Modalert 200 has shown that a medication often used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy may improve cognition in healthy individuals. Numerous concerns have been expressed about this drug’s safety for long-term usage in light of this revelation. It is being used by a lot of individuals to improve their performance at work or school. However, are they acting appropriately?
Even while the idea of taking a tablet to boost IQ could be alluring, it’s crucial to keep in mind that further study is still required. It’s also crucial to remember that the majority of research on modafinil’s ability to improve cognition was conducted in carefully monitored lab settings and only examined the effects of a single dosage.
Researchers have shown that in those who are sleep deprived, modafinil promotes wakefulness and alertness. It is also known to increase flexibility and enhance planning and decision-making. It also seems to have little effect on creativity, although it does enhance reacting to and integrating new information.
Although the brain’s nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (NET) and dopamine transporter (DAT) are known to bind to modafinil, its exact mechanisms of action remain unknown. Using PET imaging, Madras et al. demonstrated in a recent publication that modafinil binds to both DAT and NET in the striatal and thalamic areas of rhesus monkeys. This is a promising discovery, but there is not enough data to demonstrate that Modvigil 200 modafinil improves cognition in those who are not sleep deprived.
Methylphenidate
A central nervous system stimulant called methylphenidate is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both adults and children. It may help prevent neuronal damage in disorders like Parkinson’s disease and methamphetamine usage. It raises the quantities of specific substances in the brain, such as dopamine.
Furthermore, methylphenidate prevents reactive oxygen species from forming, which may be harmful to the brain. The medication comes as a transdermal patch and many oral forms. The two most popular types are extended-release (XR or ER) and immediate-release (IR).
Stimulant-only prescription pharmaceuticals, sometimes referred to as “smart pills” are used by many individuals to enhance their performance at work or school. These medications have the capacity to improve cognitive function in people with low baseline capabilities and even raise intelligence in those with normal capacities (1). Nevertheless, there is conflicting data supporting these effects (2). Several reasons, including ceiling effects, a paucity of placebo-controlled studies, and study population heterogeneity, might account for these findings.
Serious adverse effects from methylphenidate might include impaired or altered vision. Usually, these symptoms go away on their own, but you should call your doctor right away if they don’t. Before using this drug, you should also disclose to your doctor any medical issues you may have, such as glaucoma or an overactive thyroid gland.
Dopamine
A neurotransmitter called dopamine is involved in reward-based learning. It aids in the recognition and association of a certain stimulus with a specific result and is engaged in the reward system in both humans and animals. It is also in charge of regulating our libidinal urge and our capacity for original problem-solving.
The FDA has authorized modafinil, a stimulant that encourages alertness, to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy. Off-label, it is also often taken as a cognitive enhancer to increase focus and alertness for things like test preparation. There isn’t enough evidence, nevertheless, to suggest that these medications enhance cognitive performance in healthy individuals. They might lower the caliber of the effort, which would lower performance.
One worry is that youth using modafinil or other smart medicines may have impaired short-term memory, which might impair their capacity to handle a range of stimuli in social settings. The possibility of these medications interfering with brain receptors that control brain flexibility and memory consolidation is another cause for worry.
See your doctor if you think you may be suffering from a dopamine deficit. Testing for neurotransmitters may reveal abnormalities in these crucial substances and assist you in selecting the best course of action for your illness. Additionally, you may adopt natural measures to raise your dopamine levels, such as consuming meals strong in fiber and protein and avoiding sweets and caffeine. You may also attempt breathing techniques and meditation to help you de-stress and relax.
Serotonin production
Although serotonin has long been linked to emotion, it also plays a role in memory and learning. Prediction mistakes cause it to be released more often, which encourages the development of adaptive behavior in the face of uncertainty. It is linked to memory that is reliant on the hippocampal region. The amount of this molecule is very high during the premenstrual period, postpartum period, or after menopause when sex hormones are changing. It is produced diffusely by serotonin fibers.
This enables unbound molecules to enter the perfusate and cross the membrane. HPLC with electrochemical detection is then used to evaluate the perfusate. The neurotransmitter’s function in a number of neurological conditions, such as narcolepsy and Alzheimer’s disease, has been investigated using this technique.