If you have never taken Aniracetam or other nootropics before, you may be wondering exactly what you are in for when using this supplement.
The primary reason people take Nootropic supplements is for cognitive enhancement, but how specifically does this substance affect your brain function, mood and memory?
Research has given us a good idea of the basic mechanism of action, but there has been limited clinical data on the use of this nootropic drug for enhancing mental performance in healthy adults. Most of the evidence for its effects comes from anecdotal Aniracetam reviews posted by users on online.
User reviews describe benefits for focus, social anxiety, memory, attention, awareness and positive mood. Testimonials and experience logs also describe side effects including headaches, disruptions to sleep patterns and idiosyncratic episodes of irritability, agitation, brain fog and low motivation.
In this review, we will address some of the basic questions and concerns of how Aniracetam works, how it compares to other Racetams, and some of the potential side effects.
You will also find below a compilation of user experience logs and reports posted online by individuals who have taken this nootropic drug. Buy Aniracetam online at this link.



- Heightens focus & motivation
- Supports memory formation & recall
- Shown to enhance mood & reduce anxiety
Review of Cognitive Effects
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
Research in individuals with cognitive dysfunction demonstrates that Aniracetam has positive nootropic effects on learning and memory.
Users report being able to remember facts and figures more easily along with an increased speed of recall.
These improvements can be subtle (remembering dreams or more details of conversations) or more pronounced (knowing every date from the history book you just read).
Another area of reported benefits relates to attention and focus. User experience logs indicates that Aniracetam increases attention span and can make it easier to concentrate on the task at hand without getting distracted.
Users cite improved productivity and some describe an increase in motivation. Others have experienced increased mental energy, awareness and wakefulness. It has a stimulating effect in some users, though others say it makes them calmer.
Some describe more vivid sensory perceptions, particularly relating to color sensation and auditory perception. Some describe listening to music as being more pleasurable and all-encompassing.
Another common experience in Aniracetam testimonials is more vivid dreams and increased lucidity. Some individuals take this nootropic to induce a lucid dreaming state. Others say that it can worsen their sleep quality and lead to insomnia if taken late in the day.
A number of Aniracetam reveiws describe positive effects on anxiety, emotional well-being, social behavior, reduced inhibitions and overall mood. Some describe this as a “euphoric high” while others state that it makes them feel better in a subtle way.
User reviews also include discussions of side effects. Some of the most common adverse effects include increased anxiety in some people, irritability, muscle tension, intense headaches, fatigue, decreased mental clarity or a lack of motivation.
Both positive and negative reports are reflective of individual experiences and may not reflect the results you will achieve when taking this nootropic agent. Your results may vary.
Note that some of the experiences posted below are based on use of Aniracetam in a stack with other nootropics or related substances. In cases of concomitant use, it is not possible to know whether the benefits or side effects reported are due to use of Aniracetam, use of the other substances or their combined use.
In the section below, you will find a summary of user experiences based on Aniracetam reviews posted on Reddit, Longecity and other nootropic review sites. These have been organized into the following categories:
- General
- Memory & Focus
- Mood
- Perceptions
- Sleep
- Side Effects
Have you used Aniracetam capsules or powder? Please add your comments and share your review in the comment section below.
