Known as the “intelligence pill”, Armodafinil is actually the generic name for medications like Provigil and Stavigile.

Due to its performance in the central nervous system, the remedy has been used to improve cognitive function, an effect that is reflected in a possible improvement in focus and concentration.

This is not, however, the original function of Armodafinil. As we will see shortly, the drug has been developed for another purpose, which has led many people to wonder if Armodafinil does harm when used as a stimulant.

Learn how Armodafinil works and also know some of its main effects in the body. You can buy it from RXShopMD.com.

Discovery

In the late 1970s, a French laboratory began looking for treatment alternatives for narcolepsy, a chronic disorder that causes excessive drowsiness during the day.

After many years of research, scientists finally reached a very promising drug, which apparently did not have the same side effects of similar drugs.

Called Armodafinil, the compound caught the attention of the French and American armies, which saw the drug as a very practical way of keeping the soldiers awake even under the effect of fatigue.

After the “approval” of the military (who now saw their soldiers more alert and willing), Armodafinil had its use disseminated by countless countries.

Uses

Initially, Armod was legally prescribed for people who had difficulty staying awake even after several hours of nighttime sleep. In the United States, the remedy has been approved since 1998 for the treatment of apnea (disorder characterized by obstruction of the airways during sleep).

Over time, the remedy has also been used to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In recent years, however, the main use of Armodafinil has been as a central nervous system stimulant.

People who take long shifts at work, students, or those who are simply looking for an increase in clarity and brain power are among the top consumers of the drug.

Therefore, although the main indication for Armodafinil is to treat excessive drowsiness, most users of the drug seek it for its stimulant properties.

Researches

Relatively recent clinical trials have shown that, in addition to sharpening attention and raising alertness, the remedy also improves memory and impulse control.

Little disclosed, impulse disorders are characterized by great difficulty in resisting a sudden will, such as playing, eating, shopping, sleeping, etc.

According to a scientific review published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Armodafinil is indeed effective in treating some sleep disorders, and brings gains to the cerebral acuity of healthy people.

How it works?

Armodafinil has characteristics similar to those of amphetamines, and acts through neural stimulation.

Scientists have not yet hit the hammer on the exact mechanism of action of Armodafinil, but some of the most accepted theories say Armodafinil works as follows:

– Neurotransmitters

The main action of Armodafinil is to raise the concentration of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and serotonin in the brain.

In a 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), researchers observed that Armodafinil blocked dopamine transporters, increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter in the brain.

Elevated dopamine concentration in the brain is associated with an increase in cognitive ability, ease of learning, and energy levels.

Drugs that increase the content of the neurotransmitter also promote a sharpening of the sensations of pleasure and well-being, and improve the organization of thoughts and productivity.

– Antioxidant activity

Apparently, Armodafinil also has antioxidant action, that is, the drug acts as a neuroprotective compound, preventing the action of potentially toxic compounds in the brain.

At the same time, the drug elevates phosphocreatine levels (a highly energetic compound) in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region related to decision-making, complex thinking, and behavior modulation.

– Autonomic Nervous System

In addition to stimulating the central nervous system, Armodafinil also interferes with the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. As a result, the medication causes elevated heart rate and blood pressure (effects that result in increased energy levels).

– GABA

Since GABA is a neurotransmitter that causes, among other effects, sleep and relaxation, its inhibition promoted by the use of Armodafinil results in less willingness to sleep (or procrastinate).

– Histamine

Histamine is another brain neurotransmitter whose functions may be affected by the use of Armodafinil. The stimulant drug raises the concentration of histamine in the hypothalamus, which also results in a change in sleep pattern and alertness.

Armodafinil Side Effects

Some of the main adverse effects of the remedy are headaches, anxiety, skin irritation, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth and difficulty sleeping.

In more extreme cases, Armodafinil can cause chest pain, depression and hallucinations. As it is similar to amphetamine, the drug could cause physical and psychological dependence, but this effect has not yet been studied in long-term research.