Beginners Guide to Using Modafinil for Focus

Ever been in a situation where you’re out to complete a task, but you feel dull, unmotivated, and restless? If yes, you’re not alone. Many people also experience this problem and thus turn to nootropics such as modafinil and armodafinil to hack their brains and quickly increase focus and performance.

Whether you’re entirely new to using modafinil off-label for focus or are already familiar with it, you’ll definitely learn something new here that will help you get the best out of it. Let’s dive in!

Modafinil Features

Modafinil belongs to a class of drugs called stimulants. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat 3 main sleep disorders. They include:

• narcolepsy;
• obstructive sleep apnea (OSA);
• shift work sleep disorder (SWSD).

Although it is safe and super-effective for treating these conditions, it is more commonly used off-label as a cognitive enhancer to increase focus, boost memory, increase alertness, and ultimately boost productivity [1]. It is for these benefits you’ll find top-level executives of Fortune 500 corporations, engineers, programmers, students, celebrities, and business analysts, among other professionals from all walks of life, using it.

Modafinil is available in 2 strengths: 100 mg and 200 mg. It typically comes in a white tablet that may be round, capsule-shaped, elliptical, or oval, depending on the brand behind its production [2].

About Side Effects and Safety

Generally, modafinil is safe and poses a minimal risk of side effects compared to many other “smart drugs.” In fact, because of its relatively low potential for addiction and low risk of adverse effects, Oxford and Harvard University researchers deemed it “the world’s first safe ‘smart drug.’”

However, it is not without side effects. Some of the most common ones include [3]:

• stuffy nose;
• nausea;
• indigestion;
• dizziness;
• headache.

Note that the aforementioned side effects mostly affect certain individuals who take the drug for the first time. They’re usually mild and tend to disappear shortly, with continuous use. Modafinil is capable of causing more serious negative after-effects such as fast heartbeat, anxiety, hallucinations, depression, hives, and difficulty in breathing, among others [4].

However, this sort of adverse effect has been found to be associated with the incorrect use of the drug. In a nutshell, using modafinil exactly as prescribed by a doctor or healthcare provider will help you get the best out of it with a low risk of side effects.

Does Modafinil Help You Focus?

Yes, modafinil can help you focus. Upon administration, it regulates the release and reuptake of gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and serotonin among other neurotransmitters in the brain that influence wakefulness, alertness, sleepiness, and mood.

Modafinil’s positive impact on mental acuity and ability to improve episodic and working memory, especially in depression, is no longer mere speculation as a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study backs it up [5].

Tips for Taking Modafinil to Help Improve Focus

We mentioned earlier that although safe and effective, modafinil may not provide the intended effects, especially if used incorrectly. Here are tips worth knowing if you decide to use modafinil for focus:

#1. Take the Right Dose

This is where many people get it wrong. The ideal dose for modafinil is either 100 mg or 200 mg, and it should be taken only once per day and with a substantial amount of water. Taking the drug for the first time and not sure of what dose to start with? The best way to go is to start from the lower dose of 100 mg and only step up to the 200 mg strength if it doesn’t provide you with the intended effects.

Note that taking more than the recommended dose can greatly increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

#2. Get the Timing Right

Modafinil’s effects kick in within 30 to 60 minutes and last in the body for 12+ hours [6][7]. Consequently, you want to take the pill 30 to 60 minutes before the time you intend to work or study. What’s more, unless you intend to work a late-night shift, be sure to take the pill as early in the day as possible. Taking it later in the day may mean that it remains active far into the night and, thus, interfere with your sleep.

#3. Remember to Eat

Modafinil can make you forget everything about hunger for hours or even days. If you find that you forget to eat while taking the drug, setting a reminder on your mobile device can be of great help.

Note that taking modafinil on an empty stomach can increase the risk of common side effects such as nausea, headache, and stomach upset.