General Aniracetam Reviews
Memory & Studying Reviews

- Improves memory and learning
- Heightens focus and motivation
- Enhances mood and reduces anxiety & stress
Focus & Motivation Reviews
Mood & Anxiety Reviews
The one troublesome thing about it was that I acted a bit like an asshole, for lack of better words. I had no trouble confidently teasing and playfully insulting people, and since there was no self-doubt, there didn’t seem to be a way to gouge whether I went to far or not either. I got away with everything I said though, again probably because the lack of self-doubt and the playful vibe.” – Deames [2]
However, many say the “real” anxiolytic effects of Aniracetam are way more prevalent in doses nearing 1.5g (I have not tried this). I, personally, did not notice any ill side effects. Just the usual nootropic-induced minor headache, which doesn’t bother me much…
One thing I’ll have to admit though, Aniracetam kind of dumbs you down compared to other nootropics… While it does mitigate anxiety, it made me stare off into space a bit, which is unusual for me. I would definitely recommend mixing Aniracetam with a focus-based nootropic to prevent being dumbed down. Since Aniracetam lacks stimulant properties and has a short duration, it did not interfere with sleep.” – Selasce [2]
Alertness & Perception
Sleep & Dreaming Reviews
Side Effect Reviews
However, a few weeks ago I took ~400mg. I’d been taking similar doses once every other day throughout the week, with no other drugs in my system apart from caffeine / nicotine. Same as always. But this time, a few hours later once the intended effects had subsided I began to develop a headache and a terrible brain fog. It felt as if I had dementia or an extreme lack of sleep (though I was sleeping normally). My memory was gone. I couldn’t focus on anything, I was in a zombified state of staring at a wall wondering what the hell I’d done to myself. I had a crushing headache – like my head was being crushed in a vice, or my brain was full of concrete. I felt dizzy to the point of nausea when lying down. This worsened over the following days. I became anxious and depressed. I couldn’t find the words to string together a sentence. My speech was slurred. Basically, the opposite of the effects that racetams should cause. I assumed I was suffering some sort of rebound effect, although I’d never encountered it before. I’ve read plenty of info from various websites/forums/research and never seen anything like this.” – AniracetamNightmare [9]
Off-Label & Medical Uses
Aniracetam was developed in the 1970’s by researchers at Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. as a follow-up drug that could replicate some of the effects of Piracetam at a lower dosage.
The primary benefits of aniracetam vs. piracetam include increased potency, higher bioavailability because it is fat soluble, anxiolytic effects and ability to stimulate AMPA glutamate receptors. However, it also has a short half-life and has less research in humans available to review.
Aniracetam powder was initially discovered to have benefits on long-term memory, mental processing, mood as well as exhibiting a neuroprotectant effect.
In one study published in 1983, it was shown to promote a “revitalizing” effect on geriatric patients living in a nursery home.
In some European countries, it is prescribed by doctors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Age-Related Cognitive Decline, Senile Dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment.
Human studies have shown that it can improve memory and performance on intellectual tests. In one study, it outperformed cholinesterase inhibitors for improving symptoms of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s patients.
It has also been used in limited cases in the treatment of motion sickness, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, epilepsy, ADHD and behavioral disorders.
Why Aniracetam Works:
As with most Nootropics, the method of action for Aniracetam is not entirely understood. However, this nootropic supplement and its metabolites are believed to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach neurotransmitter receptor sites within the brain.
It has been shown to positively modulate certain types of receptors that exist on the synapses of our neurons. One of these is nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which play a role in a number of cognitive functions like memory, learning, and attention.
Aniracetam is believed to bind to these receptors and inhibit their desensitization, resulting in signal amplification. It has been shown to increase cholinergic neurotransmission, which is an important target for drugs used to treat age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This smart durg also stimulates AMPA glutamate receptors, which are involved in Long-Term Potentiation. As a simple explanation, this is the intercellular process that allows us to store long-term memory.
Dopamine and Serotonin are two additional neurotransmitters believed to be influenced by Aniracetam. It is thought to indirectly stimulate the release of these mood-regulating chemicals, resulting in the observed anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.

- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
- Boost energy, alertnes & memory
- Contains 12 safe and natural nootropic ingredients
Comparison to Other Racetams:
Aniracetam is a more potent version of Piracetam (Nootropil), the original Racetam nootropic agent.
Some of the ways in which these two nootropics work are similar, but their effects on cognitive function are slightly different. Aniracetam also affects some different neurotransmitters compared to its parent compound.
In comparative studies of Aniracetam and Piracetam, a 1500 mg dosage of the former has out-performed a 2400 mg dosage of the latter on certain metrics.
When compared to other Racetams, Aniracetam is considered to be the most effective for enhancing mood and helping to reduce stress and social anxiety. However, it is not considered to be as powerful as Oxiracetam or Pramiracetam for increasing focus and attention span.
You can learn more about these other products by reading our Oxiracetam review or our Pramiracetam review here.
Beginners often start with Piracetam or Aniracetam and then consider stacking it with other Raceams including Phenylpiracetam, Noopept, Modafinil, Phenibut or Sulbutiamine.
Some users will stack Aniracetam with Piracetam to increase the purported benefits. These nootropics are believed to be synergistic, meaning that their combined effects are greater than their individual effects.
