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What’s the difference between Aniracetam and Modafinil and which of these smart drugs is more effective?
Aniracetam (1-(p-anisoyl)-2-pyrrolidinone) is a nootropic agent that belongs to the racetam class of substances. It is a close relative of Piracetam (Nootropil), but has a broader range of activity in the Central Nervous System and is 3-5 times stronger.
Use of Aniracetam can improve memory, learning, mood, and neuronal health in patients with memory dysfunction. It works by modulating receptors for excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain and affects a process involved in memory storage known as Long-Term Potentiation.
Modafinil is a wakefulness-enhancing drug that was initially introduced to the US market as a treatment for narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder and excessive daytime fatigue.
It is a eugeroic stimulant that boosts vigilance and alertness, but has a lower risk of adverse effects compared to other CNS stimulants. Research shows that it can also promote positive mood, memory function and focus.
When comparing Aniracetam to Modafinil, there is no debating the fact that Modafinil is stronger and has significantly more clinical research available to support its use. However, because Modafinil requires a prescription in many countries, some users look to Aniracetam as a legal alternative.
Aniracetam does not produce the same sort of wakefulness-promoting effects as Modafinil, but can make some people feel more alert and focussed. It is also sometimes stacked with Modafinil to reduce the anxiety and agitation some people experience when taking this cognitive enhancer.
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Aniracetam Smart Drug Review
Related Topics
- 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 was the second nootropic drug ever identified, developed by Hoffman-La Roche in the 1970s as a stronger analogue of Piracetam.
This compound is fat-soluble while Piracetam is water-soluble. This is important because it means it is absorbed from the gut more quickly and completely.
Another key difference between Aniracetam and Piracetam is stimulation of AMPA receptors, which lead to the development of the ampakine class of drugs. This nootropic agent also increases dopamine and serotonin levels, resulting in a palpable mood enhancement effect.
There has been extensive animal research into the use of Aniracetam for boosting memory function. In these studies, it has been shown to improve learning and behavioral performance across a number of cognitive tests.
It can block the amnestic effects of several drugs and prevent or reduce the decline in memory caused by scopolamine, hypoxia, electroconvulsive shock and basal forebrain lesions in rats or mice.
Some studies have shown aniracetam to improve learning in healthy monkeys and to improve performance on passive avoidance and maze tests in healthy rats. It also improves results in animal models of depression and anxiety.
Other studies have found it to enhance attention, vigilance, regulation of behavior and motivation under conditions of age-related deficits or experimentally-induced deficits. One study found it to improve REM sleep in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP).
Aniracetam primarily works by modulating receptors for the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and glutamate. This results in greater activity of nicotinic cholinergic receptors as well as AMPA glutamatergic receptors.
It has been found to increase alpha and slow beta brain wave activity, while decreasing delta activity. These changes are correlated to increase alertness, faster reaction time and mood elevation.
Users who take Aniracetam typically report feeling more focused, clear-headed and engaged in their work. It causes almost euphoric sensations in some individuals and can promote confidence in social settings as well as reduced anxiousness and over-thinking.
While some users find it to be beneficial as a cognitive enhancer, it does not work reliably for everyone. Some people report feeling tired, unmotivated or unable to think clearly following use. Some describe side effects like agitation, anxiety and insomnia.
Its usefulness as a nootropic supplement seems to vary considerably from person to person. It is also affected by small changes in dosage, how it is used and whether or not choline is taken with it.
- Improves memory and learning
- Heightens focus and motivation
- Enhances mood and reduces anxiety & stress
Modafinil Smart Drug Review
Modafinil (Provigil, Alertec, Modalert) is one of the most widely used drugs for cognitive enhancement today. It has achieved mythical status in some circles, serving as the inspiration for the drug NZT-48 in the movie Limitless with Bradly Cooper.
Modafinil is prescribed to improve wakefulness in patients with narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome, Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) and other conditions that can result in excessive sleepiness.
It is a schedule IV controlled substance in the United States, meaning that it requires a prescription to purchase. However, it is commonly purchased online and shipped to the US from overseas pharmacies in countries where it is legal to buy over-the-counter.
Modafinil is reportedly used by many tech entrepreneurs based in Silicon Valley. It does show benefits for increasing resistance to fatigue, improving mood, boosting motivation, improving impulsivity, reaction times as well as alertness and awareness.
Users who take Modafinil say that it helps them to be more productive at work and school, increases their ability to concentrate intently for long periods and improves mental clarity. Studies have also found it to enhance mental acuity and reduce errors in both healthy and sleep-deprived adults.
Despite its energy-boosting properties, it is not a typical central nervous system stimulant. It does not cause systemic activation of adrenergic receptors, unlike Ephedrine or Amphetamines.
