One of the most popular smart drug prescriptions today, designed to increase focus and boost energy, is Modafinil (Provigil). It is given to people who find it hard to sleep, usually. But it has been prescribed, too, to those who need increased concentration for working and / or studying.

Modafinil: A Popular Smart Drugs

Officially, this is a prescription drug given only to those with sleep apnea and narcolepsy. And doctors are very strict in writing a prescription for this.

However, those who want to take this in as a smart drug can get it even without a prescription by buying certain brands (albeit slightly modified) online, including the following:

• Provigil
• Alertec
• Modiodal
• Modapro
• Sun Pharma Modalert

A Short History of Modafinil

This was developed in the 1970s by Michel Jouvet, a French professor. A decade and so later in 1986, it underwent clinical testing as an experimental drug to treat narcolepsy. As it proved to be effective, it has entered the commercial pharmaceutical market pretty quickly.

Cephalon, a biopharmaceutical group in the USA which started in 1987, has started to commercialize this. As one of the biggest global pharma companies, they now own the intellectual property right to Modafinil brand name Provigil.

While Modafinil still is the number one option for those who have narcolepsy and / or sleep apnea, it has been used by so many for focusing and staying alert for long periods of time such as night shift workers and even soldiers.

Cephalon has been throwing lawsuits here and there, defending their patent and intellectual property rights since there have been numerous companies making different versions of Modafinil.

For instance, this smart drug is widely marketed as Alertec online, primarily in Canada and the USA. This is a cheaper version of Provigil, even if both make use of the same formulas. Despite the aggressive ‘manhunt’ for Modafinil brands, there are still other ‘generic’ versions of Modafinil too, especially if you look hard enough.

The Functionality of Modafinil

The main target of Modafinil is the PSS or Peripheral Sympathetic System. The Anterior hypothalamus nucleus, that which regulates our sleep cycle, is the main area in the brain that is affected by the drug.

There have been theories that it also affects the CNS or Central Nervous System, although the function has not been studied yet to be fully appreciated.

There have been several speculations as to how this wonder smart drug functions in the brain. One of these is that Modafinil boosts Anandamine, a neurotransmitter which works with the Anterior hypothalamus nucleus to regulate sleep.

Apparently, increased Anandamine can also increase dopamine – the neurotransmitter regulating mood, cognitive ability, and motor functions, among so many others. It also has the ability of increasing glutamate in the brain by decreasing GABA.

There is another interesting function of Modafinil when taken: increased histamine activity.  This is said to be caused by Modafinil, the name of the active ingredient of the same drug.

Last but not the least, this sleep-regulator / smart drug has a direct effect on orexins, the peptides of the brain. When activated, both histamine and dopamine levels are increased helping both insomniacs and narcoleptics with their sleep patterns.

The Amazing Benefits of Modafinil 

Aside from its primary effect, that with helping those with sleep disorders regulate their sleep cycles better, Modafinil has numerous cognitive benefits too.

It is quite unique as a smart drug, lasting longer than other nootropics in the market and is multifunctional in the sense that it affects several parts of the brain. But below are its main advantages:

Mood Improvement 

Those who have used Modafinil have said that their moods have been lifted with continued use. This could be because of the increase in Dopamine in the brain.

Long Hours of Wakefulness 

Remember that this is a drug for treating narcolepsy. So those not suffering from that sleep condition can expect that they will be awake for at least 10 to even 12 hours a day. It is very important, therefore, to take the drug early in the morning and not at night, especially if you want to sleep well.

Amazing Focus and Concentration 

Modafinil basically works like caffeine in helping one focus. With its effect of wakefulness, it helps a great deal in making one very productive with whatever it is that they do.

Cognitive Function Enhanced and Retained 

It has been said earlier that Modafinil increases cognitive functionality, helping improve logical thinking. While this could be because of the increase in dopamine and glutamate levels in the brain, this effect of Modafinil still needs to undergo research and testing to be better understood.

Regulated Sleep 

Modafinil is prescribed mainly to those with insomnia, narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. If you are having troubles sleeping, you could ask your doctor for this drug.

The Right Usage of Modafinil

This is taken orally, either on a full or empty stomach. Doctors suggest that this be taken in the morning as it provides that 10-12 hours straight wakefulness. Taking it mid-day would make it hard for people to sleep at night already.

However, if you need to be up at night (for students doing school projects or employees given night shifts), then it is best that you take the medication an hour before your shift.

The recommended daily dosage of Modafinil, especially for beginners, is very low. Even so, you will feel the effects already without suffering from the common side effects of the drug. Most of the time, 200 mg of Modafinil is prescribed by doctors for daily use. This will last for 12-15 hours already.

Those who are cycling the drug should adjust the dosage for the week. To avoid tolerance development to Modafinil, take a 100mg early during the week and increase it bit by bit to 200mg by week’s end.

