Modafinil. The magic pill to success or the demise of your mental well-being? A review.

Performance altering drugs and nootropics -also called "smart drugs" see a boost in popularity as the desire of never-ending productivity is on the rise in todays workplace.

Substances like "Speed" have been used for decades but fewer peopler are interested in risking their health in exchange for higher performance. 

This is where Modafinil comes in. Even though longterm studies are non-existent due to the short time it´s on the market, no concerning side-effects of the substance have been reported and it is regarded as save by most of its users.

Once you have heard about Modafinil and its effects you want to learn more about it. That is how it went for me. Just a quick search on YouTube about it brings up a mind-boggling amount of videos by users who attribute live-changing effects to this substance and swear by its efficiency.

Having heard all of this and read about it for hours on end I had to try it.

-The Review-

Users described the state while being on this drug as being highly productive working machines.

Well, this is not what I have experienced. If you are waiting for a "come-up" on this drug you can wait forever. The effects are very subtle at first and only noticeable when you are actually doing something. Instead of feeling a rush of energy which you might get from other mind-altering substances, Modafinil transfered my mood in an alternating state of amazement by my performance regarding my reactions and quick thinking and utter emotionless apathy. 

If you look deeper in the web for Modafinils barely reported mental side-effects you will find the darker side of the drug. I was not the only one with those mood swings and a general distaste for human interaction while on Modafinil. Looking further into the issue it turned out that many of its users battle those side-effects with mood-enhancers and other nootropics. -Even more substances.

While Modafinil increases your reactions and sharpness to 110% and won´t let you sleep for the next 12 hours in the process, those effects are dwarfed by the feeling of emotionlessness and apathy.

Maybe some people can cope with those side-effects or have them in a lower amount as I do but my "Modafinil-Experience" has come to an end after a few tries and I can happily go back to doing my work in a normal, non-intoxicated manner.

-Cube