Snorting Modafinil involves inhaling the powdered form of the medication through the nose by crushing it. It can damage the mucus membrane, causing severe nose bleeds, breathing problems, and loss of smell. Such people are also at a higher risk of experiencing side effects and overdosing.
Can you snort Modafinil?
This is one question that most people with a history of substance abuse often think about.
Snorting is using prescription or recreational drugs by crushing or chopping them for nasal administration.
Modafinil snorting is gaining popularity for its faster efficacy and higher abuse potential. But is it ideal for one to snort it, and what may be its repercussions?
This comprehensive blog investigates the benefits and detrimental effects of snorting Modafinil tablets.
Modafinil And Its Intended Use
Modafinil is an FDA-approved brain stimulant that works within 30 minutes of intake. It is intended for oral administration to improve signs of Excessive daytime sleepiness. The off-label use of Modafinil includes cognitive enhancement and improvement in fatigue.
Modafinil is retailed under Modalert, which showcases a similar efficacy and safety profile to its generic version. It has a low abuse potency but can produce euphoric and psychoactive effects on the central nervous system when taken in larger doses.
Snorting Modafinil- What Does It Mean?
Snorting Modafinil means inhaling the medication in powdered form through the nose. This is often done by crushing the tablet, resulting in a more direct and rapid absorption into the bloodstream.
As snorting a drug is different from oral administration, it affects the brain differently. When Modafinil is snorted, it is absorbed through the nasal membrane. It allows the drug to enter the bloodstream quicker than when swallowed. Thus, the effect of the drug on the body is much quicker than that of oral administration.
Why Do People Snort Modafinil?
Two notable reasons for people snorting Modafinil include-
-
Sedation and euphoric effects [4].
-
It affects the brain and body, making them want to get more or keep using it. Further, it releases dopamine in the body, which induces a "pleasurable behavior or feeling" that may often result in abuse.
Health Risks Of Snorting Modafinil
Snorting Modafinil can have numerous health consequences. Since they are not formulated for nasal administration, snorting Nootropics can be detrimental and can cause health issues, as mentioned below.
-
Taking Modafinil through nasal passage can damage the respiratory system and the mucus membrane, making normal breathing difficult.
-
In severe cases, snorting Modafinil can affect the sense of smell [4].
-
Frequent or long-term Modafinil snorting can damage the septum (the cartilage between the nostrils).
-
Further, Modafinil tolerance is also likely to develop in people who snort the medication.
-
Snorting can result in faster heart rate, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, and shaking [4].
Health Risk Based On Tablet Characteristics
Apart from the health factors, other reasons why one should avoid snorting Modafinil are listed below.
- Pharmaceutical Formulation
Modafinil is formulated for oral ingestion and may contain fillers that stabilize the drug in tablet form. These fillers can lead to inflammation, irritation, and potential damage to the nasal passages.
- Non-Availability Of Powder Form
Modafinil is only available as oral tablets. If they were meant to be snorted, a powder version of the medication would have been available.
Also, crushing Modafinil into a fine powder may alter its pharmacodynamics, making it act faster.
- Water Insoluble
Modafinil is a hydrophobic compound (which does not dissolve well in water), as suggested by the website PubChem. Thus, nasal administration can be extremely painful.
- Dosing Concern
When Modafinil is crushed, monitoring the dosage can be challenging, especially when it is done solely for abuse.
While snorting Modafinil, people often fail to snort the entire dose, creating room for errors. Such people often develop tolerance, and gradually, Modafinil stops working. Thus, the best way to administer the dose is to take it orally. For smaller doses, you can split the pill into halves or take a lower dose of Nootropic.
Recognizing The Signs Of Modafinil Misuse
Identifying the signs of snorting Modafinil can help both individuals and parents monitor and prevent Modafinil abuse.
The physical signs of misusing Modafinil include [5]:
-
Nosebleed
-
Difficulty swallowing and breathing
-
Runny nose
-
Nasal problem or chronic sinus
-
Sores on nose or mouth
-
Hoarseness
-
Allergic signs of cold
Modafinil can cause tension headaches in a few individuals who abuse or overdose Nootropics.
Our Final Thought On Snorting Modafinil Tablets
Crushing and breaking the Modafinil pill for snorting the Nootropic has a potential risk of overdosing and side effects. It can cause nasal membrane damage, causing nose bleeding, breathing trouble, and loss of smell. Snorting Modafinil can also result in side effects such as dizziness, faster heart rate, vomiting, and vomiting.
We recommend the traditional method of administering Modafinil (swallowing the tablet through the mouth) over intranasal delivery. The oral ingestion of the pill is much safer, with a low risk of experiencing side effects.