It is strongly recommended to follow the directions on the product label when planning to take Modafinil. It is also best to ask your doctor if you can use Modafinil or any other nootropic medications for that matter, especially if you have health conditions or are already taking in certain medications.

The Side Effects of Modafinil

Most of the side effects of Modafinil, which aren’t serious to begin with, are the same with other nootropics in the market today. These mild symptoms include the following:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Lack of Appetite
• Nervousness
• Hypertension

In fact, if the directions for use are followed well, these won’t be a problem at all. As of the moment, there are no reports yet about dangerous effects of the drug, making this a pretty safe medication.

Important Note Here:

While this is a very good nootropic and is proven very effective for sleep disorders, it is not the right drug for everyone. Because it has mild stimulants (like caffeine, as aforementioned), it is not good for those with heart and liver conditions, high blood pressure, and pre-existing mental health problems. Again, it would be best to consult with an expert before you start taking this in.

Modafinil Available Online?

While this is available in retail drug stores, one would not be given Modafinil if a prescription is not presented. But other brands which are considered as ‘supplements’ more than medications, such as Provigil and Alertec, are available on the internet even without doctor’s prescription.

The world’s first smart drug is Piracetam, which makes it a special highlight in the history of nootropics. It was first synthesized and developed in the 1960s to cure cognitive problems. Until today, Piracetam is still popular particularly to people who seek for a mild smart drug that effectively provides cognition benefits.

With its chemical name 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, Piracetam is GABA’s cyclic derivative – a powerful neurotransmitter that helps in reducing the excitability of neurons. The chemical name may sound complicated and a little confusing but its function is easy to understand: the smart drug improves the efficiency of your brain’s neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are the ones responsible for cognitive ability to focus, memory formation, and attention.

Today, the nootropic that is considered the safest is Piracetam. It only has few side effects and its mildness has made it the most popular nootropic among beginners. There are advanced users that try stronger compounds such as Noopept, Oxiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam.

Where Does Piracetam Come From?

Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, a Romanian chemist, was the one to first synthesized Piracetam in 1964. He then coined the term nootropic later. The smart drug was then made available to pharmacies and consumers all over the world in the early 1970s. That time, it was marketed and sold as a drug that increases cognition functions without side effects that are dangerous.

Today, the smart drug is very popular all over the world particularly in European countries. Many doctors in Europe actually prescribe Piracetam to treat certain conditions related to cognition. However, it is not allowed to be sold in Canada and the United States. Individuals may import it for personal consumption though. This is why it is also popular in South America, North America and even in Asia.

Like other racetams, Piracetam targets the brain’s Cholinergic or Acetylcholine system. The Ach or Acetylcholine neurotransmitters play a role that is critical in memory focus, attention, and cognition. The nootropic enhances the Ach system to unlock the neural benefits that are powerful.

There is no known precise mechanisms of Piracetam yet. However, we now know that the smart drug is:

• Capable of improving the acetylcholine receptors’ efficiency, which are heavily used for the formation process of memory

• Providing an effect on the receptors called NMDA glutamate, which help in the further enhancement of memory, cognition, and learning

• Responsible in increasing the permeability of membranes, which makes it easier for nutrients, vitamins, and oxygen to cross the barrier between blood and brain that results to the enhancement of the brain’s overall health

What’s really interesting is that Piracetam doesn’t act as a stimulant or sedative when unlocking all of these great benefits. This is one major reason why the smart drug doesn’t have any side effects.

Functions of Piracetam 

Piracetam may be the most studied smart drug to date because it was the first nootropic to be discovered. With numerous clinical studies and many years of research, the smart drug has sown that it is capable of providing a lot of cognitive benefits. These are:

Increased Neuroprotection

The ability to be a neuroprotectant is what makes Piracetam exciting. This means that the smart drug reduces neurotransmitters’ breakdown. The nootropic can be taken as a measure to prevent the development of the risk of stroke. But if taken after a person suffered from stroke, Piracetam significantly reduces the damage the stroke caused and it also speeds up the process of healing. Another amazing benefit is the ability of the smart drug to reduce alcohol abuse’s effects. There are also studies that showed how Piracetam can help in the treatment of degenerative neural conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

Improved Overall Brain Health

Piracetam also targets the brain’s free radicals because it also acts as an effective antioxidant. As a result, there is an increase in the brain’s overall health and nerve growth. This makes the brain more capable of creating new connections and synapses, which results to the enhancement of communication within the brain. It also helps in the facilitation of communication in the corpus callosum, which is needed in connecting the brain’s right and left hemispheres.

Improved Cognitive Performance 

Acetylcholine undeniably has a powerful effect on anyone’s memory. Enhanced memory and learning is the most striking benefits of Piracetam.

