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Carphedon is a nootropic smart drug used to enhance memory, stamina, focus and motivation.
It is better known by the brand name Phenotopil or as Phenylpiracetam or Fonturacetam (INN).
Carphedon is one of the strongest nootropics from the Racetam family of compounds. It is said to be 60x stronger than Piracetam and to promote greater stimulatory effects.
In Russia, it has been prescribed for the treatment of brain encephalopathy, memory loss, stroke and related mood disorders including anxiety, depression and fatigue.
What are some of the benefits of Carphedon and how does it work? This article will review research into the effects of this nootropic drug as well as its medical and off-label uses, dosages and side effects.
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Focus- Shown to support memory & learning
- Improves attention & alertness
- Boosts productivity & mental focus
What Is Carphedon (Phenylpiracetam)?
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Carphedon (Phenotropil) is a Russian brand name for Phenylpiracetam, a phenyl derivative of Piracetam (Nootropil).
The active ingredient in Carphedon has been phenylated, which means that it has a phenyl group attached in its chemical structure.
This modification makes it significantly stronger than the original Nootropic drug Piracetam. It has been cited as up to 60 times stronger in published studies.
The cognitive effects of Carphedon are largely similar to those seen when taking Piracetam – improved learning, memory, focus and mood. It also exhibits stimulant-like effects and has been shown to increase physical endurance, cold resistance and wakefulness.
After demonstrating positive effects on athletic performance, it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned substances list. Several athletes were eliminated from competition by the IOC after taking this nootropic agent to improve their performance at the Olympics.
Based on user review, Carphedon is effective at increasing energy levels and boosting motivation which is why it is often used as a study drug. It was initially developed in Russia to help promote wakefulness in their cosmonauts (astronauts) on long space missions.
Other anecdotally reported benefits can include creativity, better problem solving and reasoning, heightened perceptual awareness, faster reflexes and improved mood.
In animal research studies, it has been found to improve operant conditioning, which is a learning process in which behaviors are trained by providing a reward or punishment on a given task.
It has also been shown to counteract the psychodepressant effects of diazepam, to exert anti-amnesiac effects, and to affect the post-rotary nystagmus (PRN) reaction.
Clinically, it has been used in Russia for the treatment of a number of different neurological disorders, cognitive decline, stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury and in the treatment of certain mood disorders.
User reviews describe taking Phenylpiracetam as an Adderall alternative and using it off-label for ADD or ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
Carphedon Effects
According to the manufacturers, Phenylpiracetam is better absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract compared to Piracetam. It is lipophilic (fat-soluble), which also makes it better able to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert nootropic effects.
Research also shows that the R-isomer of the drug may be more effective than the racemic mixture (which contains both the R-isomer and the S-isomer). It is the racemic mixture that is typically sold commercially.
Like the other Racetams, Carphedon increases activation of acetylcholine receptors and certain sub-types of glutamate receptors in the brain. These neurotransmitters are involved in your brain’s ability form new memories, process information and perform computations.
Both systems play a role in the concept of synaptic plasticity, which describes your ability to make new connections between neurons. Glutamate receptors are specifically involved in the process of Long-Term Potentiation, which is believed to be involved in the storage of long-term memories.
Carphedon also influences the hippocampus, which is the area of the brain that controls learning, memory consolidation, long-term memory recall and behavioral inhibition. In animal studies, it has been shown to increase the density of hippocampal NMDA receptors.
It has also been shown to restore memory performance in rats on a passive avoidance test under the effects of scopolamine, which is a drug used in experiments to induce short-term memory loss.
Research also demonstrates effects on dopamine re-uptake inhibition as well as noradrenaline reuptake inhibition. In research on Sprague-Dawley rats for examining its potential to treat sleep disorders, it was shown to increase extracellular dopamine concentration.
This may play a role in the heightened wakefulness, concentration, and mental drive that users report with this nootropic drug.
- Shown to support memory & learning
- Improves attention & alertness
- Boosts productivity & mental focus
Uses and Benefits
Carphedon was initially developed in 1983 at the Institute of Biomedical Problems at the Russian Academy of Sciences under the direction of psychopharmacologist Valentina Ivanovna Akhapkina.
Reports suggest that it was originally investigated for its use in Russian cosmonauts to improve their mental performance, mood and energy levels on extended space missions. Cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov stated that this drug was issue to him on his 197-day mission on the Mir space station.
He described Carphedon as “[acting] as the equalizer of the whole organism, [calms it], completely excluding impulsiveness and irritability inevitable in the stressful conditions of space flight.”
Carphedon is currently prescribed in Russia as a stimulant medication to improve tolerance to cold temperatures, stress or depression. It has also been used to treat Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease encephalopathy (describing different types of brain injuries or diseases), glioma and cerebrovascular disorders.
Is is reported to improve blood flow within the brain, especially following cerebral ischemia (stroke), improve resistance of brain cells to hypoxia (insufficient oxygen), increase the pain sensitivity threshold and exhibit anticonvulsant mechanisms.
It has been used to improve depression and anxiety disorders, improve mental activity and concentration and to improve sleep quality.
Carphedon has also been promoted for its ergogenic effects, helping athletes to improve their endurance and ability to work out at higher intensities.
Phenylpiracetam is believed to improve signalling at the neuromuscular connection, resulting in better locomotor coordination. Some bodybuilders and athletes use this compound as a pre-workout supplement, claiming that it helps improve physical stamina for weight-lifting as well as enhancing reflexes.
