Modafinil Provigil by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Modafinil (commercial trade names Provigil (US, UK), Vigil (Germany), Modalert (India), Modiodal (France, Mexico), Modavigil (Australia), Alertec (Canada), is a drug prescribed to treat narcolepsy. Modafinil is made by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon Inc.

Modafinil Provigil is a psychostimulant. Modafinil improves wakefulness and vigilance, but its pharmacological profile is different from the amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) or cocaine. Modafinil is less likely to cause jitteriness or anxiety than traditional stimulants. Subjectively, it feels smoother and cleaner than the amphetamines.

Modafinil and sleep deprivation
The non-amphetamine, wake-promoting drug, modafinil counters the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on working memory. In a randomized, double-blind study, Dr. Robert Joseph Thomas, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, and Dr. Kenneth K. Kwong of Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown examined the effect of modafinil on working memory and brain activation in the executive network following overnight sleep deprivation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the functional neurobiology of executive function in eight sleep-deprived medication-free men (ages 21 to 35 years) treated with 200 mg of modafinil or placebo. They underwent a verbal working-memory task with 3 levels of difficulty. Subjects in the sleep-deprived condition, had approximately 28 hours of continuous wakefulness, and in the rested condition, had 8 hours of scheduled sleep opportunity. The team assessed brain activation patterns and regional signal intensity based on the blood-oxygen level-dependent signal. Modafinil countered the ill effects of sleep deprivation on working memory, but only when the task difficulty was moderate.
   Dr. Sahelian says: There are a number of natural supplements that could be helpful in sleep deprivation and as a good natural alternative to modafinil. These include Mind Power Rx brain booster, Eyesight Rx, acetylcarnitine, DMAE, and other nutritional supplements.

Modafinil and depression - modafinil for mood elevation
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Trial of Modafinil on Mood.
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Feb;27(1):76-78. Taneja I, Haman K, Shelton RC, Robertson D. Departments of *Pharmacology, daggerPsychiatry, double daggerMedicine and section signNeurology, Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Modafinil, a medication for the excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, has been hypothesized to improve not just alertness but mood as well. The purpose of this study was to determine how treatment with modafinil affects mood in healthy volunteers. Normal healthy volunteers (n = 12, 10 men and 2 women; 30-44 years) underwent a 3-day, counterbalanced, randomized, crossover, inpatient trial of modafinil (400 mg daily) versus placebo with 4-day washout period between 2 treatments. Mood was assessed daily using both the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and a general mood scale, which consisted of 10 bipolar adjective ratings based on a severity scale ranging from 1 to 10. Modafinil increased general mood and Negative Affect scales relative to placebo and had a significant effect on Positive Affect scales. These results suggest that modafinil may have general mood-elevating effects accompanied by increased negative affect (anxiety).
   Dr Sahelian says: it is possible that a medication (such as an amphetamine) may help depression or improve mood in the short term, but then later cause a crash with severe depression or other side effects.

Modafinil side effects
The most common modafinil side effects are headache, nausea, nervousness, and rhinitis. Additional modafinil side effects include diarrhea, back pain, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, and dyspepsia. Additional modafinil side effects may be discovered as more people use this drug for prolonged periods. Could heart problems occur?

Modafinil questions
I am taking modafinil. I have narcolepsy and am searching everyday for something that keeps me awake. My mind is awake all the time with monafinil, but does tyrosine make you have more energy as a whole or just wired.
   A. Tyrosine usually makes one more wired. Many people tell us Eyesight Rx and or Mind Power Rx help the mind stay alert and focused and provide good energy. Perhaps they can be a substitute for modafinil in some people.