Provigil is a brand name version of modafinil. It is an effective medication approved for promoting wakefulness in individuals with sleep disorders. Although it was specifically designed for treating excessive daytime sleepiness, it is more popularly used off-label to promote focus, boost memory, and ultimately increase productivity.
In this Provigil review, we discuss more details about the novel drug, including its benefits, mechanism of action, side effects, and how it compares to other alternatives.
What Is Provigil?
Provigil belongs to a class of drugs known as eugeroics. In 1998, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States for use in treating narcolepsy and some other sleep-related disorders [1]. However, a few years into its emergence, users noticed other effects outside of what it was prescribed for, including the following:
Following this exciting discovery, more and more healthy individuals started to use Provigil off-label to perform exceptionally at work. Although it began as a secret that circulated only among top professionals in Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and the like, word soon got out.
How Does Provigil Work?
Over the years, Provigil has proven highly-effective in boosting cognitive abilities and promoting wakefulness, and user reviews are proof of it. However, while there’s no doubt about its effectiveness, scientists aren’t exactly sure about how it really works. So far, it is believed to work by regulating the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are linked to waking/sleeping and cognition. The neurotransmitters include serotonin, histamine, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid.