Modafinil And Caffeine | What Happens If We Take Them Together?

Many people taking Modafinil must have wondered whether they could take coffee with the nootropic. Some of the common questions that strike their minds are: Can coffee and Modafinil be mixed? Is there any interaction between them? 

In this detailed blog, we have discussed everything that one should be aware of before taking Modafinil and caffeine together. Keep reading to find out.

Modafinil And Caffeine - An Overview

Modafinil is a prescription drug designed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with sleep ailments like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder [1]. The use of Modafinil as a cognitive enhancer is established as one of its most sought-after off-label use. 

It is a schedule IV controlled substance, and it is sold under various brand names such as Provigil, Modalert, and Modvigil.

Modafinil tablets are associated with increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in the brain, such as orexin, norepinephrine, serotonin, glutamate, dopamine, and histamine, and decreasing the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which results in its stimulating effects.

Coffee - 

Coffee is a popular beverage that has the highest sales in the world market, and it is made from roasted coffee beans. It is bitter in taste, slightly acidic, and has a stimulating effect on humans due to its caffeine content [2].

Caffeine is the active compound present in coffee. It's a brain stimulant that works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness. Thus promoting alertness and wakefulness. 

Can You Mix Modafinil With Caffeine?

Yes, you can absolutely drink coffee while taking Modafinil to achieve various cognitive benefits that will be discussed later in the blog. 

We recommend two cups of coffee (200 mg caffeine) + 200 mg Modafinil, which should be taken no more than 1 to 2 times a week to get the best benefits of this combination without experiencing anxiety or overstimulation [3]. 

However, if you’re a beginner to use Modafinil, you may not want to mix this stimulant with coffee as, at this time, taking either stimulant may prove to be enough for you. 

A study states that Modafinil and caffeine are equally effective for adults who are sleep-deprived for more than 48 hours, published in the year 2001. [4]

If you decide to take Modafinil with coffee, then we recommend you start with a lower dose and gradually combine both the stimulants:

• 1 cup of coffee + 50 mg of Modafinil.

• 1 cup of coffee + 100 mg of Modafinil.

• 1 cup of coffee + 200 mg of Modafinil.

• 2 cups of coffee + 200 mg of Modafinil.

Modafinil And Coffee:Interaction

Modafinil and coffee are some of the most popular combinations that cause the following outcomes in the human body.

The Combination Increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Expression -

BDNF is a neuroprotein (sequences of amino acids that are synthesized and released by the neurons) that helps achieve various benefits related to mental health.

• It helps in the growth of neurons.

• It contributes to improved memory and learning.

• It reduces the risk of suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

Increases The Production Of Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine is a brain chemical associated with wakefulness, and individuals who are deficient in this brain chemical can fall asleep faster. The intake of coffee and Modalert helps to promote wakefulness, especially in people working at the office.

Different Pharmacokinetic Properties

Modafinil can help you stay awake for 12-15 hours. Whereas the half-life of caffeine by the FDA is stated to be 4 to 6 hours, The peak plasma concentration of both the central nervous system stimulants occurs within 30 to 60 minutes and 2 to 4 hours after their consumption.

Therefore, when administered together, they help people stay active for a much longer duration. 

Benefits Of Mixing Modafinil And Coffee

A few notable benefits of combining the two central nervous system stimulants are - 

Beats Excessive Fatigue 

Both Modafinil and coffee have been shown to reduce fatigue in a study where healthy adults who were sleep-deprived for 54.5 hours were given Modafinil and caffeine, which helped the subjects restore wakefulness when they were extremely exhausted [5]. 

The Combination Enhances Complex Decision-Making 

Some invitro studies indicated that Modafinil and caffeine have the ability to enhance a person's decision-making ability. In a study, 400 mg of Modafinil and caffeine were given to chess players to examine their effects on their performance. 

The study concluded that mixing caffeine and nootropics can help make decisions with considerable reflection. 

Reduces The Sensitivity To Pain Caused By Loss Of Sleep

Boston's Children's Hospital used nootropics instead of pain medication to reduce the severity of pain in mice that were sleep-deprived. The outcomes were outstanding and introduced a new use of Modafinil for pain management.

The study concluded that analgesics like morphine and ibuprofen were unable to ease pain induced by sleep deprivation. Whereas, Modafinil and caffeine successfully blocked the pain hypersensitivity arising from sleep loss (chronic or acute). However, it did not show any improvement in non-sleep-deprived mice. 

Side Effects Of Mixing Both Modafinil And Caffeine

Some of the notable side effects of mixing Modafinil and caffeine are as follows -

Headaches 

Modafinil headaches are a common side effect of the nootropic, but coffee is also believed to induce headaches. One can get rid of this side effect by ensuring proper rest. In a few cases, you may need to abstain from combination for a few days. 

Hypertension or high blood pressure 

Modafinil and coffee increase the activity of the body's sympathetic nervous system. In a few cases, the impact of Modafinil on the heart was found by increasing the blood pressure.  Further, this connection also exists with regular coffee use. Therefore, combining the two may increase the risk of high blood pressure. 

Abstaining from both the central nervous system stimulants for a few days is usually enough to eliminate the unwanted side effects. 

Anxiety

For some people, Modafinil and caffeine may simply be too much in terms of cognitive boost. Taking both the central nervous system stimulants at the same time may potentially increase anxiety levels, stress levels, and jitterness. 

To get rid of anxiety caused by combining Modafinil and coffee, all you can do is reduce the dosage of both nootropics.

Dehydration

Both Caffeine and Modafinil are diuretics (substances that rid your body of water), and can lead to dehydration. Many people combining both diuretics often experience dehydration in the form of dry mouth or dry eyes. 

The easiest way to get rid of dehydration is to drink much more water. 

Things To Remember While Mixing Caffeine And Modafinil

Three things to remember while mixing caffeine and Modafinil are as follows -

• Make sure to take your cup of coffee 1-2 hours after you have taken Modafinil. We do not recommend taking coffee past 12 pm as its wakefulness-promoting effects alongside Modafinil can make it very difficult to follow a normal sleeping schedule. 

• Do not take too much caffeine on its own because it can make you anxious and jittery. 

• Keep an eye on how your body reacts to Modafinil and coffee at the same time. If you notice any adverse event, stop taking it immediately and consult a doctor.

Is Mixing Provigil And Caffeine Safe?

The interaction between Modafinil and Caffeine is safe. However, improper administration and dosage may alleviate its benefits and also increase the probability of experimenting with side effects. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious while combining the two, as they are both powerful brain stimulants. 

Modafinil And Coffee - Conclusion

Caffeine and Modafinil go well together. The combination will make the whole experience much more productive and meaningful. If you need an extra push, this combination is the best way to achieve it.

However, since they are both effective brain stimulants, it is recommended to take them together with caution. Beginners are advised to start with the lowest dose of Modafinil when taking it with Coffee.