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Pramiracetam is a widely used Nootropic drug developed in the late 1970’s.
It has been the subject of ongoing research almost ever since its first patent was obtained in 1978 by researchers at Parke-Davis.
In case you are not familiar with Nootropics, these compounds are also known as smart drugs, cognitive enhancer or brain boosting supplements.
Pramiracetam (Pramistar, Neupramir, Remen) is considered to be one of the strongest Nootropics available, known to increase mental performance and certain metrics of intelligence.
While this drug will not make you instantly smarter, it is purported to improve memory, leaning, reasoning and even concentration and energy levels.
Before trying Pramiracetam, it is a good idea to understand a little bit more about how it optimizes brain performance through increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters.
Let’s take a closer look at how Pramiracetam works, the benefits it offers, dosage considerations, and possible side effects.
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Reasoning- Improves focus, productivity & motivation
- Supports cognition & memory
- Heightens alertness & mental acuity
Pramiracetam Overview
Related Topics
- What is Pramiracetam?
- User Review
- Benefits and How it Works
- Dosing Information
- Side Effects
- Experience Reports
- Purchasing Pramiracetam
- Legal Status
- Using Bulk Powder
- How to Take Capsules
- Pramiracetam Stacks
- Stack with Choline
- Comparison to Piracetam
- Comparison to Noopept
- Comparison to Oxiracetan
- Comparison to Aniracetam
Pramiracetam is an analogue of Piracetam and has similar effects to other racetam nootropics.
It is sometimes referred to as the strongest racetam, although more recently discovered compounds like phenylpiracetam are now considered to be more potent.
While it is not approved for medical use in the United States, it is marketed in some European countries under the brand name “Pramistar” for the treatment of attention and memory deficits.
It is believed to be effective for improving memory and cognitive function for elderly individuals with neurodegenerative dementia or vascular dementia.
This cognitive enhancer may also be prescribed for the following conditions:
- Treatment of the symptoms of various memory disorders
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Treatment-resistant depressions
- Psychoorganic syndrome with asthenia
- Low motivation or emotional irregularity
Like Aniracetam, Pramiracetam is a fat soluble nootropic and has higher oral bioavailability to other compounds in the racetam family.
It is structurally similar to Piracetam except for the addition of an ethyl amide chain with two isopropyl carbon chains.
It is made from Piracetam by replacing the amide molecule with a dipropan-2-ylaminoethyl group.
This difference in chemical structure results in a higher degree of potency, meaning that a lower dosage is required to experience the therapeutic effects.
Pramiracetam has a biological half-life of 2.3-3.9 hours in research studies involving dogs and a half-life of 4.5-6.5 hours according to one study involving humans.
How Pramiracetam Works:
Like all other Nootropics and Racetam supplements, the exact mechanisms of action for Pramiracetam are not fully understood.
However, it is believed that this compound is absorbed from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream via lipids (or fatty acids).
After it reaches maximum concentrations (generally within a half hour), it is transported directly to the brain at a very high level of bioavailability.
It then modulates receptor sites for a neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine.
This neurotransmitter is instrumental in a number of cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and the development of new neurons and connections. The primary mechanism of action for Pramiracetam is increasing acetylcholine uptake in the Hippocampus which is the part of your brain involved in the formation and storage of new memories.
By binding to these receptor sites, Pramiracetam is able to increase the level of circulating Acetylcholine within the brain and also improve neuronal impulse flow in specific regions of the brain.
Pramiracetam also seems to affect acetylcholine synthesis by increasing high-affinity choline uptake in neurons.
The hypothesis is that by increasing the available stores of acetylcholine, this and other racetam nootropics may positively improve short-term and long-term memory formation.
While studies have shown benefits when giving this cognitive enhancer to individuals with memory deficits, there is no research available on its effects on memory performance in healthy adults.
Most of the reports of its effects are based on anecdotal experiences in consumer reviews.
Pramiracetam may also increase communication across the corpus callosum, which is the part of the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres.
- Improves focus, productivity and motivation
- Boosts cognition and memory performance
- Heightens alertness and reasoning
Benefits of Pramiracetam:
The purported nootropic effects of this supplement include an enhanced sense of well-being, support for memory formation, increased mental energy, enhanced sensory perception and an improved attention span.
