Modafinil in Canada: Can it be Bought Up North?
You might have heard it referred to by many names—Provigil, for instance, as it is known in the United States.
No matter the title, the fact remains that Modafinil is one of the best agents for treating excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, and is prescribed to many for precisely this reason.
It can help beat back the urge to sleep, keeping you awake when you need, while also providing a shot of alertness that will keep you working near your peak while taking it.
The benefits don’t end there, though. Due to some off-label experimentation, researchers and casual users alike have discovered that Modafinil is capable of some nootropic-like human optimization.
It can help improve attention, memory, and in some cases, even general well-being, making it a prime option for those that want a boost to keep them functioning to the best of their abilities while studying, performing, etc.
That makes it highly sought after, but is it legal? Can you get Modafinil in Canada, for instance, and use it without worrying about any consequences or punishments?
That’s exactly what we’ll be getting into today while covering some of the broad strokes you’ll need to know about this potent drug.
What are “Eugeroics”?
Modafinil is a part of a family of drugs commonly referred to as eugeroics. This is just a fancy way of saying that it helps to keep you awake when you want to fall asleep.
Narcoleptics, for example, use the drug to treat their condition (falling asleep at inopportune moments). Modafinil is also prescribed to treat certain types of sleep apnea.
Those who experience what is known as “excessive daytime sleepiness” and shift work sleep disorder also make use of Modafinil to help them maintain somewhat regular sleep cycles.
Modafinil is even being used in certain military applications, particularly among fighter pilots.
In a double-blind placebo-based study, six fighter pilots who had been deprived of sleep for two separate 40 hours sessions, researchers concluded that “Modafinil treatment kept flight simulation performance near baseline” as compared with the placebo, which yielded a 10-20% decline in performance.”
The belief is that since modafinil enhances mental focus and acuity, that it can help fighter pilots stay alert on long and strenuous missions.
What about normal people, though? What does Modafinil do for them? If you don’t suffer from one of the aforementioned sleep disorders and take Modafinil, you’ll experience much of the same effect.
If taken while sleep deprived, it will fight back fatigue and help you gain a second wind.
If taken before the onset of sleepiness, it will often quell the urge to doze off, letting you put in long hours when necessary.
What’s more, Modafinil has some curious secondary effects. Those who take it have experienced increased memory, an improvement in reaction times, and a host of other effects that have given it something of a reputation as a “wonder drug.”
Modafinil and drugs like it served as the inspiration for the blockbuster hit Limitless starring Bradley Cooper that was released a few years ago.
In truth, Modafinil won’t turn you into a superhero, but it will help you maintain an edge when taken properly.
How Exactly Does Modafinil Work?
Researchers haven’t unlocked all of Modafinil’s secrets, but they know enough to explain some of what it does to the body when it takes effect. One of the principle mechanisms of Modafinil is it’s working on the adrenergic system.
Researchers believe that by interacting with adrenergic receptors in the body, it helps us stay awake when we take it. Modafinil also has interactions with the body’s level of dopamine (it binds to the same DAT site as cocaine), serotonin, and norepinephrine.
This confers several additional benefits, one of which is a boost in motivation when performing various tasks.
Researchers are exploring the possibility of Modafinil also having mild anxiety controlling effects as well.
Comparative to other stimulating compounds, like amphetamines, Modafinil reduces sedation and promotes alertness without inducing accompanying rebound hypersomnia.
As a result, you can use Modafinil to disrupt your sleep cycle and stay awake, much like with amphetamines, but will not become excessively tired afterward as a result, allowing you to maintain a normal pattern of rest post-use.
Can It Be Purchased Legally?
For the most part, yes, Modafinil is a legal drug. The specifics of its legality vary from location to location, however.
The United States has Modafinil under slight restrictions. It is a Schedule IV drug there, with a need for a prescription and mild, if any, abuse potential.
Without a prescription, individuals are not allowed to import the drug into the country.
Even with a prescription, the amounts that you can bring across the border are limited.
In addition, companies that produce Modafinil in the United States are not allowed to market them for any off-label use, even if the drug is effective for such purposes.
In other countries, like China, Modafinil is even more strictly controlled, as it is not approved for any medical use and considered to be in the same class as amphetamines and other stimulants. Penalties for possessing Modafinil here can be harsh.
In Canada, Modafinil is not listed in their Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (possession is legal) but is still considered a Scheduled prescription drug. As such, it is difficult to find within Canada without a prescription, and subject to confiscation if individuals attempt to import it from abroad.
So, while Modafinil is certainly legal in Canada, it can be very difficult to obtain legally online, without a prescription for it’s use.
How Can I Go About Obtaining Modafinil in Canada?
As for obtaining Modafinil in Canada, it is sold within the country under the brand name Alertec, but, as previously mentioned, it requires a prescription to obtain.
Importing the drug is not always a reliable method, as without the appropriate authorizations (usually a prescription), it is difficult to bring into the country for personal use.
Attempting to bring the drug back from abroad could result in seizure of the compound and even legal action.
You’ll have to assess online vendors on a case by case basis, as not all are willing to ship to Canada. Note, not a single Modafinil vendor (to my knowledge) is based in Canada; their websites are all hosted overseas to avoid regulation by CIRA, despite the low cost of web hosting in Canada.
Even companies like AfinilExpress, who ship the drug to countries worldwide, won’t ship to Canada due to the tight import controls.
Your best bet is to buy it elsewhere (eg, in the USA), and physically carry it to Canada by car, train, plane or canoe. Heads up — there have been some anecdotal reports on Reddit’s “r/Nootropics” and elsewhere of Modafinil tablets being taken at airports, so car is probably the your safest bet.
Speaking With a Doctor
If you’re suffering from any of the sleep conditions mentioned above such as narcolepsy, shift work disorder or certain types of sleep apnea, you should consult with a physician to see if Modafinil is a good choice for you.
Beyond that, it can also be beneficial to consult with a doctor if you’re interested in the off-label effects that Modafinil is known for.
While not every doctor is willing to prescribe the medication for it’s off-label benefits, some are, especially when you consider that the drug has such a low potential for abuse.
Even if a doctor is unwilling to prescribe you Modafinil for your desired application, they still may be able to point you in the direction of a supplement that they deem more appropriate for you.
Potential Interactions
As with all drugs, there is the potential for Modafinil to interact with other compounds in your body such as certain other drugs, foods and drinks.
Before you begin taking Modafinil or any drug like it, you’ll want to ensure that it isn’t going to cause an adverse reaction.
You’d be surprised at the different things that may cause an interaction with Modafinil, including something as innocent as grapefruit.
A Popular Alternative
Adrafinil presents a legal, easy-to-buy alternative for those looking to obtain a substance with alertness-promoting properties in Canada, but don’t want to deal with the potential legal repercussions surrounding Modafinil.
Adrafinil was created by a French pharmaceutical company during the 1970s and became available for widespread use in the 1980s. Like Modafinil, it was commonly used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy due to its ability to fight off sleepiness.
It isn’t exactly the same as Modafinil, though, even though it is considered to be in the same class.
First off, adrafinil is processed by the liver before entering the bloodstream. This increases the likelihood of liver damage with prolonged use and may be a serious concern.
Adrafinil stimulates and promotes wakefulness like Modafinil, true, but does not present the same level of improved memory and sharper cognitive functioning, at least not in scientific studies.
Anecdotally, some have reported obtaining these effects, along with some anti-anxiety and mood boosting ones as well.
Adrafinil works on the nervous system, specifically the androgenic system (the part that has to do with adrenaline) and is believed to mimic the release of adrenaline in the body, hence the enhanced alertness while taking it.
Though now considered discontinued, it is legal to obtain Adrafinil in the United States and Canada. Provided you can locate a reputable dealer who has a quality supply, verified by a third party.
Adrafinil may be a strong choice if you’re interested in obtaining the benefits provided by drugs like Modafinil, without the inherent risk that comes with their sale and distribution without a prescription.
Final Verdict
So, what’s the deal with Modafinil? This drug has a number of stimulant-like effects, like promoting wakefulness and alertness.
Because of that, it is prescribed to narcoleptics and individuals with other kinds of sleep disorders that cause them to become abnormally tired during the daytime.
The alertness that Modafinil provides does disrupt the sleep cycle, but not in a way that causes you to become even more tired later on, making it a more desirable option than amphetamines in many cases.
Modafinil has additional cognitive benefits like increasing focus, improving memory, and the like that make it sought after by individuals trying to gain a mental boost to perform at what they might consider “peak levels.”
In Canada, Modafinil is available by prescription and legal to possess. Without a prescription, though it is very difficult to obtain.
Attempting to import the drug with a justifiable cause can result in packages being seized by customs, and attempting to bring the drug into the country yourself without the right documentation could result in legal action, which is certainly a headache you’d rather avoid.
As such, Adrafinil is widely seen as a suitable alternative that avoids these potentially negative situations associated with trying to obtain Modafinil, while providing a very similar range of effects.
We recommend that you continue to do your research when evaluating different drugs like Modafinil so that you’re able to find the best course of action for yourself.
[catlist excludeposts=this template="div" conditional_title_tag="h6" conditional_title="More on taking Modafinil" id="116" tags="using"] [catlist excludeposts=this template="div" conditional_title_tag="h6" conditional_title="Where to buy Modafinil" id="116" tags="buying"] [catlist excludeposts=this template="div" conditional_title_tag="h6" conditional_title="Modafinil alternatives" id="116" tags="alternatives"] [catlist excludeposts=this template="div" conditional_title_tag="h6" conditional_title="Modafinil vs other products" tags="modafinil-vs"]