Modafinil Vs. Adderall | Benefits, Side Effects, and Comparison

Curious about Modafinil vs. Adderall?

Let’s break it down for you…

Both of these drugs are stimulants prescribed to address ADHD, sleep and fatigue. Both are also commonly used as nootropics to enhance cognition and improve performance at work and school.

Like the Limitless Pill from the movie “Limitless,” both Modafinil and Adderall have the potential to drastically change how you work.

But they’re not the same.

Adderall and Modafinil have different chemistry, they work in different ways, and they have different side effects.

They also differ in terms of their legal status and how you can buy them online.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll refer to the latest scientific studies to compare Adderall vs. Modafinil and give you a better sense of how they’re the same, how they’re different, and which “smart drug” might be right for you.

---

What is Modafinil?

To understand how Adderall compares to Modafinil, you have to understand a bit about each of them.

So, what is Modafinil? Modafinil is a prescription medication that enhances wakefulness [1]. It was developed in France throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and was eventually approved in the US in 1998 under the brand name Provigil.

It’s prescribed to individuals who suffer from sleep disorders so that they do not experience excessive sleepiness during the day [1]. On-label uses for Modafinil include individuals that have been diagnosed with [1]:

• Narcolepsy
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Shift work sleep disorder

More recently it’s been shown to be effective as a therapy for other disorders. Today doctors sometimes prescribe Modafinil for “off-label” conditions including::

• Major depressive disorder
• ADHD
• Treatment for addictions issues

---

What is Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for a psychostimulant prescription medication that is a combination of four different kinds of amphetamine salts [2].

Adderall is essentially the reformulation of a popular weight loss drug called “Obetrol,” which was created by the pharmaceutical company Rexar [3]. It was eventually removed from the US market in the 1970s because it didn’t actually work.

In the early 1990s, Richwood Pharmaceuticals bought Rexar. They added some new amphetamine salts and started promoting this weight loss pill as a treatment for ADHD. They then changed the name to Adderall.
Adderall is currently prescribed to treat [4]:

• ADHD
• Narcolepsy

While Modafinil is relatively new on the scene, Adderall has been popular with college students for decades. Many consider it to be the “study drug” of choice for finals week or when that big paper is due.

---

Mechanisms of Action

Here we’ll take a look at how these pharmaceutical drugs affect the brain and body.

While the results between Modafinil and Adderall are similar, the pharmacology and mechanisms of action varies for both of these drugs.

Modafinil Pharmacology

Modafinil’s chemical name is Diphenylmethylsulfinylacetamide, and has the following chemical formula: C15H15NO2S [5]. Structurally, Modafinil has two isomers: an “R-” enantiomer and an “S+” enantiomer.

Modafinil is a central nervous system stimulant, meaning it stimulates and increases activity in your brain.

How it works is not exactly known yet [1]. It is believed to have several indirect functions that ultimately contribute to wakefulness. Some of these include [1]:

• It inhibits the reuptake of dopamine from the synapses in your nervous system, which increases dopamine levels in your brain. This is believed to have the dual effect of boosting mood, as well as wakefulness.
• It indirectly upregulates several other neurotransmitters involved in wakefulness, including orexin, histamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
• Finally, it’s believed to down-regulate GABA, which is a neurotransmitter linked to decreased neural activity.

While it’s not clear exactly how Modafinil works, what is clear is that it works quite differently from amphetamines, including Adderall. That means there is no jittery feeling or other characteristics that are common among many stimulants [1]

Adderall Pharmacology

Adderall consists of a blend of four amphetamine salts [5]:

• dextroamphetamine sulfate: (C9H13N)2•H2SO4
• amphetamine sulfate: (C9H13N)2•H2SO4
• dextroamphetamine saccharate: (C9H13N)2•C6H10O8
• amphetamine aspartate monohydrate: (C9H13N)•C4H7NO4•H2O

In contrast to Modafinil, Adderall’s mechanism of action is very well understood.

Adderall works by upregulating dopamine and norepinephrine. It also triggers a greater release of a number of hormones and neurotransmitters like epinephrine, serotonin, and histamine.

