Modafinil is a chemical compound which, according to the popular opinion, was discovered in 1976 by the French scientist Michael Jouvet, with a large involvement of the pharmaceutical company Cephalon Inc. It is a medication (trade names: Provigil, Vigil, Modalert, Modiodal, Modavigil and Alertec), used commonly to treat narcolepsy.
The exact mechanism of action of modafinil in the body is not known. It surely stimulates the histamine system and modulates the orexin system. Histamine may cause insomnia and orexin acts as a neurotransmitter and is critical to the regulation of the sleep and wake cycle. It seems that modafinil blocks the activity of dopamine transporter. Because of that, it acts as a reuptake inhibitor of dopamine and significantly boosts its levels in the brain.
Modafinil is more and more frequently taken in different parts of the world by healthy individuals and treated as a nootropic agent. It is taken to reduce drowsiness and fatigue, improve memory and boost mental performance. Adrafinil, its precursor, is used in supplements.
Dosage: use as directed by the physician.