A growing trend in professional settings is for people to take ‘nootropics’ like Modafinil to improve their productivity and focus. This article will explore the science behind this and the ethical debate it sparks.

It seems likely that modafinil online disrupts the positive feedback loop between oxidative stress and adenosine, at least in the basal forebrain. One possible mechanism is that it may directly target the mitochondrion to inhibit free-radical production and promote ATP production (Pierard et al 1995).

Increased Energy

In many industries, Modafinil is used to maintain a high level of productivity. It is a wakefulness drug that can help boost concentration and focus. It can also help with decision-making and memory. Many users report feeling more energetic and focused after taking it.

Researchers have examined the effectiveness of modafinil in humans using more complex tests of cognition. They found that it enhances higher-brain functions that rely on contributions from multiple simple cognitive processes. The research was published in the journal Psychopharmacology.

Other studies have shown that modafinil improves attention in healthy non-sleep deprived subjects without causing hyperarousal. This domain specific enhancement of attention may be caused by modulation of brain monoamines. Specifically, modafinil is thought to interact with enzymes in the mitochondrion, which can reduce free-radicals and increase ATP production, thus increasing creatine-phosphocreatine (Pierard et al, 1995). These two effects could create a positive feedback loop of increased ATP and reduced oxidative damage, and may be responsible for modafinil’s wake-promoting effects.

Reduced Stress

The use of cognitive enhancers like Modafinil is becoming increasingly common in the workplace. Anecdotal accounts suggest that the drug increases productivity and allows users to work longer hours. However, the growing trend of using Modafinil in professional settings raises many ethical questions.

Several clinical studies indicate that Modafinil improves performance on complex tasks. For example, in one study, chess players on modafinil took less time to make each move compared to placebo. Modafinil also improved the ability to understand different points of view and a task that involved multiple memory domains.

Interestingly, while Modafinil significantly improved cognitive functioning, it did not improve performance on simple tasks such as letter-number span or repeated acquisition. This may be due to the fact that the enhancements seen with modafinil are primarily a result of increased activity in the catecholamine system (e.g., adrenergic receptors) rather than changes in monoamines such as glutamate or GABA.

Increased Focus

Although modafinil does not affect creativity, it enhances your ability to sift through new information and make decisions. It also improves executive function, which allows you to evaluate multiple points of view and understand different perspectives.

While Modalert Tablet has minimal side effects compared to stimulants, it does have some addictive properties and may result in dependence. If you use Modafinil for work, be careful about how much you rely on it.

It is not clear how modafinil increases focus, but it has been shown to increase cortical activation in brain regions involved in cognitive tasks. In addition, Modafinil suppresses CYP2C9 activity in the brain, which could reduce reactive oxygen species and promote better mitochondrial function. This could explain its wake-promoting effects. It is also possible that Modafinil inhibits NMDA reuptake to produce its stimulant effects.

Improved Memory

Modafinil enhances memory without impairing accuracy on many cognitive tasks. Unlike drugs that improve performance by promoting the speed of response, modafinil reduces error rates in tasks that require attention and cognitive control.

For example, one study of medication-free narcolepsy patients found that a 4-day regimen of 200 mg/day modafinil improved errors on the WCST and Hayling Sentence Completion Task, a task requiring cognitive control (Randall et al, 2004). The same dose increased fMRI responses to verbal learning tasks in bilateral ventral occipitotemporal cortex, lateral prefrontal cortex and superior parietal cortex, and a right lateral cingulate corticus.

Other studies have shown that modafinil dose-dependently enhances working memory in psychiatric patients (Turner et al, 2004b). These improvements on the delayed visual recognition test reflect fronto-cortical loops modulated by ascending dopamine systems.

Reduced Anxiety

Anecdotal reports from users of Modafinil paint a picture of heightened alertness and the ability to perform demanding tasks with ease. However, these personal accounts come with a warning: Modafinil is not without risk and should only be used under strict supervision.

During the night shift condition, both active modafinil doses significantly improved subjective ratings of alertness and mental functioning compared to placebo (bottom panels of Figure 1). On the DAT, active modafinil decreased the number of false alarms. On the DSST, both active doses increased tracking speed and correct responses.

In zebrafish, Modafinil also attenuated performance and mood disturbances caused by abrupt work schedule changes. This finding may be of particular relevance to occupations that routinely experience work schedule disruptions, such as healthcare professionals and military personnel.