Aniracetam is a fat-soluble nootropic drug that is described as working more rapidly than Piracetam, the original racetam compound.
Because it is fat-soluble or lipophilic, it gets absorbed in the intestinal tract at a faster rate. This means that the effects kick in faster following oral ingestion.
Aniracetam is also more rapidly metabolized (broken down) and eliminated from the body. Some users report that it has the shortest duration of effects compared to other racetam nootropic agents.
Not everyone feels the effects of using Aniracetam right away. The manufacturer guidelines for this medication indicate that therapeutic effects can take 60 days to be observed with clinical use.
While some research suggests it can become more effective with prolonged use, some users report developing a tolerance to this smart drug after long-term use. If you feel that Aniracetam is not working for you, do not increase the dosage beyond 3 grams per day as this could increase the prevalence of side effects. Buy Aniracetam online at this link.



- Heightens focus & motivation
- Supports memory formation & recall
- Shown to enhance mood & reduce anxiety
How Long Does It Take Aniracetam to Work?
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
In Aniracetam reviews posted by users on the internet, some experience the onset of nootropic effects within 30 minutes after administration.
Pharmacokinetic research on this nootropic shows that it is very quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and transported throughout the body.
According to one study, administering an aqueous solution of Aniracetam resulted in peak blood concentration levels occurring 5 minutes after ingestion. [6]
This means that within 5 minutes of taking the oral dosage of this nootropic, it had been absorbed into the body and reached its maximum levels in the blood.
Higher dosages result in increased blood concentrations. When giving dosages between 1 to 4 grams of a finely milled Aniracetam powder suspended in 100 mL of orange juice, there was a greater increase in the peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) at the higher end of the dosing range. [6]
This nootropic also has a very high volume of distribution of 2.5 L/kg, which means that it is widely circulated through the body. [6] Both Aniracetam and its metabolites are capable of crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier and affecting neurotransmitter activity.
While the mechanism of action for Aniracetam might kick in shortly after taking it, some of the therapeutic effects can take longer to manifest in patients.
Just because Aniracetam starts affecting neuronal transmission in your brain shortly after taking it does not necessarily mean that you will experience the effects right away. Some people claim to feel the effects after taking an initial dosage while others say they need to use it on several occasions to feel it working.
According to the manufacturer’s insert for the pharmaceutical drug Draganon which contains Aniracetam as the active ingredient, it can take two months for the effects of Aniracetam to be observed in patients with cognitive disorders.
They state that, “The therapeutic effect of Aniracetam is seen after about 60 days and may be more pronounced after 4 months of treatment.”
Duration of Effects
How long do the effects of Aniracetam last? The plasma elimination half-life is only 30 minutes, which suggests that it is rapidly metabolized and cleared by the body. [6]
Plasma elimination half-life is a measure of how long it takes for 50% of the dosage to be eliminated or cleared from the blood. This means that after approximately 30 minutes, only half of the dosage of Aniracetam will remain in the body in its original form.
Note that this is different from the biological half-life which is a measure of how long it takes for a substance to lose half of its pharmacological activity. This is sometimes referred to as the terminal half-life of a substance.
The biological half-life of this nootropic drug has been cited as 1 to 2.5 hours in humans. This means that 1-2.5 hours after you take it, Aniracetam will have lost half of its efficacy.
What explains this difference and how can it be efficacious for a longer period of time than it takes to be eliminated from the body?
This happens because Aniracetam is completely metabolized (or converted) in the body into other substances. It is these metabolites that are believed to be responsible for many of the effects of this nootropic agent.
Aniracetam has a systemic bioavailability of only 0.2%. This means that only 0.2% of the dosage you take will reach the therapeutic target (neurons in your brain) in its original form.
However, its metabolites can cross the blood-brain barrier and bind directly to neural receptors in the brain. The main metabolites are N-anisoyl-?-aminobutyric acid (N-anisoyl-GABA), 2-pyrrolidinone, succinimide and p-anisic acid.
