Modafinil Dosage Guide: 50mg, 100mg, 200mg, or 400mg Dose
Modafinil. It’s a household name in the nootropic community, and for good reason. Disorders that cause fatigue and extreme sleepiness are good candidates for Modafinil prescriptions. Common brand names for Modafinil domestically are Provigil and Alertec. You may have also heard generic brands Modalert and Modvigil tossed around the internet.
These are wakefulness promoting agents whose mechanism of action is still somewhat of a mystery. Research speculates that Modafinil acts by altering chemicals in the portion of the brain responsible for sleep and the circadian rhythm of the body. Several studies on Modafinil show that it stimulates dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), histamine (HA), and serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmitters, providing the enhanced mental alertness that its users require.
Modafinil is popular among students and the working class for its off-label use as a cognitive enhancing smart drug. Obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or even shift work disorder often benefit from the enhanced energy and motivation a regular Modafinil dosage can provide.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorders occur as a result of a misalignment of your internal circadian timing system as it relates to the 24-hour physical and social environment. This misalignment results in physical exhaustion, sleepiness, and insomnia. Studies have shown that Modafinil can reduce neurobehavioral deficits and dramatically improve mental alertness. The best part is that it does so without interfering with subsequent sleep (in most cases).
How to Take Modafinil
What we’ll discuss in today’s article is how to take Modafinil, and what dosage you need to maintain superior focus and concentration to become the most productive version of yourself. If you are just starting out with smart drugs, it’s important to know what Modafinil dosage will have the most benefit with the least amount of side effects.
The drug is taken orally in tablet form. The Modafinil dose commonly prescribed and sold is in 200mg tablets, but it is also available in 100mg pills. We also recommend pairing this smart drug with a high-quality choline supplement or a natural nootropic stack to reduce the likelihood of headaches and burnout (more on this subject below).
Modafinil (Provigil) is taken once a day and is safe to take without needing food before or after consumption. It should be ingested at the same time each day. It is not advised to change the time Modafinil is taken daily without approval from a physician. Although, if you’re taking it for non-medical purposes, you’re most likely only consuming them on an “as needed” basis.
With that said, timing shouldn’t be a major factor unless you’re using them daily. The objective is to improve cognitive function during the day and still be able to fall asleep at night. Modafinil has the potential to be habit forming, though it’s unlikely unless taking extremely high doses regularly. If prescription smart drugs make you uneasy, we suggest reviewing our list of the best brain supplements.
Modafinil 50mg Dose
If you plan on using Modafinil to improve cognitive performance, it is recommended to start with a low dosage and build up gradually. The goal behind titrating upwards is to achieve the desired effect with the lowest dose possible. This way you’ll get all of the mental enhancement benefits of the smart drug while reducing the likelihood of side effects.
Low dose Modafinil, usually at 50mg, should be enough to attain the desired effects of the drug for most people. If you find that 50mg isn’t sufficient, or if you lose focus halfway through the day, up your intake to 100mg next time. The Modafinil 50mg dose isn’t easy to find when ordering online. Many users will buy a generic such as Modalert or Modvigil and break the tablets to control their intake.
Modafinil 100mg Dose
For narcolepsy, 100mg is prescribed to be taken once per day, immediately upon waking. For mental enhancement and getting rid of brain fog, some people find that taking 50mg upon waking and 50mg in the afternoon (100mg in total) can provide alertness throughout the day. The splitting of doses is something you’ll have to test yourself. You can either consume the entire amount first thing in the morning or split up intake throughout the day. See which one works best for you.
To avoid any potential pitfalls of overstimulation, we advise not to take any within 10-12 hours of sleep. The Modafinil 100mg dose is easier to find than the lower doses. Brand names Provigil, Alertec, and others often come in 100mg and 200mg options.
Modafinil 200mg Dose
Most physicians recommend a Modafinil 200mg dose, once daily, when treating circadian rhythm sleep disorders. This amount is the most common dosage that students and entrepreneurs consume to achieve their cognitive enhancement and mood improvement goals.
As mentioned earlier, we recommend that you take either 50mg or 100mg for your first dose. See how your body reacts before increasing to 200mg. This dosage seems to be the sweet spot for the vast majority of users. It is usually more than enough to improve focus and concentration, and increase productivity.
Modafinil 400mg Dose
Typically, a Modafinil 400mg dose is well tolerated by patients. However, there are no consistent results from clinical studies that show significant differences in the effects of a 400mg dose compared to a 200mg dose. The long-term side effects with such a large dose are unknown, so why risk it? Our recommendation is to stay under 200mg of Modafinil (Provigil) per day.