The first use of this drug was to increase the body’s threshold to cold and pain. It may reduce your sensitivity to pain caused from physical exertion by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain.
For most people, Carphedon begins to work within 30 minutes of taking it and it reaches maximum concentration in the brain after one hour. The biological half-life of Carphedon is longer than other racetams, ranging from three to five hours.
Dosage and How to Take
The recommended dosage of Carphedon when used as a nootropic supplement is 100 mg to 300 mg per day. It is fat soluble (lipophilic) and should be taken with a meal or a fat source to enhance absorption.
In research studies, dosages of between 200 mg to 600 mg per day have been used. This is administered either as two 100 mg doses daily or three 200 mg doses per day. Higher dosages should be reserved for medical use and should only be taken under the guidance of a physician.
Dosages have been continued for up to one month at a time. However, some users anecdotally report that the body quickly develops a tolerance to this nootropic agent. It may be recommended to cycle your dosages or only use it occasionally to prevent a tolerance from forming.
In one study, a 400 mg dosage was taking daily for a full year. The trial found improvements in physical and cognitive function throughout the year in patients who had suffered a previous stroke.
If you are taking generic Phenylpiracetam in powder form, it is important that you precisely measure the dosage using a scale. It is one of the strongest racetam nootropics available and you only need a small dosage to experience positive effects.
Some sources suggest that you start taking Phenylpiracetam at half the recommended dose to determine your individual tolerance. While there have not been any cases reported of serious problems caused from overdose, it is recommended to be cautious.
Carphedon can promote stimulation of the Central Nervous System. While it has been studied for its effects on sleep disorders, it does that the potential to cause insomnia if taken at night. Users recommend taking your last dosage in the early afternoon to ensure adequate time to clear it from your body before falling asleep at night.
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Negative Side Effects
Side effects are possible with any drug or supplement. In research studies, this nootropic agent has been well-tolerated with no reports of serious adverse effects.
In one study involving 20 patients taking 100 mg of Phenotropil per day for 30 days, 2 patients reported side effects. These included sleep disturbances, excitation and anxiety. Side effects abated within 3-5 days of starting to use this drug.
In another study involving 30 patients taking 100 mg per day, no adverse effects were reported. A third study involving 26 patients who took 100 mg per day for 30 days also reported no side effects.
According to user reviews, some mild side effects can occur which is why you should be vigilant in observing changes to your physiology after taking Carphedon.
The most common side effects include headaches, indigestion, nervousness, insomnia, restlessness and in some cases the feeling of over-stimulation followed by “brain fog”.
If you experience headaches or changes in mood, taking Carphedon with a choline source like Alpha GPC or Citicoline may help. Racetam nootropics are believed to deplete acetylcholine stores in the brain.
Anecdotally, use of choline supplements to increase acetylcholine synthesis are reported to mitigate adverse effects linked to acetylcholine depletion. While this has not been studied in any research trials, there are many user reviews that suggest that use of Alpha GPC or Citicoline can prevent headaches following a dosage of racetams.
It is also recommended that you do not take this nootropic later in the day due to the associated increase in energy level. In research studies, it is typically administered in the morning to minimize the risk of insomnia, poor sleep quality or increased sleep latency.
Research studies note the potential for anorexic (appetite suppressant) effects with long-term use. It may cause unwanted weight loss in some individuals. Do not take this nootropic drug if you are underweight and need to gain weight for health reasons.
Another concern is the development of tolerance with continuous use. Some reviews report that after several weeks or months of daily doses, there is a decline in the effects of this drug. As a result, you may want to cycle your Carphedon doses or use it only on an occasional basis when needed
Note that if you are a professional athlete that competes at the Olympics or other sports regulated under the WADA Anti-Doping code, use of this drug could get you banned in your sport.
Where to Buy Online
Carphedon has not been evaluated by the FDA or the MHRA. It has not been approved in the United States for the treatment of any medical conditions. Consult with your doctor before taking this drug to determine whether it is appropriate for you.
Carphedon is the trade name for a prescription medication sold in Russia that contains Phenylpiracetam. At present, Carphedon is only available in certain European countries, but you may be able to buy generic Phenylpiracetam online.
At present, 10 grams of bulk Phenylpiracetam can be purchased for approximately $70 while the same quantity of Carphedon tablets are available for sale at a price of $230 online.
It is recommended to purchase nootropic from a retailer that provides quality assurances and preferably one located in the same country to avoid problems with customs.
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- Bobkov IuG, Morozov IS, Glozman OM, Nerobkova LN, Zhmurenko LA. [Pharmacological characteristics of a new phenyl analog of piracetam--4-phenylpiracetam]. Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1983
- Gustov AA, Smirnov AA, Korshunova IuA, Andrianova EV. [Phenotropil in the treatment of vascular encephalopathy]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2006
- Akhapkina VI, Akhapkin RV. [Identification and evaluation of the neuroleptic activity of phenotropil]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2013
- Vasil'eva EV, Salimov RM, Kovalev GI. [Effects of nootropic drugs on behavior of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice in the exploratory cross-maze test]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2012
- Tiurenkov IN, Bagmetov MN, Epishina VV. [Comparative evaluation of the neuroprotective activity of phenotropil and piracetam in laboratory animals with experimental cerebral ischemia]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2007
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment