Tomas Thorne
Curious about whether you can get “high” on adrafinil? If so, you’ve come to the perfect place. The forums are full of misconceptions about the so-called “adrafinil high” and in this guide, we’ll attempt to put the discussion to rest.
Adrafinil is increasingly popular among researchers as a vigilance-promoting drug due to its ease of availability and low risk profile. Below, we’ll run through adrafinil’s benefits, side effects, and safety, and how it compares to modafinil.
P.S. order your Adrafinil today!
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What Is Adrafinil?
Adrafinil is an oral “wakefulness-promoting” drug otherwise referred to as a “eugeroic.” It was discovered in France in 1974 and developed by Louis Lafon Laboratories before being launched under the product name “Olmifon” in 1985 [1].
Olmifon’s primary use was to treat elderly patients who struggled to stay alert during the day. It was also used to treat patients with narcolepsy, a rare condition that causes extreme drowsiness during waking hours.
Adrafinil is essentially a “prodrug” of modafinil, meaning that adrafinil is metabolized (converted in the liver) into the active metabolite modafinil, as well as modafinil acid and modafinil sulfone. Adrafinil and modafinil are structurally very similar, the only difference being that adrafinil contains a terminal amide hydroxyl group while modafinil does not [2].
When Lafon introduced modafinil in 1994 under the brand name “Modiodal,” Olmifon swiftly fell out of use. Lafon was acquired by Cephalon in the early 2000s, and the manufacture of Olmifon continued in France until 2011, after which its approval was withdrawn by the French medical authorities.
Today, many pharmaceutical companies produce generic versions of adrafinil and it is widely sold as a “reference material” to researchers in most countries.
Adrafinil Benefits
Adrafinil’s main benefit is that it increases alertness in elderly patients and helps treat patients with narcolepsy. To date, there have been no widespread human clinical trials into adrafinil’s use by other age groups or to treat other ailments. However, research indicates that adrafinil offers several additional benefits besides promoting wakefulness and vigilance.
Cognitive neuroenhancement
Outside of medical research, the main demand for adrafinil comes from those who are seeking to research adrafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement potential. A 2000 study by Siwak CT et al found that adrafinil caused a “long-lasting increase in high-frequency electroencephalographic activity” in dogs, suggesting an increase in “performance motivation” [3]. While these findings have not been replicated in human trials, anecdotal evidence suggests that adrafinil is gaining notoriety as a “smart drug” or “nootropic” among people who believe it offers similar effects in humans.
While evidence into adrafinil is scant, there has been plenty of research into its active metabolite, modafinil, which has been found to act as a powerful nootropic. Studies have shown that modafinil can improve mood, memory, and concentration in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects [4], and that it is widely taken as a so-called “smart drug” by students and professionals. As modafinil is a prescription medicine in most countries, researchers interested in neuroenhancement are increasingly turning their attention to adrafinil, which is not subject to the same restrictions.
Enhanced athletic performance
Another potential benefit of adrafinil is that it may enhance athletic performance. In 2004, the World Anti-Doping Organisation (WADA) banned both adrafinil and modafinil from sports. Anecdotally, this indicates that the benefits offered by these drugs are beneficial for sports and help improve athletic performance [5].
While adrafinil’s mechanism of action is not fully understood, a 1985 study by Milhaud CL et al indicated that it has a positive impact on locomotion in animals. The study found that adrafinil had a significant impact on the nocturnal activity of rhesus monkeys. At doses of 60 mg/kg, adrafinil doubled the animal’s nocturnal activity, while doses up to 120 mg/kg increased their activity fourfold [6].
A cost-effective modafinil alternative?
Although adrafinil has not been studied or approved as a substitute for modafinil, anecdotal evidence suggests that many people use it as such especially in cases where brand name modafinil is unavailable or unaffordable.
Because adrafinil is sold in most countries as a “reference material” it enjoys greater availability, albeit with some restrictions, compared to modafinil. For self-funded research, adrafinil is more economical to buy, and this makes it attractive to researchers working in experimental settings.
Despite limited scientific studies into adrafinil’s uses, there are some documented side effects that you should know about, which we’ll discuss in the following section.
Adrafinil Side Effects and Safety
Although modafinil has been much more widely studied than adrafinil, both drugs are structurally very similar and thus cause similar side effects. The side effects of modafinil are well-researched and understood [7]. They include:
- Headaches,
- Nausea,
- Diarrhea,
- Dry throat, nose, and
- mouth,
- Insomnia,
- Anxiety,
- Nervousness, and
- Dependence (if taken at high doses for extended periods).
According to the product insert included with packs of “Olmifon,” clinical tests have reported that adrafinil can cause skin irritations, stomach pains, inner tension and headaches. However, the literature makes it clear that adrafinil has not been tested on non-elderly test subjects.