Modafinil ADHD Dosage
One of the off-label uses of Modafinil is in the treatment of ADHD. Although it has yet to be approved by the FDA for this purpose, there has been lots of positive feedback on the drug’s effectiveness. There are now numerous studies exploring the potential of Modafinil for ADHD. Most of the research arrives at the same conclusion: Modafinil is a very attractive option for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Especially when given the choice between Modafinil or Adderall. Many people would rather avoid Adderall, an amphetamine-based drug with significantly more adverse side effects.
The Modafinil ADHD dosage for adults ranges from 100mg to 200mg per day. It is important to note that the FDA does not approve the use of Modafinil (Provigil) in pediatric patients. Early clinical trials show side effects like rashes in children who take the drug. Thus, even a low Modafinil dosage for ADHD is not recommended. We suggest over the counter Adderall alternatives to treat ADHD in children.
Modafinil Maximum Dosage
The Modafinil max dosage should be 400mg per day. For anyone with potential liver problems, consult your doctor first to be on the safe side. At very high dosages, some adverse effects may be observed. These side effects include excitation, irritability, agitation, aggressiveness, confusion, tremors, palpitations, insomnia, and sleep disturbances. Natural sleeping pills do exist that can treat insomnia and sleep deprivation. However, if you stay at or below the maximum dosage, these problems shouldn’t occur. Side effects may decrease and disappear completely as the body adjusts and gets used to the medication.
If you experience headaches, try using Alpha GPC, the most bioavailable choline source on the market. When paired with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Huperzine A, these nootropics work in tandem to raise levels of acetylcholine in the brain while simultaneously slowing its breakdown. Not only will this reduce the adverse side effects of Modafinil, but it will enhance memory retention, reduce brain fog, and assist in the growth and maintenance of new neurons. In other words, these two nootropics will safely and reliably amplify the cognitive enhancement effects of Modafinil.
Safety Warning on Regular Modafinil Dosing
Much like a turbocharger to a car, think of Modafinil as a turbo for your brain. It’s a way to squeeze more power and performance out of something without changing the motor (your brain). However, when you’re continually kicking your brain into overdrive, sleep and nutrition are critical for proper recovery. Without a natural recovery process, your brain’s baseline performance will trend downward over time. Lack of sleep and poor dietary habits while using Modafinil will wear you out mentally, regardless of the dosage used.
Excessive mental fatigue can cause a slew of unwanted problems: headaches, brain fog, lack of focus, and reduced energy levels to name a few. These adverse side effects are quite the opposite of what a regular Modafinil user wants. It’s not uncommon to take Modafinil for a week and find yourself sleeping 14 hours straight on the weekend. Your brain is telling you that it needs a break and the right nutrients to recover. Listen to your body.
The need for brain nutrition is why natural nootropic stacks like NuClarity are a central component for getting the most out of your Modafinil doses. Think of NuClarity as the synthetic motor oil for your high-performance car (your brain on Modafinil). If you lack the essential nutrients your brain requires, you may as well be using old conventional motor oil in your racecar—eventually, that motor will break down.
NuClarity is a smart pill designed to inhibit inflammatory responses and protect your brain from oxidative damage. The formula works by reducing neuronal deterioration and by rejuvenating aged, damaged, and overworked neurons from Modafinil use. Natural brain stacks like this allow you to avoid the annoying Modafinil headaches, longer recovery times and will lubricate your brain safely and efficiently. Utilizing both Alpha GPC and Huperzine A, NuClarity allows you to squeeze every last drop of mental performance out of each Modafinil dose.
Modafinil Half-Life
The Modafinil half-life is relatively long compared to other smart drugs and brain supplements. From initial administration, Modafinil stays in your system for 12-15 hours. The half-life is essential to know so you can have as little sleep interference as possible. For most users, the drug takes effect within 30-60 minutes from oral ingestion. Since Modafinil virtually eradicates mental fatigue and the desire to sleep, we suggest you only take Modafinil during the early morning hours. A consistent dosing schedule will ensure that you do not throw off your sleep cycle.
Final Thoughts on Taking Modafinil
Understand that Modafinil is not a limitless pill that will solve all of your problems. Even though it’s relatively safe, it’s still a prescription drug, and you should handle it with care. Consider the pros and cons of each Modafinil dosage. Increase consumption in a stepwise fashion until you’re able to achieve the mental alertness and cognitive enhancement you desire.
Although used to combat sleepiness, Modafinil should not be used as a cure for sleep disorders. You should make every attempt possible to resolve any sleep disorders naturally. Natural remedies are always the best option. You should avoid work that requires full focus and attention until you know how the drug affects you. Also, avoid alcoholic beverages while on the medication.
There’s no disputing the effectiveness of Modafinil as a cognitive boosting and mood enhancing supplement. With that said, different nootropics and smart drugs affect people differently. What works well for one does not necessarily work well for all. Has Modafinil helped you get more work done throughout the day? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
