Nootropic drugs are a category of compounds that can increase your memory capacity, improve learning and cognition, promote better mental energy and concentration, and even help to improve your mood.
“Smart Drugs” are able to increase the availability of certain neurotransmitters in your brain cells and result in more communication activity between your neurons.
Many nootropic drugs also improve the health and maintenance of your neurons and may even promote the formation of new synapses or connections in your brain.
These pharmacological mechanisms serve to enhance the neural pathways that underwrite our basic thought processes. The benefits are profound leading to greater synaptic plasticity, better short term and long term memory, and even higher levels of fluid intelligence.



- Promotes brain health & communication
- Supports memory, reasoning & cognition
- oosts focus, mental clarity & attention
Nootropic Drugs
Related Topics
- What are Nootropics?
- Nootropics List
- Types of Nootropics
- Effects & Benefits
- How Do Nootropics Work?
- Natural Nootropics
- Enhace Intelligence
- Boost Memory
- Improve Concentration
- Reduce Anxiety
- Treat Depression
- Nootropic Side Effects & Dangers
- How to Stack Nootropics
- Best Nootropic Stacks
- Strongest Nootropics
- Where to Buy Online
- Cheapest Nootropics
- Are Nootropics Legal?
Typically, nootropic drugs refers to a subset within the class of cognitive enhancers that are synthetically produced and provide stronger effects in comparison to natural nootropic supplements.
Some of the most popular nootropic drugs include the Racetams – Piracetam, Aniracetam, Pramiracetam, Oxiracetam and Phenylpiracetam – and Noopept.
However, it is not entirely accurate to call these compounds “drugs” since they are not regulated by the FDA for the treatment of medical issues.
Instead, most people refer to them as supplements to more appropriately reflect their unregulated status.
What exactly does it mean to be a “Nootropic” and how do substances qualify for inclusion in this elite class? The original definition for Nootropics was conceived of by Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea in 1972 just a few years after he had first discovered Piracetam.
After noting many of the unique characteristics of this brain booster, Giurgea felt that none of the currently existing classification systems for drugs could correctly describe the effects of Piracetam. As such, he invented an entirely new classification and gave it the name Nootropic which means “mind turning” in Greek.
He proposed the following criteria for what it means to be a Nootropic:
- Must enhance learning and memory function
- Must improve learned behaviors when conditions are simulated to disrupt them (i.e. administering an amnesiac)
- Must be neuroprotective for either physical injury or chemical damage
- Must enhance tonic cortical/subcortical control mechanisms
- Must be extremely low in toxicity with few side effects and cannot possess pharmacology of psychotropic drugs
Today, Giurgea’s definition still forms the basis for the nootropic family, though over time there have been changes suggested by other neuroscientists.
While entry into the class of Nootropic drugs is given to a wider array of compounds now, the most basic tenets of increasing memory and learning and possessing very low toxicity still reign supreme. We see these requirements continuing to be epitomized by Piracetam and its many derivatives.
What are some of the main properties of the top nootropic drugs? Below is a basic overview of the effects, benefits and usage of Piracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam and Noopept.

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Piracetam
Description: The original nootropic, also known as Nootropil. Piracetam is a derivative of GABA and has a chemical structure of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide.
Effects: Modulates AMPA glutamate receptors and increased acetylcholine activity by muscarinic receptors.
Benefits: Improves memory formation and recall; Promotes neuroplasticity and increases connections between left and right brain hemispheres; Has a mid-level effect on increasing focus, reducing anxiety, and heightening sensory awareness.
Dosage: Ranges between 800 mg to 5000 mg taken two to three times a day.
Aniracetam
Description: A fat-soluble analog of Piracetam said to be 5 times stronger with the chemical structure 1-[(4-methoxybenzoyl)]- 2-pyrrolidinone. The best Racetam for mood enhancement and anxiety relief.
Effects: Stimulates Cholinergic system like Piracetam, but a better modulator of AMPA and Kainate Glutamate synaptic receptors. Also affects 5-HTP(2a) Serotonin and D2 and D3 Dopamine receptors.
Benefits: Powerful memory enhancement and improved learning; Highly effective anxiolytic for stress and depression relief; Increases motivation; Positive impact on concentration and attention span.
Dosage: Suggested dose of 600 to 3,000 mg split three times a day to account for short half-life.
Oxiracetam
Description: A slightly more powerful Racetam denoted as (RS)-2-(4-hydroxy-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide. Considered to be a purely cognitive Nootropic with potent effects on fluid intelligence.
Effects: Increases levels of choline acetylcholinetranferase which is the enzyme responsible for producing acetylcholine. Boosts Cholinergic activity and raises ATP levels leading to more mental energy.
Benefits: An excellent “study nootropic” especially for highly technical subjects; improves logical reasoning and cognition; Boosts working memory; Increases energy and focus.
Dosage: Typically use from 400 mg to 1,600 mg split between 2-3 doses per day.
Pramiracetam
Description: Another fat soluble Racetam with 30x higher potency level than Piracetam. Has the longest half-life of the nootropic drugs listed here and considered the best for focus & motivation.
Effects: Increases choline uptake in the Hippocampus (memory center of the brain), resulting in more acetylcholine excitatory activity. Improves energy metabolism in the brain.
Benefits: Gives you intense focus & motivation; Strong effects on long-term memory formation; Enhanced reasoning and intellectual brainpower; Faster thought processes.
Dosage: Best results when taking between 100 – 1,200 mg a day in two even dosages.
Phenylpiracetam
Description: A modified version of Piracetam with the addition of a phenyl molecule making it 100% bioavailable and 60x stronger. Poses benefits for both mental and physical performance.
Effects: Stimulates glutamate, acetylcholine and dopamine receptors; Observed to increase the density of NDMA receptors in the hippocampus; Produces stimulting effects but is not a CNS Stimulant.
Benefits: The best nootropic for increasing energy and drive; Promotes wakefulness and concentration; Facilitates better learning and memory consolidation; Improves physical stamina and eraction time.
Dosage: Highly concentrated so you only need 200 – 500 mg per day taken evenly in two administrations.
Noopept
Description: A peptide derivative of Piracetam reported to be 1000x stronger than this Racetam. Noopept provides highly powerful effects for cognitive performance and
Effects: Works on AMPA and NDMA synaptic receptors for Glutamate as well as nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors. Increases levels of Nerve Growth Factor which is a protein responsible for growing and maintaining neurons.
Benefits: Strongest nootropic for learning & memory; Dramatically improves mental energy and focus; Reduces anxiety and boost mood; Supports more connections being formed in the brain
Dosage: Take between 10 – 40 mg a maximum of three times per day
Article last updated on: February 23rd, 2018 by Nootriment