Can Modafinil Cause Heart Attack?

Modafinil, also known as Provigil, is a drug used to treat several sleeping disorders, including narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Modafinil side effects may occur because of the drug's mechanism of action. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain that help regulate wakefulness and appetite (e.g., dopamine, histamine).

Modafinil can also cause serious side effects not related to its mechanism of action. One serious side effect is an increased risk of experiencing heart attacks or strokes if you're at an elevated risk for cardiovascular problems.

Anyone who has a history of heart disease or stroke should consult his or her doctor before taking Modafinil.

If you've previously suffered from any form of heart disease, you're at a higher risk for developing another heart condition. Modafinil will put this risk even higher.

What The Science Says

A 2014 study published in the journal Research in Cardiovascular Medicine found that Modafinil can substantially increase your risk of experiencing cardiovascular issues and other health problems such as strokes, heart attacks and death.

Modafinil may cause blood clots or blockages that can obstruct the flow of blood to the heart. This could trigger a myocardial infarction (i.e., a heart attack). It could also trigger an arrhythmia (an abnormal heartbeat) or sudden cardiac arrest.

Furthermore, it can cause hyper-coagulability which is when there's excessive bleeding and clumping together in your blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of stroke and internal bleeding.

Modafinil may also increase your risk of suffering a stroke since it increases blood pressure levels in some individuals which is already high as it is because of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or taking other drugs to treat sleep disorders.

How Modafinil Affects The Heart

Modafinil, like all stimulants, works to keep the brain alert and awake. But unlike many stimulants it does not affect serotonin levels and as such has no effect on dopamine levels in the brain. This is why it does not lead to hyperactivity or anxiety in people who are on it for sleep disorders.

However, because it affects dopamine levels in the body, Modafinil can also cause abnormal heartbeats. This is why they can cause clots that can block blood flow to the heart which may cause a heart attack.

Some of the symptoms of a possible heart attack include: chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.

Modafinil is also very risky for people who already have heart issues such as heart disease or stroke or are experiencing a blood clot.

For some people, it may interfere with the body's natural ability to regulate blood pressure levels and increase heart rate as needed.

Occasionally, people have experienced more serious adverse effects that may require emergency medical attention.

These include:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart palpitations or tachycardia
• Sudden cardiac arrest and heart failure.
• Blood clots including ones that can obstruct blood flow to the heart which could lead to a heart attack and death.

People who have or are suffering from pre-existing heart conditions or stroke should consult with their physician before taking Modafinil.

If you're not sure if you're at an elevated risk for cardiovascular problems, there are several online tools such as the 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk calculator that can help you establish your risk of developing heart conditions in the next decade.

Modafinil may cause blood clots or blockages that can obstruct the flow of blood to the heart. This could trigger a myocardial infarction (i.e., a heart attack). It could also trigger an arrhythmia (an abnormal heartbeat) or sudden cardiac arrest.

source https://nootropicology.com/can-modafinil-cause-heart-attack/

Can You Mix Modafinil And Alcohol?

The short answer is, yes. Can I do it safely? Probably not...

Depending on how you use Modafinil, there's a possibility that the two substances might interact with each other in a way that could be dangerous.

Although mixing Modafinil and Alcohol together can cause quite a few complications, it is certainly possible to take Modafinil at the same time as drinking alcohol.

In fact, there are people who do this on a fairly regular basis. But it's certainly not recommended.

However, there are plenty of people out there who swear by this practice as a way to drink less while also getting hammered with no hangovers.

How Do Modafinil & Alcohol Work In Combination?

If you're taking Modafinil to treat your ADHD or narcolepsy, then the negative effect of combining Modafinil with alcohol probably isn't going to outweigh the positive effects of having a few drinks.

There are a lot of anecdotal reports online where people discuss how they've used Modafinil as a way to get drunk but with no hangovers.

Modafinil is a prescription drug that was originally created to treat sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

However, the effects of the drug were noticed early on and it's now often used off-label by many people who want to get stuff done.

