Modafinil is one of the most widely used cognitive enhancers in the world. It’s considered a eugeroic which means that it promotes wakefulness, alertness, and perceived energy levels. Fladrafinil is similar to Modafinil and some anecdotal evidence suggests it could be more potent.
Fladrafinil is a nootropic that helps people stay alert and perform better. Although it has become a popular choice in the biohacking sphere, it was developed relatively recently, so it is not well researched.
So, what is Fladrafinil exactly? Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Fladrafinil and compare it in detail to both Adrafinil and Flmodafinil.
Fladrafinil Overview
Fladrafinil is also known as Fluorafinil and CRL-40,941. A French pharmaceutical company first developed it in the 1970s and it has been labeled as a “smart drug” or nootropic. It is relatively potent and it’s used mainly by students and people on-the-go to improve focus, reduce fatigue, and improve brain function.
However, keep in mind that Fladrafinil’s use is not approved for any medical condition and it’s recommended for laboratory research only, not personal use.
So, how does Fladrafinil work?
Well, we’re not quite sure about the mechanisms behind Flandrafinil’s effects and researchers suggest that it has something to do with the prevention of dopamine reuptake, similar to Modafinil. This neurotransmitter plays a vital role in attention, learning, and emotional responses, and increased dopamine levels have neuro-enhancing effects.
However, more research is needed to determine Fladrafinil’s precise mechanisms of action.
Fladrafinil Vs. Adrafinil
We mentioned that Modafinil is one of the most popular cognitive enhancers used globally. It is commonly used to promote wakefulness and improve focus, and it’s usually prescribed to people who struggle with chronic fatigue caused by a sleeping disorder. Some of these sleep disorders include narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Adrafinil is an inactive drug that turns into Modafinil once metabolized. So, it has the same effects as Modafinil, but the onset is delayed as it takes us some time to metabolize it and reach significant levels in the bloodstream. The advantage of Adrafinil compared to other brain stimulants is that it doesn’t induce anxiety and hyperactivity while it promotes a balanced state of wakefulness and focus.
Because Adrafinil needs to be metabolized by the liver to become active, it takes more time to work and it requires a higher dosage than Fladrafinil. A higher dosage could lead to more side effects and it stays in the body longer.
Although there are no clinical studies to confirm this, anecdotal evidence suggests that Fladrafinil is more potent than Adrafinil. It seems that the additional fluoride molecule in the chemical structure of Fladrafinil makes it easier to absorb. That’s why people taking this drug usually start with lower doses and gradually go up to reach the optimal dosage.
Fladrafinil Vs. Flmodafinil
Flmodafinil is another nootropic that has comparable effects to Fladrafinil, so people take it to improve focus, attention span, and cognitive performance. Flmodafinil is recommended for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), idiopathic hypersomnia, and narcolepsy.
Flmodafinil has a similar structure to Modafinil, differing only in the addition of two fluoro-groups which makes it more potent. A better bioavailability should result in a lower recommended dose and fewer side effects, but we need to see the results of clinical trials to confirm this.
Similar to Fladrafinil, Flmodafinil most likely inhibits dopamine reuptake. That’s why these drugs have the potential to help those struggling with addiction, as dopamine is a crucial neurotransmitter in our brain’s reward system. They could also help with mental health issues like anxiety and depression as dopamine plays a vital role in managing these conditions.
Fladrafinil and Flmodafinil appear more potent than Modafinil, so lower doses are recommended. However, a lower dosage is recommended to those using Fladrafinil because people report more side effects when using this nootropic compared to Flmodafinil. Fladrafinil also has a longer half-life, meaning it will stay in your body longer.
More importantly, many Flmodafinil suppliers are out of stock but offer Fladrafinil instead.
Want To Learn More About Flmodafinil? Read Our Flmodafinil Review.
Fladrafinil Benefits
Fladrafinil appears to be a more potent nootropic than Adrafinil and Modafinil. Although we lack solid clinical studies, anecdotal evidence suggests that Fladrafinil can:
- Promote wakefulness
- Increase alertness
- Improve focus and concentration
- Boost cognitive performance
- Possibly reduce aggression
- Possibly ease depression and anxiety symptoms
Promotes Wakefulness
We mentioned that Fladrafinil inhibits the reuptake of dopamine. As a result, there is more extracellular dopamine in your brain which is vital for promoting wakefulness. Research shows that when dopamine interacts with its receptors, it inhibits the effects of norepinephrine. This neurotransmitter is crucial for the production of melatonin, also known as the “sleep hormone.”