In research studies, the direct administration of these metabolites to rats as mimicked many of the effects of this compound on cognitive function and mood balance. These metabolites last in the body for a longer period of time and do not get eliminated at the same rate as aniracetam.
As a result, the effects attributed to Aniracetam last significantly longer than the amount of time that it remains intact and detectable in your system.
Because of its short half-life, most nootropic users will take this smart drug in multiple dosages per day. It is common to repeat your dosages 2 – 4 times daily to extend the duration of the effects.

- Improves memory and learning
- Heightens focus and motivation
- Enhances mood and reduces anxiety & stress
Long-Term Use
Are there additive benefits to taking Aniracetam for long periods of time? Is there a potential for greater positive effects if you use it regularly?
Such may be the case for individuals diagnosed with degenerative brain disorders, Cerebrovascular Disorder or Age-Related Cognitive Decline.
In one study, Aniracetam was compared to use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) in patients diagnosed with cognitive impairment. [5]
276 patients were treated for 12 months with either a placebo, ChEIs, aniracetam, or a combination of aniracetam and ChEIs. Participants were given neuropsychological tests at the start of the trial and after 3, 6 and 12 months.
Those taking Aniracetam had significantly better cognitive performance, functionality and mood at tests given at either the 6 or 12-month mark. In comparison, those on ChEIs exhibited signs of significant cognitive deterioration after 12 months.
In another placebo controlled multicentre study, Aniracetam was used as a treatment for senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (SDAT). Patients were treated for 6 months with this nootropic agent or with a placebo. [8]
Both groups had comparable mental and behavioural function at the baseline. They were evaluated on behavioural and psychometric parameters every other month for the duration of the trial.
At the end of the study, they showed a statistically significant improvement compared to the baseline psychobehavioural measures. In comparison, those given the placebo experienced a deterioration in function. [8]
In patients with mild forms of cognitive impairment, long-term use of Aniracetam may help to preserve some elements of brain function while also promoting a positive emotional state.
These results suggest it can prevent degeneration that occurs in patients taking a placebo. This could theoretically have long-term additive benefits on brain health and mental performance.
More research is needed to understand whether Aniracetam works as a cognitive enhancer if taken for longer durations of time. Research studies have not looked at use greater than 12 months at this time.
What to Do if Aniracetam is Not Working?
Aniracetam does not appear to work for all people who take it. While some individuals are strong responders to this nootropic agent, others say it does not affect them at all and can cause a decrease in mental clarity or worsening of their mood.
Note that the prescribing guidelines suggests that it can take 60 days for benefits to develop. If you have only been using racetams for less than two weeks, you may not feel any effects from use.
It is unclear why people respond differently to the effects. If you have been taking this nootropic for more than two months and do not experience any changes, it may be time to stop taking it and consider other options.
You may also want to consider stacking it with other nootropics. Use of a choline supplement like Alpha GPC or CDP Choline is purported to enhance the effects on cholinergic neurotransmission.
Other nootropics like Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Noopept and Phenylpiracetam produce more profound effects for some users and may be taken instead.
Because this compound is fat-soluble, it is recommended to take it with a fat source like olive oil, fish oil or after a meal to enhance its absorption from the digestive system.
There is an ongoing debate about whether racetam nootropics like Aniracetam can promote cognitive function in healthy adults who are not suffering from any form of brain trauma or memory loss.
In research studies, almost all of the results obtained have come from individuals or animal subjects with some form of cognitive impairment or under the effects of a drug that diminishes brain function.
There is limited research data into the mechanism of this nootropic in healthy individuals. While benefits have been observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Senile Dementia, this does not necessarily mean that normal adults will see their memory performance improve when taking Aniracetam.
More research is needed to understand how it affects subjects who have not been diagnosed with Age-Related Cognitive Decline or other medical conditions.
One research study found that Aniracetam does not affect cognitive function or behavior in healthy adult C57BL/6J mice. [2] With both positive and negative results, we cannot directly draw conclusions from mouse studies on the effects in humans.
