History of modafinil | Where does the nootropic come from?

Thomas Thorne

Last update: February 20, 2023

Modafinil History: Where the Nootropic Comes From

If you are thinking about taking nootropics, you may be curious about the history of modafinil.

Today, millions of people routinely buy modafinil online to give themselves the “edge” needed to get better grades, make more money, or move up the corporate ladder. But few people know what the drug is or where it comes from.

That is why in this post we will explore the origins of modafinil and how it became the most popular smart drug in the world. We will explain exactly how this drug became the best nootropic on the planet and why it is currently the cognitive enhancement supplement of millions of students and hard-working professionals around the world.

So if you've been wondering how Modafinil became the world's leading nootropic, read on...

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Disclaimer: The content on Modafinil.space is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not provide legal advice. Likewise, we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your doctor before consuming modafinil or related nootropics. Your access to Modafinil.space is subject to our complete Disclaimer and conditions of use.


Modafinil History

In 1974, two scientists working for a French pharmaceutical company called 'L. Lafon Ltd' discovered a molecule called 'Adrafinil'.Early tests showed that this drug acted as a "eugeroic," that is, a "wake-promoting agent."

Adrafinil was tested as a treatment for narcolepsy, a condition that makes people feel uncontrollably sleepy during the day. Unfortunately, these trials were unsuccessful and all drug development was quickly halted [1].

However, in 1976, the active metabolite of Adrafinil was discovered...and Modafinil was born. Unlike Adrafinil, Modafinil was shown to be extremely effective in the treatment of narcolepsy. In 1986, it was offered as an experimental treatment for narcolepsy and the results were phenomenal. Modafinil was found to significantly increase the production of several key neurotransmitters in the brain; namely histamine, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. It had a dramatic effect on people's ability to stay awake and alert for long periods [2].

Modafinil was administered to French soldiers during the first Gulf War (January-February 1991), before being officially registered in France in 1992. It was first marketed in France under the brand name 'Modiodal' in 1994 and was soon marketed introduced throughout Europe and around the world during the 1990s and early 2000s.

Modafinil came to the United States in 1998 under the name "Provigil" [3]. It initially gained FDA approval as a treatment for narcolepsy. In 2003, the FDA approved the drug for the treatment of shift sleeping disorder and sleep apnea.


Modafinil


Pharmaceuticals and prescriptions

Shortly after its launch on the US market, Provigil quickly gained a reputation for its "over-the-counter" benefits.

A large body of scientific evidence began to emerge pointing to modafinil's potential as a "smart" drug or "nootropic."

For example, one study showed how modafinil increased dopamine levels in the brain and had a significant impact on mood and overall sense of well-being.4]. Several other studies showed how modafinil had a positive impact on short-term memory and general cognition [5, 6].

Modafinil's appeal stems from the fact that it offers real, scientifically proven benefits, such as:

  • Greater attention span [7].
  • Improved wakefulness and concentration for more than 12 hours. [8].
  • Inability to feel fatigued [9].
  • Better executive functioning.
  • Improved time management skills. [10].

As the wakefulness-promoting properties of Modafinil became more widely known, many graduate students, CEOs, and entrepreneurs began looking for ways to get a Modafinil prescription.

This was the beginning of the smart drug craze and the drug has gone from strength to strength ever since.

You see, while modafinil may be new to you, this nootropic has been around in many circles for over a decade. For example:

  • Military pilots have been taking modafinil since at least 2004. [11].
  • Military helicopter pilots routinely take modafinil to stay awake on long missions [12, 13].
  • Track and field athletes have been using Modafinil to enhance performance since at least 2003. [14].  
  • Journalists have used this smart drug to stay awake since the early 2000s [15].

The advantage of modafinil is that it is very well tolerated and has very few side effects. Its documented side effects are all minor and not that common, typically affecting less than ten percent of users [16].

The use of over-the-counter modafinil has been widely studied and has been found to be exceptionally safe when taken by people without pre-existing medical conditions.17].

The reality is that modafinil is not as dangerous as amphetamines and other study drugs like Adderall [18].

However, for years modafinil has remained hidden, hidden in certain circles. Aside from those who were “in the know,” most people did not have access to this smart drug in the past.

The best players kept you away from their secret to crushing the competition.


Modafinil, the world's number one smart drug

Things have changed.

Today, you can buy Modafinil online in a matter of minutes. The nootropic will appear in discreet packaging at your doorstep within a week or two.

You'll be on your way to increasing cognition and improving your mental performance in no time.

How did it become so easy to buy Modafinil?

Well, modafinil's rise to becoming the world's number one smart drug has a lot to do with an American lifestyle guru named David Asprey.

In early 2013, Aspery founded Bulletproof 360, Inc. and began encouraging people to "hack" their own health.

In addition to promoting his own brand of low-mold coffee beans, he extolled the virtues of smart drugs and nootropics, especially modafinil.

Asprey claimed to have taken Modafinil for more than eight years, including his time at Wharton Business School. As his fame grew, he began to spread the word about Modafinil. While Asprey did not sell the drug, he helped popularize it and bring it to the mainstream.

Soon, anyone with a bit of a nerd started looking for ways to try Modafinil for themselves.

The smart drug quickly became the new form of Adderall.

Over time, more and more people started using Modafinil to improve their minds and achieve their goals. The number of pharmacies and online sellers catering to smart drug enthusiasts began to increase.

Nowadays, you have many options when it comes to choosing a Modafinil supplier. It's easier than ever and prices and shipping times have never been better.


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Where to buy modafinil online

Why is modafinil so popular? How did the pharmaceutical drug quickly become the most popular smart drug in the world?

That is easy. Because modafinil works. There is no simpler way to see cognitive benefits such as:

  • Improved focus.
  • Prolonged ability to concentrate.
  • Increased general cognitive function.
  • The inability to fall asleep.

The main reason Modafinil is so popular is because it works. The other reason so many people use the smart drug?

Order Modafinil online from our top rated provider...

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You will be directed to an online modafinil supplier that we have worked with for over three years. They sell authentic and generic Modafinil and Armodafinil at incredible prices.

This supplier offers guaranteed delivery or a full refund, and the product usually arrives at your doorstep within 1 to 2 weeks.

Suffice it to say that throughout the history of Modafinil, it has never been easier to get your hands on the world's most popular smart drug!


History of modafinil | Verdict

If you were curious about the history of Modafinil, we hope this informative post answers all your questions.

From what the drug is to its benefits and where to buy it, we've covered everything you need to know about the history of modafinil above.

Get the most powerful smart drug in the world... Modafinil


References

  1. Billiard M, Broughton R. Modafinil: its discovery, the early European and North American experience in the treatment of narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, and its subsequent use in other medical conditions. Sleep Med.2018 September; 49:69-72. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.05.027. Epub June 6, 2018. PMID: 30174215.
  2. Brown RE, Stevens DR, Haas HL. The physiology of brain histamine. Neurobiol Prog. 2001;63(6):637-672. doi:10.1016/s0301-0082(00)00039-3
  3. https://www.rxlist.com/provigil-drug.htm
  4. Zolkowska D, Jain R, Rothman RB, Partilla JS, Roth BL, Setola V, Prisinzano TE, Baumann MH. Evidence for the involvement of dopamine transporters in the behavioral stimulatory effects of modafinil. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. May 2009;329(2):738-46. doi: 10.1124/jpet.108.146142. Epub dated February 5, 2009. PMID: 19197004; PMCID: PMC2672878.
  5. Minzenberg MJ, Carter CS. Modafinil: a review of neurochemical actions and effects on cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology. June 2008; 33(7):1477-502. doi: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301534. Epub dated August 22, 2007. PMID: 17712350.
  6. Volkow ND, Fowler JS, Logan J, et al. Effects of modafinil on dopamine and dopamine transporters in the human male brain: clinical implications. JAMA. 2009;301(11):1148–1154. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.351
  7. Gerrard, P. & Malcolm, R. (June 2007). Mechanisms of modafinil: a review of current research. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654794/
  8. Young Jehovah's Witness. Contributions of the dopamine D1 and D2 receptor family to modafinil-induced wakefulness. J Neurosci. 2009;29(9):2663–2665. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5843-08.2009
  9. Pigeau R, Naitoh P, Buguet A, McCann C, Baranski J, Taylor M, Thompson M, MacK II I. Modafinil, d-amphetamine and placebo during 64 hours of sustained mental work. I. Effects on mood, fatigue, cognitive performance and body temperature. J Sueño Res. December 1995; 4(4):212-228. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.1995.tb00172.x. PMID: 10607161.
  10. Müller, U., Rowe, J.B., Rittman, T., Lewis, C., Robbins, T. W., & Sahakian, B. J. (January 2013). Effects of modafinil on nonverbal cognition, task enjoyment, and creative thinking in healthy volunteers. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3485563/
  11. News, A., 2021. Supersoldiers? Military drugs are all the rage among students and young professionals. [online] ABC News. Available at: <https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Health/story?id=3408266&page=1> [Accessed January 14, 2021].
  12. Estrada A, Kelley AM, Webb CM, Athy JR, Crowley JS. Modafinil as a substitute for dextroamphetamine to maintain alertness in military helicopter pilots. Aviat Espacio Environ Med. 2012;83(6):556-64.
  13. Ooi T, Wong SH, See B. Modafinil as a stimulant for military aviators. Perform Aerosp Med Hum. 2019;90(5):480-483. doi:10.3357/AMHP.5298.2019
  14. New Atlas. 2021. Modafinil: the drug that changes time. [online] Available at: <https://newatlas.com/go/3574/> [Accessed January 14, 2021].
  15. Plotz, D., 2021. Can we sleep less? [online] Slate Magazine. Available at: <https://slate.com/technology/2003/03/can-we-sleep-less.html> [Accessed January 14, 2021].
  16. Lopes E, Pereira D, da Silva Behrens NS, Almeida Fonseca H, Calvancanti PO, Araújo Lima TF, Pradella-Hallinan M, Castro J, Tufik S, Coelho FM. Cataplexy as a side effect of modafinil in a patient without narcolepsy. Sleep science. March 2014; 7 (1): 47-9. doi: 10.1016/j.slsci.2014.07.015. Epub dated August 19, 2014. PMID: 26483900; PMCID: PMC4521649.
  17. Teodorini, R. D., Rycroft, N., & Smith-Spark, J. H. (February 5, 2020). Over-the-counter use of modafinil: an online survey of perceived risks and benefits. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7001904/
  18. Krishnan R, Chary KV. A rare case of modafinil dependence. J Pharmacol Pharmacother.2015;6(1):49-50.doi:10.4103/0976-500X.149149

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