When melatonin levels increase, it is a signal for our brain that it is time to wind down. Since Fladrafinil prevents that, melatonin levels stay low, and we don’t feel sleepy. That’s how Fladrafinil promotes wakefulness, increases energy levels, and prevents drowsiness.
Improves Focus
People taking Fladrafinil report feeling alert, focused, and more energized. But unlike other stimulants, it doesn’t cause overstimulation or anxiety, and evidence so far shows that there is no risk of chemical dependency.
Besides feeling awake, Fladrafinil has the potential to keep you focused and could help with mentally engaging activities, such as studying or working. Although no direct studies confirm this, we know that Modafinil can improve attention and we expect similar effects from Fladrafinil. In addition, people using this nootropic report better focus.
Improves Cognitive Performance
Since Modafinil has the potential to improve cognitive performance and confidence in how we perform tasks, biohackers believe that Fladrafinil can do the same. Anecdotal evidence confirms this and reports improvements in memory retention and recall, potentially slowing mental decline in seniors. This makes sense, considering dopamine is important in memory consolidation.
Reduces Aggression
Many online sources state that the difference between Fladrafinil and other eugeroics is that it can reduce aggression. However, we couldn’t find evidence to support this claim, other than a few user reports.
So, the link between anti-aggression behaviors and Fladrafinil use is weak for now and needs further investigation.
Eases Depression Symptoms
Dopamine is the central molecule in our brain’s reward system and more dopamine results in better motivation. That’s why Fladrafinil could help people feel more cheerful and motivated, which is consistent with consumer reports.
Fladrafinil Dosage
There aren’t any human studies examining the efficacy and safety of different Fladrafinil dosages. According to users and biohackers, doses under 100 mg are safe, but we need clinical studies to confirm this.
Most people using this nootropic take between 30 mg and 80 mg per day. They usually start with lower doses between 20-50 mg and then work their way up.
Another important thing to keep in mind is when to take Fladrafinil. It’s best to take it early in the morning as it can interfere with your sleep schedule if taken later in the day. However, if you work the night shift or need to pull an all-nighter, you can certainly take it in the evening.
People usually experience the effects of Fladrafinil within one to two hours, and they can last over eight hours. It appears that the Fladrafinil half-life is around 12-16 hours, similar to Modafinil.
Fladrafinil Side Effects
Because Fladrafinil is under-researched, we don’t know much about its potential side effects or their frequency. Anecdotal evidence reveals several negative effects, but since underreporting and overreporting are probable, we can’t draw any definite conclusions.
Most side effects are mild and usually occur with higher doses. They include:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- More intense urine smell
You should always consult with your doctor before taking nootropics that lack proper clinical research, especially if you have other medical conditions or take medications that could interact with them.
Want To Buy Fladrafinil? Read Our Flmodafinil Review For The Best Fladrafinil Vendors.
Studies You Can Read About Fladrafinil And Similar Topics
- The Role of Dopamine and Its Dysfunction as a Consequence of Oxidative Stress (Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2016)
- Practical Use and Risk of Modafinil, a Novel Waking Drug (Environmental health and toxicology, 2012)
- Adrafinil: A Novel Vigilance Promoting Agent (CNS Drug Reviews, 1999)
- Adrafinil: Psychostimulant and Purported Nootropic? (American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal, 2021)
- Dopamine, behavior, and addiction (Behavioural brain research, 2002)
- The Role of Dopamine in the Pathophysiology of Depression (Archives of general psychiatry, 2007)
- The role of dopamine in sleep regulation (Sleep medicine reviews, 2013)
- Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals: A systematic review (Pharmacological research, 2010)
- Efficacy of stimulants for cognitive enhancement in non-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder youth: a systematic review (Addiction, 2014)
- Effects of modafinil on cognitive and meta-cognitive performance (Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 2004)
- Dopaminergic reward system: a short integrative review (International archives of medicine 3.1, 2010)
- Dopamine in motivational control: rewarding, aversive, and alerting (Neuron, 2010)
- Pharmacokinetics of armodafinil and modafinil after single and multiple doses in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with treated obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized, open-label, crossover study (Clinical therapeutics, 2010)
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
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