The Adrafinil vs Modafinil debate is one you cannot avoid, especially if you are into smart drugs or nootropics.
That is because the two are some of the most popular smart drugs on the market. Both have the effect of increasing concentration and focus on the task at hand, enabling you to perform more efficiently than usual.
They are go-to drugs for students, CEO, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who need to stay awake for long periods.
No matter who the user is, the drugs help increase productivity, work efficiency, and accomplished results.
Despite the close relationship among these compounds, they may have a few differences that may make you choose one over the other.
In this article, we shall focus on the ways these two nootropics are similar or different. With that in-depth knowledge, you will be able to choose the right nootropic for you. Read on for more.
What Is Adrafinil?
Adrafinil is a nootropic drug that was discovered in 1970 in the laboratory of Lafon, a French pharmaceutical. Soon, researchers found the chemical to have the ability to help people stay awake for longer.
After further research, sleep researcher Michel Jouvet the drug became a preferred treatment for people with sleep issues.
The release of Adrafinil in commercial proportions happened simultaneously in France and the United States in 1994.
Its original brand name was Olmifon, even though that changed to Provigil after the discovery of Modafinil.
It is an effective eurogenic or sleeps enhancer, keeping its users alert and awake to concentrate on important tasks.
Once you ingest it, the body digests Adrafinil, converting it into Modafinil, before it’s nootropic effects kick in.
What Is Modafinil?
Modafinil is an Adrafinil variation that produces nootropic effects in the human body, leaving you active and awake.
It came as a result of further research into Adrafinil and its nootropic effects. As they gave Adrafinil a further microscopic look, they discovered that it had a metabolite that works as an active ingredient.
They isolated that metabolite (Modafinil) and created a completely new, more efficient nootropic. That gave birth to the brand name Provigil, representing the metabolite Modafinil.
Apart from showing design improvement, Modafinil is more potent, delivering faster results, whether nootropic or therapeutic.
Under its brand name Provigil, the FDA has registered Modafinil as a prescription medication for narcolepsy or excessive daytime sleep.
Thus, those who need to buy Provigil must have a prescription from the doctor. That’s unless you buy one of the Modafinil generics, including Armodafinil.
Adrafinil vs Modafinil – Similarities
Adrafinil is the prodrug for Modafinil, meaning the two nootropics come from the same basic chemical. When you ingest Adrafinil, the liver metabolizes it in the active metabolite Modafinil and an inactive metabolite Modafinilic acid.
In effect, both Adrafinil and Modafinil affect the human body the same way, since their mode of working is similar.
The following are some of the similarities between Adrafinil and Modafinil.
1. How They Work
To keep you awake for long, both Adrafinil and Modafinil act on the amygdala and hypothalamus parts of the brain, increasing wakefulness.
As the histamine and norepinephrine levels increase, the user of any of these drugs becomes more mentally alert.
The nootropic also increases glutamate, a neurotransmitter that promotes communication among brain cells, improving cognitive functionality, memory, focus, and productivity.
However, improved alertness depends on much more than increased glutamate with dopamine playing an important role.
When dopamine (the feel-good hormone) increases, it produces pleasure responses, increasing alertness, and improving mood. Unlike amphetamines, the two drugs block neural receptors, increasing dopamine availability. For that reason, Adrafinil and Modafinil have a lower addictive potential compared to other stimulants.
2. Effects and Benefits
The Adrafinil vs Modafinil debate cannot end before we talk about the benefits of both nootropics. As effective stimulants, both of them promote wakefulness, increase alertness, reduce tiredness, and inhibit sleep.
In doing all that, their action is more effective than amphetamine-based stimulants such as Adderall. They aren’t addictive, hardly resulting in too much sleepiness or withdrawal symptoms once you stop using them.
Another major benefit of the two eugeroics is the marked improvement in several cognitive abilities such as improvement in episodic and spatial memory.
No matter your occupation, they can improve working memory fluid intelligence, pattern recognition, executive functions, and performance.
Scientific studies have said Adrafinil and Modafinil may improve overall brain health by releasing neuroprotective properties.
Finally, users have reported experiencing improved mood when sleep-deprived or non-fatigued.
