Modafinil VS Adrafinil VS Armodafinil; Which Nootropic Should I Choose? Differences Explained!

Article by: David Gracey
Modafinil vs Adrafinil vs Armodafinil Nootropics

Having a history in medicine for over half a century; Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Armodafinil have now surfaced their heads as potent supplement options in the world of nootropics and cognitive enhancement.

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Which of these 3 brain pills should you consider taking for that extra brain boost?  Well, that’s what you’re going to know for certain after reading this detailed guide.

Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Armodafinil… What exactly is the difference?

Here’s how these poweful nootropic pills can potentially change YOUR life; pros, cons, and everything in between!

*NOTE: You can now Buy Modafinil Without a Prescription Here from our Recommended Vendor.
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What Is Modafinil And What Can It Do For Me?

First, let’s go over the more well-known of these 3 brain pills; Modafinil!

It won’t come as a surprise to you that Modafinil served its primary purpose in the treatment of Narcolepsy; it went by the market name ‘Provigil’.  Someone struggling with Narcolepsy falls asleep during the day and Narcolepsy is considered a common disorder of this age.

And it is not just Narcolepsy that is treated by Modafinil, it is also used in other sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder.

By now, you should be able to interpret that Modafinil is a drug that promotes wakefulness!

But how?

And why is it considered a Nootropic in today’s age?

Modafinil is a Eugeroic (more on this later).

We’ve already discussed the definition of Nootropics in our previous article but to sum it up, anything that positively impacts the brain is a Nootropic.   And Modafinil pledges to enhance focus and shoot in bursts of alertness when you feel the sleep spells kicking in again.

It nullifies the fatigue and tiredness induced by sleep and replaces it with alertness instead!

What it does NOT pledge to do is substituting your daily sleep routine; so if you plan on becoming an all-time geeky insomniac via Modafinil, forget it!

However, if you are someone whose productivity is always dampened by strokes of sleepiness and loss of focus then you have come to the right place! 

This includes business executives, doctors, nurses, and other hardworking individuals that have piles of work to do whilst functioning in sleep-deprived states.

And for students as well! Especially those that can not afford to bow down to a failure at the hands of sleepiness!

Interesting Facts About Modafinil!

Modafinil is such a potent drug that it is used by the military during covert operations and contingency plans!

The US Air Force actively employs the use of Modafinil during certain missions and operations to cover up for excessive lack of sleep.  Astronauts use it too! Because it can enhance cognition in fatigued states!

But the most surprising users that I came across were high ranking officials of The United States!

Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton both used Modafinil to stay awake during extremely hectic routines and duties!

A Brief History Class On Modafinil!

As mentioned earlier, Modafinil has circulated in the pharmaceutical industry for over 50 years!  Its first entry was made in France, where it was sold by Laflon (modern-day Cephalon).

But it attained recognition as a potential Nootropic just recently.  It has also achieved the title for serving as the safest smart drug of today’s age, one major reason being its remarkable low addictive potential!

Modafinil was actually discovered while studying the effects of its cousin ‘Adrafinil’ in laboratories!

It is strictly prohibited for athletes and professional sports players to use Modafinil due to its ability to inhibit Dopamine reuptake, which will lead to activation of muscles and hence bias in results!

What About Adrafinil?

buy adrafinil

Adrafinil came before Modafinil, as mentioned.  All these are from the ‘Afinil’ family that remains under the umbrella term of Eugeroics.

Adrafinil to Modafinil Conversion

Adrafinil is metabolized by your liver to yield small active metabolites, one of which is Modafinil!  adrafinil to modafinil conversionadrafinil to modafinil conversionadrafinil to modafinil conversionadrafinil to modafinil conversionadrafinil to modafinil conversion

So Adrafinil is a Pro-drug or a Precursor drug for Modafinil.

Due to the strong interconnection between the two drugs, they are considered almost the same and also have similar effects and side effects.

They have minor differences which will be covered in the sections below.

Mechanism Of Action Of Eugeroics Like Modafinil & Adrafinil; The Wakefulness Series

Eugeroics promote wakefulness in individuals that suffer from sleep disorders.

Caffeine and Amphetamines also serve the same role, except for the fact that they have lower potency and relatively more side effects.  They work by activating the entire nervous system whereas Euegroics have a very targeted action on only certain parts of the nervous system. 