How To Use Piracetam As A Nootropic 

The nootropic can be bought in the form of powder or tablet. Of the two, the powder is more affordable. Advanced users may also benefit more from the powdered form. This is because the desire amount can be easily mixed into a glass filled water. On the other hand, convenience is what makes capsules better.

It is recommended to buy a microscoop or electronic scale. In this way, you can monitor the amount of the nootropic you are consuming. You should take note that there should be control in taking the supplement because taking too much is never a good idea.

What makes Piracetam great is the fact that it’s water-soluble. This means that you can take it in capsule form with water or take it as a mixture of powder and water. Others mix the powder to water-based beverages because they find the taste bitter. One great example is orange juice, which works perfectly in masking the bitter taste.

You need to take an “attack dose” first if it’s your first time to take Piracetam. The dose involves taking of 3 grams of the smart drug three times daily for two straight days. The dose is higher than what is normally consumed but it is necessary so you would have a faster build-up of the nootropic in your system. However, if it’s your first time to take nootropics, then you should not apply the attack dose. For more advanced users, the dose is an effective way to achieve maximum benefits.

So, if you’re a beginner, take around 800-1,500 mg of the smart drug three times daily. It is highly recommended that you take Piracetam with choline as stack. Some of the great choline supplements are Citicoline and Alpha GPC. With choline, there is mitigation of side effects, which results to optimum benefits.

Side Effects of Piracetam

Headache is the only side effect of the smart drug, which only occurs when large amount is taken. When the acetylcholine system doesn’t produce enough choline, your head starts to ache. Aside from this, there are no more serious side effects. 

Best Ways To Purchase

You need to by Piracetam online particularly if you’re living in North America. It can be imported to Canada and the United States for personal use. In Europe and other parts of the world, Piracetam is very easy to purchase. You don’t need any prescription.

Citicoline is a cholinergic chemical substance. Even though it is naturally present in the human body, it can also be consumed as a health supplement. Citicoline has a big role to play in the memory enhancement as it increases the acetylcholine levels of the brain.

Citicoline is easy to take and also easily accessible. It is considered to be one of the most effective and safest brain supplements currently available on the market. When consumed alone, Citicoline can provide highly effective cognitive power. However, a lot of people stack Citicoline to another nootropic such as racetam as a way to maximize its performance.  With this type of nootropic stack, the effects complement each other, and thus creating a beneficial feedback cycle that can have dynamic effects on the cholinergic system of the brain.

Citicoline Brief Background

Since Citicoline is naturally found in the body system, you can say that its origin is as old as the human beings. Ferrer, which is a pharmaceutical firm, synthesized Citicoline In 1993, with the intention of helping stroke patients.

In the same year, Interneuron, a nootropic supplement company, accredited exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights to Citicoline in Canada and America from Ferrer. By 1997, Interneuron company had patented Citicoline for its usage in the decrease in cerebral infarct volume level.

In the following year, another patent was granted for the role of Citicoline in protecting the brain tissues after a stroke.

Through the years, several research projects about Citicoline have transpired that showcased its great effects on the human brain. One particular MIT research verified the effects of Citicoline on verbal memory. That analysis come to the conclusion that the therapy using Citicoline can improve verbal memory performance particularly in older people with poor memories. Even so, Citicoline may prove to be effective in curing age-related cognitive loss that could be the forerunner to dementia.

The study regarding this subject featured 48 male and 47 female individuals between 50 and 85 years of age. All these volunteers were examined for memory disorders, dementia and other neurological conditions. Another study in 1999 included people who had suffered from strokes just recently.

Citicoline turned out to be effective on a number of the participants in increasing brain functions. On the other hand, some volunteers have shown no considerable outcomes.

Citicoline is a newbie in the world of nootropics and more studies have to be conducted to present a validated link between people that have degenerative brain disorders and cognitive development. With that being said, earlier studies gave promising results and some think that Citicoline could possibly be an effective solution for Alzheimer’s, strokes, and various other cognitive problems.

How Does Citicoline Function?

One of many qualities that makes Citicoline unique is that it can break into two separate chemical compounds right after traversing the blood-brain barrier. Basically, Citicoline breaks into cytidine and choline after being ingested in the digestive tract that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Each cytidine and choline have completely different functionalities.

Choline becomes acetylcholine and works as a meamory booster. On the other hand, Cytidine increases cerebral power, metabolic process and boosts the performance of compounds in the cell membranes. This provides you with increased energy and focus in the long run.

This means that Citicoline is a powerful dual action supplement. Just like all cholinergics, it improves memory retention and boosts memory development. But, compared to many other cholinergics, it also helps in improving focus and promotes overall brain health in many ways.

Citicoline works similarly to other cholinergics by increasing the levels of acetylcholine as it gives choline to the body. The body then converts that choline into acetylcholine, and thus improving memory performance.

