Modafinil Side Effects: A Complete Guide 2020 | Smart Drug Reviews
Introduction
Modafinil has been touted as a "safe" nootropic, study drug, smart pill (whichever term you prefer), but is that true?
We asked our team of experts to explore the existing literature and to delve a little deeper into modafinil's side effects. We examine people's personal experiences and existing scientific literature to dig to the bottom of this issue.
Does modafinil have any side effects? What are they - and what do most users report as problems? What would we recommend to take instead of modafinil?
Find out the answers to these questions (and more) by reading on.
If you're interested in the topic of modafinil, you should also consider checking out our Ultimate Modafinil UK Guide: Effects, Side Effects, Dosage and More.
Contents
- Overview
- What are modafinil's side effects?
- What are modafinil's long-term effects?
- The best modafinil alternatives
Overview: What is modafinil?
Modafinil - Provigil (generic) - is the most popular ‘study drug’ in Britain.
The Tab has estimated that around 20% of all students in the UK have used it, and it can often seem like a ‘miracle drug’ for students and those who want to concentrate/focus better.
If you want to learn more about modafinil, click here to head to our Ultimate Modafinil Guide.
But, does modafinil have side-effects?
This article will look at modafinil scientifically, referencing studies and published material, to determine whether modafinil has side effects that you should be concerned about if taking it as a ‘smart drug’.
This article will be as based in fact and science as possible, taking material from authoritative sources such as medical publications, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Health Service (NHS).
It aims to provide a balanced, fair assessment of modafinil’s side effects. As always, you can find our references at the end of the page.
Modafinil's mechanism of action is (by a large degree) to act on the brain neurotransmitter dopamine, of which one pathway has a major motivational component. It can for some also increase wakefulness and decrease appetite.
A safe, natural and fully legal UK alternative such as Brainzyme® Focus Pro works on the same pathway as modafinil (and thus has similar results with fewer side effects).
Background: What is modafinil used for?
Modafinil, first synthesised in the 1970s, is a legitimate pharmaceutical used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy. It is similar in effects to Adrafinil.
Its wakefulness-promoting effects have led to it being used off-label by shift workers and students to stay up and study.
Modafinil is also believed by some to boost brainpower, improving concentration and memory, contributing further to its use by students and other academics.
When used in this way, the most common way to attain modafinil is either online through unlicensed pharmacies or through friends.
What are modafinil's side effects?
Common Modafinil side effects can include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Stomach Aches
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
These side effects are quite common, and you see the same side effects from similar substances such as Adrafinil and Armodafinil.
One commonly reported side effect that is not mentioned here is modafinil side effects on the stomach. Often, users report having diarrhoea and having to use the toilet more often than usual.
Watch: Tim Grivell talks about modafinil side effects
Teva, one of modafinil’s manufacturers, says that headaches may occur in ‘more than one in ten’ modafinil users.
Modafinil abuse can also lead to addiction - either psychologically or physically, so it is recommended to take breaks.
Rarer and more serious side effects of modafinil are suggested by the American FDA’s documentation on the drug.
Rarer modafinil side effects include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Mania
- Suicidal thoughts
- Aggressive behaviour
- Psychosis
- Mania
- Delusions
- Skin rash (severe - to the point of hospitalisation).
Doctors warn that if you experience any of these symptoms then you should stop taking modafinil straight away.
Modafinil reviews corroborate these side effects.
As many users purchase modafinil online, from unregistered and unregulated pharmacies, you cannot guarantee that what you are getting is what you are told. Therefore side effects may vary.
Below is the chemical structure of Modafinil:
What are modafinil's long-term effects?
The long-term effects and side effects of modafinil are also not fully known. The drug has not been around long enough for us to have researched it fully, meaning there might be issues that we aren’t aware of connected to extended use.
However, there is research on the effects extended modafinil use can have. A study has suggested that long-term use of modafinil can have "deeply concerning" effects, as it is believed to impair brain plasticity in young adults or adolescents.
Given that students - mostly comprising younger people - are the most likely demographic to take the drug, this is a very relevant issue.
What is known, however, is that the longer you take modafinil, the more likely you are to experience the shorter-term side effects and they will, in fact, become more and more severe with increased usage.
As mentioned before, there isn't much data on the long-term effects, but the aforementioned study states that "modafinil could induce changes in plasticity or behavioural rigidity, and potentially damage WM [working memory], logical thinking and decision making," in young adults.
The best modafinil alternatives
Because of the high risk of side-effects, we recommend that people who want to boost cognitive performance to use natural brain food supplements that provide similar effects but without the side-effects modafinil causes.
Our recommended brain food supplement is Brainzyme, which has been scientifically proven to support concentration, mental performance and the reduction of tiredness.
We've compared the effects below.
Conclusion
So, there we have it.
Armed with this knowledge, you should be able to impress your friends about the dangers of pharmaceutical study drugs, such as modafinil.
Despite these dangers, more and more people are continuing to take modafinil and other similar substances to boost concentration, mental performance and energy.
Instead of buying a risky pharmaceutical, you should consider natural brain supplements.
Related articles
If you have enjoyed this article about modafinil side effects, we recommend you also check out the following related articles:
The Ultimate Modafinil UK Guide: Effects, Side Effects, Dosage and More.
The Ultimate 2020 Adderall UK Guide: Legality, Alternatives and More.
Smart Pill UK 2019 Review - Which Ones to Try and Which to Avoid.
PLEASE NOTE: If you take modafinil and have experienced any side-effects, and are concerned in any way, please speak with your doctor.
References:
Hi Bella!
BrainZyme is a naturally-sourced brain food supplement so no, you do not need a prescription.
If you were looking for the one with the most similar effects to modafinil, we recommend BrainZyme Professional as both of those work on the dopamine pathway in the brain.
I hope this helps!
Robert
Do you need a prescription for brainzyme?