They act on the neuronal system situated in the Amygdala and the Hypothalamus.  Once this happens, Eugeroics trigger the release of wakefulness chemicals such as Hypocretin, Norepinephrine, and Histamine.

This caters to the increased availability of Glutamate.

Glutamate is responsible for enhancing focus, cognition, and aiding sharp memory formation.

It does not end here!

As mentioned earlier, Eugeroics such as Modafinil and Adrafinil are Dopamine reuptake inhibitors.

But not in the usual manner!

They act by blocking the receptors that would normally cause the exit of Dopamine.

Caffeinated drinks and drugs with Amphetamine cause the widespread release of Dopamine, but these eugeroics only make use of the existing dopamine by preventing its exit out of the cell!

This mechanism plays a key role in reducing the addictive behavior of Eugeroics versus other drugs in the market that claim to enhance wakefulness!

What is Armodafinil? Armodafinil Is Actually R-Modafinil

R-Modafinil is an Enantiomer

The most common brand name for Armodafinil is ‘Nuvigil’  (Provigil is the Modafinil brand name)

Wait! Do not feel intimidated by complex scientific terms just yet!

Enantiomer simply means a molecule that has a mirror image, same structure but two molecules.

One is left and the other is right.

So Armodafinil has 2 molecules which are mirror images of one another.

But why am I telling you such boring stuff?

Allow me to spice it up.

The ‘left’ molecule is metabolized faster by enzymes in your body and lasts only about 4 hours, whereas the right molecule is relatively resistant to metabolization and can last for about 15 hours or so!

The whole idea behind synthesizing this version from the Eugeroic family is to give you better ‘half-life’ results in the body.

The left molecule would only last for 5 hours, but the right one would remain to serve you for a longer time frame!

This mixture of left and right molecules of Armodafinil is called a ‘racemate’ and is required in small doses.

Racemates are more potent and long-lasting, but that also means that they come with a heavier price tag!

We’ll be discussing more on the pricing below.

Are There Any Side Effects That Should Concern Me for Modafinil, Armodafinil, & Adrafinil?

The reason why Modafinil is regarded as the safest smart drug is because of its low addictive potential, and we have already explained the mechanism behind that.

However, that does not mean it does not come with a few side effects.

Remember, every drug in the market has some side effects!

Amongst the three of them, Adrafinil relatively poses the greatest threat to the liver.

This is why your physician may advise you to take liver supporting supplements that include Milk Thistle Extracts.

Common side effects:

  • Nausea 
  • Anxiousness
  • Headaches

Rare side effects:

  • Back Pain
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Excretory malfunctions

Note: always consult your doctor if you feel some drug is revealing suspicious symptoms!

Similarities Between Modafinil, Adrafinil, & Armodafinil

  • All 3 of them are Eugeroics
  • They all impart the ‘wake-up’ effect
  • All of them trigger the release of Histamine, Norepinephrine, and Orexin
  • They are weak Dopamine reuptake  inhibitors
  • These drugs can also contribute towards enhancing fluidity in the thinking process

Differences Between Modafinil, Adrafinil, & Armodafinil

Almost all of us already know by now that Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Armodafinil belong to the same family.

But it gets interesting where they start delineating from one another!

Below, I will be citing some of the most important differences between the three of them.

Structure:

Adrafinil is the lightest among the three.

Armodafinil a more amped-up version of Modafinil; the latter being a hybrid between the two.

Modafinil is more potent than Adrafinil.

   * However, the most potent among the three is Armodafinil.

Liver Involvement And Toxicity:

Adrafinil is catabolized (shattered down) to Modafinil in the liver.

This seems okay because the liver is responsible for breaking down such drugs.

But here’s the catch: Modafinil is further broken down in the liver and this puts extra load on the liver when a person takes Adrafinil on a daily basis!

So you could just take Modafinil and it would cause the liver to break it down just once, instead of the strenuous breakdown process that is triggered by Adrafinil ingestion.

Thus, Modafinil and Armodafinil are considered to be safer options when it comes to choosing the right eugeroic.

Almost all of us already know by now that Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Armodafinil belong to the same family.

But it gets interesting where they start delineating from one another!

