Modafinil for eSports

 

Apr 13, 2016

Increasingly, eSports has gained momentum in recent years. From larger prize pools (The International 2015 for Dota2 totaled more than $18m USD) to more players (35k peak in number of players in Feb 13 to 738k peak in number of players in Feb 16 for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive), its clear that a eSports is here to stay. This has even given birth to a billion dollar company, Twitch.tv, which streams players live.

The use of Modafinil to improve athletic performance in regular sports has long been researched and proven. A 2005 study noted significant ethical considerations when competitive sportspeople improve their performance through drugs. The Olympic committee has long outlawed the use of Modafinil for athletes intending to participate in the Olympic Games, for reasons of fair play. It is considered a Performance-enhancing drug that confers an unfair advantage, which muddles the true performance of an individual. The consequences for testing positive of Modafinil in Olympic competition is a rather harsh lifetime ban. As this has been well established and debated, this post aims to scope the discussion towards the use of Modafinil in eSports.

One of the rather interesting propeties of Modafinil is its ability to reduce reaction time. This has important ramifications in eSports, when an improvement of 0.1 second in reaction time could mean winning million dollar prize. Among other things, Modafinil also improves concentration and decision making skills, making it a suitable candidate for real-time strategy (RTS) games such as League of Legends or Dota2, where focus and response to changes in the game environment variables are essential to securing a victory. What’s even more surprising is that unlike the Olympics, no testing is done. Even if rigorous testing was done, based on the 12-15 hour half life of modafinil, the drug becomes almost untraceable in urine tests in as short as 3-7 days.

In fact, the use of Modafinil outside of competition may also yield significant benefits. For example, a study discovered that the drug provided a 22% increase in time to exhaustion, a metric used to calculate how long before one is exhausted to the point they cannot continue, as compared to a placebo. This means that eSports athletes can train harder, for longer, and perform faster. While caffeine provides similar effects in a lesser magnitude, it lasts for only about half as long as modafinil and may lead to anxiety in higher doses.

Given the medical literature of what we know about psychoactive stimulants like Modafinil, its a big question mark on how performance enhancing drugs will come into regulation within the domain of eSports. Granted that Modafinil shares significant similarities to regular sports in aspects of audience, training and commercial interest, why isn’t more being done to ensure a level playing field?

Armodafinil vs Modafinil

 

May 3, 2016

Armodafinil vs. Modafinil – (Nuvigil vs. Provigil)

Armodafinil (Nuvigil) and Modafinil (Provigil) are both non-amphetamine drugs that promote wakefulness and have helped individuals enduring sleep apnea, narcolepsy or excessive sleepiness stay active. FDA approves them both. Originally, Modafinil (Modalert) was used for treating Narcolepsy and for improving wakefulness. But, increasingly more individuals used it as a performance-enhancing agent. As a result, Modafinil was further tested and few changes or improvisations were made and Armodafinil (Waklert) came into existence. While both perform similar functions, Armodafinil contains just the R-enantiomer whereas Modafinil contains both “R” and “S” enantiomers. Armodafinil also maintains higher plasma concentrations well into the day.

Differences in mechanisms and actions

Armodafinil works by inhibiting dopamine reuptake and is said to work as an indirect D2 receptor partial agonist. It is also said to enhance histamine levels in hypothalamus and the concentrations of other neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine. It could also activate orexin peptides by stimulating orexin receptors (OX1 and OX2) and possibly glutamatergic concentrations or decrease GABAergic activation – thus increasing electronic coupling. On the other hand, Modafinil inhibits reuptake of dopamine and enhances histamine levels in one’s hypothalamus. Further, it increases monoamines’ levels like serotonin, norepinephrine and activates orexin peptides. It triggers orexin receptors OX1 and OX2 in particular and probably activates glutamatergic circuits, inhibits GABA neurotransmission and promotes electronic coupling.

As you can see, both work almost similarly but there are a few differences. Armodafinil isn’t generic, while Modafinil is. Armodafinil is available as 50 mg/150 mg/200 mg/250 mg Modafinil is only available as 100 / 200 mg. Half-life of Armodafinil is 15 hours, whereas, Modafinil is 12 hours. The effect of Armodafinil is 8 hours, whereas, Modafinil lasts for 6 – 12 hours. While both drugs are suggested for similar conditions as noted earlier, Armodafinil is used to ward of Negative Effects of Schizophrenia additionally and Modafinil is used to treat Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome, Depersonalization, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis,Parkinson’s and to promote Weight loss.

