adrafinil and Weed
Edited by Hugh Soames
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adrafinil and Weed
Most people who consume marijuana do so for its mood-altering and relaxing abilities. Weed gives people a high and allows them to relax. However, heavy consumption of weed can cause unwanted results. It can increase the anxiety and depression a person experiences, and it can interact with certain other drugs including adrafinil. It is important to remember that interactions do occur with all types of drugs, to a great or lesser extent and this article details the interactions of mixing adrafinil and Weed.
Mixing adrafinil and Weed
Adrafinil, sold under the brand name Olmifon, is a wakefulness-promoting medication that was formerly used in France to improve alertness, attention, wakefulness, and mood, particularly in the elderly. It was also used off-label by individuals who wished to avoid fatigue, such as night workers or others who needed to stay awake and alert for long periods of time. Additionally, the medication has been used non-medically as a novel vigilance-promoting agent.
Adrafinil is a prodrug; it is primarily metabolized in vivo to modafinil, resulting in very similar pharmacological effects. Unlike modafinil, however, it takes time for the metabolite to accumulate to active levels in the bloodstream. Effects usually are apparent within 45–60 minutes when taken orally on an empty stomach.[citation needed]
Adrafinil was marketed in France until September 2011 when it was voluntarily discontinued due to an unfavorable risk–benefit ratio.
Adrafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent and was used to promote alertness, attention, wakefulness, and mood. It was particularly used in the elderly.
Adrafinil was available in the form of 300 mg oral tablets.
There is a case report of two patients that adrafinil may increase interest in sex.
A case report of adrafinil-induced orofacial dyskinesia exists. Reports of this side effect also exist for modafinil.
Because α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists were found to block effects of adrafinil and modafinil in animals, “most investigators assume that adrafinil and modafinil both serve as α1-adrenergic receptor agonists.” However, adrafinil and modafinil have not been found to bind to the α1-adrenergic receptor and they lack peripheral sympathomimetic side effects associated with activation of this receptor; hence, the evidence in support of this hypothesis is weak, and other mechanisms are probable. Modafinil was subsequently screened at a variety of targets in 2009 and was found to act as a weak, atypical blocker of the dopamine transporter (and hence as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor), and this action may explain some or all of its pharmacological effects. Relative to adrafinil, modafinil possesses greater specificity in its action, lacking or having a reduced incidence of many of the common side effects of the former (including stomach pain, skin irritation, anxiety, and elevated liver enzymes with prolonged use).
In addition to modafinil, adrafinil also produces modafinil acid (CRL-40467) and modafinil sulfone (CRL-41056) as metabolites, which form from metabolic modification of modafinil.
Analogues of adrafinil include modafinil, armodafinil, CRL-40,940, CRL-40,941, and fluorenol.
Adrafinil was discovered in 1974 by two chemists working for the French pharmaceutical company Laboratoires Lafon who were screening compounds in search of analgesics. Pharmacological studies of adrafinil instead revealed psychostimulant-like effects such as hyperactivity and wakefulness in animals. The substance was first tested in humans, specifically for the treatment of narcolepsy, in 1977–1978. Introduced by Lafon (now Cephalon), it reached the market in France in 1984, and for the treatment of narcolepsy in 1985.
In 1976, two years after the discovery of adrafinil, its active metabolite modafinil was discovered. Modafinil appeared to be more potent than adrafinil in animal studies, and was selected for further clinical development, with both adrafinil and modafinil eventually reaching the market. Modafinil was first approved in France in 1994, and then in the United States in 1998. Lafon was acquired by Cephalon in 2001. As of September 2011, Cephalon has discontinued Olmifon, its adrafinil product, while modafinil continues to be marketed.
Adrafinil is the generic name of the drug and its INN and DCF. It is also known by its brand name Olmifon and its developmental code name CRL-40028.
Adrafinil and its active metabolite modafinil were added to the list of substances prohibited for athletic competition according to World Anti-Doping Agency in 2004.
Adrafinil is sometimes included as an ingredient to misbranded or adulterated dietary supplements. One company had attempted to get a New Dietary Ingredient pre-market notification approved for adrafinil in 2017, but the Food and Drug Administration rejected it: “For the reasons discussed above, the information in your notification is incomplete and does not provide an adequate basis to conclude that ‘Adrafinil’…will reasonably be expected to be safe. Therefore, your product may be adulterated under 21 U.S.C. § 342(f)(l){B)…Introduction of such a product into interstate commerce is prohibited under 21U.S.C.§33 1(a) and (v)”.
A position that adrafinil is an unapproved drug was indicated in a warning letter by the FDA from 2019: “Your [Peak Nootropics] products Adrafinil…are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, these products are “new drugs” under section 201(p) of the Act. New drugs may not be legally introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from the FDA…”
A position that adrafinil is an unapproved drug was also indicated by FDA in a press release regarding a criminal action undertaken in 2019: “[Defendant] falsely represented these drugs as legal to sell in the United States. In fact, these are drugs that were illegally imported into the United States and illegal to sell in the United States because they are not approved for sale by the Food and Drug Administration… Some of the illegal drugs was selling include the following: Adrafinil…” FDA indicated a position that adrafinil is an unapproved drug in later criminal action undertaken during 2022; “[The defendants] also illegally sold multiple other unapproved and misbranded drugs, including adrafinil crystalline powder…”
Certain products, formulated with adrafinil in them, have been listed as subject to a May 2023 import alert by Food and Drug Administration because they are considered as containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Adrafinil containing products, purporting to be dietary supplements, are not allowed for use by military service members. This is because the Department of Defense considers adrafinil an unapproved drug.
In 2005 a Medical Classification Committee in New Zealand recommended to MEDSAFE NZ that adrafinil be classified as a prescription medicine due to risks of it being used as a party drug. At that time adrafinil was not scheduled in New Zealand.
In a clinical trial with the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine and placebo as comparators, adrafinil showed efficacy in the treatment of depression. In contrast to clomipramine however, adrafinil was well-tolerated, and showed greater improvement in psychomotor retardation in comparison. The authors concluded that further investigation of the potential antidepressant effects of adrafinil were warranted.
Research has found that anxiety is one of the leading symptoms created by marijuana in users, and that there is a correlation between adrafinil and Weed and an increase in anxiety.
Anyone mixing adrafinil and weed is likely to experience side effects. This happens with all medications whether weed or adrafinil is mixed with them. Side effects can be harmful when mixing adrafinil and weed. Doctors are likely to refuse a patient a adrafinil prescription if the individual is a weed smoker or user. Of course, this could be due to the lack of studies and research completed on the mixing of adrafinil and Weed.
Heavy, long-term weed use is harmful for people. It alters the brain’s functions and structure, and all pharmaceuticals and drugs including adrafinil are designed to have an impact on the brain. There is a misplaced belief that pharmaceuticals and medication work by treating only the parts of the body affected yet this is obviously not the case in terms of adrafinil. For example, simple painkiller medication does not heal the injury, it simply interrupts the brains functions to receive the pain cause by the injury. To say then that two drugs, adrafinil and Weed, dol not interact is wrong. There will always be an interaction between adrafinil and Weed in the brain11.J. D. Brown and A. G. Winterstein, Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/.
One of the milder side effects of mixing adrafinil and Weed is Scromiting. This condition, reportedly caused by mixing adrafinil and Weed, describes a marijuana-induced condition where the user experiences episodes of violent vomiting, which are often so severe and painful that they cause the person to scream. The medical term for Scromiting by mixing adrafinil and Weed is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS. For these reasons, some people choose to quit smoking weed.
It was first included in scientific reports in 2004. Since then, researchers have determined that Scromiting is the result of ongoing, long-term use of marijuana—particularly when the drug contains high levels of THC, marijuana’s main psychoactive ingredient. Some experts believe that the receptors in the gut become overstimulated by THC, thus causing the repeated cycles of vomiting.
In the long run, a person can become even more depressed. There is a belief that marijuana is all-natural and not harmful to a person’s health. This is not true and adrafinil and weed can cause health issues the more a person consumes it.
How does Weed effect the potency of adrafinil?
