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The Aniracetam Choline nootropic stack is a common combination of brain enhancing supplements that is purported to improve cognitive ability, memory, focus and mood.
Aniracetam is used for reducing symptoms of anxiety, increasing energy levels and improving verbal fluency and creativity.
Taking Aniracetam with a choline source is said to enhance the effectiveness of this supplement while also preventing the occurrence of some unpleasant side effects. Both are known to influence the Cholinergic system in the brain and using them together is proposed to have synergistic benefits.
There are several different versions of the Aniracetam Choline Stack that you can use depending on which choline supplement you choose. The three best options are Alpha GPC Choline, CDP Choline (Citicoline) or Centrophenoxine.
In this article, we were review how Aniracetam affects the acetylcholine neurotransmitter, why you may want to stack it with a choline source and the best way to use this stack.
We will also examine whether you really need choline in your nootropic stack and other ways to increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Buy Aniracetam online at this link.
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Mood- Heightens focus & motivation
- Supports memory formation & recall
- Shown to enhance mood & reduce anxiety
Aniracetam Effects and Results
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- What is Aniracetam?
- User Reviews
- Effects and Benefits
- Aniracetam for Anxiety
- Dosage Suggestions
- Using Aniracetam Powder
- Best Way to Take
- Side Effects
- Aniracetam for Sale
- Buyer's Guide
- Is Aniracetam Legal?
- Stacking with Piracetam
- Stacking with Choline
- Comparison to Piracetam
- Comparison to Oxiracetam
- Comparison to Pramiracetam
- Comparison to Noopept
Aniracetam is known to work both like a racetam and like an ampakine. This means it can stimulate receptors in the brain that respond to the neurotransmitters acetylcholine as well as glutamate.
This makes Aniracetam distinct from the original nootropic Piracetam (Nootropil), which mostly has cholinergic mechanisms of action (modulating the effects of acetylcholine receptors).
Acetylcholine and Glutamate are two of the most important excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, involved many of the most basic mental operations.
Cholinergic neurotransmission is involved in learning and memory retention and recall, making it easier for your brain to create new connections and maintain old connections. It also plays a role in cognitive processing, attention span and focus.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have low levels of acetylcholine in their brain. They may suffer from forms of neuron damage that inhibit the uptake of choline into their neurons.
Clinically, Aniracetam has been used as a pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, senile dementia and other forms of cognitive decline associated with aging. Its ability to facilitate cholinergic neurotransmission is believed to promote short and long-term memory in patients with cognitive impairment as well as enhancing other metrics of mental performance.
Glutamate also plays a role in regulating processes related to synaptic plasticity, which refers to the ability of our brain to adapt and learn new things. NMDA and AMPA receptors for glutamate mediate Long-Term potentiation, which is the mechanism by which memories get encoded or stored in our brain.
Activation of AMPA receptors has also been shown to increase levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which is a protein involved in the growth, maintenance and repair of different neural structures.
In addition to promoting brain function, aniracetam is used as an anxiolytic (a substance that treats anxiousness) and it has mood enhancement proprties. This is attributed to its ability to increase dopamine and serotonin levels in parts of the brain.
Taking Aniracetam can result in a general mood-lifting effect and promotes social behavior as well as reducing inhibitions. Some people will use Aniracetam to treat depression without the fatigue that can come with sedatives such as Phenibut. Based on user reviews, it is purported to improve mood while still keeping you stimulated and energized.
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Cognition- Supports memory and synaptic plasticity
- Raises acetylcholine levels
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Why Use Aniracetam with Choline?
Stacking Aniracetam with Choline has become popular for two key reasons: Choline can make the effects of Aniracetam stronger and it can prevent a specific negative side effect that may occur when taking this supplement.
There have not been any studies done on the use of aniracetam and choline supplements together. Most of the information on their combined use comes from user reviews which describe benefits when stacking these compounds in the right ratio.
Remember that part of the way the racetams work is by increasing acetylcholine activity in the brain. Aniracetam has been shown to increase the uptake of choline in neurons and may result in more acetylcholine being released.
It has been hypothesized that using racetam cognitive enhancers can cause stores of acetylcholine to be depleted in certain parts of the brain. Based on this theory, this increased demand on the Cholinergic system needs to be offset with an increased supply of choline so that the brain can synthesize more acetylcholine.
If you do not have enough of the materials needs to synthesize acetylcholine in the brain, you could theoretically hit an upper limit of the effectiveness of this supplement. This has been theorized to lead to Aniracetam headaches – a not-uncommon side effect that can occur with any racetam.
Many individuals have reported that taking Aniracetam on its own can result in a headache, brain fog, confusion, lack of focus and other unwanted symptoms.
Using a Choline supplement has been observed to alleviate these headaches, presumably by making sure that your body is able to keep up with the demand for acetylcholine. Note that this is based on anecdotal observations from user reviews and has not been established in a clinical trial.