Differences related to time

Modafinil was approved by FDA in 1998, whereas, Armodafinil was approved in 2007. Modafinil is cheaper since it has been around longer and generic cheaper versions of the drug are out. Armodafinil reaches its peak concentration later, a reason the systemic availability is more and the duration is longer than Modafinil. Also, where 150mg of Armodafinil is taken, 200mg Modafinil will be needed. Due to the efficiency duration, Armodafinil is considered better of the two, though healthcare specialists say both are similar and the results are often identical.

To summarize, Armodafinil is an improved version of Modafinil and is believed to offer longer duration effect than Modafinil by two hours, since it only contains the R-enantiomer counterpart. The S-enantiomer in Modafinil is considered to have a shorter lifespan and perhaps more suited for users who do not want an extended period of wakefulness. While the way both these drugs look relatively similar, absorption, metabolism, distribution and elimination mechanisms vary. In the end, users should decide if amodafinil or modafinil is a better fit in terms of cost, dietary requirements, tolerance levels and more importantly, one’s personal user experience.

Why you should switch from Adderall to Modafinil

 

May 13, 2016

Adderall and Modafinil serve similar functions, but are chemically very different. In this article, we aim to explore the differences in both drugs, and tell you why you should make the switch.

AddictionOne of the first things to note is that Adderall is a Schedule II controlled drug, while Modafinil is Schedule IV. This means that Adderall has a much higher potential for abuse, according to classifications by the US. DOJ. It is not without good reason. With the bulk of the active ingredient being an Amphetamine Salt, which is a potent Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant. It is well established that Amphetamines are habit-forming, and has a tendency to lead to abuse or addiction. Adderall quickly develops a dependence in your body, bringing about nasty withdrawal symptoms. This is well documented by Johns Hopkins School, any many other established medical research institutions. Users of Adderall are more likely to become physically or psychologically dependent on the drug as compared to Modafinil. This is partly due to the fact that Adderall greatly raises dopamine levels, which is responsible for the ‘rewards centre’ in our brains, while this effect is only slightly pronounced in Modafinil. This dopamine rush is more likely to build a habit, with some users even resorting to snorting the drug to increase the dopamine high.

Modafinil on the other hand, by virtue of its classification as a Schedule IV, has a low potential for abuse. This is because it only brings about minimal dopaminergic effects. This means that while users of modafinil continue to receive the mental alertness, they do not experience as much psychological euphoria. The lack of a dopamine rush also means that the drug is a weak reinforcer when used for abuse, as opposed to Adderall.

Side EffectsPerhaps one of the best reasons to make the switch is that Modafinil tends to have lesser side effects. Adderall use often brings about adverse cardiac effects, which is especially apparent in users with heart problems, heart defects, hypertension or simply users with a family history of related conditions. Adderall raises the heart rate, which exerts pressure on your heart to work harder, and in some cases, leading to cardiotoxicity. Prolonged use of Adderall has also been linked to vascular disease.

That is not to say Modafinil does not have unpleasant side effects. However, if you examine the table at the bottom of this article, all the side effects linked to usage of modafinil are also present with Adderall use. In fact, the side effects for Adderall are stronger, and greater in number.

ThoughtsNot everyone has the same objectives or considerations when deciding on a cognitive enhancer for use. If you prefer to have some dopamine high when using your enhancers, but do not mind some compromise to your health, Adderall would be the choice. However, if your criteria of picking a cognitive enhancer is that it needs to be suited for long-term use with minimal health effects and drug dependence, modafinil is the way to go.

If you’re thinking about where to buy Modafinil, we sell the Modalert brand, made by Sun Pharmaceuticals, the 5th largest generics manufacturer based in India.

