What's remarkable to me is that modafinil is less toxic than caffeine[0], and possibly even less addictive[1], but we all know which is illegal for recreational use and which is coffee.
Regulations are sticky. The FDA follows the precautionary principle. Political game theory incentivizes restricting what the electorate can do rather than giving them more freedoms, and being blamed for whatever harm may fall upon them from their licentiousness. Reversing drug laws specifically seems to require both clear evidence of benefit, and widespread support from the public and media. This leads me to believe that modafinil will takes ages to be rescheduled.
Regulations are sticky. The FDA follows the precautionary principle. Political game theory incentivizes restricting what the electorate can do rather than giving them more freedoms, and being blamed for whatever harm may fall upon them from their licentiousness. Reversing drug laws specifically seems to require both clear evidence of benefit, and widespread support from the public and media. This leads me to believe that modafinil will takes ages to be rescheduled.
[0] https://www.gwern.net/Modafinil#fn28
[1] https://www.gwern.net/docs/modafinil/2002-deroche-gamonet.pd...