Separate research has linked adrafinil to two specific side effects that are not typically associated with modafinil use: elevated liver enzyme values and Orofacial dyskinesia, both of which we’ll discuss below.
Adrafinil “High”| What You MUST Know
If you’re curious about what adrafinil feels like when you take it, this is the section for you.
Contrary to what you may have read or heard, adrafinil does not make you “high.” What we do know is that it’s a non-amphetamine wakefulness-promoting drug that helps boost concentration, focus and motivation in elderly patients.
Package information from “Olmifon” (brand name adrafinil) suggests that patients follow their doctor’s instructions and take 2-4 tablets per day, giving a range of 600-1200 mg. Even at these ostensibly high dosages, adrafinil does not cause a sensation of feeling “high.”
Search results for “adrafinil high” on Reddit indicate that most users feel no effect from adrafinil whatsoever; it simply helps them remain alert without feeling tired [11]. This anecdotal evidence suggests that there is no correlation between the dose of adrafinil and whether a test subject or patient feels “high.”
Among subjects who are given adrafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement, the consensus is that 300 mg of adrafinil roughly equals 100 mg of modafinil. With the typical modafinil dose being 100-200 mg, the equivalent adrafinil dose would then be between 300-600 mg.
A very low daily dose of adrafinil would be 100 mg, while the most common dose is 200-300 mg. Even at strong doses of 600 mg (equivalent to 200 mg of modafinil), adrafinil does not create a feeling or sense of being “high.”
Adrafinil typically takes 1-2 hours to take effect and has a duration of 6-12 hours. Its effects tend to peak 4-6 hours after administration. However, this period is not accompanied with any sensation of feeling “high.”
Adrafinil vs. Modafinil
Adrafinil is a prodrug of modafinil and there is research indicating that the two drugs can be used interchangeably by those seeking pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement such as longer focus and increased vigilance. However, there are significant differences between these two substances. Here are the main things you need to know.
Adrafinil is cheaper
Researchers interested in studying eugeroics may be interested by the low price point of adrafinil compared with modafinil. Our preferred vendor sells 30 mL vials of adrafinil solution for $19.99 and applies discounts for bulk purchases.
Modafinil is more potent than adrafinil
Clinical trials have shown that modafinil is more potent than adrafinil and has a stronger impact on wakefulness. While the recommended dose for Olmifon is 600-1,200 mg/day, the most common indication for modafinil is just 200 mg/day. This is because, following ingestion, a portion of adrafinil remains as inactive modafinilic acid and is not converted to modafinil, giving adrafinil a lower potency on a milligram by milligram basis.
The difference in potency between modafinil and adrafinil is supported by anecdotal evidence from smart-drug users.
Historically, Olmifon fell into clinical disuse following the introduction of “Modiodal” (modafinil) and was discontinued in 2011, suggesting that modafinil is more effective at treating sleep-wake disorders like narcolepsy.
With the sole exception of Australia, where adrafinil is an “S4” prescription-only medication, adrafinil is either unscheduled or classified as a “reference material” in almost every country. This means that researchers may find that adrafinil is easier to access than modafinil for use in experimental settings. Increased competition between vendors is one of the main reasons why adrafinil is typically more economical than modafinil.
Adrafinil is slower-acting than modafinil
Modafinil is much faster-acting than adrafinil and typically takes 30-60 minutes to take effect, compared with 1-2 hours for adrafinil. For example, patients who have been prescribed modafinil for shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) are advised to take one 200 mg tablet one hour before the start of the shift [7]. Anecdotal evidence from users suggests that adrafinil is slower acting than modafinil (due to the way it is metabolized) and typically takes around two hours to kick in [12].
Where To Buy Adrafinil Online | 2023 Guide
If you’re looking to buy adrafinil, this is the section for you. Although adrafinil is widely available as a “reference material” you won’t be able to find it for sale at supplement stores. To buy some, you’ll have to head online.
We’ve reviewed the top suppliers on the market and evaluated them in terms of their prices, quality, speed of delivery and reliability. The top vendor? Science.bio.
P.S. order your Adrafinil today!
Does Adrafinil Make You “High”? | Verdict
If you were curious about whether adrafinil produces a “high”, hopefully, this guide has answered all your questions. As you can see, adrafinil is a wakefulness-promoting drug that offers over 12 hours of increased focus and concentration. Far from making the subject “high,” it appears to provide a long, smooth “burst” of energy and productivity, without any “crashes” as one would get from other stimulants.
Overall, the research on adrafinil suggests that it has potential as a cognitive enhancer with relatively minor side effects. If you are considering testing this drug, make sure you check out our recommended vendor to get the purest form of adrafinil on the market.
