If you pay attention to entertainment media, you may recall reports of Britney Spears being spotted with modafinil, a prescription stimulant used to increase mental alertness. Sold under the trade name Provigil in the U.S. by Cephalon, Inc., modafinil was also featured on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” The show’s resident bad boy, Warrick Brown, was caught abusing the drug during a stressful time in his life when he wasn’t sleeping well and was having trouble staying alert at his night job.
Modafinil is FDA-approved in the U.S. for treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. However, the drug is gaining popularity for its promising treatment of many “off-label” medical conditions, such as ADHD, depression, fibromyalgia and weight loss.
Modafinil Promotes Wakefulness
Although modafinil has been compared to amphetamines in action, the two stimulant drugs are distinctly different. Amphetamines (both legally prescribed and illegally sold) increase heart rate, increase breathing rate, increase blood pressure and in some cases, dilate the pupils and interfere with sleep – effects that are decidedly undesirable. But the stimulant effects of amphetamines also decrease appetite, which makes it easier to lose weight. And that’s why many people continue to take amphetamines, even though they have proven harmful health actions.
Clinical studies have shown that, like amphetamines, modafinil improves wakefulness and mental alertness without disrupting normal sleep patterns and without the other harmful side effects. So, how does the drug work? According to Cephalon, “Although its exact mechanism of action is not known, it is believed to work selectively through the sleep-wake centers to activate the cortex of the brain, which is essential for wakefulness. Provigil promotes wakefulness without causing generalized stimulation in the brain.”
The Clinical Evidence
A quick search on Pubmed, a database of peer-reviewed medical research studies, reveals nearly 600 references to modafinil. When reviewing the scientific literature, some studies report unexpected weight loss as an unanticipated outcome among research participants. Like amphetamines, this is attributed to appetite-suppressing properties and stimulant effects. But, unlike amphetamines, modafinil does NOT typically increase heart rate at therapeutic doses.
A study in the “Annals of Clinical Psychiatry” reported that one test subject experienced modafinil-associated weight loss of 40 pounds over the course of one year. The authors conclude that this finding warrants additional study to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for weight loss.
Another study conducted by the Weight and Eating Disorders Program at the University of Pennsylvania found that, “Like amphetamine, modafinil reduced the amount of food consumed and decreased energy intake . . .” The authors state that, although further studies are needed, the drug may be a good treatment for obesity because it provides a positive weight loss outcome with few adverse health reactions.
A Magic Bullet to Lose Weight
Although the best formula for weight loss is a healthy, portion-controlled diet combined with regular exercise, it’s exciting to anticipate the possibility of modafinil becoming the next magic bullet for the treatment of obesity. An overweight person that loses just 10 percent of her body weight reduces the risk of developing serious health problems like diabetes and significantly improves quality of life.
Modafinil is a serious prescription drug that requires close monitoring by a physician. If you’re interested in trying this magic bullet to help you lose weight, talk to your doctor about it. Do your research about the off-label uses for this drug to make an informed choice. And don’t forget to eat right and exercise!
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