	Modafinil	Adderall
Drug type	Eugeroic	Psychostimulant
Ingredients	Modafinil	Mixed Amphetamine Salts (75% Dextroamphetamine / 25% Levoamphetamine)
Legal Status	Schedule IV (US)	Schedule II (US)
Mechanism of action	Inhibits reuptake of dopamine and elevates histamine levels in the hypothalamus. Increases levels of other monoamines such as norepinephrine / serotonin / and activation of orexin peptides. Stimulation of orexin receptors (OX1 and OX2) to promote wakefulness. Glutamatergic circuits / inhibit GABA neurotransmission / and enhance electronic coupling. Weakly inhibits the dopamine transporter (DAT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), enhances histamine and orexin release, increases the glutamate/GABA ratio in hypothalamic regions and other brain regions.	Inhibits reuptake of stimulatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Functions as a TAAR1 agonist and VMAT2 inhibitor. Catecholamine releasing agent, weak reuptake inhibitor of dopamine (Ki = 100nM), norepinephrine (Ki = 40-50 nM), and to a lesser extent serotonin (Ki = 1.4-3.8 uM), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, weak Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
Half life	12 hours	11 to 13 hours
Common side effects	Dizziness. Headache. Insomnia. Nausea. Nervousness.	Abdominal pain. Appetite loss. Diarrhea. Dizziness. Dry mouth. Fever. Headache. Insomnia. Irritability. Nausea. Nervousness. Vomiting. Weight loss.

Modafinil: The New Endurance Drug

 http://musculardevelopment.com/articles/chemical-enhancement/108-anabolic-research-update-july-05.html#.V6baKGVNUVU

What's the deal with this new drug Modafinil? I keep reading about it in relation to the THG scandal. Does this stuff build muscle?  

Modafinil, sold under the brand name Provigil in the U.S., is a new medication used in the treatment of narcolepsy. It has proven itself to be an effective drug for promoting an alert and awake mental state, yet it does this without the side effects of classic amphetamines or caffeine. It's an excellent "jitter and crash-free" stimulant, for all intents and purposes. 

That said, athletes have stumbled onto this drug for a different reason. When it comes to endurance exercise, there seems to be some notable improvements in performance when modafinil is taken. This was officially validated in a study published just this past year (Med Sci Sports Exerc, 2004 Jun;36(6):1078-82). 

Here, researchers wanted to look at the effects of acute ingestion of modafinil on exercise performance. Specifically, a group of 15 healthy male subjects were given a high dose (four milligrams per kilogram per day) of modafinil and asked to exercise on a cycle ergometer until they were exhausted. When performing at 85 percent of maximal aerobic power (VO2max), the drug significantly extended the time to exhaustion. It also reduced measurably the subjective ratings of perceived exertion. All this makes modafinil an intriguing and effective drug for endurance sports. So, to answer your original question, in a bodybuilding sense, it's probably not going to help you all that much. It may, however, allow you to stay focused and energetic during your training sessions, which might indirectly help you build muscle.     

Модафинил: Новый Endurance Drug

В чем дело с этим новым препаратом Modafinil? Я продолжаю читать об этом в связи со скандалом THG. строить ли этот материал мышцы?  

Модафинил, продаваемые под торговой маркой Provigil в США, это новый препарат, используемый при лечении нарколепсии. Он зарекомендовал себя как эффективный препарат для продвижения оповещения и бодрствования психическое состояние, но он делает это без побочных эффектов классических амфетамины или кофеина. Это отличный "джиттера и краш-бесплатно" стимулятором, для всех намерений и целей. 

Тем не менее, спортсмены наткнулся на этот препарат по другой причине. Когда дело доходит до упражнений на выносливость, кажется , есть некоторые заметные улучшения в производительности , когда модафинил берется. Это было официально подтверждено в исследовании , опубликованном только в прошлом году ( Med Sci Sports Exerc , 2004 Июнь, 36 (6): 1078-82). 

Здесь исследователи хотели посмотреть на последствия острого приема модафинила на выполнение упражнений. В частности, группа из 15 здоровых субъектов мужского пола получили высокую дозу (четыре миллиграмма на килограмм в день) модафинила и попросили осуществлять на велоэргометре, пока они не были исчерпаны. При выполнении на 85 процентов максимальной аэробной мощности (VO2max), препарат значительно продлил время до изнеможения. Это также снижает измеримо субъективные рейтинги воспринимаемой нагрузки. Все это делает Modafinil интригующим и эффективный препарат для выносливости спорта. Таким образом, чтобы ответить на ваш первоначальный вопрос, в некотором смысле бодибилдинг, это, вероятно, не собирается, чтобы помочь вам все, что много. Это, однако, может позволить вам оставаться сфокусированным и энергичным во время ваших тренировок, которые могут косвенно помочь вам нарастить мышечную массу.