One of the major benefits attributed to this smart drug is to increase blood flow to the brain. Research studies involving rats have demonstrated that this nootropic agent can increase nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the cerebral cortex.
This is a family of enzymes responsible for synthesizing nitric oxide (NO) from the amino acid L-Arginine. NO is a vasodilator that causes blood vessel walls to relax and open wider.
Higher levels of Nitric Oxide can increase blood flow, while decreasing blood pressure. It is believed that usage of Pramiracetam may have indirect vasodilatory effects, resulting in greater blood flow to the cortex.
This enhanced blood circulation is accompanied by increased oxygen uptake and enhanced glucose metabolism.
All of these changes in the brain may be responsible for increasing mental energy and making a user feel more alert and clear headed.
This can also lead to a lengthened attention span, better concentration and focus, and overall faster thinking and mental processing.
Pramiracetam is also thought to be responsible for increasing memory and learning capacity. As is the case with most other Nootropics, this effect can vary significantly from person to person.
Some people feel this very subtly while others notice it right away and it can be quite strong. Many also note a faster speed of recall. Fluid intelligence is also improved, making it much easier to perform tasks like reading, writing, and even holding conversations.
This racetam is also being for treating a number of serious mental issues. For example, many European countries already allow Pramiracetam to be prescribed to help treat Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, dementia, and other types of degenerative cognitive disorders.
According to Pramiracetam reviews posted by users, one of the most common experiences after taking this compound is more vivid sensory perceptions, particularly pertaining to color perception.
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Pramiracetam Dosage:
Since this supplement is particularly potent, you do not need to take it in large doses. Pramiracetam has been referenced as 30 stronger than Piracetam from which it is derived.
A dosage of 500 mg two or three times a day should be plenty to give you full effects.
You will want to break up the total dose into at least two even administrations – one in the morning and one later in the afternnon. This is because the supplement has a biological half-life of approximately 5 hours.
Taking two dosages of Pramiracetam will help to ensure that a consistent level of this nootropic is maintained in your system.
We should note that there is quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to nootropic dosages and you may find that a different amount works best for you. Different people will naturally express different sensitivities to these compounds and you may find that your tolerance increases over time.
In general, you do not want to take too much Pramiracetam because this could cause the expected benefits to be diminished and may lead to unwanted results. It is also recommended that you not mega dose this supplement or use an attack dosage strategy.
Therefore, is is recommended to adhere closely to the suggested dosage range of 1 to 1.5 grams per day.
Pramiracetam powder has an especially bitter taste and can be very unpleasant to consume on its own. It is recommended to use capsules or coated tablets to avoid the taste.
Because this nootropic is fat soluble, it is generally advised to use it with some form of lipid such as fish oil, olive oil, milk or to consume it with a meal that contains healthy fat sources. This will improve the oral bioavailability of the drug.
It is common for users to stack multiple nootropic agents together to increase the benefits. Usage of Pramiracetam with nootropic supplements like Piracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Noopept, Choline, Alpha GPC, or Citicoline is typical.
A popular nootropic stack for beginners is 200mg of Pramiracetam to 100 mg of Citicoline (CDP Choline).
Potential Pramiracetam Side Effects
This nootropic drug is well-tolerated by healthy adults and there have never been any cases of serious side effects reported. There are no known interactions with other drugs and it is not toxic.
Having said that, you always want to consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider before starting a new supplement routine. In general, Pramiracetam sulfate is considered to be very safe with side effects being rare and generally mild.
One of the most common side effects you may experience is headaches which may be reduced by adding a choline supplement to your regimen. Two good choices for sources of choline include Alpha GPC and Citicoline.
Where to Buy Pramiracetam
In some countries in Eastern Europe such as Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Italy, Pramiracetam sulfate is sold as a prescription medication for the treatment of some forms of cognitive dysfunction.
It is marketed under the brand name “Pramistar” and distributed by the Menarini Group, located in Naples, Italy.
In the United States, Canada and Australia, Pramiracetam is not regulated as a prescription medication. It is not listed as a controlled substance and can be purchased online.