Below, I will be citing some of the most important differences between the three of them.

Structure:

Adrafinil is the lightest among the three.

Armodafinil a more amped-up version of Modafinil; the latter being a hybrid between the two.

Modafinil is more potent than Adrafinil.

   * However, the most potent among the three is Armodafinil.

Liver Involvement And Toxicity:

Adrafinil is catabolized (shattered down) to Modafinil in the liver.

This seems okay because the liver is responsible for breaking down such drugs.

But here’s the catch: Modafinil is further broken down in the liver and this puts extra load on the liver when a person takes Adrafinil on a daily basis!

So you could just take Modafinil and it would cause the liver to break it down just once, instead of the strenuous breakdown process that is triggered by Adrafinil ingestion.

Thus, Modafinil and Armodafinil are considered to be safer options when it comes to choosing the right eugeroic.

Potency:

Armodafinil is the most potent, thanks to its enantiomeric structure.

Followed by Modafinil, whose potency is very much similar to Armodafinil.

Adrafinil stands as the lowest potency drug amongst them all.

 

Dosage Regimine:

Since Armodafinil is the most potent amongst the three, it is required in 150mg doses.Modafinil ranges from 100-200mg, whereas Armodafinil is required in larger doses that start from 300mg and go up till 600mg!

 

Onset Of Action:

The onset of action refers to the time frame between first ingesting the drug until the time its effects start kicking in.

Modafinil and Armodafinil are both very potent drugs and kick in really fast.

Leaving Adrafinil with a relatively slower onset of action.

Half-life:

Half-life refers to the time it takes for the drug to become reduced to half its concentration after hitting peak levels.

This can also give us an insight into the duration of the effectiveness of a particular drug, which in this case is the Afinil family.

The longest half-life is that of Armodafinil since it has two mirror images, each of them contributing towards a different half-life.

Armodafinil can last up to 15 plus hours.

Modafinil also has a very long half-life, almost similar to that of Armodafinil.

It can last up to 13-14 hours.

However, Adrafinil can last only for about 4-5 hours!

Even though Modafinil and Armodafinil have emerged as competitive drugs, emphasis must be pressed upon the adverse effects of having such a long half-life.

Dosing on such drugs will cause you to remain awake for continuous 8-10 hours!

That is the goal, but it may disturb the circadian rhythm if ingested at the wrong time!

Ingestion Timings:

 

Typically, a wakefulness drug should be taken before you start your work, exam prep, or aviation journey.

Truck drivers that are on the roads for very long periods are also good candidates for eugeroics.

But the duration of action should be paid heed to!

If its duration of action clashes with your normal sleep cycle, then it will do more harm than good.

Essentially, Modafinil and Armodafinil should be taken earlier than anticipated.

But Adrafinil (due to its short duration of action) may be taken right before work.

Real User Reviews from The Internet! Adrafinil, Modafinil, Armodafinil

In this section, we will be inserting authentic reviews from users that have tried and tested at least three members from the Eugeroic family!

I’ve been using Adrafinil and Modafinil for a few weeks now during the workweek. 100-150mg for Modafinil, 200-270 for Adrafinil. I’ve never noticed any painful side-effects, might just be a coincidence. Sharp pain like that could be trapped gas (of course I am not a physician though!). It does help greatly staying more alert during the day. Before I would have issues some days where I am truly struggling to keep my eyes open, especially during meetings. I’ve fallen asleep at least twice for a brief second because my eyes were just too heavy. Since I’ve been taking the morning dose that sleepiness has gone away and I am now on a better sleep schedule because I feel tired when I’m supposed to.

DoyouknowmyPW from Reddit

Akowards tried Adrafinil and Armodafinil both! This is what he has to say:

Recently got a hold of some Nuvigil. Have had previous experience with Olmifon (Adrafinil). As has been said before it’s much more potent at lower dose than Adrafinil. I only need 1/2 a pill to do what 2x300mg Adrafinils were doing for me. I took a whole Nuvigil the first time and was more productive in that single day that I had been in ages. Got all my work done, worked on personal projects… it was amazing. I will say that some of the physical side effects were a little troubling (ever present tightness in the collarbone to middle neck area, massive restless legs

Akowards from drugs-forums.com

And this is what users from Modafinilxl have to say:

  • ‘These pills get to work quick – I blitzed my assignments in no time!’