Modafinil works in a variety of ways to improve wakefulness in users.

It stimulates the release of several neurotransmitters including histamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and glutamate.

Modafinil also increases the expression of GABA-A receptors in the brain which leads to an overall calming effect on users.

The way this interacts with alcohol is pretty complex but basically this means that it can mess you up good if you combine these two substances together when you drink enough so that your blood alcohol content (BAC) gets above .04% or so.

Mostly you'll just be impaired by them both together (some people are very sensitive to Modafinil and Alcohol - instead of feeling energetic they actually become agitated and depressed).

What Are The Dangers?

In rare cases, you can have dangerous reactions that lead to seizures or even death.

But the chances of that are really really small.

When you drink any amount of alcohol, your body will release some amount of the neurotransmitter GABA in order to slow down or calm you down (this happens because alcohol is a very potent GABA inhibitor).

Modafinil works differently, but it's going to have the same effect on you: it will amplify the traditional effects of alcohol on your brain.

Modafinil is thought to be less habit-forming than most stimulants, especially if used responsibly and only for an intended purpose (like treating narcolepsy).

The safety record is very solid because there are no addictive substances in it and tolerance isn't really a thing with Modafinil like it is with nearly every other stimulant out there (including caffeine).

Modafinil's medical uses make combining it with alcohol akin to mixing alcohol and any other common prescription drug.

The primary danger of mixing Modafinil with alcohol is that your judgment will be impaired to the point where you need to be extra careful about everything you do.

This is true for a lot of people, but it's especially dangerous if you're already an alcoholic or just someone who has a tendency towards risky behavior when they drink.

Modafinil is also very strong in comparison to other stimulants so if you try mixing it with any other kind of drug - including alcohol - then you're going to dramatically increase your chance of having serious side effects.

Should You Mix Alcohol And Modafinil?

Mixing Modafinil and Alcohol is a really bad idea.

Modafinil is only meant to be taken with a clear mind - alcohol certainly isn't going to do that for you.

If you're going to drink alcohol with Modafinil, the best-case scenario is that you'll have a fun night but feel pretty worn out in the morning (though according to some anecdotal reports online, people actually experience zero hangovers the next day).

The worst-case scenario could be something much worse including unconsciousness, seizures or even death.

Modafinil on its own can cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, anxiety and insomnia in some users but these side effects are generally short-lived and only occur during the first few days of use.

Other side effects associated with long-term use of Modafinil include anxiety, lack of appetite and impaired judgment (which could make it dangerous to mix with alcohol).

If you use Modafinil as part of your lifestyle, then that's fine - but don't mix it with alcohol.

References:

1. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/modafinil-addiction/modafinil-and-alcohol/ (Mixing Modafinil With Alcohol)
2. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00305292 (Modafinil-Alcohol Interactions in Healthy Volunteers)
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23141152/ (Effect of modafinil on impulsivity and relapse in alcohol dependent patients)

source https://nootropicology.com/alcohol-and-modafinil/

Does Modafinil Raise Blood Pressure?

Researchers have discovered that modafinil, despite having been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a drug to promote wakefulness, does raise blood pressure.

Modafinil is used in the treatment of hypersomnolence, such as in narcolepsy and in sleep apnea.

In order to determine whether or not there were any side effects of modafinil, researchers at the University of California San Diego studied six healthy subjects who took 200mg doses of modafinil daily for 21 days.

These subjects were monitored before they took the drug as well as during and after their regimen was completed.

After they had finished their regimen, researchers found that there was a significant increase in blood pressure among those who had taken modafinil compared to when they had taken a placebo pill.

The short-term increase ranged from 6% to 17%, during which time systolic blood pressure increased by 10mmHg. It should be noted that some individuals also experienced an increase in heart rate while on the drug, but it was not drastic enough for them to be considered clinically meaningful.

How Modafinil Affects The Blood & Body

Researchers state that they are not entirely sure how modafinil works and that is why they tested it on healthy subjects.

