Adrafinil is one of the most powerful nootropics on the market to maintain mental focus without feeling jittery. Adrafinil is a prodrug for Modafinil, meaning supplementation of adrafinil leads to increased concentrations of modafinil in the body.
Adrafinil supplementation increases alertness and wakefulness. Adrafinil is a stimulant, but it does not cause hyperactivity. Instead, it fights sleepiness. Taking adrafinil is said to improve memory.
Originally developed to increase wakefulness in narcoleptics, Adrafinil is a truly potent supplement and should be used with discretion. Due to its antisleep effects and long half-life, adrafinil should not be taken at any time aside from immediately in the morning if proper sleep is desired.
We are stuck in a world with way too much competition, right? Sometimes we get this feeling that we need an extra push, especially during critical times like the last phase of a project that you have been working on for months.
During times like this, drug Adrafinil can become a blessing. Actually, I feel that Adrafinil can help you in every phase of life. Before I tell you more about its benefits, I will get started on what the drug is and a little of its history.
What Is Adrafinil
Adrafinil, a member of the Eugeroic group, is a synthetic nootropic supplement that acts as a stimulant of the central nervous system. It is basically a wakefulness-promoting agent that gets broken down and gets converted into Modafinil by the liver.
Adrafinil provides various cognitive benefits like improving learning abilities, memory, and overall brain power. All these nootropic benefits make the drug extremely useful for narcolepsy patients, students, and also shift workers.
A Little Bit of Adrafinil's History
Adrafinil began its journey under the name Olmifon when a French pharmaceutical company called Group Lefon developed it in the late 1970s. It was initially used for the treatment of narcolepsy, a condition because of which an individual is not able to regulate the sleep and wakefulness cycle.
In other words, it is the tendency to fall asleep whenever you are in a relaxing environment. This is the reason Adrafinil is called a wakefulness stimulant. It acts on the central nervous system and is basically a cerebral stimulant.
In 2011, the production of Olmifon was stopped as the marketing approval of the stimulant was withdrawn. But, Adrafinil is sold in the US and Canada as there are no regulations pertaining to the drug. It is used to fight narcolepsy and fatigue as a cognitive enhancing nootropic.
What Is Adrafinil's Mechanism of Absorption
Adrafinil, also known by the trade name olmifon, is a “prodrug”, meaning that it is metabolized by the body into an active pharmacological agent.
Adrafinil is metabolized into modafinil, a prescription medication for alertness.
How Does Adrafinil Work
Adrafinil as I already mentioned acts on the central nervous system. The adrenergic system is a part of the central nervous system which is responsible for releasing adrenaline and boosting the energy level of the body. I am sure you would have heard of the ‘flight or fight’ response.
Adrenaline is the major contributor that prepares the body for flight or fight. Adrafinil is essentially a precursor or a prodrug which is inactive in its natural state, but when it undergoes the metabolism cycle in the liver, it gets converted into Modafinil.
This drug can promote a rapid release of adrenaline, boost energy, and increase alertness. While most drugs stimulate motor coordination, Adrafinil is primarily a cerebral stimulant. It is strongly connected with the increased production and release of the neurotransmitter Hypocretin.
The production of dopamine, histamine, and norepinephrine are all accelerated by an increase in Hypocretin. These neurotransmitters are all directly connected with wakefulness and an increase in energy levels. Adrafinil enhances neuronal communication by preventing the breakdown of glutamate.
This improved neuronal communication increases memory and concentration and also creates a better cognitive function. The hormone Serotonin, also known as the happy hormone which boosts the mood is also stimulated by Adrafinil. This hormone is believed to reduce anxiety and stress.
What Are the Benefits of Adrafinil
Adrafinil has been found to increase exploratory behavior and alertness in animals (Siwak, 2000). It also increased the speed of learning and decreased errors in the performance of a task (Milgram, 2000).
Additionally, Adrafinil increased the nocturnal activity of rhesus monkeys between 2- and 4-fold, without a sedative effect during the post-treatment phase (Milhaud, 1985).
What this means is that the rhesus monkeys were 2 to 4 times more active while awake during the night, but did not revert to sluggishness once the Adrafinil was removed!
Adrafinil Pros:
- Increases mental alertness and energy;
- Shown to improve focus and concentration;
- Alleviates drowsiness and fatigue from sleep deprivation;
- Reported to increase motivation and productivity;
- Increases wakefulness without jitters or over-stimulation.
Adrafinil Cons:
- Less potent than Modafinil;
- Raises liver enzymes and shows - hepatoxicity if overused;
- Not appropriate for long-term use;
- More expensive than other nootropics;
- A longer onset of effects compared to modafinil.
Adrafinil Safety
Originally developed to increase wakefulness in narcoleptics, Adrafinil is a truly potent supplement and should be used with discretion.
Do not consume a higher dosage than 400 mg of Adrafinil as it may elevate liver enzymes. If you have any health concerns, please consult a physician.
What Is the Active Dosage of Adrafinil
Adrafinil is best taken on an empty stomach in the morning. Unless necessary, initially avoid taking Adrafinil before bed to avoid potentially interfering with sleep, as it is stimulatory. Effects can typically be felt in approximately an hour, and the duration can be 3 to 4 hours.
