Adrafinil is a nootropic, which means that it is designed to help with cognitive function. It is said to be able to increase focus and wakefulness, with very few risks associated with side effects and addiction. But how true are these statements; what is the dosage; how does it compare to Modafinil and Adderall; how long does it last; and what are the side effects?
These are the questions we aim to answer as we look into Adrafinil.
Adrafinil Basics
Adrafinil is a nootropic stimulant that is converted to the more popular drug, Modafinil, inside the body. Because of this, it has similar, albeit less desirable, effects to Modafinil and is often seen as a cheaper and easier to acquire alternative. That’s because Adrafinil is widely available, often sold as a supplement in health stores and online.
It is not regulated by any official organization. It was once regulated in France, where it was first produced and sold, but the manufacturers willingly discontinued the product in 2011. At the time it was sold under the brand name Olmifon, with the discontinuation seemingly coming because of a reassessment of the risk vs benefit ratio.
This should tell you all you need to know about the potential side effects and health issues associated with Adrafinil. It’s far from a clean and safe drug and while many of the side effects are minor, there are some worrying studies being conducted by researchers and health organizations. We will discuss these more below, so make sure you check out our Adrafinil Side Effects section before going any further with this supplement.
Adrafinil Dosage
As with any drug, you should begin slow to make sure that your body can tolerate it. If you are taking branded capsules then the dosage will be listed on the bottle. Some have around 150mg per capsules some have as much as 300mg and recommend as much a 600mg.
It is important to follow instructions, but early on we would not advise against anything greater than 150mg. If this is well tolerated then you can look to increase the dose in time. To avoid any serious side effects avoid taking more than 600mg three times a week for the first few weeks of use, and then make sure you don’t go below 1,200mg after that.
Adrafinil is not something that you should be taking every single day, but rather something that you should be using as and when needed.
Adrafinil vs Modafinil
Not only is Modafinil said to be more effective, but it is also faster acting and lasts longer than Adrafinil. It has also been suggested that the side effects of Modafinil are less of a concern and that following long-term use Adrafinil is a more dangerous drug. A lot of this has to do with the way it is metabolized and the strain that it puts on the liver.
Adrafinil vs Adderall
Adderall is a stimulant that requires a prescription. Like Adrafinil it is used recreationally to promote wakefulness and to help with study and late shifts. However, these are two different drugs entirely. Adderall is an amphetamine that is closely related to drugs like speed and meth. Adrafinil is a nootropic that produces far less euphoric effects and has little to no recreational value.
How Long Does Adrafinil Last?
It has been said that the peak performance time for Adrafinil is between 2 and 4 hours. This is the point that you will feel the most benefits from the drug, after which it will begin to steadily wear off. It means that you should look to consume it between 1 and 2 hours before those benefits are needed the most.
You should start to feel the effects of Adrafinil within 90 minutes of ingesting it, with around 60 minutes being the most common one.
Adrafinil Half Life
A study conducted on rats determined that the Adrafinil half life was just under five hours. In humans the biological half-life may be as little as 1 hour. This is misleading in terms of how long you will feel the effects of the drug and the above statement on “how long does Adrafinil last” is more accurate with regards to this.
Adrafinil Benefits
Before we get to the Adrafinil side effects, let’s look at the benefits.
Adrafinil is designed to help those who have issues staying awake. It does this by promoting wakefulness and by keeping the user alert. This, in turn, is how it helps with focus. The user may feel like they need to sleep less, that they feel tired much later, and that they can remain awake and focused throughout the night. Other reported benefits of Adrafinil include an improved memory and attention span; an increased ability to reason and to process information; and an ability to work faster and with greater ease.
It is also said to help with stress, anxiety and sleep apnea, but everyone’s experiences with this drug are different. Adrafinil’s sister drug Modafinil is often prescribed for narcolepsy. This is a disorder in which the sufferer falls asleep several times throughout the day seemingly without control. Adrafinil may also be able to help with this disorder. But because it is not regulated it is not prescribed for it.
If you want to see what some of our writers thought of this drug and these benefits the take a peek at our Adrafinil reviews section.
Adrafinil Side Effects
The main side effect of Adrafinil is liver damage, but it’s not the only one. Other Adrafinil side effects include facial movement disorders, which are common in stimulants; an increase in blood pressure; and heart problems. These risks increase in vulnerable users and users with preexisting conditions.
Dizziness, nausea, headaches, stomach pains and irritability are also common Adrafinil side effects and these are likely to increase if it is used alongside other drugs. In fact, anyone using Adrafinil should look to limit or even stop their caffeine consumption, as stimulants like caffeine can increase the risk of Adrafinil side effects.
Adrafinil and Your Liver
As mentioned above, the main side effect of Adrafinil is the damage that it does to the liver. Known as “hepatotoxicity” this has been very well documented with Adrafinil. It is said to be similar to Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol and Paracetamol. In other words, we’re not just talking about the standard liver issues that many pills trigger. It is something potentially much more serious.
If you have any preexisting liver condition; if you drink heavily, are obese, or you simply plan to use Adrafinil long-term (at which point those risks will increase) then you need to think twice.
Other Adrafinil Health Issues
If you take excessive doses of Adrafinil then you run a very serious risk of developing heart problems and serious liver damage. In this sense you need to think of it like you think of Tylenol. As everyone knows, while Tylenol can be an effective and safe drug at low doses, if you exceed these doses then it can be incredibly dangerous.
Adrafinil on an Empty Stomach
Adrafinil is often consumed on an empty stomach by those looking for a quick reaction. In this case it typically takes between 45 minutes and 60 minutes to peak. This may decrease the nausea that some users feel, but the risk so other side effects are still present.