Where to Buy Modafinil in Australia in 2021

Modafinil Side Effects and Safety

The general consensus of the medical community, as well as that of nootropics enthusiasts,  is that Modafinil is quite safe provided it’s properly administered. Still, it’s important to educate yourself about all the risks before using Modafinil purely as a smart drug or nootropic.

So, what do you need to know about Modafinil’s side effects and safety?

Firstly, Modafinil is a prescription-only schedule IV drug in Australia. This means that it has a low risk of abuse and dependence. However, like all prescription drugs, it can cause a range of side effects — some temporary, and some severe.

Modafinil acts as a powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that increases levels of histamine in the brain [9]. It suppresses feelings of hunger and fatigue, and gives users heightened concentration and alertness [10]. This effect can last for more than half a day. 

But that alone doesn’t explain why it’s purportedly such  an effective study drug. To understand why Modafinil increases memory and mental clarity, we need to look at its secondary action: It blocks the reuptake of dopamine [11]. This raises levels of not just dopamine, but also serotonin and norepinephrine, which produce the cognitive benefits that Modafinil is renowned for [12].

This is the main reason why it’s a prescription drug in Australia; it increases dopamine in the brain. There’s a slight chance that people could overuse Modafinil and become dependent on it. However, real-world cases of smart drug users becoming addicted to it are virtually unheard of. 

Studies have shown that doses of 200mg of Modafinil produce few if any side effects [13]. It is widely held to be a very safe drug.

That being said, Modafinil may interact with other prescription drugs and you shouldn’t take it if you suffer from anxiety, depression, or if you are pregnant, as its use by pregnant women has been linked to birth defects [14].

There hasn’t been much research into Modafinil’s side effects when taken ‘off prescription’ as a smart drug, but one study looked at Modafinil side effects in patients who had been wrongly diagnosed with narcolepsy [15].

Participants in the study reported experiencing headaches, nausea, dry mouth, and some anxiety. So, based on this study, these are the most common side effects of Modafinil, especially for first-time users.

There have been several studies aimed at understanding the safety concerns regarding Modafinil. Most have concluded that the smart drug is generally safe, but some have conceded that further research may be necessary.

For example, a study completed by the Korean Society of Environmental Health and Toxicology concluded that [16]:

Modafinil is known to have less or no adverse effects than those found in traditional psychostimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate or cocaine. It can be applied as an anti-psychotic or anti-fatigue agent. However, the waking mechanism of modafinil is yet to be fully revealed. Recent studies reported that modafinil may be subject to abuse and addiction. In addition prolonged sleeplessness induces stress responses and impairs immune function.

Modafinil can be used by anyone, who wishes to work late, stay awake, enhance their cognitive reactions, or brighten their moods. Users may already be under a great level of stress, i.e. cancer patients or soldiers in a battle field. A psychoneuroimmunological approach is thus needed to investigate the multi-functional effects of modafinil.

In our belief, Modafinil is one of the safest study and/or smart drugs available. There haven’t been any reported deaths from overdose, and it is clinically proven to be safe overall. 

Modafinil side effects are something to consider. However, most users find minor headaches, nausea, and insomnia to be the only issues when they take a dose of 200mg or less — and even these minor side effects can be avoided with proper dosing and management.