Modafinil for students: A Pill to Keep You Awake

For people, studying is essential to educational development and building their skills. It helps the individual both in physical and psychological development. Therefore, some essential things students need to concentrate on in their studies are motivation, confidence, competence, and self-esteem.

Through encouragement, the learner can have an entire focus and the ability to complete the task. Confidence indicates that the individual can do things correctly, improving their self-esteem and power.

There are no such things as using pills late at night, but study drugs or prescribed stimulants improve students’ alertness and wakefulness to focus on academics. Hence, Modafinil medication is used by the student as a smart drug to reduce excessive sleepiness.

In a UK survey, 1 in 5 students used the study drug to improve alertness and wakefulness. The drug is restricted to those under 17 years of age. There will always be a doubt that modafinil will help students. Let’s discuss and understand.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a medication that enhances wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness. It treats narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Provigil’s generic version is also available and offers a more affordable option with the same therapeutic benefits.

How Does Modafinil Work?

Modafinil is a class of CNS stimulants (wakefulness-promoting agents). The exact working of modafinil remains unclear but may be caused by altering the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Modafinil is not a direct-indirect-acting dopamine receptor agonist. However, modafinil binds to the dopamine transporter. It inhibits dopamine reuptake, and this activity, referred to as Eugeroic medication, has been associated with increased extracellular dopamine levels in some brain regions. The amount of the drug works by changing the natural substance in the area of the brain that controls sleepiness and wakefulness.

Can you use modafinil for a longer duration?

Taking modafinil for extended periods may increase psychological and physical dependence risk. Side effects seem rare, and when the drug is used in high doses, the individual becomes more tolerant and dependent on the drug’s nature.

Is Consuming Modafinil Beneficial for Students?

Yes, in most recent studies, the observations showed that modafinil was used as a “Smart Drug.” It increases cognitive enhancement, alertness, daily performance, and complex tasks. It works very well on brain cognitive functions and processes that help in enhancing decision-making and planning skills.

Modafinil Used for Different Reasons

Many students use some of the perspectives of modafinil. They think this is a magical drug used to concentrate on their studies to improve alertness to remain focused, other than it is used in day-night shift workers and narcolepsy patients.

Getting into the details:

Studying:

It will be more beneficial when you are in the mood to study or while taking an exam. On average, you’ll be able to concentrate for 12 hours and not shift your focus. It doesn’t mean you will depend on Modafinil medication, but if you have to be alert, you can consume it.

While Completing Projects:

There are a lot of benefits you can observe when you consume Modafinil medication. Regarding the best use of a smart drug, modafinil will never disappoint you with your expectations. Modafinil can be a better option for completing projects or papers to build concentration. It helps boost the writing speed and makes it possible for the words to be out of your head.

Concentrating in Class:

Sometimes, concentrating is difficult due to insufficient sleep or many other reasons. Modafinil can be a boon, like a hot cup of coffee, to keep you awake and alert in different situations. Not only this, but you can make your thinking strong and ask creative questions accordingly.

related blog: Armodafinil vs modafinil: which is batter

Why do students consume modafinil?

Moreover, the drug is used to treat conditions like narcolepsy. Still, it is used among students as a smart drug to promote cognitive enhancement in the brain, where it is helpful in alertness, concentration, and exam preparation.

The advantages you would gain from consuming Modafil are

• Increased Focus and Attention:

The study suggests that the drug is helpful for students’ focus and attention in academics.

• Reduced Fatigue:

The students taking modafinil or getting through the class are very active and energetic, and they see reduced naps during the class.

• Motivated:

The individuals are very motivated and clear in tasks and handling problem-solving techniques.

Possible Side Effects: Modafinil

All the medication has side effects, and some may worsen the symptoms. It is essential to know about the side effects of your medicine so you would be aware and know what to do and how to handle the situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider before consuming any drug.

