Ampalex (CX-516) is an Ampakine nootropic that is generating a significant amount of excitement and interest in the early stages of research. Ampalex is a supplement developed by the pharmaceutical companies Cortex and Shire & Servier.
Initial data shows that it has excellent potential in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and even ADHD. It works by increasing receptor activity in the brain related to functions of learning, memory and concentration. Despite the powerful benefits associated with this drug, there are several roadblocks to its clinical adoption, namely a relatively short half-life and low potency.
For this reason other nootropic like Sunifiram or Noopept are better suited for use as cognitive enhancers. However, Ampalex is still widely used in research and has fast become the standard against which all other Ampakine supplements are judged.



- Stimulate AMPA receptors in the brain
- Supports memory & learning
- Promotes alertness & concentration
How Does Ampalex CX-516 Work?
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The first question most people have is how does Ampalex work? While the mechanism of action for Racetam nootropics is more widely understood, not as many people are familiar with the effects of Ampakines like Ampalex.
The entire class of Ampakines work as AMPA receptor modulators, hence their name (AMPAkines). When Ampalex is administered, it circulates through the blood to the brain where it crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to AMPA receptors. The result is greater AMPA receptor stimulation which can produce several nootropic effects.
Many people experience increases and improvements in their memory and learning capacities through supplementing with Ampalex. Other benefits associated with this supplement include enhanced concentration and focus, better comprehension and improved reasoning skills.
Ampalex is also an NMDA receptor agonist for the neurotransmitter Glutamate. NMDA receptors are the predominant receptors involved in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. It has been found that the activation of these pathways leads to the formation of new neural connections called synapses in a process known as Long Term Potentiatin (LTP).
LTP is essentially how your brain creates and stores new memories or connections between concepts. As such, Ampalex by NMDA pathways is intimately connected with an increase in neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain neurons to change, adjust, and grow. Together, these main methods of action lead to a number of powerful and interesting benefits.
Ampalex Benefits:
There are a number of Nootropic benefits associated with Ampalex. These include an increase in memory and learning capacity along with enhanced ability to sustain attention, focus, and concentration.
This can be a great way to enhance an existing Nootropic stack or routine by adding a slightly different pathway and mechanism of action to enhance the overall potency.
From a clinical basis, this supplement is not likely to be implemented as a widespread treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, the half-life of Ampalex is too short and the potency is not high enough to warrant this kind of usage.
However, this can still be quite effective for someone simply looking for a short term boost to their intellectual capacity.
Does Ampalex Lead To Over-Excitement?
One of the main concerns about Ampalex in the research literature published so far is whether or not it results in over-stimulation of the Glutamate receptors. Excess glutamate is a condition known as over-excitement which produces too much brain activity.
This means that the neurons attain a state of near constant firing, leading to the possibility of them burning themselves out. In normal situations, your neurons become less sensitive to glutamate when they are highly stimulated to prevent this type of burnout, but using an Ampakine like Ampalex prevents this regulation from occurring.
If such a state were to continue for a long period of time it could conceivably lead to a point in which the neurons starting catabolizing themselves and dying. This is obviously a very serious risk that could result in cognitive decline or even the exacerbation of conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Despite the theoretical potential for over-excitement, there are a number of researchers who think this is not a realistic danger when taking Ampalex. These researchers believe that the body’s self-regulation system is able to prevent any such situation from occurring and that the effects of Ampalex are still relatively mild.
Even if Ampalex did carry this risk, there is always the possibility of combining it with other supplements to balance the benefits while avoiding these potential issues.
Ampalex Side Effects
Ampalex has been observed as safe for most individuals when taken as directed for short periods of time. So far there have been no serious adverse effects attributed to using this drug. Some of the common mild side effects associated with Ampalex CX-516 include headaches, fatigue, irritability, nausea, and stomach issues.
Human trials are still at this point limited which is why most people prefer to use the more established nootropics like Noopept or Aniracetam. If you do buy Ampalex online, it is recommended that you speak to a doctor before taking this drug to determine the safest method of administration.
Article last updated on: February 23rd, 2018 by Nootriment