Modafinil: a godsend or an addiction?

Why have I postponed telling you about modafinil?

I've been taking 200 mg of modafinil, it seems, for at least ten years or more. The first time I used it, before my response moderated and leveled off, was, "Oh, my God! This makes me feel like me!"

It's become such an important part of my life, I've ensured that I never run out of it, even when Chinese customs started cracking down on allowing my orders of modafinil from Singapore into the country. I found a way to always keep some in stock.

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But why are you just hearing about this from me? 

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Unlike the cognitive approaches to creating a great life that I have been sharing with you in this Guest House where I am confident you will have only the results you desire (or at least no harm), I cannot know  with such certainty regarding how modafinil might affect you. In fact, I cannot know that for sure, even for myself, indefinitely into my future. There could be some costly long-term side effects at some future date, assuming my continued use of it.

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Also, unlike my support of whole-foods veganism where again I don't have as much personally verifiable evidence that provides me with the same level of certainty as I have with my cognitive approaches, at least with whole-food veganism, there is less likelihood of any downside for others in comparison with taking something like modafinil.

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Everything has benefits, costs, possibilities, and risks, both short-term and long-term

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That said, if you haven't already vetted modafinil, I'd like to suggest you check it out for yourself, understanding that, regarding your health and life, the buck always stops with you. There is no lack of pros and cons information on the Internet and elsewhere for you to make an informed choice for yourself.

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A note to those living in the USA: Although modafinil is available over-the-counter in many countries around the world, that is available OFC in the USA. If you wanted to go the legal route and try to get a prescription from your doctor, he would have to be willing to prescribe it to you "off label" (unless you are narcoleptic). If you are confident in your own assessment (after appropriate research), it's easy enough currently to get it delivered to your door for less than $2 per 200 mg tablet. I'll give the details later.

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What ChatGPT says about the benefits of modafinil

Before I share with you about my experience and that of some of my friends, here's what ChatGPT says about the effects of modafinil.

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1. Enhanced Focus and Productivity: One common account is from individuals who have used modafinil to improve their focus and productivity. They report that the drug significantly reduces their tendency to procrastinate and enhances their ability to concentrate on tasks for extended periods. This is particularly noted by students during exam periods or professionals with demanding projects.

2. Improved Alertness and Wakefulness: People with sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or shift work sleep disorder have shared experiences of how modafinil has been beneficial in managing their symptoms. They describe feeling more awake and alert throughout the day without the jitteriness associated with caffeine. This effect helps them maintain a normal daily routine.

3. Mixed Effects on Cognitive Enhancement: Some users report cognitive enhancement benefits, including improved memory, quicker thinking, and enhanced problem-solving abilities. However, these accounts often come with the caveat that the effects can vary greatly from person to person. While some find modafinil to be a game-changer in cognitive performance, others notice more subtle improvements or primarily experience the wakefulness effects.

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It's important to note that while some individuals report positive effects from modafinil, others may experience side effects or find that the drug does not work as expected for them. Commonly reported side effects include headaches, nausea, nervousness, and trouble sleeping. 

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My journey with modafinil

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I first heard about modafinil (brand name Provigil) when I ran across a news article that mentioned that the U.S. military makes use of it to support the soldiers in staying alert and effective when they must keep performing their duties for stretches of 24 or more hours.

After doing further research (this was when I lived in Kunming, China), I decided the possibilities were worth the risks and I ordered some. I didn't even consider trying to get a prescription. Chinese doctors (which much more controlled by the Chinese government than American doctors are by the AMA and the American government), would never consider prescribing it. In fact, I couldn't even find it available in the pharmacies there.

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Am I narcoleptic?

Certainly not in the sense that there is any risk of me falling asleep while driving a vehicle. However, when I would be sitting in an all-day seminar, even with a subject that I was quite interested in, I would often doze off in my seat when no one else in the room was. Frequently, I would stand up at the side of the room in order to stay awake and alert.

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"Glad to be alive and so many interesting things to learn and do"

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I know it's not accurate to say, "I wasn't myself then," or "This is who I really am." In different circumstances and conditions, how we are at those times is only one expression of one way we can be.

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Notwithstanding, the way that modafinil supports me in feeling and seeing myself and the world resonates with the expression, "This makes me feel like me." It supports me in a feeling of unbounded optimism about my future that I remember having as a child.

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Conflicts between my Now and Next, or even between my Oneself and Others, rarely arise when I'm "under the influence of modafinil." 

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Some of my friends use modafinil

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From time to time, I have suggested that some of my friends consider trying out how modafinil might work for them. A few are regular users now, like I am. It's become an important supporting structure for our lives.

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One friend I remember, however, got a headache. So she discontinued using it. Makes sense. Another friend noticed no difference in how he felt.

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Is modafinil addictive?

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Unlike coffee, the FDA mandates a prescription for modafinil and not for coffee, even though coffee might be more addictive than modafinil.

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Here's what I got from ChatGPT:

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"Caffeine is widely recognized for its potential to be habit-forming. Regular, prolonged caffeine use can lead to physical dependence, and abrupt cessation may result in withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, and fatigue. However, the degree of addiction and severity of withdrawal symptoms can vary significantly among individuals.

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"Modafinil is considered to have a lower potential for abuse and addiction compared to traditional stimulants like amphetamines."

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It's interesting that I cannot get ChatGPT to directly compare the risk of addiction between caffeine and modafinil.

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My personal experience is, whenever I stopped using modafinil for a day or two, the benefits went away, but I did not have any withdrawal symptoms.

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Getting your supply of modafinil

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You can do your own research through Google to find some suppliers. Personally, I have used one supplier who had been quite reliable (they even sent a replacement shipment one time when I did not receive the first one). Depending upon the quantity you order, your cost will be less than $2 per 200 mg tablet (the amount I take each day first thing in the morning). 

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Here's the link. They even have shipping inside the USA for faster delivery. They have different "flavors" of modafinil. The one I usually order is called Modalert. 

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If you have any questions or feedback, please use the contact form at the end of this suite. That sends an email directly to me. Make sure you include your email address for me to reply to you.

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