The current medical field has given us lots of factual and evidence-based adjuncts to our weight loss regimen. One of the medicines available nowadays that may help in weight loss is modafinil. Is modafinil the fitting addition for your weight loss journey?
Read on to find out!
What You Need To Know About Weight Loss
If weight loss is your concern, you might be frustrated to follow some diet plan or exercise routines that work on others but does not work on you. Well, each body has its unique metabolism. They all work differently!
The principle of weight loss is burning more calories than what you consume. Weight gain works the opposite way. To understand weight loss and how it works, let us talk about calorie expenditure.
Calorie expenditure is the number of calories you burn daily. This has three essential considerations:
- Your number of calories used for maintaining healthy body functions like breathing
- You also use calories to digest the food you eat
- You expend calories when you exercise, do chores, or just move around and work.
If your overall calorie expenditure is more than your caloric intake, then you can get rid of a few unwanted pounds!
This is easier said than done. Lots of weight loss techniques are available. But did you know that modafinil, a stimulating medicine, may help you achieve your goal weight?
What is Modafinil?
Modafinil is an FDA-approved medicine that has been out on the market for as early as 1998. This medicine is mainly utilized due to its wakefulness benefits. Usually, patients with narcolepsy, excessive sluggishness, or anyone who would need a couple of extra hours awake take modafinil.
Adverse effects of the intake of modafinil are very minimal. The reason for the acceptance of this drug to most practitioners and users is its low abuse potential. Also, heart problems or other side effects occur at a meager rate as well.
How Does Modafinil Work For Weight Loss?
Now, you have an idea about the drug modafinil. If you are interested in losing weight, does modafinil has what it takes to help you?
There are several explanations on the mechanism of modafinil for weight loss. First, they help reduce appetite without harming other hormones in your body. This way, you can safely lower your calorie intake.
Modafinil also increases your dopamine. This smart drug helps you feel satisfied and rewarded. Hence, you will not crave that satisfying feeling after a meal and eat less! In contrast, people with less dopamine tend to be hungrier and eat a lot.
Also, taking this medicine can help boost your energy! With it, you can engage in more physical exercises and burn more calories.
There are also theories on metabolic changes with modafinil intake. Your metabolism may be increased. Hence, you burn more calories even if you eat the same amount of food or engage in the same intensity of physical exercise.
Modafinil for Weight Loss: Is It Effective?
Before taking a drug to help you lose weight, be prudent in knowing its effectiveness. Fortunately, modafinil’s significance and tolerance in weight loss are backed up by several scientific studies!
Previous research mentioned that participants taking modafinil for weight loss reported as much as a 10-point change in their body mass index in a year!
Recommended Modafinil Dose
If you want to take modafinil to reduce your caloric intake, try 200mg or 400mg. These dosages are noted to reduce its users’ caloric intake by 18% and 38%, respectively. These doses also significantly reduce the “hungry” feeling.
Modafinil is a drug that can do more than keep you awake! If you are looking for a weight loss adjunct to add to your regimen, modafinil might be the medicine you are looking for. Just be sure to consult a physician to ensure correct dosage and close monitoring for possible side effects for you.
References
NCBI – Modafinil decreases food intake in humans subjected to simulated shift work
Mental Health Daily – Provigil (Modafinil) & Weight Loss: How It Works
Healthline – How Long Does It Take to Lose Weight?
PubMed – Modafinil for atypical depression: effects of open-label and double-blind discontinuation treatment