When you are planning to use supplements, it is very important that you have proper knowledge about the dosage. The dosage of Adrafinil varies based on your need but in general 150 to 300 mg is considered safe and is highly recommended. Since the drug will stimulate a rapid release of adrenaline, it is highly recommended that you start with a lower dosage.
Since it is a wakefulness stimulant, it should be taken in the morning before you eat or drink anything. Avoid taking it in the evenings as it can disturb your night’s sleep. The effect of the drug can be felt in one hour, and it can stay up to a maximum of 4 hours.
You can either take it as capsules or even as a powder. If you prefer using the latter, heat up a cup of water and mix about 100 mg of the powder. Since the drug is water-soluble, the mixture should be clear. If it is cloudy, then the drug you bought is fake. It is best if you begin with 100 mg capsules.
Long-term usage of Adrafinil should be strictly avoided as it can potentially affect your liver function. You can take the stimulant in cycles, i.e., use it for two weeks and then avoid it for a week and so on.
Why Should You Use Adrafinil
The benefits of Adrafinil are many. Though it is basically a wakefulness stimulant, it also comes with many cognitive benefits. The primary benefit of Adrafinil is to prevent daytime sleepiness and treat narcolepsy. It can treat daytime fatigue which occurs due to sleep disorders and insomnia.
It can promote both physical and mental energy and keep you active. Adrafinil can improve neuronal communication and enhance memory and focus. The various cognitive benefits include improved learning ability, faster recall, and the consumer can retain information better.
Individuals who take this drug in cycles are found to have increased levels of productivity. There is an improvement in overall energy levels, attention, alertness, and stamina. Adrafinil is highly recommended to narcolepsy patients, shift workers, truck drivers, and people who get tired quickly and have low energy levels.
Another benefit of this drug is its mood-altering aspect. Since it promotes the release of the hormone serotonin, it boosts the mood of the individual and also reduces the risk of anxiety and stress.
Adrafinil Safety and Side Effects
Adrafinil shows a high degree of tolerability with no detected liver toxicity. No increases in liver enzymes have been observed following hepatic Adrafinil metabolism.
Human trials are limited and there have not been any established rates of incidents for serious adverse effects. Mild side effects have been reported consisting of restlessness, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Less common side effects include “headache, somnolence, vertigo, mild epigastric pain, nausea, diarrhea, and rash.”
Possible Side Effects
Just like every other synthetic drug, Adrafinil also comes with a set of possible side effects. The most common ones are nausea, dry mouth, anxiety and sleep issues. There are some side effects that are very rare, such as hallucinations, heart palpitations, and chest pain. People who are already suffering from heart conditions might experience chest pain and other discomforts.
Hence it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor before taking Adrafinil. Continuous usage of Adrafinil can affect the liver’s natural functioning. This happens because of the enzymes that build up in the liver. Continuous usage of this drug should be strictly avoided. If you feel any discomfort after using Adrafinil, it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor immediately.
Real vs. Fake Adrafinil
Since most supplements are available online, it is important that you know the difference between real and fake ones.
- Color
Adrafinil has a light pinkish/rosy color or off-white shade. You can identify the real ones by the color.
- Smell
The stimulant has a sulfurous smell and also makes your urine smell the same. This cannot be used to determine the real drug as some Adrafinil is odorless. The older the batch, the less impactful the smell is.
- Solubility
Adrafinil is soluble in water. If it is finely powdered then it will be completely soluble, if the drug is in crystallized form, there might be some crystalline sediment in the bottom when you mix it with water.
Adrafinil: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Adrafinil and Modafinil the Same
Adrafinil and Modafinil are often confused as the same, but they are not. Adrafinil is a precursor of Modafinil, which means that if you consume the former, it gets metabolized in the liver and produces high concentrations of the latter.
Drugs similar to Adrafinil are Verapamil, Butorphanol, and Nystatin.
Is Using Adrafinil Safe
The usage of Adrafinil is considered safe if it is taken in the recommended amount which is 150 to 300 mg. Continuous usage of the drug can increase the count of liver enzymes and alter its original functioning.
Hence Adrafinil should be used in cycles. The drug should never be taken with alcohol or drugs such as Tylenol as they all have the same effect on the liver.
How Long Does Adrafinil Take to Work
Adrafinil typically takes an hour to work. In some cases, it might take up to 90 minutes to get metabolized and absorbed by the system.
Both capsules and powder take the same amount of time to get absorbed by the system. You will stay at your peak performance usually for 2-4 hours after ingestion.
How Long Does Adrafinil Last
The effect of the drug lasts based on your dosage. If you take up to 300 mg, then the drug is at peak performance for 6 hours. But it is said that the drug lasts all day long since it is metabolized to high concentrations of Modafinil.
Typically it should be taken on an empty stomach in the mornings as it can give you a boost in energy level all day long.
Final Thoughts
Adrafinil is considered as a wonder drug as it comes with a good amount of physical and mental benefits. It is for people who want more energy, stamina, and high mental acuity. It has extraordinary stimulant properties which can significantly boost your energy level and keep you active.
But Adrafinil is not for everyone. Though it has many benefits if you are someone who is suffering from specific medical conditions, it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor before you try Adrafinil or any other supplement.
