Modafinil and Marijuana (benefits & precaution)

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the topic,” modafinil and marijuana”, a brief introduction about the drug Modafinil including the uses, dosage and side effects, a short introduction about marijuana, the interaction of modafinil and marijuana, side effects of the combination and few of the frequently asked question in relation to the topic.

Modafinil and Marijuana can be combined and taken together because:

• Helps in the treatment of many sleep-related problems
• Improves the concentration and attention span of the person
• Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
• Reduces the side effect as well as the effectiveness of Modafinil
• Improvement in productivity
• Enhances the creativity of the person
• Increase the appetite of the person

Modafinil

It is an oral drug generally used for the treatment of improving wakefulness of a person along with those with excessive sleepiness. Modafinil belongs to the class of medicine which is Wakefulness Promoting Agents.

The drug functions similarly like Armodafinil. Modafinil is the generic name while Provigil is the brand name of this medicine. In 1998, the drug was officially approved for use by the FDA.

Uses of Modafinil

The medication is used for the treatment of different symptoms and effects although the working mechanism of Modafinil is not known. It basically improves the concentration of dopamine present in the brain by blocking and reducing the reuptake of Dopamine in the synapse. 

Some of the uses or treatment of Modafinil are:

• Treat sleepiness that affects the person such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a condition where there is an uncontrollable desire for sleep. Our brain and spinal cord are associated with the disease. While sleep apnea is a condition where there is an interruption in breathing due to the blockage or obstruction in the upper airway. 
• It keeps us and awake and active
• Modafinil can be used to restore the imbalance of Dopamine in the brain by restoring the balance
• It can also be used to treat shift work sleep disorder or conditions where there is disruption and disturbance in the normal sleep cycle.
• Modafinil can help in reducing the effectiveness of certain drugs while can elevate the functioning of certain other drugs.

Dosage of Modafinil

Ideally, Modafinil is used for the treatment of Narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder and sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome. However, an additional dose of Modafinil can be used for the treatment of liver and kidney diseases.

The usual dose of Modafinil is 200mg to be taken daily in the morning and it should never exceed 400mg. For the treatment of shift work disorder, it is taken an hour before while for sleep narcolepsy and sleep apnea, one should take it in the morning. 

It can be taken with or without food. A higher dose of Modafinil doesn’t necessarily mean more effectiveness and better treatment.

The dose should always be taken at the same time every day and despite the remission of certain symptoms, one should continue the dose unless a doctor’s advice. It can often be habit-forming so taking it in a prescribed dose is best to avoid any other side effects of the drug.

Side effect of Modafinil

The most common side effect of the drug, Modafinil are:

• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Agitation and Excitement
• Increased blood pressure
• Racing heartbeat
• Blurred vision
• Problem in memory
• Clumsiness and confusion
• Nervousness
• Unusual bleeding and bruising

These are some of the common side effects as a result of the medicine, while some of them require immediate medical help, while others don’t require medical attention and our body can adjust with it. 

Drug interaction with Modafinil

There are certain drugs that interact with Modafinil when taken together and it often results in severe and rigorous side effects. 

The drug when taken along with birth control pills, it will reduce the effectiveness of those pills and might cause pregnancy.

Modafinil also speeds up the removal of a certain substance or medication from the body that affects their working mechanism. 

Certain products present in the medicine could raise blood pressure as well as a heart rate of the person such as products that relieve cough and cold.

Caffeine interacts with the drug resulting in increased side effects.

Since Modafinil is similar to Armodafinil, one should not take any drug containing Armodafinil when on medication of Modafinil. 

Marijuana

Marijuana is commonly called weed, herb, ganja, grass or bud. It is basically a mixture of dried flowers. The way people take it is different, while some of the hand-rolled are like cigarettes, there are others who also take it via pipes, water pipes and as cigar wraps.

It is the most commonly abused and used illegal substance across the globe.

Although Marijuana is medically approved for the treatment of different health problems, it is not approved by the FDA as a medicine. Medical Marijuana is often called Marinol.

Research studies have shown that Marijuana is an addictive substance and the symptoms exhibited are similar to other addictive substances.

Usage of Marijuana by people

There are different ways of using Marijuana by people, some of the ways of using Marijuana are:

• Rolling it up like a cigarette
• Smoking it via pipe
• Brewing it like a tea
• Smoking oil
• Use of electronic vaporizers

Component of Marijuana

Marijuana is composed of more than 500 chemicals which are known as Cannabinoids. Out of those, the two major components are CBD and THC.

• CBD: Cannabidiol:

It is psychoactive, however, it doesn’t produce euphoric feeling and makes an individual high. To alleviate pain and inflammation, it is often used.

• THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol:

It is the key psychoactive component in Cannabis where it produces euphoric and high feeling or sensation in most of the individual. 

The cannabis products contain either CBD, THC or both. The hemp plant contains CBD but no THC. Both components interact with systems in our brain significant for our mood regulation. 

Effects of Marijuana

There are both short term and long term side effects of Marijuana. Some of the short term effects one undergo when they are high of Marijuana are:

• Altered sensation such as seeing bright colours and extra sensational
• Lost track of time such as minute and hours
• Mood swings and fluctuations
• Problem in body coordination and movements
• Trouble with their thinking, memory and problem-solving skills
• Increase in appetite

Other long term effects of Marijuana resulting in certain health problem are:

• Severe impairment and problem in the development of the brain
• Breathing problem 
• Coughing and respiratory problem
• Problem with pregnancy and childbirth
• Increased risk of cancer

Marijuana Addiction

When Marijuana is consumed and taken for a long time and addiction is developed. A person with Marijuana addiction has a strong desire and need to take the drug, so they smoke more when high.

If they quit and are unable to satisfy their addiction, they tend to undergo certain withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, disturbance and disruption in the sleep cycle, cravings, anxiety etc. 

Modafinil and Marijuana

The combination of Modafinala and Marijuana could be used constructively. Modafinil, when taken alone, has certain benefits such as improvement in the mental capacity, reduces the tiredness and fatigue, it helps with withdrawal symptoms and lower the likelihood of craving. 

Weed can help in relieving chronic pain, improving the creativity of the person and often used as a potential treatment of inflammation. 

When both Modafinil and Marijuana are taken together, some of the benefits are:

It results in an optimal balance between our creativity and productivity

Studies have shown that when we take Modafinil and Marijuana together, it enhances our creativity as well as functioning. Taking Modafinil early in the morning and then getting back to some technical works improves the functioning and taking Marijuana after it results in space for creativity.

It helps with Parkinson’s Disease

When Marijuana and Modafinil are taken together, it improves the activity of a person and a significant improvement in body coordination, as well as the activity of the person, is observed. 

Improvement in sleep

The worst effect of Modafinil is insomnia, which is the difficulty in falling asleep after prolonged normal hours. However, taking Marijuana after a tiring workday results in much better and relaxing sleep and quicker sleep.

For significant improvement in sleep, one can take Modafinil in the morning and Marijuana an hour or two before heading to bed.

Boost concentration

Taking Modafinil and Marijuana together results in significant improvement in the concentration level of the individual as well as attention span.

Reduces the side effects of Modafinil

The prime reason for mixing Marijuana and Modafinil together is the effectiveness in reducing the side effects of Modafinil. Although Modafinil has important benefits and uses for the treatment of wakefulness, increasing the hormones such as norepinephrine, dopamine and histamine, there are severe side effects associated with it. Thus, taking marijuana has the ability to reduce side effects. 

Increases the appetite of an individual

When Marijuana and Modafinil are taken together, it increases the appetite control of the person. Modafinil suppresses the appetite of a person while taking it along with Marijuana results in regain of appetite.

Boost the effect of Modafinil

When Modafinil and Marijuana are combined, weed tends to boost the effectiveness of Modafinil. It is the endocannabinoid receptor that regulates the release of dopamine and inhibits the breakdown of Monoamine Oxidase.

These are the major benefits and use of taking the drugs together since it helps them to alleviate certain side effects, improve the effectiveness and functioning of the drug.

Although combining both these drugs result in significant improvement and alleviation of certain symptoms, there are side effects associated with it such as dry mouth, dehydration, excessive anxiety in the individual and other long term severe side effects. 

FAQs: Modafinil and Marijuana

Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we had discussed the topic,” modafinil and marijuana”, a brief introduction about the drug Modafinil including the uses, dosage and side effects, a short introduction about marijuana, the interaction of modafinil and marijuana, side effects of the combination and few of the frequently asked question in relation to the topic.

Internal links for more information and guide

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a602016.html

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-16962/modafinil-oral/details

https://modafinil.org/modafinil-weed/

Bibliography

Drugs.com. (2020). Modafinil Side Effects. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/modafinil-side-effects.html

Ogbru, O. (n.d.). Modafinil. Medicinenet. https://www.medicinenet.com/modafinil/article.htm#what_is_modafinil_and_how_does_it_work_mechanism_of_action

Shyyed, S. (2020). Beginners Guide to Mixing Modafinil and Weed. modafinil.org. https://modafinil.org/modafinil-weed/

Thorne, T. (2020). Modafinil and Weed: what you must know. Modafinil.com. https://www.modafinil.com/modafinil-and-weed/