  • ‘Partied all night before an exam and Provigil helped to freshen me up in time.’

  • ‘First time Modafinil experience. Had an assignment deadline looming over my head, tried Modafinil for the first time and pulled an all-night cramming session – I’ve finished my assignment and now I’m killing time before handing in by writing this Modafinil review!’

  • ‘Didn’t think I could take something like this without experiencing side effects, but I was proved wrong. My head is clear and my homework has been completed! Zero side effects.’

Introduction To Modalert!

Modalert is a 200mg tablet and the most commonly used Modafinil brand out there, but you need to be sure you’re getting the real thing.  That’s why we recommend you buy it from our trusted vendor here:  >> Buy Modalert Online Here

It not only claims to solve your daytime sleepiness but also improves your mood and energy levels!

Sun Pharmaceuticals has also introduced 100mg and 300mg versions for Modalert, and for those wondering, Sun Pharmaceuticals is the big daddy that produces Modafinil under the generic name of Modalert.

Some physicians also employ the use of Modalert for ADHD as well!

Is Adrafinil Discontinued? Where Can I Buy Adrafinil?

What happened was that a lot of fake Adrafinils started surfacing in the market right after Cephalon discontinued its production.  real Adrafinil is diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl-2-acetohydroxamic acid

*Only a few vendors are now dealing with Adrafinil.

So be very careful when you consider making a purchase for authentic Adrafinil in the online market!

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The Phenomenon Of Developing Tolerance to Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Armodafinil!

You can develop tolerance towards certain drugs that have been in your daily pill regime for a long time, after which they stop responding.

Your favorite pain-killer might have stopped showing results, so you consider amping up the dose or consider changing the drug.

Similarly, people using Modafinil for a prolonged period may develop tolerance.

Although, there is a study that gives evidence that Modafinil does not cause tolerance.

But scientists still believe that it is possible..

Here’s the catch:  You can avoid it, and also reverse it if the event has already taken place!

Below are steps that will guide you to avoid and/or reverse tolerance towards Modafinil:

Buying from a well-reputed seller:

It is very much possible for you to get scammed on the internet once it comes to online nootropic purchases.

There are only a few well known online nootropic providers on the web and have gained trust by selling authentic Modafinil batches.

Make sure to verify and conduct thorough research before making your purchase, because it is very much possible for you to receive a stack that has been meddled with or one that has poor quality!

You can buy Modafinil from our recommended online vendor here: Click Here to Buy Modafinil

Avoid excessive use and abuse:

Just because you have found a drug that works for you does not mean that you can not do without it at all.

Modafinil should only be ingested when needed.

Popping pills for recreational purposes or in situations where you could very much do without a dose provokes the mechanism of tolerance to ignite its way through!

This mechanism of provoking tolerance via excessive use is known as desensitization tolerance.

Use smaller doses:

Especially at the initial stage.

This is because of the same reason as above; to avoid desensitization tolerance.

Know your enzymes:

Amongst many enzymes in our bodies, the ones that act on Modafinil are from the cytochrome family.

The CYP2C19 is the chief enzyme to act on Modafinil.

So here’s the problem; the amount of CYP2C19 enzyme is directly proportional to the amount of Modafinil you ingest.

The more Modafinil you ingest, the more active with this enzyme family becomes.

Which means that it will metabolize it faster and render it less effective.

So it is often recommended to take natural inhibitors to decrease the metabolizing effects of the CYP2C19 enzyme.

Fresh grapefruit juice is the healthiest and effective way to help you inhibit the activity of this metabolizing enzyme.

No stacking!

Many nootropic supplements are rendered more effective and potent when they are produced in stacked forms.

Refer to our previous article for more information on stacking.

However, this rule does not apply to Modafinil.

In fact, it makes the scenario worse!

And not just stacks, do not mix Modafinil with anything at all!

Remember, Modafinil is best when ingested solo!

Price Ranges: How Much Does Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Armodafinil Cost?

Prices of all 3 of these powerful nootropic medications vary greatly and are subject to change!  For instance, the average price for Modafinil can range anywhere from $11-60 per tablet of 200mg when buying from an actual pharmacy.

