One of the most popular prescription drugs of the last decade, Modafinil has an interesting history. Developed in France in the late 1980s as an experimental treatment for narcolepsy, Modafinil was approved for prescription use by the FDA in 1998. But it was not until the mid-1980s that the drug really became popular in the United States. United. What happened?

Marketed as a drug for sleep disorders by the pharmaceutical manufacturer Cephalon and sold under the brand name Provigil, Modafinil sales were only $ 25 million in 1999. Eight years later (2007), revenues exceeded $ 800 million, which makes it more profitable than Viagra or Adderall. Although sales would later decline due to generic erosion, Provigil remains the most popular wake-up-promoting agent (or eugeroic) sold by prescription. Ironically, it is the fact that Modafinil is used primarily off-label that is behind its astonishing success in the United States.

Early fame

Far superior to amphetamines and amphetamine-like stimulants because it does not cause addiction, nervousness, shocks, and other adverse effects, Modafinil was used by American soldiers who had to stay awake for days and days when fighting in Iraq. Stories of its effectiveness soon reached the home front, and Provigil sales increased steadily.

Unlimited and beyond

In the 2011 movie Unlimited, a character played by actor Bradley Cooper exponentially increases his brainpower by taking an experimental nootropic drug called NZT-48. Because art often mimics life, there is compelling evidence that the fictional brain booster was based on modafinil. As we know?

When the movie was in production, Modafinil was a poorly kept secret of the rich and powerful. Very popular on Wall Street, it was said to increase concentration, mental acuity and productivity. Labeled a smart (or nootropic) drug because it supposedly improved one or more aspects of cognitive function, it was a legend for anyone wanting to get ahead. It is no wonder that prescription drug can be found in one percent medicine cabinets around the world. But what about the rest of us?

Limiting the unlimited

Although new generic versions have lowered the price of Modafinil in recent years, it is still an extremely expensive prescription drug. How much? A recent exhaustive search of online pharmacies returned an average price of between $ 10 and $ 20 per pill – that’s about five times more expensive than Viagra and Cialis pills! Not surprisingly, most middle-class people can’t afford Modafinil … But they can afford Adrafinil!

What is adrafinil?

Remember when we said that Modafinil was developed in France in the late 1980s? What we didn’t mention was that adrafinil was developed first and that modafinil is its main metabolite, which means that the two drugs have almost identical pharmacological effects. The only notable difference is that adrafinil is a prodrug that must be metabolized. live, or in the body. In other words, it takes a little longer (typically 45 minutes to an hour) to start working. Oh, and it costs a fraction of the price too! Why?

Because adrafinil is currently unregulated in the United States, increased competition has reduced the price of the drug to just one-tenth that of modafinil. Also, both drugs are generally used for the same reason: to improve mental acuity. Yes, some people take them to treat sleep disorders, but recent surveys have found that about 90 percent of sales are for unauthorized use. Translation: People buy them as smart drugs, not as medicines. Why? Because they work!

Adrafinil benefits

Although it inspired the drug that inspired the fictional nootropic in Unlimited, adrafinil is far from being a miracle drug. In fact, the term smart drug is a bit of a misnomer. You see, adrafinil doesn’t actually increase your brainpower by giving you access to more gray matter. Instead, it helps you clear your mind by improving wakefulness, alertness, and alertness. The end result of these actions is an increased ability to focus on challenging mental work, which therefore seems less overwhelming and exhausting.

Cognitive effects

There is compelling evidence that adrafinil can improve some aspects of working memory, such as pattern recognition, digital manipulation, and digital breadth. Again, these improvements are likely the result of the drug’s ability to reduce the impact of distractions caused by sleepiness.

Tired

As we mentioned, adrafinil is used primarily by healthy people to improve wakefulness, often when they should be sleeping. But it is also used by people with chronic diseases and conditions that deprive them of the energy they need to live their lives. We know, for example, that patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease use adrafinil to treat sedation and fatigue.

Psychiatric disorders

Because adrafinil has been shown to improve alertness and mood, it is sometimes used to treat mental and neurodegenerative disorders. Patients with anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, alcohol and drug dependence can benefit from the wake-promoting agent. Why could it work?

All of the aforementioned diseases and disorders have been linked to inattention, lack of energy, and fatigue. Since adrafinil has been shown to alleviate these symptoms, it stands to reason that it may have a positive effect on the user’s mood and mental outlook.

Weightloss

A surprising benefit that researchers cannot explain, several studies have found that adrafinil can suppress appetite and promote weight loss. A small clinical trial found that those who took the drug reduced their daily caloric intake by 18 percent compared to placebo. A simple explanation for this phenomenon could be that people tend to burn more calories when they have more energy, which adrafinil has been shown to provide.

conclusion

Although not as popular as its main metabolite, adrafinil has almost identical pharmacological effects at a fraction of the price. It is also not necessary to consult your doctor and obtain a prescription for the drug, as it is not regulated at all in the United States. All you have to do is find a reputable online pharmacy, place your order, and wait for delivery! It’s no wonder adrafinil sales are increasing at a dizzying rate!

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