If the narcolepsy drug modafinil is the world’s first ‘smart drug’, it should be. It improves attention and judgment. It is also thought to increase risk perception. However, the drug carries some risks, including the potential for dependence. So, the question remains: is Modafinil safe? Let’s look at the benefits and risks of this new ‘smart drug’ and see how it could benefit patients.
Modafinil improves attention
After more than a decade of research, Modafinil has now been approved as a treatment for narcolepsy. The new drug improves attention and learning skills. It increases “fluid intelligence” – the ability to think creatively and solve problems – and confers cognitive benefits on longer and more complex tasks. Modalert long-term effects are still being studied, but the results indicate that it improves cognition.
Although its effects on the brain are similar to Waklert smart drugs, it’s not yet clear exactly how it works. It is thought to increase blood flow to areas of the brain that serve attention and learning. It may also enhance activity in areas of the brain called conductors, which control attention and other cognitive functions. However, researchers do not yet know whether or not modafinil will be widely accepted as a treatment for narcolepsy.
It increases risk perception
The researchers at Oxford and Harvard universities reviewed the effects of modafinil to assess its safety and efficacy in treating narcolepsy. Modafinil has been used as the “go-pill” for the military to maintain alertness and improve judgment. It also increases risk perception in sleep-deprived pilots and soldiers. The study noted that modafinil had side effects that were most pronounced between 0330 and 1130 hours. In addition, it was noted that modafinil did not have any addictive qualities and showed few side effects when taken for a short period of time.
It carries risk of dependence
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified the narcolepsy medication modafinil as a Schedule IV controlled substance. The DEA has noted that the drug has low abuse potential and a low risk of dependence. The DEA ruling stated that the drug produced behavioral effects similar to cocaine. Although its exact mechanism of action is not known, it is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which causes arousal in the user without producing a high. However, abusers may experience alarming side effects and a risk of dependence or overdose.
It improves judgment
The pill Modafinil Modvigil has been dubbed the ‘entrepreneur’s drug of choice’ by TechCrunch and Harvard researchers. It is known for its effects on alertness and memory, and it appears to have few side effects and is safe for short-term use. Scientists warn that people should not dope with these drugs.
It raises ethical questions
Modafinil, the world’s first safe ‘smart drug’ for narcolepsy, has been promoted as the world’s first safe nootropic drug, but there are many ethical questions associated with its use. As the first well-validated pharmaceutical nootropic agent, it could have a significant impact on narcolepsy patients alike. However, the drug is prone to side effects, including insomnia, stomachache, and headache. It is also highly addictive, which raises further ethical questions.
Its use in narcoleptic patients is legal, and the drug is already sold off-license by overseas suppliers. While this is perfectly legal in the UK, it is not regulated by the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, which govern the manufacture and supply of medicines for human use. The regulations recommend that patients live healthy lifestyles, which include diet and avoidance of excessive alcohol.
