Some Beneficial Off-Label Uses of Some Common Drugs
This is a rather lengthy, rambling blog. You may want to tune out, especially if you are not old.
The advent of means, i.e., the power of the internet, search engines, AI, etc., to take control of our own health and medical welfare, and the ability to source medications, peptides, etc., gives us the opportunity to tweak our own health routines and medications.
I would like to discover what other members may be doing in the area of off label drug use.
I am always seeking ways to enhance both my physical and mental well-being. So having beaten most of the primary benefits of medications and supplements to death, I thought maybe starting a new thread about off-label benefits of some common drugs and supplements would be enlightening. ( Of course, our use of rapamycin for life extension is an example as are the benefits of LDN, etc.)
So I will start off with my subjective experiences with a recent medication that I have been trying. I am not suggesting this for anyone else. I am just reporting my experiences.
A little N=1 anecdotal subject report on modafinil.
I suggest that you conduct your own research on the benefits and safety of modafinil and how it works using AI.
I am sure most people over 80 will tell you that their brain doesn’t feel like or function like it did when they were young.
One common observation I have made among my elderly relatives and friends is that they often exhibit apathy, which is frequently mistaken for depression. They see the end of days approaching and think, What is the use? I have nothing left to look forward to.
I digress somewhat when I tell you that chemicals in our brain greatly influence how we feel, happy or sad, depressed or not. At my age, I am particularly aware of this. I am sure you have noticed that some people remain very happy regardless of their circumstances, while others seem unhappy no matter what their situation is.
I self-assess daily when I wake up. Early on, I can tell what kind of day it is going to be.
One of the first things I assess is how well I am walking today, sense of balance, etc. How is the brain fog? Do I need to take any action for it?
So, I’ve been sensing some apathy lately, especially when I don’t find something exciting in Rapamycin News. Also, feel a little ADHD, which I didn’t feel when I was younger. So, I decided to make my motto “Better Living Through Chemistry” (a phrase from old DuPont ads).
With a little help from AI, I searched for something that would address the problem while being relatively benign and legal, and I found modafinil. This has been mentioned in some other threads.
Because I am old, 100 mg is enough daily; 200 mg made me feel “wired.”
Also taking it with breakfast is best for me, as on an empty stomach, even 100 mg can make me feel wired.
For me, it is a trifecta: it treats apathy, reduces brain fog, and acts as an antidepressant.
“The nuanced effects of modafinil are best understood as the result of a synergistic combination of actions across multiple, interconnected neurochemical systems. The initial increase in extracellular dopamine appears to trigger a downstream cascade that modulates several other key arousal pathways.”
"Modafinil, marketed under the brand name Provigil among others, represents a unique pharmacological agent within the class of central nervous system (CNS) drugs designed to enhance wakefulness. It is formally classified as a eugeroic, a term signifying a “wakefulness-promoting agent.”
“Its chemical structure, 2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide, and its neurobiological effects are notably distinct. This distinction is fundamental to understanding its therapeutic applications, safety profile, and growing off-label uses.” Surprisingly, treatment of apathy in the elderly was a discovered anecdotal report.
"However, the perceived efficacy of modafinil in enhancing concentration and alertness has led to its widespread off-label use as a “nootropic” or “smart drug” by individuals seeking cognitive enhancement.
"Military and High-Performance Use
U.S. Air Force: Authorized as a “go-pill” for fatigue management in pilots.
“French Foreign Legion: Used for sustained alertness in combat.”
“Biohackers speculate on lifespan extension via reduced oxidative stress.”
“Perhaps the most well-known off-label use of modafinil is as a cognitive enhancer, or “smart drug,” by healthy, non-sleep-deprived individuals, such as students and professionals in high-pressure fields.”
“Overall, users generally perceive modafinil as a safe and effective tool, with the subjective benefits far outweighing the perceived risks.”
“Drug interactions are fewer than with classical stimulants, which is advantageous for elderly patients on multiple medications.”
