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What is the best way to take Phenylpiracetam and what dosage schedule should you use to reduce the risk of side effects?
The nootropic drug Phenylpiracetam is estimated to be 50-60 times more potent than Piracetam, from which it is derived. This means it requires much smaller doses to be effective.
It has been studied for its effects on memory formation and retention, mood, fatigability, asthenic symptoms and mental concentration. It is considered to be one of the strongest nootropics for enhancing cognitive function.
In research studies, it has been described as producing an “energy surge”, a “lucid head”, greater vivacity as well as weight loss and improved visual perception.
Compared to the nootropic agents Piracetam and Pramiracetam, it is considered to be a more potent stimulant and to have greater effects on motivation and mood enhancement.
Phenylpiracetam is also commonly taken as a pre-workout supplement and by bodybuilders and athletes who want to boost their physical performance. It has been banned at the Olympics due to its ergogenic effects.
Phenylpiracetam dosages used in clinical studies range between 100 to 600 mg per day. This nootropic is fat soluble and has a half-life of 5-7 hours.
Phenylpiracetam is also commonly used in nootropic stacks with other compounds including Choline, L-theanine, Noopept, Adrafinil, Modafinil and other racetams.
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Phenylpiracetam Overview
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Phenylpiracetam is also known as Phenotropil, Fenotropil, Carphedon, Fonturacetam, BRN-5030440 and N-carbamoylmethyl-4-aryl-2-pyrrolidone (2-(2-oxo-4-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamide.
Phenylpiracetam was first synthesized in Russia during 1983 by the same team that developed Phenibut and many other nootropic drugs.
It was developed by researcher Valentina Ivanovna from the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Biomedical Problems.
They were originally investigating compounds to improve mental alertness, promote a calm state of mind, and ability to handle stress in Russian cosmonauts on long missions in outer space.
Research revealed a number of cognitive effects from taking Phenylpiracetam and it has since been studied for the treatment of insufficient cerebral blood supply, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral infarction, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, vascular encepalopathy and more.
It is a fat-soluble compound that has a similar chemical structure to Piracetam, but it has been phenylated.
Molecularly, the two are identical save for the addition of a phenyl ring group to the original Piracetam molecule on the 5 position of its pyrrolidone nucleus.
Due to the phenylation, it is more bioavailable than Piracetam and exhibits 50-60 times higher potency. This may in part be due to better transportation across the blood-brain barrier, which is the semipermeable membrane that separates your bloodstream from brain tissue.
While Piracetam is typically prescribed in dosages of between 1,200 to 9,600 mg per day, Phenylpiracetam is used in doses of between 100 to 600 mg per day.
There is limited data available on the oral pharmacokinetic of this nootropic agent. According to some sources, the half-life of Phenylpiracetam is between 3 to 5 hours.
Phenylpiracetam can be purchased in Russia as an over-the-counter medication under the brand names Phenotropil and Carphedon. It may also be prescribed for specific health conditions including neuroticism, pathologies of the central nervous system, age-related cognitive decline, Schizophrenia, convulsive disease, psychoorganic syndrome, narcolepsy, alcoholism and for improving the body’s ability to adapt to stress.
It is also used to enhance athletic performance and taken off-label for ADHD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression. It has been used as a neuroprotective agent in patients suffering from a cerebral stroke.
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Phenylpiracetam Dosage
How much Phenylpiracetam powder or capsules should you take? Phenylpiracetam dosages can range from 50 mg per day to 600 mg per day. It is typically used at a dose of 100 – 400 mg per day, split into 1-3 administrations.
In research trials, the following dosage protocols have been used for 30 days at a time. One study administered this nootropic agent for a full year to patients with ischemic stroke.
- 100 mg taken once per day in the morning
- 100 mg taken twice per day
- 200 mg taken twice per day
- 200 mg taken three times per day
If you have been prescribed Phenylpiracetam by a doctor to treat a medical condition, follow the dosing guidelines provided by your doctor. It is recommended to start with a low dosage to establish tolerability of the drug and then to gradually increase until desired effects are achieved.
Most users will start with 50 mg to gauge tolerance and then increase to a recommended dosage of 200 mg per day. It may not be necessary to take more than this amount to achieve positive effects.
You can buy this nootropic in oral capsules, bulk powder or as a pharmaceutical drug under the brand names Phenotropil and Carphedon.
Users will typically find it easiest and cheapest to order the bulk powder online. However, if using in powder form it is important to buy an accurate digital scale to correctly measure the powder.
The powder has a bitter taste and is typically mixed into liquids to mask the taste. Many users will also buy empty gelatin or vegetarian-friendly capsules and put the powder into capsules on their own.
