Do you find it quite hard to keep up with the files that have been piling up on your desk? The tasks have been waiting for you for weeks but there is so much to do at work that you feel overwhelmed? There is something that will help you get back on track and focus properly so you can finish all the work on time. That little something is called smart drugs.
Milder than the traditional Adderall or Ritalin, Modafinil is used for reducing sleepiness or in case of disorders such as sleep apnea. Consequently, it can be used to boost energy for study or work sessions. You can find out more about the uses of Modafinil right here: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-16962/modafinil-oral/details.
1. Sleep well the night before
You bought yourself the magical drug and now you want to use it. Well, here are some steps to follow through to assure that you get the most of this experience, guaranteeing that you do not strain your body at the same time. Before we dive into this, we want to make sure that you understand the importance of purchasing your Modafinil from a reliable source. If it is online, do some research on the seller and make sure that he is trustworthy and sells good stuff.
Now, you have your Modafinil pill on you – recommendable, it’s a 200 g mg tablet. You should know that you do not take it, just like that. There are some pre-taking steps that you should consider, like getting a good night’s sleep. The whole purpose of Modafinil is to deprave you from sleeping, so you must keep in mind that your brain will be functioning at a high level for the next 12 hours from the moment you ingest the pill. You do not want to be sleepy or hungover on the day you take it because it might drain you of your powers. Enjoying a recommended 8 hours-sleep is the best if you want to take Modafinil in the morning.
2. Don’t skip breakfast
Eating properly is another pre-Modafinil step. Although people’s opinion on this might vary, we advise you not to skip breakfast the morning you take Modafinil. The explanation is pretty much the same as in the case of the above-mentioned good night’s sleep. While on Modafinil, your body will be focusing on working and thus forgetting about anything else, including hunger. Because your purpose is not to strain your body and because you do need nutrients to get through a day full of work, you must make sure to get a proper breakfast.
Keep this in mind from the very beginning, the excitement of the idea of taking Modafinil might stop you from being able to focus on things such as cooking and eating, but you don’t want it to happen. Especially if you want or are already using Modafinil regularly, you should not do it on an empty stomach, because not eating properly will affect you long term. This is one of the reasons why the drug is also correlated with people wanting to lose weight. Back to the idea of taking Modafinil long-term, this The Guardian article might be of interest to you.
3. Go somewhere private
We are done with the pre-Modafinil pieces of advice. If you checked all of the above, it is time for you to take the pill. You should take it about half an hour before you get to work, so you are in a position when it kicks in. Something important when working on Modafinil is to stay out of any distractions. This is why it would be ideal for you to take a day of home-office if possible. If not, find a quiet place once you reach the office.
You will not want to get stuck with chit chat and defy the whole purpose of taking Modafinil in the first place. Once you find the perfect spot and get comfortable and ready to work, you should keep any other distractions such as Facebook or texting away. Interestingly, if you get stuck on another activity than working while on Modafinil, you might skip working at all. Which again defies all your purposes. So, go private, stay away from distractions and start working!
4. Well-deserved sleep
Your 12 hours on Modafinil are over and you managed to get all the work done? You deserve a good night’s sleep! Ironically enough, this sleep-Modafinil-sleep circle is vital for someone who’s on a pill who prevents him/her from sleeping and boosts activity. The scope of the drug is to make you as productive as possible for as long it is in your system, but you should note that sleeping before and after such a session is vital. It is while sleeping when your brain takes in and processes all the knowledge you acquired during the day. For more information on Modafinil, you can always browse the web or talk to a physicist. It’s important that you are informed before making the decision of taking any kind of smart drug.
NOTE! Be aware of the side effects
All’s well when it ends well. This is why you should know from the very beginning that there are some side effects of Modafinil. You should consider them before actually taking the drug, so there are no unpleasant surprises. The most common side effect is insomnia and you probably understand why. Headaches, no appetite – although you are not hungry, you should take a break and eat something during the day –, diarrhea and anxiety are also on the list. There are also severe side effects, which include fever, depression, chest pain, and even hallucinations. There is a good research paper on Modafinil here.
Nevertheless, if you are cautious and go through all of the above-mentioned steps, you should not suffer from any of the side effects. The mild ones, such as insomnia, will go away easily, but if you find yourself struggling with depression or any other harsh side effect, please talk to a doctor.
