Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting agent, has gained significant attention as a “smart drug” or nootropic, particularly among students, professionals, and individuals seeking to enhance cognitive performance. Initially developed in the 1970s for the treatment of narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder, modafinil has transcended its medical applications and is now often used off-label for its purported cognitive-enhancing effects.