In particular, the metabolite profile of this smart drug is very different in humans compared to mice. Since the metabolites are believed to be responsible for much of the purported benefits, this is likely to affect the results.
More human research is needed to understand how Aniracetam powder or capsules influence memory, attention, focus, mood and learning in healthy adults. Until that research is conducted, we only have anecdotal evidence from user reviews available to consider.

- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
- Boost energy, alertnes & memory
- Contains 12 safe and natural nootropic ingredients
Why Does it Stop Working With Use?
Some users report that the effects of Aniracetam become less noticeable if you continue to use it. This is different from findings in research studies wherein the benefits of the nootropic agent become more pronounced with long-term use.
In particular, its effects on mood, anxiety and depression may be decreased with continuous use. This is anecdotally attributed to a form of tolerance developing at the dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain.
One user reported that taking it for two weeks resulted in it not working anymore and causing worsening depression:
That being said when I’ve tried taking it for ~two weeks it lost its efficacy and seemed to be making me depressed.” – jimmythegreek1 [4]
Not all users are affected by tolerance. Below is a review from one user who states he has not seen the effects of this drug lessen over time:
According to PsychonautWiki, “Tolerance to many of the effects of aniracetam develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 – 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 – 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption).” [3]
The website also notes a potential cross-tolerance effect whereby use of Aniracetam can increase the dosage required to experience effects of other Racetam nootropic including Noopept and Piracetam.
This phenomenon has not been well studied in clinical research trials and most of the information available is based on user reviews and analysis. However, it may be possible to prevent tolerance and keep Aniracetam working for you by cycling it, taking frequent breaks and by avoiding large dosages. One user reported the following:
My two advices would be don’t take ani everyday (the tolerance will build up quicker) and also wisely make use of these “optimistic,exciting” experiences to find out the genuine source of stress-anxiety-depression and come up with a reliable plan to understand and lower their action. Writing about it does wonders. – szoze [4]
Tolerance can also develop as a result of taking other drugs. One user reported that Aniracetam stopped working for his depression symptoms following use of prescription SSRIs and SNRIs .
And ever since I was put on SSRIs(10mg Escitalopram) and then SNRIs(120mg Cymbalta), Aniracetam doesn’t seem to do anything to me anymore even at a high dose (3g) even though I no longer take any antidepressants since Feb 2016. I’ve tried Aniracetam from different vendors and tried taking with and without fatty meal but I still didn’t feel anything.” – Heinstar [1]
If Aniracetam stops working for you with regular use, do not increase the dosage beyond 3 grams per day as this can heighten the risk of side effects.
This nootropic supplement has not been observed to cause physical dependence, addiction or withdrawal symptoms. However, adverse effects like headache, changes in mood and brain fog are more likely if taken at high dosages.
- Why doesn’t Aniracetam work on me anymore? Reddit.
- Thomas W. Elston, Ashvini Pandian, Gregory D. Smith, Andrew J. Holley,1 Nanjing Gao, Joaquin N. Lugo. Aniracetam Does Not Alter Cognitive and Affective Behavior in Adult C57BL/6J Mice. PLoS One. 2014; 9(8): e104443.
- Aniracetam. PsychonautWiki.
- Aniracetam: My Personal Impression (my life has changed). Reddit.
- Aniracetam Manufacturer's Insert. Erowid.
- G. Roncari. Human Pharmacokinetics of Aniracetam. G. Drug Invest (1993) 5(Suppl 1): 68.
- Lee CR, Benfield P. Aniracetam. An overview of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and a review of its therapeutic potential in senile cognitive disorders. Drugs Aging. 1994 Mar;4(3):257-73.
- Koliaki CC, Messini C, Tsolaki M. Clinical efficacy of aniracetam, either as monotherapy or combined with cholinesterase inhibitors, in patients with cognitive impairment: a comparative open study. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2012 Apr;18(4):302-12.
Article last updated on: July 17th, 2018 by Nootriment