Xanthine: primary effects
Only small doses of caffeine are attractive as a psychostimulating drug.
. Stimulates level of arousal
. Reduces the sensation of fatigue
. Favours cognitive activities
. Increases respiratory capacities
Secondary effects
. Cardiac arrhythmia
. Increased diuresis
. Reduction in cerebral circulation
. Trembling
. Trouble in visual perception
The synthetic psychostimulating drug Modafinil, a recent formulation, seems to favor a good level of wakefulness with a minimum of immediate secondary effects. At present, Modafinil is used only for pathological cases and over-the-counter sales by drugstores are not authorized. The long-term consequences on health remain unknown. We absolutely advise against the use of this drug.
Self-medication
Self-mediation is a secular tradition in all civilizations. Unfortunately, times have changed for the followers of these practices. Indeed, up until the Second World War, pharmacopoeia, i.e. the drugs and medicinal products that physicians could prescribe, included only a few active ingredients or, more exactly, these were generally highly diluted. This was the great era of herbalists and medicinal products. We can regret their fading away as, evidently, they still would have their place besides the synthetic drugs available today. The action of these drugs is, most of the time, remarkably strong. Misuse comprises a real danger. Moreover, these powerful synthetic products are quite often incompatible with others also on the market. These drugs possess ingredients whose coexistence within the body may lead to real disorders or even death.
Our generation is the first one to be confronted with this risk and we underline the need to accurately inform your physician of the medication you take. This means that the more or less licit procurement of a drug, the use of a product prescribed for someone else or dipping into the medicine cabinet to find a product prescribed some time ago, exposes you to real risks. If you regularly take a drug, do consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any other product obtained or in your possession that would seen to be suitable for a new illness or for even an temporary symptom.
We should also add a few words on hypnotic products, tranquillizers, sleeping pills, amphetamine substances and other psychotropes. In all cases, avoid using them before speaking to your physician and inform him of your profession. Each of these products has very precise effects and some must be considered as incompatible with a professional activity such as ours. Beware of these products, they may be extremely harmful and some are similar to narcotics because of the dependency they may entail. As for awakening substances, we suggest, as our knowledge stands at present, that you avoid them.
Modern-day drugs are extraordinarily efficient but they have toxicity, which is just as real. Beware! Do not take anything unnecessarily. It would be stupid to make yourself ill by trying to cure yourself.
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