Biohacking: A Gene to Predict Modafinil Response

 

Modafinil has been hailed as the most significant nootropic and used by biohackers for sharp focus for over a decade. It is a schedule IV drug normally prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. The interesting thing about modafinil is that it does not work well for everybody. A single genotype variation has been identified as a likely predictor to modafinil response. Those who are high responders have shown increased vigor, reduced depression and claim a sense of well being. This research is based on a single relatively small study from 2009.

 

Disclaimer: We are biohackers and this data is being presented for informational purposes only. Do not try using the substances mentioned below without appropriate medical supervision.

 

SNP rs4680

The rs4680 SNP has been well studied and is related to our COMT gene. This gene is responsible for an enzyme which breaks down dopamine. Depending on our alleles the people with the rs4680(G,G) configuration were shown to have significantly more response to modafinil than those with the (A,A) who barely responded to the drug.
  • GG: increased response to modafinil (Val/Val)
  • AG: intermediate response to modafinil (Met/Val)
  • AA:  not as much response to modafinil (Met/Met)

 

 

23andMe tests for the rs4680 variant so you can look it up in the raw data browser on their website. My genetics suggest an intermediate response to modafinil, but I find I respond well enough to take only 1/4 of a pill for the entire day.

 

 


In 2009 researchers in Zurich conducted a sleep deprivation test with 22 individuals all approximately 23 years old. The dark black bar represents those who took modafinil and had the rs4680(G,G) or Val/Val configuration. Note the improved levels of vigor, reduced depression and increased sense of well-being for this group compared to the light grey rs4680(A,A) or Met/Met group.

 

 

The study itself consisted of two doses of modafinil being administered after being awake for 11 hours and 23 hours.

 

 

Saliva was sampled and this chart shows that more modafinil was present in those with the rs4680(G,G) or Val/Val configuration.

 


Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards

Join Adafruit on Mastodon

Adafruit is on Mastodon, join in! adafruit.com/mastodon

Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.

Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.

Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm ET for Ask an Engineer!

Join over 36,000+ makers on Adafruit’s Discord channels and be part of the community! http://adafru.it/discord

CircuitPython – The easiest way to program microcontrollers – CircuitPython.org


Maker Business — “Packaging” chips in the US

Wearables — Enclosures help fight body humidity in costumes

Electronics — Transformers: More than meets the eye!

Python for Microcontrollers — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: Silicon Labs introduces CircuitPython support, and more! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi

Adafruit IoT Monthly — Guardian Robot, Weather-wise Umbrella Stand, and more!

Microsoft MakeCode — MakeCode Thank You!

EYE on NPI — Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey

New Products – Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! — #NewProds 7/19/23 Feat. Adafruit Matrix Portal S3 CircuitPython Powered Internet Display!

Get the only spam-free daily newsletter about wearables, running a "maker business", electronic tips and more! Subscribe at AdafruitDaily.com !



No Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.