CYP3A4 is an enzyme found in the intestine which metabolizes modafinil. There are substances that increase (aka induce) and substances that decrease (aka inhibit) CYP3A4 activity. These can greatly reduce or increase the effective dose you get. The effects can be quite strong. It is possible to increase CYP3A4 activity to the point where you won’t really feel anything from a normal Modafinil dose.
Inducers
Capsaicin (found in chili poppers)
Inhibitors
Graphefruit Juice: 200ml is effective for 72 hours of CYP3A4 inhibition in the intestine.
Peperine: Found in black pepper and available as biopterin, a highly bio-available supplement sold on e.g. amazon. This additionally inhibits CYP3A4 in the liver. 20mg was the dose used in studies.
Some people report grapefruit juice to work better. However, because peperine also inhibits CYP3A4 in the liver my guess is that you can always get the greatest inhibition from using both.
Grapefruit juice is a lot cheaper than modafinil.
[Edit] Please take note of Markas’ comment, which correctly points out the possibility for a dangerous pharmacological interaction with this method.
IIRC grapefruit juice also inhibits metabolizing many other compounds; some medications have warnings against consuming grapefruit juice so you don’t build up dangerous levels of the medication in your body. Check for interactions before you try this.
Modafinil Enzyme Hacking
CYP3A4 is an enzyme found in the intestine which metabolizes modafinil. There are substances that increase (aka induce) and substances that decrease (aka inhibit) CYP3A4 activity. These can greatly reduce or increase the effective dose you get. The effects can be quite strong. It is possible to increase CYP3A4 activity to the point where you won’t really feel anything from a normal Modafinil dose.
Inducers
Capsaicin (found in chili poppers)
Inhibitors
Graphefruit Juice: 200ml is effective for 72 hours of CYP3A4 inhibition in the intestine.
Peperine: Found in black pepper and available as biopterin, a highly bio-available supplement sold on e.g. amazon. This additionally inhibits CYP3A4 in the liver. 20mg was the dose used in studies.
Some people report grapefruit juice to work better. However, because peperine also inhibits CYP3A4 in the liver my guess is that you can always get the greatest inhibition from using both.
Grapefruit juice is a lot cheaper than modafinil.
[Edit] Please take note of Markas’ comment, which correctly points out the possibility for a dangerous pharmacological interaction with this method.
IIRC grapefruit juice also inhibits metabolizing many other compounds; some medications have warnings against consuming grapefruit juice so you don’t build up dangerous levels of the medication in your body. Check for interactions before you try this.