Adrafinil

Adrafinil is a mild stimulant that keeps the user awake and alert. Its psychostimulant-like properties are used to treat attention deficit disorders, sleepiness, and excessive fatigue. It’s quite useful for students who must have long and late-night study sessions. To make the best use of its stimulant effects for nighttime wakefulness, the supplement must be taken in the afternoon or evening.

Adrafinil does more than just keep you alert for long hours; there is empirical evidence to show the supplement can improve reaction time, increase motivation, enhance mood, and offer other potential cognitive benefits. Those who have used this nootropic supplement report that along with alertness, adrafinil also enhanced focus and boosts energy when awake. That’s because the supplement influences the adrenergic system. Adrafinil induces the release of the “flight-or-fight” hormone adrenaline. The sudden burst of adrenaline gives the user more energy and heightens the senses.

Adrafinil promotes wakefulness and alertness by increasing hypocretin, which is a key neurotransmitter that determines how alert you are and how you feel. Higher levels of this neurotransmitter in the brain give you more energy. In addition, hypocretin also stimulates the production of other mood-related and energy boosting neurotransmitters such as histamine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The nootropic supplement also performs the role of an enzyme inhibitor. It stalls the breakdown of dopamine and promotes the release of serotonin. Its action on these two mood-managing neurotransmitters makes it an ideal supplement to boost motivation levels and promote higher productivity.

Similar to aniracetam and piracetam, it’s believed that adrafinil also stimulates glutamate. By activating the glutamate pathways, the nootropic supplement improves synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and the ability to learn.

Adrafinil and Modafinil: These two are not entirely identical, but have similar effects. Adrafinil is a precursor to modafinil. Initially, the supplement remains inactive, and when it reaches the liver, it gets converted to the active form of modafinil.

The difference between the two lies in the dosage, effectiveness, and duration of action. Compared to modafinil, adrafinil is less effective and takes longer to act. But, the effect of this nootropic will stay longer in the body. When treating ADHD or ADD, adrafinil can also serve as a good alternative to Adderall and Ritalin.

Caution: Long-term use of adrafinil can affect liver function, hence use the supplement in cycles (i.e.) add it for 10 days and then take a 10 day break.

Dosage: 300 to 1200 mg per day