When you consume Citicoline, you are increasing the level of choline in your body. The brain requires choline to create acetylcholine, which is used to send new information across the brain and store them for future recall. In other words, acetylcholine is a crucial chemical substance that allows the brain to remember and make new memories.

There are some sources on the internet claiming that Citicoline increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, in doing so improving your state of mind. However, this kind of claim has not been proven yet in any peer-reviewed research.

How To Use Citicoline

Citicoline is comparatively easy to use and well-tolerated. You can use it in tablet or powder form. Some individuals also take it by using intravenous procedures but this is not encouraged.

Tablets are the best way to consume Citicoline. A standard Citicoline tablet incorporates a 500mg dosage. The two major negative aspects of tablets are:

1. They are more expensive
2. You cannot customize your own dosage

After taking Citicoline tablets for a few weeks, you can increase your dosage as your body system gets used to the effects. If you are taking powder, you can simply add a little bit more to your dose. Moreover, powders are considered the most affordable options.

Regardless of whether you are choosing powder or capsule, the suggested daily dosage is at 500mg. As you become more familiar with your nootropic supplement, you may increase your dosage up to 2 grams a day. However, most nootropic experts would recommend maintaining below 1 gram every day.

The most preferred dosage of Citicoline is to take 250mg to 500mg, two times daily. You can take one dose in the morning and another at lunch time. This can help provide powerful cognitive effects during work hours.

It is possible to take Citicoline even without a meal. But remember, avoid using it in the late afternoon and evening in order to prevent sleep problems.

One of the most common technique to take Citicoline is as part of a nootropic stack. Stacking it is an excellent way to take full advantage of its positive benefits. You may opt to stack Citicoline together with a racetam such as Oxiracetam or Aniracetam.

The same as with any kind of nootropic, you need to cycle Citicoline on and off so as not to build tolerance. Some users advise cycling to a different cholinergic such as Alpha GPC every one to two weeks, while other people cycle off cholinergics completely before cycling back again.

Interestingly, a patient is more likely to experience a full recovery when Citicoline is taken within 24 hours of having an ischemic stroke, compared to someone who did not use Citicoline. Those patients who have recently suffered from a stroke are usually given a dose of 500mg every day.

Benefits Of Citicoline?

Citicoline has been associated with many cognitive benefits. We have mentioned these benefits above, but here is what to expect when you take Citicoline as your nootropic supplement:

• Increased Mental Energy – Citicoline is not a stimulant as opposed to various other nootropics. But, the increased cerebrovascular and brain metabolism gives stimulant-like results that can develop mental energy, focus and concentration. For this reason, it is best not to take Citicoline in the late afternoon or evening, as you may not be able to sleep at your usual time.

• Much Better Memory – It is one of the main benefits of Citicoline. The increased acetylcholine levels in the brain help in the formation and retention of the memory. It means you can process new information easily and then remember that information at some future time. In many scientific research, Citicoline has revealed a valuable effect on the memories of individuals who are from 50 to 85, and on patients with degenerative brain disorders.

• Improved Brain Metabolism – Citicoline improves the circulation of blood and the oxygen intake throughout your brain, maximizing brain metabolism, that can be connected with much better focus and concentration.

These positive effects make Citicoline a favorite nootropic supplement  for a various conditions. It is preferred by university students who are in highly competitive courses. It is also ideal for high-stress work settings, or in other situations where you can take advantage of your mental ability to perform well.

Side Effects of Citicoline

Scientific studies have proven that 90 days of continuous Citicoline use have no known side effects. But, these studies have not extended past the 90 day cycle. This does not indicate that Citicoline is not safe for consumption anymore after 90 days. It is a mild nootropic supplement and the majority of users will not detect any side effects.

Almost all users will not experience side effects of Citicoline. Those who do will experience nausea, headaches, diarrhea, sleep problems, low or high blood pressure. If you are worried about such negative effects, talk to your doctor before you use Citicoline.

You should also consult with your doctor if you are taking medication or if you are currently suffering from an illness or disease. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should also refrain from taking Citicoline or another nootropic substance.

The biggest scientific study on the side effects of Citicoline included about 2800 individuals from ages 60 to 80 years old. In this study, some adverse reactions were only observed in 5% of these participants. More than half of the 5% with side effects experienced mild digestive problems, and no severe negative effects were documented during the research.

Buy Citicoline Supplement Online

If you are interested in trying Citicoline, buying them online is safer, easier and much more convenient. It is also less expensive than the nootropic supplements at the local drugstores.

Ultimately, Citicoline is a legal supplement in the vast majority of the world, which is sold in more than 70 countries. It is usually sold under brand names such as Somazina, NeurAxon, Ceraxon, Synapsine and Cognizin. Whether you are an expert nootropic user or just trying it for the first time, now is the right time to buy Citicoline online.