Modafinil - the time-shifting drug

For years the military has been exploring new methods to safely combat sleep deprivation and to prevent the associated degradation of performance.

A drug that can double the mental capacity and alertness of a fighting force has more than doubled its effectiveness.

On top of that, with military communications now in real-time, this is a drug that might keep a small fighting force in heavy contact going until the sky's open up and help arrives.

But likely candidates for the modafinil fan club aren't hard to find beyond the military, if the world's caffeine consumption is any indication.

Caffeine is a drug used across the planet for combating fatigue, restoring mental performance and enhancing exercise endurance. Caffeine occurs naturally in more than 60 plant species each contributing to a whopping global per capita consumption estimated at around 70 milligrams (mg.) per person per day some 20 years ago. That figure is growing.

More than half of all American adults consume 300 mg. or more of caffeine every day. Nine out of ten Americans consume caffeine every day.

The most prolific caffeine contributor is coffee, the second most valuable legally traded commodity on Earth (after oil) with annual global retail sales more than US$70 billion. Caffeine is also contained in tea, chocolate and caffeine-enhanced cold drinks such as Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Red Bull et al.

In recent times, the caffeine-enhanced softdrink market has burgeoned.

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