The way in which the body absorbs and process adrafinil may be affected by weed. Therefore, the potency of the adrafinil may be less effective. Marijuana inhibits the metabolization of adrafinil. Not having the right potency of adrafinil means a person may either have a delay in the relief of their underlying symptoms.
A person seeking adrafinil medication that uses weed should speak to their doctor. It is important the doctor knows about a patient’s weed use, so they can prescribe the right adrafinil medication and strength. Or depending on level of interactions they may opt to prescribe a totally different medication. It is important for the doctor to know about their patient’s marijuana use. Weed is being legalized around the US, so doctors should be open to speaking about a patient’s use of it.
Sideffects of adrafinil and Weed
Many individuals may not realize that there are side effects and consequences to mixing adrafinil and Weed such as:
- Dizziness
- Sluggishness
- Drowsiness
- Shortness of breath
- Itching
- Hives
- Palpitations
- Respiratory Depression
- Cardiac Arrest
- Coma
- Seizures
- Death
Interestingly, it is impossible to tell what effect mixing this substance with Weed will have on an individual due to their own unique genetic make up and tolerance. It is never advisable to mix adrafinil and Weed due to the chances of mild, moderate and severe side effects. If you are having an adverse reaction from mixing adrafinil and Weed it’s imperative that you head to your local emergency room. Even mixing a small amount of adrafinil and Weed is not recommended.
Taking adrafinil and Weed together
People who take adrafinil and Weed together will experience the effects of both substances. Technically, the specific effects and reactions that occur due to frequent use of adrafinil and weed depend on whether you consume more weed in relation to adrafinil or more adrafinil in relation to weed.
The use of significantly more weed and adrafinil will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both weed and adrafinil may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from adrafinil and Weed
- dizziness from Weed and adrafinil
- nausea and vomiting due to adrafinil and Weed
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of weed and adrafinil leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Mixing weed and adrafinil
The primary effect of weed is influenced by an increase in the concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is found in the spinal cord and brain stem, and by a reduction in its effect on neuronal transmitters. When weed is combined with adrafinil this primary effect is exaggerated, increasing the strain on the body with unpredictable results.
Weed and adrafinil affects dopamine levels in the brain, causing the body both mental and physical distress. Larger amounts of adrafinil and weed have a greater adverse effect yet leading medical recommendation is that smaller does of adrafinil can be just as harmful and there is no way of knowing exactly how adrafinil and weed is going to affect an individual before they take it.
Taking adrafinil and weed together
People who take adrafinil and weed together will experience the effects of both substances. The use of significantly more adrafinil with weed will lead to sedation and lethargy, as well as the synergistic effects resulting from a mixture of the two medications.
People who take both weed and adrafinil may experience effects such as:
- reduced motor reflexes from adrafinil and weed
- dizziness from weed and adrafinil
- nausea and vomiting of the adrafinil
Some people may also experience more euphoria, depression, irritability or all three. A combination of weed and adrafinil leads to significantly more lethargy which can easily tip over into coma, respiratory depression seizures and death.
Weed Vs adrafinil
Taking adrafinil in sufficient quantities increases the risk of a heart failure. Additionally, people under the influence of adrafinil and weed may have difficulty forming new memories. With weed vs adrafinil in an individual’s system they become confused and do not understand their environment. Due to the synergistic properties of adrafinil when mixed with weed it can lead to confusion, anxiety, depression and other mental disorders. Chronic use of adrafinil and weed can lead to permanent changes in the brain22.G. Lafaye, L. Karila, L. Blecha and A. Benyamina, Cannabis, cannabinoids, and health – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5741114/.
adrafinil Vs Weed
Studies investigating the effects of drugs such as adrafinil and weed have shown that the potential for parasomnia (performing tasks in sleep) is dramatically increased when adrafinil and weed are combined. Severe and dangerous side effects can occur when medications are mixed in the system, and sleep disorders are a common side effect of taking weed and adrafinil together.
When a small to medium amount of weed is combined with adrafinil, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can occur. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) most ER visits and hospitalizations caused by too much weed were associated with other substances such as adrafinil.
How long after taking adrafinil can I smoke weed or take edibles?
To avoid any residual toxicity it is advisable to wait until the adrafinil has totally cleared your system before taking weed, even in small quantities.
Overdose on adrafinil and weed
In the case of Overdose on adrafinil or if you are worried after mixing adrafinil and weed, call a first responder or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room immediately.
If you are worried about someone who has taken too much adrafinil or mixed weed with adrafinil then call a first responder or take them to get immediate medical help. The best place for you or someone you care about in the case of a medical emergency is under medical supervision. Be sure to tell the medical team that there is a mix of adrafinil and weed in their system.
Excessive Weed intake and result in scromiting, chs, and anxiety disorder. It is advisable to quit vaping weed if you are feeling these symptoms.
Mixing adrafinil and weed and antidepressants
Weed users feeling depressed and anxious may be prescribed antidepressant medication. There are some antidepressant users who also use adrafinil and weed. These individuals may not realize that there are side effects and consequences to consuming both adrafinil, marijuana and a range of antidepressants.
Studies on weed, adrafinil and antidepressants is almost nil. The reason for so little information on the side effects of the two is mostly down to marijuana being illegal in most places – although a number of states in the United States have legalized the drug.
Self-medicating with Weed and adrafinil
A lot of people suffer from depression caused by weed and adrafinil. How many? According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), in any given year, it is estimated that nearly 16 million adults experience depression. Unfortunately, that number is likely to be wrong due to under reporting. Many people do not report suffering from depression because they do not want to be looked at as suffering from a mental illness. The stigmas around mental health continue and people do not want to be labeled as depressed.
Potential side effects from mixing adrafinil and weed
Quitting weed to take adrafinil
Medical professionals say an individual prescribed or taking adrafinil should not stop using weed cold turkey. Withdrawal symptoms can be significant. Heavy pot users should especially avoid going cold turkey. The side effects of withdrawal from weed include anxiety, irritability, loss of sleep, change of appetite, and depression by quitting weed cold turkey and starting to take adrafinil.
A person beginning to use adrafinil should cut back on weed slowly. While reducing the amount of weed use, combine it with mindfulness techniques and/or yoga. Experts stress that non-medication can greatly improve a person’s mood.
Weed and adrafinil can affect a person in various ways. Different types of marijuana produce different side effects. Side effects of weed and adrafinil may include:
- loss of motor skills
- poor or lack of coordination
- lowered blood pressure
- short-term memory loss
- increased heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- anxiety
- paranoia
- increased energy
- increased motivation
Mixing adrafinil and weed can also produce hallucinations in users. This makes marijuana a hallucinogenic for some users. Weed creates different side effects in different people, making it a very potent drug. Now, mixing adrafinil or other mental health drugs with weed can cause even more unwanted side effects.
Mixing drugs and weed conclusion
Long-term weed use can make depression and anxiety worse. In addition, using marijuana can prevent adrafinil from working to their full potential33.J. D. Brown and A. G. Winterstein, Potential Adverse Drug Events and Drug–Drug Interactions with Medical and Consumer Cannabidiol (CBD) Use – PMC, PubMed Central (PMC).; Retrieved September 27, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678684/. Weed consumption should be reduced gradually to get the most out of prescription medication. Marijuana is a drug and it is harmful to individual’s long-term health. Weed has many side effects and the consequences are different to each person who uses it, especially when mixed with adrafinil.
If you take adrafinil, and also drink Alcohol or MDMA, you can research the effects of adrafinil and Alcohol , adrafinil and Cocaine as well as adrafinil and MDMA here.
To find the effects of other drugs and weed refer to our Weed and Other Drugs Index A to L or our Weed and Other Drugs Index M-Z.
Or you could find what you are looking for in our Alcohol and Interactions with Other Drugs index A to L or Alcohol and Interactions with Other Drugs index M to Z , Cocaine and Interactions with Other Drugs index A to L or Cocaine and Interactions with Other Drugs index M to Z or our MDMA and Interactions with Other Drugs Index A to L or MDMA and Interactions with Other Drugs Index M to Z.
adrafinil and Weed
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