Can Modafinil Affect Memory and Mood Improvement?

Modafinil, popularly known as the smart drug, has long been used as a generic medication to stay awake, alert, and increase productivity. It has been used as a prescription medicine for treating sleeping disorders.

Additionally, modafinil is non-addictive by nature, which makes it one of the popular choices to treat excessive sleeping and narcolepsy. But besides its apparent wakefulness-promoting property, individuals also use it as a way to prove their cognitive abilities.

Does this nootropic drug work as it is claimed to be? Here is all you need to know about modafinil, and it’s effects on memory enhancement and mood improvement.

What Do You Need to Know About Modafinil?

Modafinil was first launched for public use in 1998 after getting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for narcolepsy treatment [1]. It is an excellent eugeroic capable of making the person stay awake as long as 15 hours without feeling tired [2].

But soon, people noticed that modafinil was quite helpful as a nootropic as well [3]. For starters, nootropics are a class of safe drugs that help in enhancing the cognitive and memory capabilities, and hence, the nootropics are also known as “smart drugs.”

There are also similar sleep issues that can make one feel sleepy in the day hours: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and shift work disorder (SWSD) can make one fall asleep even in the middle of the work.

Modafinil has since gained popularity all over the world with many people choosing it over other stimulants because it is a much cheaper and safer option. It is an oral medication sold in the form of pills usually in the dosages of 100 mg and 200 mg.

One of the best parts of modafinil is that it has a few side effects. This has made this drug popular among students and professionals alike. It is also affordable and easier to buy and is available both as a prescription and over-the-counter medication in most parts of the world.

More recent studies have also shown that modafinil has many positive effects on healthy people. It is also known to elevate the mood levels and is sometimes used in the treatment of depression. It is also used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to the mental focus that it can provide [4].

Some known side effects of modafinil include allergic reactions, nausea, headaches, back pain, dry mouth, and stuffy nose, and so on.

In rare cases, users have developed Steven Johnson syndrome which causes severe rashes [5].

Does Modafinil Help with Memory?

While the exact way as to how this pill reacts with the neurotransmitters in the brain is still under research, it has generally been observed that it reacts with neurotransmitters and increases the level of dopamine in the brain. It is important to mention here that dopamine is a crucial hormone and a neurotransmitter that is associated with learning, reinforcements, and happy feelings. By reducing the reuptake of dopamine by neurons, modafinil makes sure that the level of dopamine remains high in the brain. Hence, naturally, when one takes this drug, they tend to feel more focused and motivated at work in hand.

Various studies have been undertaken to gauge the level of impact modafinil has on our memory. One such study has found that its users tend to perform better in tests involving episodic memory and working memory. This directly relates to the nootropic quality of modafinil which makes it an intelligence booster.

Another study on memory and modafinil has used the Morris Water maze learning technique experiment in rats to establish the relation between modafinil and memory improvement. It goes on to state that this drug does indeed help in improving spatial and contextual fear memory dependent on the hippocampus region of the brain. According to their results, it can be assumed that under the effect of modafinil, a person could perform well in their tests and learning tasks.

Does Modafinil Improve Mood?

Cognitive dysfunction has long been associated with depression. As modafinil seems to be effective in improving memory and learning capabilities, it has also been related to depression treatment and is quite useful.

A study by the University of Cambridge revealed the positive effect of this drug on memory and mood elevation. Depression can make a person lose focus, unable to be productive and this, in turn, can affect their depression symptoms. Modafinil is shown to have positive effects on working memory as well as episodic memory, both essential for a better quality of life. This, in turn, automatically translates to mood improvements and enhances confidence. Modafinil helps smoothen the recovery process from depression and makes a person feel more motivated and energetic to face their everyday tasks. It acts as a stabilizer drug and helps improve the mood without posing the danger of getting addicted to it.

Final Thoughts

There is a reason why modafinil continues to be the top choice among known nootropics for improving memory and mood. It is affordable, easily available, and poses very few side effects. It is much safer when compared to other stimulants or addictive anti-depressants. What’s more, it can also be purchased at very cheap prices from online pharmacy stores that will ship your order right to your door.

But as with any drug, you ought to consult your physician for the right dosage and usage directions to get the best out of modafinil. Be wary of the different drug combinations and alcohol consumption that may react with modafinil. Consult a doctor when you experience any side effects like rashes and allergic reactions.

References:

1. Drug Approval Package. Accessdata.fda.gov.
2. Practical Use and Risk of Modafinil, a Novel Waking Drug. Published online: February 22, 2012. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
3. Modafinil and Memory: Effects of Modafinil on Morris Water Maze Learning and Pavlovian Fear Conditioning. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
4. Treatment Of Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
5. The Ultimate Modafinil Resource. Modafinil.org.