Safety Record
In research studies, it is often repeated that Aniracetam is safe, posesses a low risk of adverse effects or drug interactions and does not exhibit liver toxicity.
Despite this supplement being described as well-tolerated in research studies, there are potential side effects that can occur. While there will be no negative side effects for the majority of users, the most common symptom among people with a higher sensitive level to Aniracetam is headaches.
Based on data from user reviews, this can be remedied by adding a Choline supplement to your stack. Choline is the precursor to acetylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter primarily affected by this smart drug.
It has been suggested that the reason Aniracetam dosages cause headaches in some individuals is due to insufficient availability of this neurochemical at acetylcholine receptors, resulting in a “burn-out” type effect.
While this has not been established in any research studies, there are a number of user testimonials providing evidence that use of a choline source can alleviate headaches and other negative symptoms.
There are many different types of choline supplements available on the market, including Alpha GPC, CDP Choline, Phosphatidylcholine, Lecithin, Centrophenoxine and DMAE. You can also increase your dietary consumption of this nutrient by eating more eggs and fish.
Other side effects are usually the result of taking excessively large Aniracetam dosages. These include insomnia, anxiety, vertigo, nausea, and diarrhea. If any of these occur, reduce your dose or discontinue using this compound for a few days to a week.
Aniracetam is legal to buy in many countries around the world such as the USA, Canada, Mexico and some parts of Europe. In countries like the UK and Australia, it cannot be sold without a prescription.
You can buy Aniracetam online in the form of capsules, tablets, bulk powder, granules or as a pre-formulated liquid drink. The powder is the most cost-effective form to purchase, but capsules are more convenient to take and help users avoid the bitter taste of the powder.
- Let's Talk Aniracetam. Reddit.
- Aniracetam Review. Reddit.
- First Week on Aniracetam - A Changed Man. Reddit.
- Anyone Still Taking Aniracetam. Reddit.
- Aniracetam. Reddit.
- Aniracetam Holy Sh*t. Reddit.
- Aniracetam. Reddit.
- Long Termish Aniracetam Users. Reddit.
- Extreme Brain Fog from Aniracetam. Reddit.
- Aniracetam My Personal Impression. Reddit.
- Nishizaki T, Matsumura T. The aniracetam metabolite 2-pyrrolidinone induces a long-term enhancement in AMPA receptor responses via a CaMKII pathway. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2002
- Bartolini L, Casamenti F, Pepeu G. Aniracetam restores object recognition impaired by age, scopolamine, and nucleus basalis lesions. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1996
- Koike H, Saito H, Matsuki N. Inhibitory effect of aniracetam on N-type calcium current in acutely isolated rat neuronal cells. Jpn J Pharmacol. 1993
- Zhang J, Liang J, Tian Y, Zhang Z, Chen Y. Sensitive and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of aniracetam in human plasma. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2007
- Togashi H, Nakamura K, Matsumoto M, Ueno K, Ohashi S, Saito H, Yoshioka M. Aniracetam enhances glutamatergic transmission in the prefrontal cortex of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Neurosci Lett. 2002
- Pittaluga A, Bonfanti A, Arvigo D, Raiteri M. Aniracetam, 1-BCP and cyclothiazide differentially modulate the function of NMDA and AMPA receptors mediating enhancement of noradrenaline release in rat hippocampal slices. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 1999
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
4 Comments
CAN YOU TAKE THIS SUPPLEMENT IF YOU ARE TAKING ANTI DEPRESSION MEDICATION, AND ANTI ANXIETY MEDICATION? I TAKE BOTH ON A LOW TO MID RANGE DOSE DAILY. PLEASE REPLY
Hey Charles,
Thanks for your question. Since you’re currently being treated for a medical condition, it’s important to consult with a physician before using any other supplements or drugs.
Thanks for putting all these together… any review of aniracetam for preworkout?
Hey Clark,
Thanks for your comment! There are a number of people who take racetam nootropics as a pre-workout energy booster. Some report benefits for muscle stamina and for weight lifting (supposedly related to the increase in acetylcholine which plays a role at the neuromuscular junction and is involved in muscle contractions).
Generally, Phenylpiracetam is considered to be better as a pre-workout nootropic because it has more stimulant-like effects.