The drug is believed to work by increasing the amount of orexin in the brain, which helps stimulate wakefulness.

Researchers used an fMRI to track what happens in the brain when a person has a working memory task, such as counting backward from 100 by 7s while looking at a screen displaying random numbers.

The results showed that there was a significant increase in activity in the prefrontal cortex among those who had been given modafinil compared to those who had taken the placebo.

The researchers say that future studies should include larger groups of people who take modafinil and should be conducted over longer periods of time.

They also state that more research should be done on the drug's effects on blood pressure and its use by those who do not have a history of sleep apnea or insomnia.

Different Effects On Blood Pressure

It has also been known that women respond differently than men do when taking modafinil. Women experienced greater improvements of executive functioning, working memory and spatial planning than men did.

Additionally, women had higher increases in blood pressure after taking modafinil compared to men.

The researchers believe this could be attributed to women having naturally lower levels of orexin in their brains than men do. Women were also less likely than men to experience increases in heart rate after taking modafinil.

According to the researchers, these differences in the responses of women and men could account for some of the higher risks of cardiovascular problems seen among female patients who were using modafinil.

Although it is possible that more research needs to be done on this subject, private practice doctors have not been put off by these findings.

However, they do recommend that people should still take modafinil only as prescribed by their doctors.

It is also recommended that those who are on it should continue eating healthy diets and exercising regularly to help control their blood pressure while taking it.

They also encourage anyone who takes blood pressure medication to make sure their doctor knows they are taking modafinil, so they can adjust their dosages accordingly if necessary.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18548832/ (Effect of modafinil on cerebral blood flow in narcolepsy patients)
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18275558/ (Cerebral blood flow changes in man by wake-promoting drug, modafinil: a randomized double blind study)
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10096265/ (Does short-term treatment with modafinil affect blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea?)

source https://nootropicology.com/does-modafinil-raise-blood-pressure/

Can Modafinil Make You Tired?

Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent prescribed for narcolepsy, is increasingly used off label to enhance cognition in healthy individuals.

As modafinil promotes wakefulness, it may seem surprising that some users experience excessive fatigue and drowsiness while taking the drug.

However, while modafinil is considered to be relatively safe and well-tolerated, this is not always the case. Some individuals have experienced extreme fatigue while taking modafinil, with some to the point where they are unable to work.

While some of these adverse effects usually are due to misuse of the medication, other cases appear to have been related to drug interactions.

Severe Fatigue With Modafinil

One case report documented a 30-year-old man with a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who was prescribed modafinil. While he initially experienced increased alertness, he began experiencing significant sleepiness, to the point where he was unable to work.

The symptoms continued even when he took a reduced dose of the medication, and worsened when the medication was stopped. The patient was hospitalized and, along with his wife, was treated for severe fatigue.

The patient's physicians determined that the simultaneous use of modafinil along with a prescription for sleep medication and amphetamines had led to his severe fatigue basically caused by overstimulation.

The case report concluded that the use of modafinil to treat ADHD is not without risk, and that users should be aware of the risks associated with the medication when combined with other drugs.

Mood Changes And Extreme Fatigue

A case report involving another individual who experienced extreme fatigue while taking modafinil involved a 28-year-old man who, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was prescribed the drug.

Although he had no history of psychiatric disorders prior to his treatment with modafinil, he experienced abnormal mood, decreased functional ability and propensity to engage in impulsive behavior while taking the drug.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed olanzapine, another medication used to treat psychosis.

However, his symptoms were not adequately controlled and he continued to experience mood changes and psychosis even while taking olanzapine. The use of modafinil was discontinued, and the patient's psychotic symptoms resolved.

The case report concludes that modafinil may be associated with somnolence and psychiatric side effects, such as fatigue, lethargy, mania or apathy.