Choline itself has a mild nootropic effect, purported to promote improved memory performance and comprehension. However, results vary significantly depending on the form of choline used.
There are a number of different options when looking for a choline source to stack with this Racetam nootropic agent. Below is a list of some of the supplements used to increase levels of acetylcholine:
- Choline Bitartrate
- Choline Citrate
- Choline Chloride
- CDP Choline (Citicoline)
- Alpha GPC (Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine)
- Phosphatidylcholine
- Phosphatidylserine
- PolyenylPhosphatidylCholine (PhosChol)
- Lecithin
- DMAE
- Centrophenoxine
Some choline supplements are more effective than others when used on their own or when stacked with Aniracetam, Piracetam, Pramiracetam, or Oxiracetam.
Choline Bitartrate, Choline Chloride and Choline Citrate are relatively cheap and found in many low-cost natural nootropic supplement formulations. However, they have low oral bioavailability and do not cross the blood-brain barrier in large amounts.
Phosphatidylcholine and soy lecithin are better options that provive choline in a phospholipid form and are better absorbed from the gut. These supplements also do not cause gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea, two side effects frequently reported with choline bitartrate pills.
The best options are to use an Aniracetam Alpha GPC stack, the Aniracetam Centrophenoxine stack, or the Aniracetam Citicoline stack.
This is believed to amplify the results you get from using this nootropic supplement while also preventing headaches for most individuals.
However, individual results may vary. Some people find that taking Aniracetam without choline produces better effects and can actually result in fewer side effects.
Alpha GPC
Alpga Glycerylphosphorylcholine is a phospholipid form of choline that demonstrates a number of nootropic effects on its own. As a supplement, it is made from soy lecithin and it also occurs naturally in the human brain and body.
Research shows that it has high oral bioavailability and does not cause some of the gastrointestinal side effects linked to the use of choline bitartrate supplements. It is well-absorbed from the gut and is able to rapidly cross the blood-brain barrier.
As a phospholipid, it is fat soluble and has a similar structural make-up to the cell membranes of our neurons. It can be incorporated into these membranes and is purported to promote brain cell health.
In studies on rats, oral ingestion of this supplement results in increase concentrations of choline in the brain shortly after intake. Studies with marker molecules show that it gets incorporated into phospholipids in the brain within 24 hours of ingestion.
Alpha GPC also boosts circulation to the brain and has been shown to increase oxygen and glucose uptake. It has also been demonstrated to increase human growth hormone levels following a workout.
In research studies, it has been found to improve symptoms of cognitive decline in the elderly as well as offering benefits as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It demonstrates synergistic effects when administered alongside acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which are part of the standard treatment protocol for senile dementia and other forms of memory loss.
It is the most potent for of choline to use in a nootropic stack. It requires the smallest effective dosage to increase acteylcholine levels and contains more choline by weight than the related compound Cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine. This means that you need a 46% lower dosage of Alpha GPC compared to CDP Choline
CDP Choline (Citicoline)
CDP Choline is a phospholipid that gets broken down into choline and cytidine in the human body. The cytidine is further converted into uridine, which is a nucleotide base involved in the synthesis of cell membranes.
Citicoline has been used to treat memory disorders and to increase attention and learning. In research studies, it has been shown to slow the rate of memory decline in elderly individuals due to Age-Related Cognitive Decline. Researchers have also found it to promote visual acuity.
CDP Choline is used to make phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the brain. It has been shown to increase acetylcholine levels and demonstrates neuroprotective effects.
Centrophenoxine
Stacking Aniracetam with Centrophenoxine (Lucidril, Meclofenoxate) is another popular option due to the neuroprotectant and antioxidant effects of this choline source.
Centrophenoxine is an enhanced form of DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) that demonstrates greater oral bioavailability and better penetrates the blood-brain barrier.
DMAE is a modified choline molecule that has one less methyl group in its chemical structure. In addition to increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain, it has also been shown to reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque which is implicated in cognitive decline as well as Alzheimer’s disease.
Centrophenoxine has been used clinically in the treatment of memory disorders and cerebral insufficiency. It is sold in Europe as a prescription drug to treat age-related memory loss. In the United States, it is sold as a dietary supplement and has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the treatment of any medical conditions.
Choline Bitartrate
If you find a supplement labelled simply as “choline”, chances are it contains choline bitartrate as the active ingredient. This is a form of choline combined with tartaric acid.
While use of this supplement can serve as a precursor to acetylcholine and increase levels of this neurotransmitter in synaptic vesciles, it requires a significantly larger dosage to achieve desired nootropic effects.
Choline bitartrate is poorly absorped from the gastrointestinal tract. In some individuals it has been reported to cause diarrhea, stomach upset and indigestion due to how it is processed by bacteria in the gut.
Once it is absorbed into the body, it needs to be bound to a phospholipid in order to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and be used to make acetylcholine or get incorporated into cell membranes.
