Chemo treatment sometimes causes ‘foggy’ thinking. A recent double-blind study of women being treated for breast cancer were given modafinil (Provigil). Those women taking modafinil reported major memory improvements, concentration, and learning.

Modafinil, originally used for narcolepsy, was found to promote wakefulness and seemed to increase brainpower without the ‘jittery’ side-effects associated with amphetamines. The drug’s effects disappear in about 12 hours.

The study was funded by the manufacturer, Cephalon Inc. (Provigil), and the National Cancer Institute.

Modafinil reduces the chemo treatment ‘fogginess’