But buying from our recommended online source it can be as cheap as $0.70 – $2.00 per pill, and it’s the real thing.

>>You can buy it here.

Just know that it’s shipped from overseas (mostly Singapore), and you should still follow your local laws, but that’s totally up to you.   They will ship to USA and you’ll get a tracking number and everything.

Do I Need A Prescription For Modafinil, Adrafinil, and/or Armodafinil?

 

This is what it really all boils down to…

Do you need a prescription to enjoy the benefits of Modafinil and it’s related medications?

Well here’s the thing, there are two ways you can get your hands on Modafinil.

Firstly, you can either get it from your local drug store after your physician issues you a prescription.

Or secondly, you can order it online.

Ordering it online does not mean you can bypass the prescription, in some cases.

A lot of countries that ship Modafinil still require a prescription, and you will have to check in with the legal status of Modafinil in your own country.

The good news though…

However, a lot of times you may not need a prescription to order Modafinil online at all.

For instance, the residents of the UK, Singapore, and India may not need a prescription, since most nootropic supplements are produced in these countries and hence need not be imported.

 

Another No-Prescription Option (Use at Your Own Risk!)

The other option is one that for obvious reasons we will leave it up to you to decide if you want to utilize it or not…

Disclaimer: The information here is strictly for entertainment and educational purposes only, so please use at your own risk!

With that out of the way, there are a lot of over-seas based pharmacies that will sell Modafinil, armodafinil, and adrafinil without a prescription, and will ship worldwide to practically any country, including the United States.

This is the source that we use and recommend.

>>Click Here to See Current Prices

 

HOWEVER, do so at your own risk, and follow the laws of your country.  (We are just the messenger)

Plus, they also accept Bitcoin as a form of payment in most cases.  Sometimes they will accept credit cards, but with an added cost.

A good place to research these Indian Pharmacies would be the Modafinil Subreddit.

Aside from “Modafinil”….

But here’s a little something else to cheer you up: you can purchase Adrafinil online without a prescription!

(NOTE: if the link isn’t working, use the search bar on that website to search “Adrafinil”)

Should I Consider Buying Modafinil Online?

Good question!

The best part about buying it online is that you get to have it delivered to your doorstep, often without a prescription.

Also, let us not forget the perks of getting it for a much cheaper price than the market rate.

However, there are a lot of scams out there.

And there’s no knowing what’s in the bottle unless you’re a chemist (or an Alchemist)!

“Where Can I Buy Modafinil Online?”

The only authentic and 100% verified site that are known for selling high-quality Modafinil is Here:  Our recommended Modafinil Supplier

*They also give a 20% discount if you pay with Bitcoin!

Which One Is The Best Eugeroic For Me; Modafinil VS Adrafinil VS Armodafinil?

After going through this article, most readers will have formed a negative opinion about Adrafinil and a positive one for the remaining two Eugeroics.

Which is not entirely true!

The fact that Adrafinil may exhaust your liver stands true, but at the same time, its relatively shorter half-life comes as much of an advantage!

There are lesser chances of disturbing your sleep-wake cycle with Adrafinil, and the risk weighs out for Modafinil & Armodafinil as both of them last for a long time in your body.

Adrafinil is also cheaper and much more easily available, (unless of course, you’re okay with buying Modafinil from an Overseas Pharmacy like The One We Recommend.)

It also has a larger variety of dosage range.

That being said, this also makes Adrafinil the riskiest of drugs to purchase since it is not regulated!

Modafinil and Armodafinil are safer options that come with a heavy price tag.

Seeking a physician’s advice is one of the easiest ways to use a drug without any fear and anxiety.

Just tell your doctor why you feel you need to try Modafinil, Armodafinil, and/or Adrafinil and you’ll likely come out with a prescription, unless of course your doctor is a total “Karen” 😀  LOL

Modafinil VS Adrafinil VS Armodafinil

About David:

Hey, I’m David Gracey, and I’m glad you’re here! I’ve spent years diving into the secrets of the mind—biohacking, cognitive breakthroughs, and nootropics that supercharge focus and clarity. This site is my way of sharing the strategies that work, without the fluff, so you can unlock a sharper, more powerful mind. Got a question or just curious? Reach out—I’m here to help!

 

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