Research suggests that it does not have significant nootropic effects when used on its own. While it may have benefits when used in conjunction with other substances, greater results can be achieved by using Alpha GPC, CDP Choline or Centrophenoxine in your Aniracetam stack instead.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Another nootropic supplement used to promote acetylcholine synthesis is Acetyl L-Carnitine (ALCAR).
This natural dietary supplement contains the amino acid L-Carnitine bound to an acetyl group. When it is metabolized in the body, the acetyl molecule separates from the Carnitine.
The acetyl group then binds to Coenzyme A to produce Acetyl-COA. Acetyl-COA is involved in a number of important biochemical reactions related to energy metabolism and the Krebs cycle.
This molecule is also used to synthesize acetylcholine. Acetyl combines together with choline in a reaction catalyzed by choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).
ChAT causes the acetyl group to be transferred from the Acetyl-Coenzyme A a choline molecule, forming acetylcholine. This reaction happens within your neurons in the nerve terminal.
In vitro studies show that ALCAR can be used to synthesize acetylcholine. This supplement has also been reported to produce nootropic effects of its own.
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Aniracetam Choline Dosage Ratio
Determining the appropriate dosage of choline to stack with Aniracetam usually requires some experimentation. Different people see different results with various dosage ratios.
A number of sources recommended that you use these nootropic supplements in a ratio of 4:1 Aniracetam to choline, based on the amount of free choline provided by the supplemental source.
This also has to be adjusted for oral bioavailability. Using choline bitartrate will require a higher dosage than Alpha GPC because a lower amount of the free choline provided will cross the blood-brain barrier
Typical dosages of Aniracetam are between 750 mg to 1500 mg per day. Some individuals take up to 2 or 3 grams per day, but it is recommended to start on the lower end of this dosage range and only titrate upwards if required to acheive desired effects.
Note that Aniracetam is fat-soluble, which means that absoprtion from the gut will be enhanced if you consume it with a fat source. Fish oil or olive oil are two sources that are commonly used with nootropic stacks.
Below are some stack ratios for choline supplements that have been used together with 750 mg of aniracetam:
- 500 mg Choline Bitartrate
- 300 mg CDP Choline (Citicoline)
- 200 mg Alpha GPC
- 400 mg Phosphatidylcholine
- 400 mg Phosphatidylserine
- 3 g Lecithin
- 400 mg DMAE
- 250 mg Centrophenoxine
You can also look at food sources of this dietary nutrient to increase your consumption. Some of the best food sources of acetylcholine precursors include:
Another option is to stack Aniracetam with cholinesterase inhibitors. These are supplements and drugs that prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft after it is released from your neurons. Examples of products that function as cholinesterase inhibitors include:
- Huperzine A (Huperzia Serrata)
- Galantamine (Galanthus nivalis, Nivalin, Razadyne, Razadyne ER, Reminyl, Lycoremine)
- Uncaria rhynchophylla (Rubiaceae)
- Physostigmine (Rivastigmine)
- Esenbeckia leiocarpa
- Zanthoxylum nitidum
- Nelumbo nucifera
There are a large number of plants that have been identified as containing alkaloids that can inhibit the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Research is on-going to determine their therapeutic potential.
Other options include supplements that also increase cholinergic activity without specifically affecting acetylcholine levels. A number of herbal nootropics exhibit cholinergic mechanisms including Bacopa Monnieri, Horny Goat Weed, Caffeine, Gotu Kola, Tulsi, Zinc and Blueberry extract.
In addition to choline, many nootropic users will add other smart drugs or cognitive enhancers to their stack. Combining Aniracetam with Piracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Noopept or other racetams is purported to have additional benefits for certain applications.
Other users report stacking this product with Modafinil (Provigil), Adrafini, Armodafinil (Nuvigil), Adderall, Sulbutiamine and a number of other agents designed to boost focus and energy levels.
Taking Aniracetam Without Choline
What happens if you use Aniracetam without a choline source? Different people experience different results.
Some individuals have reported that taking racetam nootropic drugs with choline leads to them experiencing brain fog, low motivation, fatigue or anxiety. Others say that using Aniracetam without choline causes these effects.
In some cases, users report that slight modifications in their dosage of choline or aniracetam can result in significant changes to the effects and side effects experienced. Taking different forms of choline, using foods that contain this nutrient or taking other supplements that affect acetylcholine activity can also produce different results.
Do you need to take Aniracetam powder with a form of choline supplement? Not necessarily. In none of the research studies conducted on humans or animals has aniracetam been used with choline. In the majority of these studies positive effects have been noted without risk of serious side effects.
The evidence for taking choline with Racetam nootropic agents is based on user experiences. A prepondorance of testimonials suggests benefits when stacking these nootropics as well as reduced side effects. However, there are always cases of people who achieve the benefits without using any form of choline supplementation or who experience a worsening of side effects when taken in combination with this nutrient.
There is no way to know how this nootropic will affect you and whether you need to take it with choline until you try it and experience the effects for yourself. It might be the case that you experience a bad headache right away when using it or you may not feel any side effects at all.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment