Posted on 11/21/2012 5:27:17 PM PST by BenLurkin
STUDIO CITY (CBS2) — A narcolepsy drug, dubbed the “Viagra for the brain”, is being used by some people to increase their brain function.
Although the primary function of FDA-approved Provigil is to treat sleeping disorders, some people take the pill because they’re simply tired and want more energy.
Dave Asprey, the VP of a billion dollar internet security firm and the CEO of The Bulletproof Executive, said he was given a prescription for the pill nine years ago and it’s changed his life.
“This is the sort of thing that lets you perform at levels you didn’t know you were capable of,” he said. “You have a laser-like focus you didn’t have before.”
Sleep specialist Dr. Ron Popper said users of the medication need to be careful because it hasn’t been approved by the FDA for brain boosting or fatigue alone.
“Until the studies are done to show the long-term effectiveness and long-term potential side effects, it should be used according to the FDA guidelines,” he said.
CBS2’s Lisa Sigell said the side effects of Provigil include headaches, back pain, anxiety, and an extremely rare life-threatening rash.
Asprey said he hasn’t experienced any side effects from the medication.
He thinks people will benefit from “smart drugs”.
“I’m really convinced that when people take it for a while, they get used to operating at a higher level performance. Even without the drug, they maintain the ability to focus,” Asprey said.
What do you think - should the first dollars spent on Obamacare be to give every stupid Obama voter a lifetime Rx of this stuff?
Why? So they can be aggressive, destructive parasites at hyper speed?
I suspect an extreme psychoctic break coming in this man’s near future! Lets see, what drug did Freud champion as the “miracle drug”? Oh yeah. It was cocaine.
Dr. Popper pushes pills to pill poppers?
My reaction exactly!
I understand completely that the above comments are made in levity.
I have relatively mild narcolepsy (I can still function normally, but doze off once or twice a day) so I’ve been prescribed Provigil.
Rather than describing it as something that will caffeinate you and make you energetic or edgy, it actually makes you much more focused. You don’t have more energy, or move faster, it makes you more deliberative and heightens your awareness of your surroundings.
Personally, it’s been a fantastic treatment for me, and, truth be told, it’d probably be a plus for most people (me not being in most people’s heads or bodies, I can’t say for sure).
Supposedly, it’s non-addictive (when I used it originally for shift work, I’d take it occasionally, and still don’t take it on the weekends/non-work days) and I haven’t experienced any side effects such as insomnia. The major drawback is that my insurance plan (very widely used) doesn’t seem to cover much of it as it’s $5 a pill which can add up.
Too bad it’s so expensive, this sounds like something that may help me day-to-day.
Ping.
*
Will this replace Adderall as the “breakfast of champions” at top universities?
Try Spike Energy Drink, found at GNC, no calories, small can. Great for long-distance driving—no jitters, more focus, and you can even take a nap as soon as you get where you’re going. I’ve taken Provigil, and Spike to me is very similar.
Try the Decaf version of “5 Hour Energy Drink”. That does wonders with half the caffeine of a decaf coffee. Otherwise, try strong white tea, prefferably “Silver Needles.”
Neither leaves you jittery. You can literally go to sleep an hour after the Decaf 5 Hour drink, but you have very vivid dreams.
Both mke your mind focus like a laser, though. Amazing stuff
Interesting, thanks.
I’m retired, so my need for these is pretty minimal, LOL.
wonder if “it makes you an insufferable asshole” was tested for as a side effect. not referring to any posters here, btw, just cueing off the guys’ attitude in the story.
Hey, that’s only $90 to $100/month.
When sleep disorder can cost you your job, it’s well worth it.
I started on CPAP in July, but this is something I’ll discuss w my Doc ASAP!
Ben,
Repeat after me... Expensive drugs and other therapies will not be allowed under ObamaCare. Patients expecting to be cared for will be sorely disappointed. I keep wondering to myself when the first aspect of patient care will be revealed, having been hidden in the miasma of regulations.
They didn't say it makes you smarter - just more focused and energetic - probably a better bet to give it to Conservatives so they start making more focused plans and implement them with efficiency...
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