Fri 18 Jul 2008
Provigil: An Entrepreneurs “Drug of Choice”
Posted by Megan Dorn under Uncategorized
Michael Arrington’s TechCrunch post eariler this week about the prescription drug Provigil definitely aired some dirty laundry among the entrepreneurial community. “The buzz lately is that it’s the ‘entrepreneur’s drug of choice,’” according to Arrington. Provigil is only approved to treat narcolepsy, but entrepreneurs are using it to work upwards of 20 hours a day and still maintain focus and concentration. Apparently the drug works wonders, according to the post and many of the comments.
So am I shocked by this? No, but I am a little disheartened. It reminds me of the whole baseball/steroids fiasco. People were upset because they like to think that greatness comes from those who are truly great, not those who are good but use drugs to give themselves that extra push. I think, in many ways, the same principle applies here.
Beyond the obvious health hazards (it hasn’t been proven safe for this kind of use) and the horrible example it sets, abusing prescription drugs doesn’t project a positive image. I appreciate an entrepreneur who works hard and sacrifices to make it big. But when “performance enhancing” drugs are involved, I tend to not appreciate the work as much, if at all.
Provigil may not end up having any long-term side effects or serious health risks, but it’s still a prescription drug for a reason, the abuse of which is never a good idea. On top of that, what about the health issues involved with sleep deprivation. I think they’re far graver than most people realize. So why not just work as hard as you can and then refresh yourself with some sleep? Is there something wrong with that approach?
July 18th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Why does entrepreneurship have to be compared to professional sports? This isn´t a pennant that’s on the line here. If your business fails, your business fails, and you’re back in your parent’s garage. I see zero problem with using ProVigil to enhance your own ability to do more, and am actually quite heartened by it. It makes entrepreneurship much easier for the average person to get into. When I start my own business, you better believe I’ll be ProVigiling it every day.
You make it sound like people start businesses to earn other people’s respect. You do it for yourself and your family, to get a better life. You don’t let the ethics of taking a wake-up pill get in the way of that goal.
And your rationale of “It’s a perscription drug, don’t abuse it!” is silly. Doctors themselves frequently perscribe medication for uses it hasn’t been approved for. It is risky, sure, but are you really going to let the abysmally slow and sometimes corrupt FDA tell you what is ethical and what isn’t? Choose such things for yourself! Unethical things are things which unfairly affect *others’* abilities to succeed.
Trust me, the last thing an entrepreneur is thinking about when he makes the decision to take ProVigil is whether Megan Dorn will appreciate all his hard work he’s accomplishing while he’s on it.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:36 am
I agree with Vince that if an entrepreneur wants to take this drug, they should be able to.
But, I think that they should know that it could harm their health. I read something a while back about provigil causing heart attacks or strokes or something. I don’t have time to google it today, but I’ll try.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I thought I might get some less-than-enthusiastic comments from pro-Provigil entrepreneurs, but that’s OK. I’m still not retracting my opinion though.
Ethics aside, the health risks involved with an alternate use of the drug are still unknown, particularly when the drug interacts with a person’s existing health conditions. You say that starting a business is about giving you and your family a better life, and I think that’s very admirable. I’m just arguing that for yours and your family’s sake, being healthy should be a part of that equation. Now if doctors are the ones prescribing a drug for a use that it was not originally intended then great! They have the knowledge and the authority to do that. Regular consumers, however, do not. What it comes down to is that I just don’t think that entrepreneurs should have to potentially put their health at risk in order to be able to successfully start a business, especially when it’s still entirely possible to have both.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I don’t understand why people get obsessed with drug “abuse”. Why is it that when a drug is “legal” like caffeine for instance it isn’t considered “performance enhancing”. But THIS drug is somehow dangerous and if you use it your accomplishments aren’t valid.
How absurd. Somehow I should not get credit for being a genius because I drank a Rockstar Energy Drink while I was working. Starbucks should be given credit for all my accomplishments I guess.
I think a person that is smart enough to be a successful entrepreneur will know what risks to take and when they may be necessary and how to be balanced in taking risks. That is what makes most successful entrepreneurs successful: good risk management.
The concept of a “level playing field” is absurd as well. It doesn’t exist. If you want to compete in a world where people who are trying to be competitive DON’T take advantage of any edge they can get, then you’ll have to move to Utopia.
Not everyone who competes NEEDS help. Pat yourself on the back if you don’t. Know that you STILL came out on top WITHOUT any help. but don’t whine about what other people are doing. That is a sure sign of a loser.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
ps. I’m not a proponent of drug use. I am not recommending the use of the drug being discussed and don’t use any drugs myself (except caffeine and alcohol). I’m just against sensationalism “the horrible example it sets” “doesn’t project a positive image.” “I tend to not appreciate the work as much, if at all.”
If Albert Einstein had used cocaine to help him stay awake and had thereby discovered relativity, he would still be a genius.
An idiot who takes a “performance enhancing” drug will still be an idiot. It isn’t what drug a person is taking that makes them great, it’s what is in their head.
September 1st, 2008 at 5:30 am
Hey guy’s I personally have to take Provigil. Narcolepsy-(4symp) and with my other medications my drug bill is extreemly high. Sometimes I have do go without making life a rollercoaster of emotions instead of a smooth Sunday stroll to enjoy.
The thing about entreprenuers is that they are the only guys that can afford it, I just hope they need it like I do.
September 5th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I also have narcolepsy and have to take Provigil.
I don’t particularly like the drug and I don’t see why anyone would want to take it(for other
than proscribed) considering some of its adverse affects and cost.
People taking it for off labelled use should at least make sure of what they are taking… be careful.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I can’t believe what I’m hearing!!! Provigil is only approved for treatment of Narcolepsy for a reason. It’s totally irresponsible for someone who doesn’t have Narcolepsy to be taking such a drug just so that they can get ahead. It’s situations like this that have made the sort of restrictions these drugs have necessary. Your actions by taking this drug (and yes, it’s just like steroids abuse) could have serious consequences for innocent law-abiding narcoleptics everywhere. Think about that for a second, will you?
January 6th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I also take Provigil. I have been diagnosed with Idopathic hypersomnia. Narcolepsy is not the only disorder Provigil is prescribed to treat. I can not tell a major difference when taking Provigil other than I dont fall asleep every time I get still. It doesnt cause me to be hyper or jittery. I think all the “enhancement” these entrepreneurs feel could be accomplished with a few cups of java!
January 20th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I have narcolepsy and depression. My shrink prescribed provigil for me along with lexapro.
The provigil is great! Not only has it taken care of my sleep disorder but my depression as well. I am much better on provigil and lexapro then on lexapro alone. It has improved my mood, my ability to concentrate, my memory is much improved. It is the smart drug of choice.
A bit expensive at around $10.00 a pill (200mg) in the U.S. without insurance but available overseas for about $150.00 per 100 and there are places to get it without a script. Not that I recommend that.
March 21st, 2009 at 12:00 am
I must say I find myself a bit shocked! I came to this site thinking that I could run into some valuable advice about start-ups and small business; instead I see a page on the use of Provigil and feedback from others on the use, the cost, abuse and lets not forget the every so wonderful aspect of this drug which is being alert while trying to be an ent. Just for the record, if you get more done while on the performance enhancing provigil(sounds like I need some) then hats off to all! I would now like to talk business and would like advice on what one does when they are three years into their business and have lost everything but their business trying to hold onto their business! I literally have lost my home, my car oh and lets not forget my spouse, but I still have my business, LOL! With no credit left and no capital where is a gal to go to keep things going?????????? Now put that enhancement drug to work because I need some really good advice. Thanks, Tammy