However, this synthetic drug does not qualify under the definition of a dietary supplement and cannot legally be sold in supplement form for human consumption. It is typically sold in the form of a bulk powder.
In the United Kingdom and some other European countries, Pramiracetam is regulated as a prescription drug, although it is not widely used in medicine. Under UK law, it can be purchased online and imported for personal use without penalty.
Before you decide to buy Pramiracetam pills or powder online, make sure to thoroughly research your intended vendor and read customer reviews first.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
11 Comments
Uptake and reuptake are two different actions. I noticed in this Pramiracetam information of yours that “increasing uptake” and “increasing reuptake” were used interchangeably. Does Pramiracetam really do both actions at the same time or was it just a typo error? Pls clarify. Thank you.
Hi Joseph,
Thanks for your comment and sorry for the lack of clarity. In this instance, re-uptake is referring to the uptake of choline following the breakdown of ACh in the synaptic cleft. (It’s not quite the same as measuring the re-uptake of a neurotransmitter back into the pre-synaptic vesicle.) We know that Pramiracetam increases HACU (High Affinity Choline Uptake) and we also know that between 35-50% of choline that is recovered from the breakdown of ACh gets taken up again into the neurons, so there is most likely an increase in both uptake and reuptake when using Pramiracetam.
Thank you so much for the highly informative reply. If you were just selling nootropics, I surely would have purchased all of them from you.
There is only one meaning of ‘reuptake’ (the absorption by a presynaptic nerve ending of a neurotransmitter that it has secreted). Augmenting uptake and inhibiting reuptake seems in accordance with each other. But, increasing uptake and reuptake both by the same chemical maybe contradictory. Maybe you mean ‘uptake’ in all of the increase stated in the pramiracetam info. Im sorry, but Im quite confused with the topic.
Hi Joseph,
Thanks for your question!
Remember that choline is not itself a neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine gets released from the pre-synaptic neuron, it gets broken down by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and this produces choline.
The uptake of this choline that has been derived through recycling acetylcholine is described as re-uptake because it is being taken up again by neurons to produce more acetylcholine.
It’s not the same as if you were inhibiting the re-uptake of acetylcholine.
I hope this explanation helps!
Have been taking Pramiracetam with breakfast (includes coconut oil) since it is fat soluble for a few days. Have not noticed any change. Maybe it takes a while to build up or the effects are very subtle…
I would sugest to find a better vendor like intelli….
It is very important to find a quality vendor, with legit product. always ask for COA.
All the best.
Has anyone actually noticed any effects?
I have used Noopept and noticed absolutely nothing at all.
I thought maybe stacking would help but after reading this I think Nootropics are all just a giant scam and people are crazy. (Placebo effects, I don’t care what the studies show, until I notice it myself.)
Pramiracetam will burn the oral mucosa. I unknowingly tried to dose this sublingually and the underside of my tongue and floor of my mouth were sore for a week. I spit it out as soon as I felt it, so I’m sure it could have done even more damage. This should definitely be mentioned here and when hugely important things are not mentioned, this site loses a lot of credibility and I lose a large amount of trust in this site.
I also have not noticed any effects after taking it with water or oils.
Hi John,
Thanks for your report. I’ve never heard of anyone trying Pramiracetam sublingually before which is why we don’t include information about sublingual dosages on the site. There are quite a few nootropics and other supplemental compounds that can cause irritation when used sublingually – Centrophenoxine is another one.
We specifically report dosage information for oral administration with nootropics because that is usually the method that has been used in research studies on these compounds. Noopept is one exception where some individuals have seen better results with sublingual administration compared to oral administration.
I haven’t found a single research study in which Pramiracetam was used sublingually, although there are reports on Reddit that suggest sublingual supplementation can cause negative side effects with this supplement. I would recommend searching for other user experiences online before you decide to use a specific nootropic sublingually as opposed to orally.
Dude, this is one the the most informative guidelines for nootropics that exists. I love this site and just because you decide to take a nootropic in such a way that it’s not recommended, shouldn’t cause you to lose credibility. If they’d recommended you do to take it sublingual, then that’s one thing, but doing that on your own is not the fault of the Website. You had a bad experience a yr ago, stop trolling, and learn from it, then move on as I’m sure you have by now. VERY INFORMATION SITE!!!