Common Side Effects:

Common side effects can typically be caused by any person consuming a particular medicine. It can generally be cured without doing anything or taking additional care of the situation caused.

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping

Serious Side effects:

Every difficult situation you observe within your needs after consuming medicine should be handled with emergency help. Sometimes, severe effects could affect your life.

• Fever
• Hallucination
• Chest pain
• Depression
• Irregular heartbeat

Mental or mood changes( such as confusion, depression, hallucination, and thoughts of suicide).

Symptoms of overdose:

Overdose of any medicine can cause severe effects. People need to be cautious and maintain a record of the drug so they won’t exceed the medication consumption.

• Agitation or excitement
• Fast or pounding heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Trouble with sleeping

Does Modafinil Cause You Addiction?

The drug does not lead to addiction or withdrawal symptoms for many, but few people may develop a dependence on the pill or tolerance to it. Taking large amounts of dose more than the prescribed will lead to developing tolerance to the drug.

Withdrawal symptoms: Modafinil

You must follow some guidelines whenever you are about to stop the existing or any medicine consumed for a long time. If at all you stop abruptly, it may cause you symptoms such as:

• Foggy thinking
• Depression
• Low energy
• Sleeping too much
• Shortness of breath

Those who struggle with addiction to modafinil should seek help from an addiction specialist. Go for a rehabilitation center that provides behavioral therapy that may help you to release from the addiction and change your mood and behavior. You also ask your doctor for modafinil alternatives.

Care That Should Be Taken Before Consuming: Precautions

Taking precautions can be a positive way for you to avoid adverse effects. If you are taking proper precautions, it won’t cause many side effects. This will be very helpful to be on the safer side.

• Always consult with your doctor before starting this medication.
• Inform your doctor if you have
• any allergic reactions
• to your food allergies.
• About the medicine that you are currently using,
• Been through kidney diseases, high blood pressure
• Any history of mental illness
• Do not consume alcohol while taking the medication
• If you are pregnant, it is not advised to use it.
• Children and adolescents under 17 years of age should not use it.

Dosage of Modafinil for Students

Dosages consumed are an essential thing to be known. You should not consume more than recommended or a lesser quantity. The perfect dosage consumed will help you to be alert and confident.

• You can take 200 mg (Before 10:00 a.m.)
• You have to consume a heavy meal before taking medicine.

If you take the drug during the morning session, it will promote activity throughout the day and also help in nighttime sleepiness. Having modafinil after a heavy meal will improve any indigestion or stomach issues.

Caution: Students should get a prescription from the doctor before using it.

Medications That Should Not Be Taken With Modafinil

However, some drugs should not be taken with modafinil due to their adverse reactions. Consult with your doctor before taking medication together.

Modafinil may increase or decrease liver activity (the liver is an essential organ that purifies and eliminates drugs). If you take modafinil with contraceptive pills, the effectiveness of contraceptive pills will be significantly less.

Drugs that May have reduced effectiveness include cyclosporine, theophylline, and hormonal contraceptives such as progesterone and estrogen.

Possible Medicines That Might Interact With Modafinil

Some of the possible interaction drugs are listed below:

• Abilify (aripiprazole)
• Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)
• Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)
• Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• CoQ10 (ubiquinone)
• Cymbalta (duloxetine)
• Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
• Lamictal (lamotrigine)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Lyrica (pregabalin)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine)
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
• Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)
• Wellbutrin XL (bupropion)
• Xanax (alprazolam)
• Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Final words from AzDrug

Modafinil is a drug used as a “Smart Drug” That helps people’s wakefulness. It treats conditions like narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and day-night shift workers.

It is a prescription medication. Before using, consult with the health care provider.
In the UK, it is not available without a prescription. Students mainly use this drug to improve their focus and alertness in their academic performance.

It is not used for children under 17 years of age. Please do not use the drug with alcohol or tobacco, and take care of the medications you have been consuming for a long time so that it doesn’t interact with modafinil. It will worsen the symptoms.