Adrafinil vs Modafinil – Differences
No matter how much the two drugs might be, Adrafinil is significantly different from Modafinil. So, it is important for all newbie and experienced users of these drugs to know the things that distinguish them.
The following are the ways in which Adrafinil is different from Modafinil:
1. Legality
When it comes to legality, Adrafinil and Modafinil are significantly different. For starters, the two eugeroics are banned by the World Anti-Doping Association for being performance enhancers.
Besides, the US FDA considers Modafinila Schedule IV prescription drug, making it possible for you to legally own it 100 percent. For that reason, you need a prescription from the doctor for Modafinil from the pharmacy.
On the other hand, Adrafinil isn’t classified in America, Canada, or Europe. Therefore you can possess and use it for nootropic purposes without attracting censure from the authorities.
In Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, the Modafinil is also for prescription-only purposes. Doctors in these countries prescribe them for treating narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.
Off-label users of these drugs may, however, obtain them online in any of the various generic variations from international manufacturers.
2. Potency and Dosage
Of the two eugeroics, Modafinil is the most potent. After ingestion, the human body metabolizes Adrafinil into Modafinil, which is the active ingredient.
But a large part of Adrafinil is changed into Modafilinic acid, which doesn’t have any active properties.
Since it is derived from Adrafinil and readily available, Modafinil is more potent, becoming available to the body sooner with stronger effects.
For that reason, you need larger doses of Adrafinil to get the effects of Modafinil. For instance, the average Adrafinil dose is between 300mg and 600mg, even though some people use 1,200mg or more daily.
When it comes to Modafinil, the standard dosage for treating narcolepsy and other conditions is between 100mg and 200mg. However, some users take as much as 400mg of the drug a day.
3. Toxicity
Toxicity is one of the biggest disadvantages of Adrafinil, given that it may harm the body if used over long periods and in large doses.
For example, the metabolism of this particular drug may cause an exponential increase in liver enzyme levels.
However, it is rare for people to report actual cases of liver toxicity after taking high dosages over a long time.
4. Onset, Half-Life, and Duration
When you take Adrafinil, the liver has to process and convert it to modafinil before taking effect. In the case of Modafinil, it will be available in the bloodstream after 60 to 90 minutes.
For that reason, it takes Adrafinil longer (up to 2 1/2 hours) to take effect. If you take Modafinil, the drug will trigger wakefulness and mental alertness in 1 ½ hour.
In terms of half-life, the two drugs are as distinct as heaven and earth. While Adrafinil has a 5-hour half-life, Modafinil takes 14 to 16 hours to halve its concentration in the body.
Since it lasts for a shorter time, you can take Adrafinil afternoon and be ready to sleep by your scheduled time. That’s not possible for Modafinil, which lasts for up to 12+ hours.
However, staying in the body for longer makes Modafinil better for users who want to stay alert and energized for longer.
Adrafinil vs Modafinil – Which Should You Choose?
You should choose Adrafinil if you want a drug you can purchase legally without a doctor’s prescription.
That’s because the drug is unregulated and doesn’t attract restrictions from the authorities in Canada and the US.
On the other hand, the FDA classifies Modafinil as a Schedule IV drug, meaning you need a doctor’s prescription to buy it.
So disregarding federal restrictions and acquiring the drugs for nootropic reasons may attract sanctions from federal authorities.
That means you may want to buy Adrafinil instead of Modafinil, especially if you intend to use it for off-label purposes.
Since its effects last for a shorter time, you won’t experience an interruption in your sleep pattern because of taking Adrafinil. Other alternatives to Modafinil are the various generic variations that are mostly available for sale online.
Adrafinil vs Modafinil-Conclusion
From the points we have canvassed above, it is clear that both Adrafinil and Modafinil have fewer or no side-effects. They are safe to consume and hardly cause tolerance or addiction.
If you are looking for nootropics to heighten your performance and remain awake for hours on end, any of the two drugs will do just fine.
As long as you take the drugs for the right reason, there would be no reason for you to delay sleep. Of these two drugs, Modafinil is the most potent and quickly available to the body. Now you know all about Adrafinil vs Modafinil.