It basically works to take these neurotransmitters and push them into the synapse and create greater bonding [6].

---

Modafinil vs. Adderall | Comparison

Both Modafinil and Adderall have a particular set of benefits that they confer to their user. Some of these are similar, but some are different. This section focuses on the benefits of Modafinil vs. Adderall.

Modafinil Benefits

We have a very long and comprehensive article covering the benefits of Modafinil, so check that out for a detailed look.

But here’s a brief look at what you can expect to experience from Modafinil, along with relevant science.

• Heightened Focus: One of the reasons that Modafinil is so popular among students and other high-performance individuals is the sustained concentration and focus it provides. Research has consistently shown Modafinil to be very effective for boosting focus and concentration, enabling users to get more done than they otherwise would [7, 8]. Unlike other types of stimulants, including Adderall and coffee, Modafinil doesn’t cause jitters or that feeling of bouncing off the walls. It’s a calm, sustained focus.
• Staying Awake: Modafinil promotes wakefulness in users for up to 10-15 hours [9]. This is ideal for students or hustlers looking to meet deadlines. Research demonstrates that Modafinil can help military helicopter pilots and other professionals stay awake while on the job [10]. It also helps sleep-deprived individuals perform at about the same levels they would if they were well-rested [10, 11]. Just make sure to take this smart drug in the morning so that it doesn’t impact your overnight sleep.
• Improved memory. Several research studies have demonstrated significant effects of Modafinil on various aspects of memory including working memory, spatial memory, and episodic memory [11, 12, 13, 14]. This is part of the reason it’s so useful to students struggling to remember everything for their massive exam. Modafinil improves that memorization process.
• Enhanced Cognition. Research has demonstrated that Modafinil has a large impact on a number of different cognitive functions. This massive list includes improved spatial planning, visual pattern recognition, reaction time , strategic planning and decision-making skills , and even visual processing [12, 15, 16].
• Better Mood: Individuals taking Modafinil often report an improvement in their overall mood [17]. Researchers are not 100% sure why users report this effect, but they suspect this is a side effect of the upregulation of dopamine, which is tied closely with mood. Whatever the reason, this effect is part of the reason that Modafinil is increasingly being used as a complementary therapy for mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder [18].
• Improved motivation: This is another boon for the hustler, elite student, or entrepreneur: not only does Modafinil help you get the energy to get through your massive pile of work, but it also helps with the motivation to do so. In one study, participants on Modafinil reported taking much more pleasure from their work and an increased desire to do it [12].

In addition to those well-studied benefits of Modafinil, there are also a few more logistical ones that make Modafinil a great option for many:

• Price: Modafinil and modafinil alternatives are actually pretty cheap, all things considered. Whereas a cup of coffee at Starbucks might set you back about $4, you can get a day’s serving of Modafinil for about $0.80. It’s much more economical, especially considering how much longer it lasts.
• Hangover cure: This is one of the things that our team loves about Modafinil: it can turn a hangover day into a productive day. Rather than spending the day after a night out sleeping, watching Modern Family, and tapping away on your phone, Modafinil can help you actually get some work done. It’s a time rescue.

---

---

Adderall Benefits

So what kind of benefits can you expect from Adderall?

Like Modafinil, there are many. Adderall also has a much larger body of research investigating its benefits, which include:

• Reduced fatigue. As a stimulant, Adderall has been shown in several studies to reduce fatigue and increase perceived energy levels [19, 20].
• Intense Focus: Adderall’s primary use is for treating ADHD, so it’s not a surprise that it is effective at improving focus. One study found that it can improve sustained attention and vigilance so that the user can stay on task for very long periods of time [21]
• Improve cognitive function: Several studies have found that Adderall has a significant effect on a number of different aspects of cognition [22, 23]. However, other studies have found that sometimes these effects are not significantly different from a placebo [24].
• Improved memory: Research suggests that Adderall can improve certain kinds of working memory in certain groups. However, these effects do not seem to be as clear as for Modafinil [25, 26].

---

Direct Comparisions Studies

While most of the research performed on these two drugs has not compared the two in terms of effectiveness, some researchers have done direct comparisons of Adderall vs. Modafinil.

Here are the results of these comparison studies:

• Fatigue: In one study of 41 participants, researchers compared Adderall vs. Modafinil on various cognitive components. They found them equally effective for improving mood, reducing fatigue, and improving cognitive performance. However, because Modafinil has a better safety profile, they concluded that it was the safer of the two alternatives [27].
  Cognitive performance: In another study, researchers found that Adderall and Modafinil were just as good at improving cognitive performance in sleep-deprived individuals. They found that Adderall tended to last longer than Modafinil, but that it also disturbed sleep. They found that Modafinil had fewer overall side effects [28, 29, 30].
  Weight loss: Both Modafinil and Adderall have been found to contribute to weight loss. Adderall seems to be especially effective at this , but because it has fewer side effects and lower risk of addiction, researchers actually suggest Modafinil could be more appropriate than Adderall for this use [31, 32].

---

Side Effects

As you can see, the benefits of Modafinil and Adderall are somewhat similar. But what about their side effects? Is one safer than the other?

The high-level takeaway is this: while both are considered safe, Adderall typically has some stronger side effects. That’s what we hear from users, and it’s also consistent with what we see in the research [28, 29, 30].

Modafinil Side Effects

Most researchers and scientists consider Modafinil safe and generally well-tolerated [33, 34]. Side effects are usually mild and can include:

• Sleeplessness
• Headaches
• Hypertension
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Weight Loss
• No Appetite

While these are the most common Modafinil side effects, they are relatively uncommon. In clinical trials, 17% or fewer of the participants reported experiencing any of these side effects [33, 34].

Modafinil overdose: Modafinil is remarkably safe, even at really high doses. While taking more than the recommended Modafinil dosage will increase your chance of experiencing uncomfortable side effects, it won’t kill you. There hasn’t been a single reported death attributed to Modafinil [34, 35, 36, 37, 38 39, 40].

Adderall Side Effects

Adderall has several commonly experienced side effects [41]:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeplessness
• stomach pain
• Weight loss

Other serious (but less common) Adderall side effects include [42]:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Fainting
• Hallucinations
• Allergic reactions.

If you experience any of the above side effects, you should report them to your health care provider.

Adderall overdose: Like Modafinil, Adderall is pretty safe even at really high doses. The lethal dose for Adderall is about 1.4 grams for someone who is 154 pounds (70 kg). That’s about 25 times higher than the recommended dose.

While Adderall is usually quite safe, there have been a few cases of individuals who have died from taking it [43]. Again, this is rare. It usually occurred in people with underlying heart conditions. But it has happened.

In contrast, there are zero reported cases of someone dying while taking Modafinil.

---

Our Experience

We’ve experimented with both Modafinil and Adderall, so our experience might be useful to you.

Here’s what our team noted throughout testing these products:

Modafinil

While we have experienced some side effects like headaches, indigestion, trouble sleeping, and diarrhea, these have been minor and are avoidable. In our experience, you can reduce minimize these side effects by:

• Drinking water to stay hydrated and reduce headaches
• Eat a big meal in the morning and at night to avoid stomach issues
• Take it in the morning so it doesn’t keep you up at night.

Adderall

In our experience, the side effects of Adderall are worse. We sometimes get what feels like a nasty Adderall “hangover” the morning after taking it. We’ve woken up after taking an Adderall and felt like someone punched us upside the head while we were sleeping.

It’s not pleasant. It was hangovers like this that ended up being the reason we’ve mostly stopped used it. Today we go for one of the many Adderall alternatives, such as Modafinil.

---

Addictive Properties and Dependence

If you start taking Adderall or Modafinil, will you get addicted to it?

Here’s what the research says:

Modafinil addiction and dependence

One of the great things about Modafinil is that it has a very low risk of abuse [39, 40]. In fact, researchers sometimes administer Modafinil to help people abstain from using other drugs that they’re trying to quit, including cocaine and amphetamines [44, 45].

Adderall addiction and dependence

The risk of developing an Adderall addiction is extremely low when using the low daily doses that are prescribed for ADHD. But addiction becomes a greater risk when used at higher doses, which is usually the case when it’s used recreationally [46].

