What are study drugs, and what are their impacts?
What's the story
Over the years, there has been some debate about the use of traditional cognition enhancing 'smart drugs' like Ritalin and Adderall, also known as nootropics, but questions regarding the safety of these drugs undermined any argument in their favour. However, a relatively new entrant, Modafinil, has reignited these debates in light of little to no documented side effects from usage.
Information
DISCLAIMER
DISCLAIMER: NewsBytes does not, in any way, endorse or promote the illegal usage of drugs. The piece written is merely informational.
Origins
The origins of Modafinil
Modafinil was invented by a French pharmaceutical lab in the late 1970s in a bid to promote wakefulness and alertness in people with narcolepsy and other such sleep disorders. In the '90s, Cephalon started marketing it in the US as a prescription drug for sleep disorders under the brand name Provigil. However, over the last decade, evidence has pointed towards Modafinil's cognition enhancing abilities.
Effects
Evidence points towards cognitive enhancement without side effects
Modafinil, unlike stimulants, is an ergogenic drug used to promote wakefulness. However, growing evidence has pointed towards its cognition enhancing capabilities, namely, that it enhances mental acuity, processing speed, focus, motivation and energy. There has been little to no documented harmful side effects, even after prolonged usage. While the drug isn't physically addictive it is often abused by people for its benefits.
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Modafinil regulations in different countries
Modafinil is a tightly regulated drug in most first world countries. It can only be bought using prescriptions, and a 30-day supply of 100 mg tablets costs close to $1,000 in US. India, China, Mexico have no such regulations, and Modafinil is available without prescription.
Usage
Modafinil usage among students, soldiers and others
There have been increasing reports of Modafinil usage in the UK, especially among students from elite universities like Oxford and Cambridge. It is also used by the British and American armies for keeping their soldiers function at peak levels despite prolonged sleep deprivation. In fact, a majority of Modafinil users use the drug for its cognition enhancing effects rather than for treating sleep disorders.