How To Prevent Getting Tired

If the onset of fatigue while taking modafinil seems to be related to drug interactions, discontinue the use of any drugs that may be interacting with the medication or that may have been prescribed to treat symptoms associated with modafinil use should help alleviate feelings of fatigue.

Increased exercise and modification of diet are two other ways to potentially reduce fatigue during modafinil treatment.

If you have any pre-existing sleep disorders or medical conditions, speak with your physician before taking modafinil.

If you experience fatigue while taking modafinil, discontinue the use of the medication and speak to a healthcare provider about potential alternatives.

source https://nootropicology.com/can-modafinil-make-you-tired/

How To Cycle Modafinil

In this article I'm going to share what I have learned so far from cycling Modafinil on and off for months now, the results I achieved and my conclusions on whether it's worth doing or not.

This is not a first-time user's guide to Modafinil. I will assume you are already familiar with how it works, and the effects in general.

This article is about running Modafinil on a cycle, something you might want to try at some point if you decide to use this drug for an extended period of time.

Note: For those of you who prefer to use Modafinil as a pure stimulant on its own, I suggest that you at least stack it with caffeine (they work awesome synergistically and you get more out of your dosages).

So without further ado let's just jump straight into it, shall we?

How Long Should You Be On Modafinil For?

While I am a long-time Modafinil user and have the 'advantage' of having tried many other similar Smart Drug in the past, I've never actually tried to go all-out and run Modafinil for an extended period of time.

That is until I read on a forum on Reddit that someone ran it for 6 months straight without any negative side effects or tolerance build-up. Pretty spectacular if you ask me.

So I decided to give it a try, and run it for around 3 months and everything went great without any negative side effects.

How To Cycle Modafinil (Personal Experience)

First off, I went to get my blood work done which is a must if you're going to push the limits and experiment with smart drugs.

Everything came out fine, so I decided to proceed with creating my dosage schedule. Here's how it looked:

• Monday through friday (50 mg Modafinil)
• Saturday and sunday off
• Rinse and repeat

I took my dosage around 8 am every single day with a cup of coffee. Also, both Saturday and Sunday were 'stimulant-free' off-days without any Modafinil, caffeine etc.

On Sunday I did 24-hour water fast, only consuming electrolytes and water to clear out the system and to get ready for the next day.

The next day I broke my fast with bone broth. Waited until around noon when I took 50mg of Modafinil. That's pretty much it. That's how I cycled Modafinil.

Additional Thoughts And Reflections

I think the reason why this little experiment was a success, is due to a few factors such as:

• First off, I used a very moderate dose at 50mg. The recommended dosage for patients who get prescribed Modafinil is around 100 to 200mg (sometimes twice a day).
• I eat a KETO diet high in fats with plenty of eggs (eggs are filled with Choline which might explain why I didn't experience any headaches etc.)
• I eat OMAD (one meal a day) so my energy levels are stable throughout the day
• I didn't go overboard with the dosage once I felt Modafinil working. I kept it consistently at 50mg and took days off (I followed the schedule to a tee).
• After 3 months of running Modafinil consistently I took another 3 months completely off Modafinil

All in all, I think that a low dosage combined with a high-quality diet and healthy lifestyle means I was able to avoid the nasty pitfalls of Modafinil. So I definitely consider this little experiment a success.

source https://nootropicology.com/how-to-cycle-modafinil/

Do Nootropics Raise Blood Pressure?

Nootropics can cause a variety of side effects, from mild ones like headaches to more serious complications like an increased risk for heart disease. Certain classes of nootropics may be associated with causing high blood pressure or stroke, while others are linked to the potential for weight gain and mood swings.

In this article, I'll take a closer look at some of the most popular classes of nootropics and whether they cause blood pressure problems, as well as discuss how to safely use them.

So without further ado, let's just get straight into it, shall we?

How Nootropics Can Affect Blood Pressure

When it comes to nootropics, there are a variety of different chemicals that can be classified as such. Some of the most popular nootropics include racetams, ampakines, and cholinergics.

