has anyone ever tried modafinil /provigil the so called memory enhancer drug? share your experiences. Is it really safe and i think the changes are almost reversible aren’t they?
It’s a wakefulness promoting drug. If you’re sleepy, you’ll feel awake. Used by airforce and such to stay awake and focused for long periods of time. I’m not sure what the rules on “drugs” are on this forum, since I’ve only ever seen maybe 2 before, and those were “is it bad for my memory to smoke weed every day” and some other one.
It’s not really safe, there are side effects, we don’t fully understand the mechanisms of it.
But basically, at least with adrafinil(breaks down into modafinil) for me, unless you’re sleepy, it doesn’t do anything. Helps a lot for people with narcolepsy and such. Also makes it impossible for you to fall asleep for the next 12-14 hours…
Bateman
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A lot of college students in US take drugs like Ritalin (methylphenidate) /Aderall /Provigil (modafinil) at exam period for better results. Ritalin and Aderall are actually meant for kids with ADHD, it let’s them concentrate. But these drugs also work on ordinary people, enhancing their concentration.
The big disadvantage is that if used longer periods, these drugs can addiction and have serious side effects. So, I wouldn’t use them, instead concentrate on finding good diet for healthy brain, doing physical activity and advancing brain performance with mental exercises.
I wrote some thoughts on nootropics over here.
I’m personally not a believer in taking supplements and nootropics (except when recommended or prescribed by a health professional). I think that the supplement industry tends to be full of scams, because supplements are cheap to produce and easy to sell at a high markup. They appeal to people’s desire to want results without doing the actual work required. There may be detrimental side effects even with things like taking beta carotene in pill form.
If you want better attention: get exercise , take naps, don’t multitask , etc.
Couldn’t agree more!
At least one study has shown that taking mental enhancer drugs to improve concentration didn’t work. You can get a feeling of things being better but it’s not really. Bit like driving after a single drink - a boost of confidence but not of ability.
IIRC the study showed that recall on drugs was worse unless you studied on drugs. Same with other emotional states, environmental factors being important to recall.
The book “How We Learn” collects some of this material together and is worth a read.
I am wondering if Modafinilcan be something that is worth to try because my doctor insists on it and asking why I am still not getting it.
We aren’t able to give medical advice here. If your doctor recommends something, you should discuss the situation with your doctor.