#4. Drink Enough Water

Dehydration is often one of the causes of headaches. While basking in the optimum focus that modafinil helps you achieve, remember to take time out to drink water whether you feel thirsty or not. You could also set up a reminder on your mobile phone or keep a bottle of water on your work desk. Drinking lots of water will save you a lot of trouble while taking this drug.

#5. Avoid Stacking

Although a good number of people are in support of taking modafinil alongside other smart drugs for increased cognitive enhancing benefits, we do not recommend it. Combining it with drugs that perform similar functions can greatly increase the risk of side effects. Do not stack modafinil unless recommended and supervised by your doctor or healthcare provider.

#6. Avoid Alcohol

Modafinil may work just fine with alcohol if taken in moderation. However, mistakes happen a lot, especially with booze. We advise completely avoiding alcohol while using this drug, as such a combination can lead to a blackout or some severe adverse effects.

#7. Take the Tablet Whole

Ever considered dissolving modafinil in water, splitting, or crushing it to snort? Don’t do it! Taking the drug in some way order than the indicated route of administration (swallowing for most brands) could alter the dosage. Having less than the clinically measured dose in your body may cause the drug to be ineffective.

#8. Avoid the Gym

There’s a lot of talk about how modafinil can help increase gains at the gym by increasing focus and mind-body concentration. While there’s a whole lot of truth in this, we strongly advise against it.

The concept behind how it helps increase gains at the gym is also its biggest flaw. It decreases the sensation of fatigue, enabling you to lift way more than you normally would without getting tired. But numbing your sensations may cause you to overwork and even injure yourself. Many people who tried using modafinil for gym purposes complained about experiencing severe joint pains.

#9. Adhere to Your Doctor’s Instruction for Use

Although 100 mg and 200 mg are usually the fixed recommended dosage for modafinil, a lot can change, depending on your drug history and family health history. Consequently, it is advisable to always consult your doctor to find out if modafinil is right for you before taking it, and if so, the best dose to go with.

Note that adhering strictly to your doctor’s advice or instruction for use on the drug’s leaflet will make it hard for you to experience any side effects.

#10. Buy Modafinil Only from Trusted Pharmacies

Walk-in pharmacies sell modafinil, but if your reason for buying it is purely for its cognitive enhancing benefits, it’s unlikely that you’d get a prescription that will allow you to get it. If you’re in for its off-label benefits, online pharmacies are your best bet. However, be sure to tread with caution, as there are countless fake vendors whose business models involve selling counterfeits.

The best online pharmacies are those that have a ton of positive reviews on trusted review platforms like Trustpilot and Yotpo, provide a 100% money-back guarantee, and offer ultra-fast deliveries. ModafinilXL.com, BuyModafinilOnline.com, and HighStreetPharma.com are some pharmacies we’d like to recommend as they tick all the above boxes. Do your research to find which one gives you the best bang for your buck before buying.

So, Can Modafinil Help You Focus?

Yes. Taken correctly, modafinil can help you focus and perform better on set tasks. Many people who use it have written positive reviews, indicating that the drug indeed works. However, it is worth noting that as with every other drug, its effects can vary from one individual to another based on factors such as genetics, drug history, sex, weight, how the drug is taken, and what it is concomitantly taken with. Foods rich in fat have been found to interfere with modafinil’s onset of effects and duration of action.

Consult your doctor to help you determine whether this drug is right for you before going ahead to use it.

References

1. Modafinil. Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Wikipedia.org.
2. Modafinil Pill Images – What does modafinil look like? Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Drugs.com.
3. Common and Rare Side Effects for modafinil oral. Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Webmd.com.
4. Modafinil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Medlineplus.gov.
5. Modafinil Improves Episodic Memory and Working Memory Cognition in Patients With Remitted Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. By Muzaffer Kaser, Julia B. Deakin, et al. Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
6. Provigil: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more. Written by MNT Medical Network. Medically reviewed by Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD. Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Medicalnewstoday.com.
7. Practical Use and Risk of Modafinil, a Novel Waking Drug. Written by Dongsoo Kim. Retrieved: January 5, 2022. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.