Modafinil is one of the most popular nootropics available today. People from all over the world are using it to boost productivity, increase wakefulness, and get ahead in life. Modafinil is popular among students, businesspeople, doctors, lawyers, politicians, artists, programmers, entrepreneurs, and plenty of other professionals.

Why is modafinil so popular? Because it works. Modafinil users consistently report that it helps them stay focused longer and accomplish more. In this article, we're going to look at a few other nootropics that stack well with modafinil, making it even more effective. But first, let's take a quick look at what modafinil is.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil was first created in France in the 1970s where it became a prescription drug in the 1980s. It didn't start being used in the United States until the late 1990s when it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat narcolepsy. When people started becoming aware of the nootropic properties of modafinil in the early-to-mid 2000s, that's when we started seeing widespread use of this powerful smart drug.

Modafinil is classified as a eugeroic or wakefulness-promoting agent. It is known to reduce fatigue, increase wakefulness, reduce reaction time, improve cognition and memory, and can even improve mood and motivation. This isn't just coming from modafinil users, though. Of all the different substances we talk about here at The Nootropics Zone, modafinil has more scientific research to support its use as a nootropic than just about any of the others. You can learn more about it in this science-backed article: Modafinil – A Powerful and Popular Nootropic.

Another popular eugeroic is armodafinil. It's very similar to modafinil with two key differences. It's a little more potent, so you need a slightly lower dose. And the effects of armodafinil last a little longer than those of modafinil. You can learn more about the differences between modafinil and armodafinil here: Modafinil, Adrafinil, & Armodafinil – Which Is Better?

You have a couple of options for buying modafinil and armodafinil. In some countries, they are prescription medications (sold under the brand names Provigil, Nuvigil, Modiodal, Modalert, Modvigil, Artvigil, and others), so you could get a script from your doctor. However, most people prefer to buy them online. There are several reputable sellers that offer modafinil and armodafinil. You can learn more about buying modafinil and armodafinil here: Where To Buy Modafinil Online.

Now that we've talked a little bit about modafinil and its close relative armodafinil, let's look at some nootropics that stack well with them.

Nootropics That Stack Well With Modafinil

1. L-Theanine

This is a non-essential amino acid that is naturally found in green tea. L-theanine (often just called theanine) is incredibly popular in the nootropics community because it is able to reduce anxiety and stress without causing sedation. There are plenty of prescription medications that effectively reduce anxiety, but they often leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and unmotivated. L-theanine has been shown to be just as effective at reducing anxiety but doesn't cause the sedation that prescription anxiolytics (anxiety-reducing drugs) often do.

The most common nootropic stack being used all over the world is caffeine and l-theanine. Users find that the l-theanine reduces or even eliminates the negative effects of caffeine: anxiety, jitters, restlessness, insomnia, and the dreaded crash that comes a few hours after ingestion. More and more nootropic users are finding that the same is true for modafinil.

Some people find that taking l-theanine with modafinil makes it work even better. Users often report that it puts them into a state of relaxed focus. Though modafinil is not usually classified as a stimulant, some people find that it can be a bit stimulating. L-theanine works great to make sure you stay focused but not overstimulated. And unlike many other substances that take weeks to start working, the effects of l-theanine can usually be felt after just one dose.

You can learn more about l-theanine here: L-Theanine – A Calming Nootropic.

2. Ashwagandha

This is an adaptogenic plant that has been used in traditional medicine around the world for centuries. As an adaptogen, ashwagandha can help to balance your body and brain. Nootropic users love it for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and because it also has a number of positive physical effects in the body.

As mentioned above, some people find that modafinil can be a bit too stimulating. Most don't, but some users find that it slightly increases their anxiety level. Ashwagandha works great to reduce anxiety. When taken with modafinil, the two together create a relaxed-but-focused mindset.

In addition to ashwagandha's ability to improve mood and reduce anxiety, it also has several positive effects on the body. It has been shown to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), improve cholesterol levels, and increase testosterone in men who's levels are low. Most ashwagandha users report that it starts working after a few days, gradually getting better over the course of a few weeks.

You can learn more about it here: The Many Benefits of Ashwagandha.

3. Aniracetam

This is the first of two racetams on our list of nootropics that stack well with modafinil. The racetams are a class of chemically-similar substances, many of which are nootropics. In fact, it was the very first racetam ever developed, piracetam, that inspired the creation of the word nootropic to describe its effects.

Aniracetam is one of the most popular racetams being used as a nootropic. Users find that it helps to increase focus while, at the same time, decreasing anxiety. In the United States, aniracetam is sold as a nutritional supplement. However, it is a prescription medication in several European countries. As such, there has been a lot of research done in Europe showing aniracetam's effectiveness.

Nootropic users who stack aniracetam with modafinil often report that it creates a state of calm, focused energy. Both nootropics can increase focus on their own. When combined, their focus-enhancing effects can be amplified. And aniracetam's ability to reduce anxiety keeps overstimulation at bay. You can learn more about aniracetam here: Aniracetam For Anxiety and Focus.

4. Fasoracetam

This is the second racetam on our list of nootropics that stack well with modafinil. Fasoracetam, like aniracetam, is able to increase focus while decreasing anxiety. Many user find that its focus-enhancing and anxiety-reducing effects are even stronger than aniracetam's.

Fasoracetam is currently available as an over-the-counter supplement in the United States and in most other countries. However, it is being studied in several countries as a treatment for attention and memory problems. There is a lot of promising research being done on fasoracetam. This potent anxiety reducer easily passed through human safety trials and is now being studied for its ability to increase focus, improve memory, and decrease anxiety.

When taken with modafinil, fasoracetam can create a relaxed-but-focused mindset. Users often report that the focus-enhancing and anxiety-reducing effects of this stack are even stronger than those from stacking aniracetam and modafinil. You can learn more about fasoracetam here: Fasoracetam – An Anxiety-Reducing Nootropic.

5. Lion's Mane

The last item on our list of nootropics that stack well with modafinil is lion's mane. This is a mushroom that grows naturally in North America, Europe, and Asia. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. In recent years, nootropic users have been taking lion's mane to improve mood, decrease anxiety, and improve overall cognitive functioning.

Several medicinal mushrooms have become popular over the past few years including lion's mane. Users report that, with regular use, taking lion's mane improves mood, reduces anxiety, boosts memory, and increases focus. And in addition to anecdotal reports, there is a lot of scientific evidence to support lion's mane use as a nootropic.

Stacking modafinil and lion's mane can put you in a good, focused, and relaxed mood. This mushroom helps to enhance modafinil's effects. Users report that this combo is great for increasing productivity. You can learn more about lion's mane here: The Nootropic Benefits of Lion's Mane.

Conclusion

Modafinil is one of the most popular nootropics being used around the world today. While it often works great on its own, modafinil can become even more effective when stacked with other nootropics. Now you know about five nootropics that stack well with modafinil, but there are others.

Have you tried stacking any of these nootropics with modafinil? How about any others? What have you tried stacking with modafinil that you've liked? Please leave your answers in the comments section at the bottom.

[This article was originally published on August 24, 2019. Updated August 13, 2021.]