Each of these classes of nootropics can affect blood pressure in different ways.

For example, racetams may increase blood pressure levels while ampakines have the potential to lower blood pressure.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all people will experience the same effects from nootropics.

Some people may be more sensitive to the effects than others, so it's important to start off with a low dose and work your way up if needed.

Nootropics and High Blood Pressure

There is some evidence that suggests certain nootropics may increase the risk for high blood pressure or stroke.

Racetams, for example, are known to have vasoconstriction properties.

This means that they can cause blood vessels to constrict or narrow, which increases blood pressure.

Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it may be related to racetam's influence on neurotransmitters or its ability to lower acetylcholine levels.

Ampakines, on the other hand, may have the potential to decrease blood pressure levels.

One study found that rats who were given ampakines had a sustained drop in blood pressure for up to 5 hours after administration.

However, more research is needed to determine whether these findings apply to humans as well.

Nootropics and Low Blood Pressure

As briefly mentioned above, some nootropics have been found to cause a drop in blood pressure when taken.

In fact, one study discovered that when administered, ampakines caused a significant decrease in blood pressure.

It's important to note that the same may not be true for humans, as this has yet to be confirmed.

If you are taking any medications for blood pressure, it's important to consult with your doctor before starting nootropics.

In some cases, the combination of nootropics and blood pressure medications may lead to adverse effects.

However, this is not always the case and varies from person to person.

In very rare cases, this could put someone at risk for a hypertensive crisis which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

If you're concerned about the effects of nootropics on your blood pressure, it's important to consult a doctor.

They can determine whether or not the nootropics you're considering are safe to take with your current medications.

If they have any concerns about this, be sure to seek out a second opinion from another doctor as well.

source https://nootropicology.com/nootropics-blood-pressure/

Is L-Theanine Considered A Nootropic?

In this article, I'll talk about what L-Theanine is, what it's used for, and whether or not it's a nootropic (a drug that enhances cognition).

I'll also go over some of the common questions about L-Theanine and explain why I think people should buy this supplement.

So without further ado, let's just get straight into it, shall we?

L-theanine's Nootropic Properties

L-Theanine is an amino acid that is naturally found in green tea, as well as many other plants such as chickpeas and mushrooms.

This amino acid is believed to promote positive feelings as well as relaxation, which is why many people take it to reduce stress and anxiety.

Psychopharmacology research has demonstrated that L-Theanine can also improve attention performance in healthy volunteers.

A study also found that L-theanine boosts alpha waves in the brain, which is an indicator of a relaxed state.

Yes, L-theanine is considered a Nootropic. In fact, L-theanine is a fairly well-known nootropic that many people take to reduce anxiety and improve cognitive function.

It's also quite commonly used as a pre-workout supplement by people in the body-building community.

When L-theanine is stacked with caffeine, it's believed to increase focus and cognitive function without making you feel nervous or jittery

The reason for this is that L-theanine works primarily as an antagonist to the dominant chemical in green tea called L-theanine (catechins).

You may also know L-theanine as a relaxation supplement. This is because it helps reduce stress and anxiety, which improves your mood.

L-theanine is said to work by promoting the production of alpha brain waves, which are very relaxed and meditative states. Alpha brain waves are associated with creativity and expanded consciousness.

When you take L-theanine, it is believed to improve your mood and promote a relaxed state of mind without causing drowsiness.

This also means that L-theanine can be taken alongside caffeine without causing any jitteriness or nervousness.

I think that anyone who wants to improve their attention and concentration should consider buying this supplement.

When you stack it with caffeine that's when you really start to see the positive cognitive effects of L-theanine.

L-theanine and caffeine work synergistically which means that the cognitive benefits of each supplement are increased when they're used together.

Specifically, the cognitive benefits of L-theanine include improved attention and focus as well as a reduction in stress and anxiety.

The cognitive benefits of caffeine include alertness, wakefulness, and an increased ability to process information.

source https://nootropicology.com/is-l-theanine-a-nootropic/