It does boost dopaminergic activity and stimulate norepinephrine (noradrenaline) receptors in the brain. It also affects histamine, which is a neurotransmitter involved in wakefulness as well as the immune response.
Think of anti-histamine drugs which are used to reduce allergy symptoms. These drugs commonly cause users to feel drowsy and are used to treat insomnia. Modafinil has a pro-histamine effect, increasing levels of this brain chemical in the hypothalamus.
The result is that it can stave off sleepiness, enhance focus and promote better mental performance. As a general cognitive enhancer, it has also been shown to promote executive function, memory consolidation, creativity, learning, planning behavior and decision making.
This prescription smart drug works for the majority of people who take it, but does not work for everyone. It is relatively well tolerated in clinical trials and has a low rate of side effects. However, some people may be more susceptible to misusing this drug or forming a tolerance to its effects.
Aniracetam vs. Modafinil Effects
A number of the effects reported by aniracetam and modafinil users are similar. The main difference is in the magnitude of the effect.
Aniracetam and Modafinil have both been reported to promote the following:
- Memory and learning
- Positive mood
- Focus and resistance to distractions
- Motivation
- Vigilance and alertness
- Behavior control
While Aniracetam is described as having a modest effect on energy, attention and concentration, Modafinil produces a significant effect in these areas. Users describe it as helping them to become zoned in on the task at hand and promoting greater mental fluidity and ease on complex tasks.
Aniracetam has been more extensively researched for its effects on memory function in conditions including Senile Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cerebral Infarction and Cerebrovascular disease.
Modafinil has been better studied for its effects on general cognition and working memory, but is not as well researched for long-term memory or synaptic plasticity.
Both have been used clinically for their effects on mood disorders, but modafinil has more research behind this use.
Across the board, Modafinil is more widely studied and is used clinically in a greater number of applications. It is much stronger as a smart drug compared to Aniracetam, though it does not affect brain function related to long-term memory in the same way as this racetam.
If given the choice between Modafinil and Aniracetam, the majority of those who take nootropics would likely choose Modafinil. The main reason why some people seek out Aniracetam instead is due to the lack of availability of Modafinil without a prescription in most countries.
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Aniracetam Modafinil Stacks
Some nootropic users report stacking Aniracetam with Modafinil to enhance its effects. Note that this combination has not been studied in any clinical trials and the only information available on its use comes from anecdotal user reviews.
User reviews suggest that Aniracetam may have synergistic benefits for brain function when used together with this eugeroic agent.
The combination is purported to enhance memory and ability to recall information, promote emotional positivity and avoid some of the side effects seen with individual use of these compounds.
Aniracetam is typically used in a dosage of 750 mg to 1500 mg per day. It is a fat-soluble racetam and should be consumed with fish oil or another source of healthy fats.
Modafinil is typically prescribed in dosages of between 100 – 400 mg per day, taken once a day in the morning. It may be used twice a day for the treatment of narcolepsy. It is taken at the start of the shift for people with SWSD.
When taking these nootropic agents, lower dosages may be sufficient to achieve beneficial results. A source of choline should also be added to the stack to prevent headaches from forming with Aniracetam use.
It is recommended to use this stack on alternating days or only taking it occasionally. One user reports taking this stack in a 2 to 3 day cycle to allow his circadian rhythm to readjust.
Below is a selection of user reviews posted on Longecity and ModUp from individuals who have taken both of these together. User testimonials may be subject to the placebo effect. Your results may be different.
Side Effects & Safety
When used appropriately, Aniracetam is safe and generally does not produce side effects. The most common adverse effects reported include dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, brain fog, sleepiness, irritation, anxiousness, jaw tension, muscle pain and diarrhea.
Some users experience headaches, which is attributed to depletion of a acetylcholine stores inside neuronal vesicles. It is suggested that taking Aniracetam with a choline source like Alpha GPC, Citicoline, Centrophenoxine or Phosphatidylcholine can eliminate this adverse effect.
Common adverse effects of Modafinil include headache, nausea, diarrhea, nervousness, anxiety, rhinitis (runny nose), insomnia, dizziness and dyspepsia. This drug may interact with several medications and should only be used under doctor supervision.
More serious side effects have been observed, but are rare. In some cases, it has been reported to cause chest pain, heart palpitations, dyspnea, altered judgement, changes in motor function, allergic reaction, skin rash, dysphagia, and bronchospasm.
It is unclear what the long-term effects of using Modafinil are. When used for short periods of time as directed by a physician, it is generally safe and well tolerated.
Before taking either of these nootropics or considering an Aniracetam Modafinil stack, it is recommended to seek out advice from a doctor or physician who knows your medical history.
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Article last updated on: July 17th, 2018 by Nootriment