I haven't tried modafinil, but I have tied a few nootropics, the first being version 1 of Alpha Brain by Onnit. Then Version 2, and then another one I found on the internet with good reviews.
I personally found near zero effect, even if I started double or triple dosing on them. I think a lot of that has to do with your current diet health and response to external stimulus such as caffeine. It might also have something to do with your previous drug use as well.
I would safely say that I have attention issues as well, but I think we all do to a certain degree. I find it difficult to stay on task and complete my projects due to a lack of motivation, but I've been focused on creating the tasks a habit rather than relying on pure motivation to get things done. Its a lot tougher to do it this way as compared to being on some drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall, both which are the pinnacle of helping you have laser focus.
Say it is a placebo effect, if you keep on the habbit enough, you'll atleast come off Modafinil and then realize you have a nasty habbit of getting work done. you would have come to the same final conclusion/effect.
How much is Modafinil, I'm willing to perform the exact experiment as you to double check your findings.
For what its worth, I dont drink coffee, wake up at 6AM daily and sleep at Midnight to 1AM. I have no issue waking up and I wake up early on the weekends as well. I exercise about 3x a week, and I eat a massive variety of food. I dont shy away from carbs or fats and overall have a healthy spectrum of nutrients.
I can fall asleep on Ritalin pretty easily too cause it shuts off my thoughts, which is primarily what keeps me up at night. I am on zero supplements and drugs right now, so I've got a clean slate to test!
Thank you so much for your detailed comments and your information on the Alpha smart drugs. I'll do my best to answer your concerns and give you some info.
First of all let me say that habit forming is definitely the best way to go; before Modafinil this was my main weapon. However I found that it didn't help me when I was a few hours into a task, sometimes less, I just wanted to drift off and do something else.
This is the main thing Modafinil helps with; although you still need your self-motivation to start the task.
For instance; if I take Modafinil and then start messing about on Facebook, I can look up at the clock and see that I've wasted 3-4 hours doing nothing.
Modafinil is originally a narcolepsy drug, so I've never taken it after 4 p.m. and that is super late. Usually I take between 5.30-9.00 a.m. and the effects last around 12-14 hours.
Like I said, I've taken it as late as four in the arvo, however this was after fairly prolonged use, and I definitely wouldn't recommend a new user taking some any less than 12 hours before bedtime.
As far as price, expect to pay between $0.89-$1.20 per pill, depending on the quantity and of course where you get it from. Most places do some kind of discount if you pay with Bitcoin and sometimes Litecoin.
Okay as far as sources are concerned, I use Modup.net, I find they are best if you order at the beginning of the week, ordering on a Thu/Fri seems to spin out their delivery service.
I usually use the 7 day rush and pay with Bitcoin, though I'm looking for someone a bit more reliable when it comes to delivery times.
I was recently recommended another couple of sites which I gave a cursory check; however I can't remember them now and can't find the post. I will find it and get back to you.
Cheers
Cg