow heartbeat.

Long-term risks/consequences

Since modafinil affects the dopamine balance in the brain, among other things, there is an increased potential for physical dependence. If modafinil is consumed for the purpose of performance enhancement and promotion of alertness with the intention of being able to achieve high performance with little sleep, there is also a risk of psychological dependence.

The long-term effect of modafinil when taken regularly and over a longer period of time has been little studied so far. If taken over a longer period of time, regular monitoring by a medical specialist is therefore recommended.

Safer Use

Caution: The effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives may be impaired by the simultaneous use of modafinil!

Side effects such as blurred vision and dizziness could impair the ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery.

Taking modafinil is not a substitute for sleep! Be sure to maintain good sleep hygiene.

If you are using modafinil for cognitive performance enhancement: Try to think of alternative strategies to increase your memory and recall. Sleep deprivation after taking modafinil in particular can impair cognitive performance.

Take longer breaks (at least several days) between consumption.

The effect of modafinil can last up to 10 hours. Therefore, pay attention to the time of intake.

Remember to drink enough water. This can be forgotten during the effect of Modafinil.

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Mixed use

Medicines containing modafinil and certain other medicines may influence each other's effect. The dose of the other medicines may have to be adjusted. This is especially important if the following medicines are taken in addition to modafinil:

- Hormonal contraceptives (pill, implants, IUDs, patches)

- Antiviral drugs for the treatment of HIV infections (protease inhibitors, e.g. active substances indinavir or ritonavir).

- Antiepileptic drugs (medicines for the treatment of epilepsy)

- Medicines used to treat depression or anxiety disorders

- Medicines for blood thinning

Substances

3-CMC (Clophedrone)

3-MMC (3-methylmethcathinone)

4-FA

4-MMC (mephedrone)

6-APB

DOM - DOI - DOB

MDA - MDEA - MBDB

Methylone

Synthetic cannabinoids

Extender

No items found.

LSD analogues

LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.

Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.

In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.

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Modafinil

Effect

Duration

Dosage

Risks

Medicines

Emergency

Things to know

Current warnings

Advisory service

Downloads

Effect

Duration

Dosage

Risks

Effect

Risks

Safer Use

Mixed use

Substances

Sex

Extender

LSD analogues

Medicines

Synthesis impurities

Emergency

Things to know

Current warnings

Advisory service

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