Some individuals report developing a tolerance to the effects of this substance while other say it is suitable for daily use. If you feel yourself becoming less responsive or sensitive to dosages of Phenylpiracetam powder, it is recommended to take a break from using it to allow your tolerance to reset.
How to Take Phenylpiracetam
Phenylpiracetam is fat-soluble (lipophilic). To maximize absorption from the gut, it is recommended to take it with a fat source such as milk, olive oil, fish oil, MCT oil or a meal composed of health fats.
Taking this nootropic on an empty stomach could increase the likelihood of experiencing gastrointestinal side effects or nausea. It is best to consume it after a meal.
Phenylpiracetam has a reputation for being fast-acting with a kick-in time for the effects of 15 – 45 minutes. Research shows that it can cross the blood-brain barrier within 30 minutes of administration by injection in rats.
There is no definitive information on the duration of effects, but it is anecdotally cited to last between 3 – 12 hours. In rodents it is reported to have a half-life of 2.5-3 hours. However, pharmacokinetic data for humans is not available online.
It should not be taken before bed as it may cause insomnia or worsening of sleep quality. Users will typically take it in the morning and use their last dose early in the afternoon.
Phenylpiracetam does exhibit some stimulant-like properties and is commonly used as a pre-workout supplement by athletes. Taking it 30 minutes to one hour before your workout will ensure it has sufficient time for users to feel the effects on their energy levels.
While it is not habit-forming, addictive or prone to causing withdrawal symptoms, some users report that they develop a tolerance to the effects with continued use. This is common with any substance that has stimulating effects.
Users describe cycling Phenylpiracetam with a one week on and one week off cycle or taking it only on certain occasions when they need to maximize their productivity and mental focus. Users also cycle it with other substances, including Noopept and Adrafinil/Modafinil.
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Stacks & Choline Sources
One of the ways that Phenylpiracetam works is by increasing the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from neurons in certain part of the brain, including the hippocampus.
The hippocampus is a structure in the medial temporal lobe that plays a role in spatial memory and in memory consolidation. This is the process by which short-term memory gets converted to long-term memory.
There are both both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in this part of the brain. This neurotransmitter is involved in the encoding of new memories, learning and synaptic plasticity.
All of the racetam nootropics appear to have an effect on acetylcholine receptors and signalling. Phenylpiracetam is believed to increase levels of this brain chemical and to increase the density of receptors for this neurotransmitter.
Acetylcholine is synthesized in your neurons by combining an acetyl group with choline, which is a dietary nutrient that is closely related to B-Vitamins. Choline is supplied in the diet by eggs, meats, dairy products, certain beans, vegetables and other sources.
Research shows that racetams increase the uptake of choline into neurons for the synthesis of acetylcholine. This may cause stores of choline to become depleted faster in the brain.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that if racetams are taken without adequate choline availability, they can cause headaches, changes in mood and impaired mental focus.
If you experience headaches when taking Phenylpiracetam or become irritable or unfocused, adding a source of choline to your diet may help. You can eat more foods that contain this nutrient, use a choline bitartrate supplement or consider other nootropic agents that act as choline donors.
Alpha GPC, CDP Choline and Centrophenoxine all can increase availability of choline in your neurons, but are more bioavailable than standard choline supplements. Learn more about the Phenylpiracetam choline stack here.
Other nootropic stacks can be used with Phenylpiracetam depending on your goals. Some users like to stack this cognitive enhancer with the smart drugs Modafinil, Adrafinil or Adderall. Others recommend stacking it with additional racetams or with Noopept.
If you find that Phenylpiracetam causes over-excitation or anxiety, stacking it with Lemon Balm, L-Theanine, 5-HTP or Bacopa Monnieri may help. Users have also described stacking it with Phenibut or Kratom.
As a pre-workout supplement, some users will stack it with caffeine, sulbutiamine, creatine and other athletic performance enhancers. Some people use phenylpiracetam for weight loss, in which case it may be combined with other ingredients that promote increased metabolism or appetite suppression.
Before taking any nootropic in a stack, it is recommended to use it on its own at first. You may not need to use a stack to experience the benefits of this nootropic supplement and stacking could increase the risk of side effects.
R-Phenylpiracetam and S-Phenylpiracetam
Phenylpiracetam is typically sold in its racemic form, which means it contains both the R- and S-enantiomers.
An enantiomer is also known as a optical isomer or stereoisomers. Molecules can exist in either left-handed or right-handed configurations. The isomers may have the same chemical structure, but be the non-superposable mirror images of each other.
In pharmacology, drugs that exist in multiple enantiomers may not have the same effects. For example, for the smart drug Modafinil, the R-enantiomer has different effects than the S-enantiomer. Modafinil contains both enantiomers while the newer drug Armodafinil only contains the pharmacologically active R-enantiomer.
