Residual Victory Blog

Narcolepsy and insomnia are as dangerous for health and safety as lack of food and water.  Modafinil, an FDA approved prescription stimulant sold under the name Provigil, can be the guardian angel for those suffering from the inability to sleep or suffer from irregular sleep cycles; including shift workers or emergency workers experiencing shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), patients suffering from sleep apnea, or obstructive sleep apnea with hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and narcoleptics.  Although only approved by the FDA for narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (with or without hypopnea), Modafinil has also been used to treat depression, attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, cocaine addiction, multiple sclerosis and other disorders where fatigue is a common side effect, such as cancer. It is not safe for use in children and adolescents.
 
Sleep is probably the biggest desire next to love and sex and is one of life’s necessities.  Sleep deprivation can lead to injury, a lower immunity system, depression, and even death.  The U.S. National Commission on Sleep Disorders found accidents due to lack of sleep have a yearly cost of over $56 billion and cause over 25,000 deaths and 250,000 disabling injuries.  A 2000 study by a University Hospital in Sweden demonstrated that men who suffer from sleep apnea have a 50% higher chance of being involved in an occupational accident, and for women, the results were discouragingly higher.  Lack of sleep significantly effects cognitive functioning, emotional health and physical health, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, headaches and depression. Modafinil’s ability to balance irregular sleeping cycles are clearly a benefit for life, health, safety and economics.

Unlike other stimulants, Modafinil has the advantage of being void of addictive characteristics and is without the side effects of delusion and euphoria.  With Modafinil, it is actually possible to be alert and coherent, which leads to productivity, a mainstay of our capitalistic society.

What are the side effects?  Trouble sleeping of course.  Side effects also include headaches, nausea, irritability, feeling anxious and anxiety.  Headaches are the most common.  As with any medication, the side effects will vary with the individual, and you must review all medications with your doctor.  Modafinil is not recommended to individuals with a history of heart problems, mental illness or liver problems.  It will reduce the effectiveness of birth control, and according to the FDA, there are currently no adequate and controlled studies relative to use in pregnant women.

Modafinil is manufactured by Cephalon, Inc. and prescribed in tablet form to be taken once or twice a day.  Drug tests will show positive results if you are taking Modafinil.  Unlike energy bars, energy drinks, coffee and ginseng, Modafinil regulates sleep and wake cycles, promoting the balance between sleeping too much or sleeping too little rather than simply stimulating the brain.  Scientists are still discovering how Modafinil works.  Until then, Modafinil is being touted as the Viagra for the brain - stay awake, stay healthy and enjoy life.