Provigil (Modafinil) is the OLD version of the current drug Nuvigil (Armodafinil). They are almost identical except that Armodafinilhas one "not active"
enantiomer that Modafinil had. What did it do? They claim nothing.
Background on the pharma industry... if you're not aware, there is TONS of money to be made and always growing. A typical pharma will produce a drug and offer it to various physicians, including giving samples, etc., however they will NOT make a generic, in most cases, so they can justify the insane cost of the pill. About a year after the FDA approval, they will release a generic version, sometimes for far less, or in the case of Provigil, they offered their generic for $1 less. The pharma company will sell the "code" to other manufacturer plants, license it, etc.
With Provigil/Modafinil tho, the patent ran out, so they had to make something new and crazy... hence Nuvigil. Provigil/Modafinil is still stupid expensive, however Nuvigil is now LESS, even tho it's a name brand drug AND it's supposed to work faster and last longer. If you go to your doctor (at least in the US) and have health insurance, they will give you Nuvigil as many insurance companies will not cover the other due to cost.
Blah blah blah... Nuvigil is a "wonder" drug of sorts, providing relief to those with OSA, SWSD or narcolepsy as compared to it's stimulant friend dextro/amphetamine (Adderall). If you have ever taken Adderall, it is a HUGE stimulant, big spike and hard crash. As with any other stimulant, your body grows a tolerance and you need more and more. Coming off of Adderall is difficult. Your body has been used to a certain level of energy for weeks/months/years, and often then goes into a depression.
HOWEVER, that is what Nuvigil/Provigil is attempting to fix with their drug. "Stimulant-like" alertness prevents dependency and crashing.
You shouldn't try and take/abuse this if you are "normal" as it could have adverse effects on the rest of your life. It's great if you have a symptom that this will be of benefit to, but trying to "hack your brain" with a prescription drug like this is ultra dangerous