A mixture of equal parts of the R- and S-enantiomer is called a racemic mixture. The medications Phenotropil and Carphedon contain the racemic form of Phenylpiracetam.
However, in research studies on behavior, mood and learning in mice, R-Phenylpiracetam exhibited greater activity than S-Phenylpiracetam. Both were able to increase locomotor activity and had antidepressant effects, but only R-Phenylpiracetam showed memory-improving activity in this trial.
This suggests that use of an enantiopure form of Phenylpiracetam with only the R-enantiomer may produce better results and require a lower dosage.
Currently, no vendors sell the isolated form of R-Phenylpiracetam, but this may change in the future. According to one vendor, New Star Nootropics, “We sell (RS)-phenylpiracetam. When we last enquired, the cost to produce an optically pure (R)-phenylpiracetam was much more than 2.5x the cost of producing the (RS), rendering it needlessly expensive.”
Other versions of this nootropic are sold online, including Phenylpiracetam hydrazide and Methylphenylpiracetam. The dosages of these smart drugs may be different than those listed n this article.
Another form that has been synthesized is p-Cl-Phenylpiracetam (RGPU-95). There is less research available on this formulation.
How to Reduce Side Effects
Phenylpiracetam is well tolerated by most users, but can cause side effects in some cases. Adverse effects typically consist of headaches, anxiety, over-stimulation, nausea, increased blood pressure, insomnia, changes in mood and fatigue after the effects wear off.
To minimize adverse effects, take this nootropic drug responsibly and do not use excessively high dosages. You may respond differently to dosages used by other individuals and may need to take a smaller amount. High doses of greater than 600 mg should be avoided.
While there have not been any reported cases of Phenylpiracetam overdose in the currently published medical literature, taking too much may cause hypertension, skin flushing, increase in body temperature, perspiration and other symptoms linked to excessive consumption of stimulants. A
Purchasing your nootropics from a reliable source and taking choline with Phenylpiracetam can prevent a number of potential negative reactions. Consuming it early in the day and not taking it before bedtime can also reduce the risk of sleep disturbances.
Phenylpiracetam can interact with other substances and should be used with caution if you have a history of medical problems or are currently being treated with any medications.
Do not take Phenylpiracetam with alcohol as it can cause users to feel more intoxicated and to have a lower tolerance to the effects. Users report that they feel more drunk and tipsy when they combine these substances, although some people say they feel less drunk.
Any substances you take in addition to your Phenylpiracetam powder dosage can raise the risk of side effects. Use caution and prudence before taking this nootropic with other compounds that exhibit psychoactive effects.
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- Liubimov AV. [The use of phenotropil in vertebrobasilar insufficiency]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2013
- Samotrueva MA, Tyurenkov IN, Teplyi DL, Serezhnikova TK, Khlebtsova EB. Psychoimmunomodulatory effect of phenotropil in animals with immune stress. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2011
- Gerasimova MM, Chichanovskaia LV, Slezkina LA. [The clinical and immunological aspects of the effects of phenotropil on consequences of stroke]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2005
- Gustov AA, Smirnov AA, Korshunova IuA, Andrianova EV. [Phenotropil in the treatment of vascular encephalopathy]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2006
- Poverennova IE, Iakunina AV, Kalinin VA, Kurov MV. [Phenotropil in the complex treatment of symptomatic post traumatic epilepsy]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2011
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
5 Comments
I bought this and it came in a jar with 5 grams and it came with a little tiny scooper and another scooper that is a little bigger. It didn’t come with directions though. I was wondering how much you are supposed to take and if you just eat the powder or what? It is pretty gross tasting.
Hey Kristina,
Phenylpiracetam is a pretty bitter powder, but on the plus side this likely means you purchased it from an authentic supplier! Because it cannot be sold as a dietary product, vendors are not allowed to send out directions for use – a very frustrating effect of the FDA’s policy on Nootropics. The best way to measure it would be by purchasing a milligram scale to determine how much the scoops hold. Once you know how much Phenylpiracetam powder the scoop holds, you won’t need to keep re-using the milligram scale. I purchased one for about $13 on Amazon and use it whenever I try out a new Nootropic for the first few times :).
If you want to mask the taste a bit, try mixing the powder with orange juice or coffee.
You can take it from the white scooper. It’s roughly 1/32 of a tsp. As it is more a powder than crystaline, that dosage is 50-90 mg. Good for starters. I take 2 scoops in the morning with a milk or chewy vitamin chaser. And sometimes 2 scopps in the afternoon as the half-life is up to 4 hours. It makes me pretty gabby so that’s always a consideration when deciding on dosage, or even dosing at all.
Is it a good idea to take it sublingually, or simply mix with something and swallow?
So Phenylpiracetam is not a dietary supplement? Can I buy in Tablet or capsule form?