There is a bit of a greater risk for abuse, dependence, and addiction.

---

---

Common Uses

Modafinil and Adderall are commonly used by a multitude of people.

Some high-achievers include:

• Entrepreneurs and business executives. If you’re looking to bust through your massive to-do list, this is for you. Modafinil will help you crank out 12 to 14 hour days without getting fatigued.
• Developers. Anyone would get tired of coding for hours on end. Modafinil and Adderall can help coders concentrate and work out bugs. We know tons of web developers that find these smart drugs especially useful.
• Students. Anyone that cares about their grades will find these two stimulants useful. They’ll help you get through your homework, concentrate on studying for the exam, and actually remember the material better.
• Writers. While Modafinil and Adderall aren’t necessarily the best nootropics for creativity, they can still help you actually sit down and get things done. If what you need to do is concentrate and get in your daily word count, Modafinil can really help.

Basically, Modafinil and Adderall are both commonly used in any industry where you need to maintain intense focus. They’ll pump up your endurance so that you don’t get tired.

---

Main Differences

The biggest differences between Adderall vs. Modafinil include their clinical uses and side effects.

Clinical Uses

While both Modafinil and Adderall are used to treat narcolepsy, Adderall’s primary use is for ADHD. That’s basically what it’s for: improving mental focus.

Modafinil’s primary clinical uses are for reducing symptoms of sleepiness stemming from various sleep disorders (including narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and sleep apnea). It’s also used to treat depression and reduce fatigue.

While it can be used as a treatment for ADHD, this is much less common.

Side Effects

The side effects of Adderall are worse than Modafinil. That’s the case in our own experience and it’s been corroborated by research. You also have a significantly greater chance of becoming dependent on Adderall than you do for Modafinil.

Legality

Are Modafinil and Adderall legal?

Both Modafinil and Adderall are legal, provided you have a valid prescription.

Without a valid prescription, both of these drugs are considered illegal. However, because Adderall is listed as a Schedule II drug in the USA under the Controlled Substances Act, and Modafinil is only listed in Schedule IV, it’s a bit easier to get Modafinil, and its laws and regulations are taken less seriously.

If you’re looking for something that’s 100% legal without a prescription, you’ll want to look into Adderall or Modafinil alternatives. There are quite a few nootropics that actually work that are perfectly legal.

Alternatives

Keep in mind, there are plenty of Adderall and Modafinil alternatives that you may be interested in. We’ve written several articles on different nootropics and over-the-counter Adderall alternatives that you can find online or at your local pharmacy or supplement store.

---

What’s Best For You?

Honestly, we highly recommend Modafinil over Adderall.

Here are the main reasons:

• Same potent effects: Modafinil and Adderall have a lot of the same effects on cognition. In that respect, they’re about equal.
• Strength: Modafinil doesn’t feel as strong as Adderall, but that’s a good thing. Rather than having a “high” feeling, Modafinil makes you feel calm and focused so you can get things done.
• Side effects: Our experience is that Modafinil has much milder side effects. Our findings are also corroborated by research.
• Much lower chance of addiction: Modafinil has a much lower potential to be abused, which is a huge plus.
• Easier to get: It’s much easier to buy Modafinil online than it is to get Adderall. And it tends to be cheaper, too.

---

---

Adderall vs. Modafinil | Verdict

While the Modafinil vs. Adderall debate may rage on, you need to find a nootropic that works for you.

Overall, we strongly prefer Modafinil.

This “Limitless” pill works well for us, offers little or no side effects, and provides insane productivity. Is Modafinil legal? Not really, unless you have a prescription. But it’s easy enough to buy online.

While we’ve taken Adderall in the past, we generally no longer use it. The drug was too harsh and resulted in several side effects. We especially didn’t feeling hungover the day after using Adderall.

If you’re looking for a good nootropic, we suggest one of the many over-the-counter Adderall alternatives. It’s not worth the headache — literally.

When getting better grades or making more money is on your mind, Modafinil is the go-to nootropic. There just isn’t anything better on the market right now.

---