Modafinil For Jet Lag: A Comprehensive Guide

Travelling across time zones makes it difficult for people to maintain their sleep patterns, causes excessive fatigue, and ultimately hampers productivity. However, the symptoms can be minimised with wakefulness-promoting medications like Modafinil. The nootropic must be used correctly for it to work effectively. 

The Guide below covers everything you need to know about the nootropic, its proper dosage and uses for jet lag syndromes.

Introduction To Modafinil 

Modafinil is a central nervous system stimulant that helps to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.  It was developed in the 1970s in France by French neuroscientists Michel Jouvet and L. Lafon Laboratories. The Drug Enforcement Administration classified Modafinil as a Schedule IV substance. The FDA approved its use in 1998. 

Modafinil tablets are available in generic form and sold under different brand names, such as Modalert, Modvigil, and Provigil. 

The stimulant also helps in cognitive enhancement purposes. Some of the off-label uses of Modafinil include:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Increase in Focus and Memory 

Jet Lag Syndrome: An Overview

Jet Lag Syndrome is a temporary sleep problem that occurs after travelling across one or more time zones. It is the excessive fatigue caused by constant travel plans.

  Symptoms of Jet Lag:

• Fatigue

• Sleepiness

• Digestive Upsets

• Irritability 

Does Modafinil Help In Treating Jet Lag Syndrome?

Modafinil is effective in treating the symptoms of Jet lag, as it belongs to a class of drugs called wakefulness-promoting agents. This helps in eliminating excessive sleepiness associated with crossing time zones. The medication also increases focus, elevates mood, and boosts energy levels, making it effective against the disorder. 

It was in 2010 when many reporters suspected that Barack Obama, the then president of the US, was continuously using Modafinil to fight Jet lag symptoms and to stay focused and alert in speaking engagements. 

How Does Modafinil Help In Treating Jet Lag?

Modafinil helps treat Jet lag syndromes by increasing chemical neurotransmitters such as orexin, histamine, serotonin, and dopamine and decreasing the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) level. As a result, it helps remove excessive fatigue and promote activeness. 

Modafinil  Dosage For Jet Lag

The dosage of Modafinil varies from person to person, depending on factors such as age and health conditions (kidney or liver dysfunction). The standard recommended dosage of Modafinil is 200mg/day for jet lag. The dosage should be taken in the morning itself in order to avoid insomnia. 

Missed Dose of Modafinil 

If you miss a modafinil dosage, you can skip the missed dose and follow your normal dosage schedule.

Modafinil Overdose

Do not overlap the doses; it might lead to an overdose. Modafinil overdose might lead to several symptoms, like agitation, headache, nausea, vomiting, and depression. 

Tips To Take Modafinil Dosage Correctly

5 simple tips to take Modafinil dosage correctly are given below:

1. Swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water.

2. Do not chew or crush the tablet.

3. You should not take alcohol while taking the medication.

4. Take the tablet at the same time of the day for better effectiveness

5. You can take the tablet with or without food, as the doctor prescribes.

6. You should be mindful of the Modafinil interactions. 

Potential Side Effects Of Modafinil For Jet Lag

The side effects of Modafinil are milder in nature-

1. Headache.

2. Nervousness

3. Nausea 

4. Vomiting

5. Problems with memory 

If any of the above symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor or visit a nearby hospital. 

NOTE: However, you should always consult your doctor before taking the medication. 

Precautionary Measures While Using Modafinil For Jet Lag

There are six important precautionary measures or warnings that are to be followed while using Modafinil for Jet Lag -

1. Consult with your doctor if you are prone to allergies; the active ingredient might cause your allergy. 

2. You should consult with your doctor about your medical history if you have problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver dysfunction before taking the medication. 

3. Avoid doing activities requiring immediate response, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, while taking Modafinil.

4. Do not take the medication at night; it might cause you insomnia. 

5.  You should not take the medication during pregnancy or while taking contraceptives.

6. Avoid taking Modafinil at the time of breastfeeding, as this might harm your baby. 

Modafinil For Jet Lag: Our Final Conclusion

Modafinil is a safe and well-tolerated drug and is effective in treating the symptoms of Jet Lag. However, it is necessary to consider Modafinil’s legality in different countries. It is a prescription-based medication and is only approved with a valid prescription in different countries. It is also available online in different pharmacies, but you need to be careful as there might exist many fraudulent pharmacies and payment methods.