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Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic drug used in Russia for neurological conditions, cognitive decline and memory loss, neurotic conditions, depression and epilepsy.
Research shows that it is generally well tolerated and safe when taking appropriately. Phenylpiracetam side effects can occur in a small number of users and may include insomnia, excitement, hypertension, skin rash or increased body temperature.
In Russia, use of Phenylpiracetam as a prescription medication is purported to enhance mental activity, alertness, energy metabolism in the neurons, visual acuity and resistance to stressful stimuli.
User reviews suggest that Phenylpiracetam can promote memory, learning capacity, focus and concentration, motivation and verbal processing. This racetam nootropic agent is also reported to have benefits for physical performance benefits including increased tolerance to environmental stressors and improved resistance to fatigue.
Phenylpiracetam is significantly stronger than Piracetam and other members of the racetam family. With higher potency comes an increased potential for adverse effects.
In this article, we will review the data on side effects reported with Phenylpiracetam use as well as how to take this cognitive enhancer to minimize potential negative reactions.
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Phenylpiracetam Nootropic Review
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Phenylpiracetam (sold under the brand names Phenotropil or Carphedon) is originally a Russian developed pharmaceutical.
It was developed in 1983 at the Russian Academy of Sciences for use in Soviet Cosmonauts. According to the Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Serebrov – a cosmonaut pilot that flew the Soyuz spacecraft and spent a total of 371.95 days in space, Phenylpiracetam promotes positive effects for energy and mood.
He described the drug as having an equalizing effect on the whole body and brain, calming the mind and preventing impulsiveness and irritability linked to long space missions.
Clinical trials at the Serbsky State Scientific Center found Phenotropil to be effective for improving concentration, mental alertness, mood, depression, resistance to stress, pain sensitivity, sleep quality and more.
It can be purchased in drugstores in Russia without a prescription. It may also be prescribed for the treatment of specific cognitive disorders including the following:
- Shift-Work Sleep Disorder
- Degnerative brain diseases
- Pathologies of the Central Nervous System
- Excessive Fatigue
- Psychoorganic syndrome
- Alcoholism
- Schizophrenia
It has also been used to treat obesity and as a prophylaxis before stressful situations.
While it has been actively used in Russia for many years, it has not been approved for use in the United States and is not used medically in Western countries.
Phenylpiracetam is actually a derivative of Piracetam, created by adding a phenyl group ring to the pyrrolidone nucleus, which is seen in all racetam compounds.
This modification makes Phenylpiracetam more potent than Piracetam, said to be up to 60 times stronger than the original racetam formulation. The increase in potency comes from greater fat solubility, absorption from the gut and improved penetration of the blood-brain barrier.
Phenylpiracetam is commonly used as a cognitive enhancer to boost mental performance, focus, memory and productivity in healthy adults. While there is significant research into its clinical effects for treating neurological conditions, less is known about its potential to improve cognitive function in healthy adults.
Most of the information we have available on the purported benefits of this nootropic come from user reviews and experience logs. This information is valuable, but does not meet the same standard of rigor provided by double-blind placebo controlled clinical research studies.
- Shown to support memory & learning
- Improves attention & alertness
- Boosts productivity & mental focus
Phenylpiracetam Side Effects
Phenylpiracetam side effects can occur, but are generally mild and temporary. It is reported to be well-tolerated in research studies.
There have been a small number of clinical studies examining the safety and efficacy of this nootropic drug. In three separate studies, dosages of 100 mg per day of Phenotropil were prescribed to patients with Insufficient Cerebral Blood Supply (IPICBS), Acute Brain Infarction, and Asthenic-Depressive Syndromes linked to Traumatic Brain Injuries.
These three studies involved a total of 76 male and female patients between the ages of 37 – 65.
In all three studies, Phenotropil was well tolerated. Side effects were reported in only 2 patients out of the total group of 76. These adverse effects included disturbances to sleep patterns, anxiousness and over-excitation.
Interestingly, these adverse effects disappeared three to five days after initial onset, which suggests that the body may develop a tolerance to the side effects with continued use.
According to instructions provided by the manufacturers of Phenotropil, this drug is contraindicated in people with an increased sensitivity to the drug components. It may interact with anxiolytic drugs.
Consult with a doctor if you are currently taking medications for the treatment of any health conditions. Your doctor can help you determine whether this nootropic is appropriate for you.
It is also contraindicated for people with impaired kidney or liver function, hypertension, coronary artery disease, panic attacks, or a history of acute psychotic states.
Research has not demonstrated any teratogenic or embryotoxic effects. However, use in pregnant or nursing women is not recommended due to insufficient clinical research available to evaluate safety. The same is true of pediatric use by children.
Available medical literature states that it is not a physiologically addictive substance. A small number of case studies describe instances where people claim to have become mentally dependent on the substance, but research does not show withdrawal symptoms.
In user reviews, side effects of Phenylpiracetam can include headaches, brain fog, changes in mood and fatigue. These symptoms may be linked to changes in the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
It is hypothesized that racetam nootropics can increase demand for this neurotransmitter and cause stores of acetylcholine to be depleted from nerve terminals. To combat this potential side effect, sources in the nootropics community recommend taking a choline supplement (Alpha GPC, CDP Choline) to increase availability of acetylcholine.
Some users note that adding a source of choline to their nootropic stack can reduce headaches. Others say that taking choline can make side effects worse and can lead to depression, anxiety, low energy, irritability and more.
Because of its ability to increase stimulation of the central nervous system, it is recommended to take it in the morning or early in the day. Do not use this nootropic agent before bedtime or late in the evening as it could cause impaired sleep quality and make it harder to fall asleep.
Below is a list of the most common Phenylpiracetam side effects that have been reported in clinical trials and user testimonials:
- Headache
- Insomnia/Sleep Disturbances
- Vivid Dreams
- Low Mood & Depression
- Anxiety, Restlessness & Agitation
- Muscle Tremors
- Excitation
- Nausea
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Skin Redness
- Flushes of Heat
- Loss of Appetite
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Brain Fog
- Muscle Tension
- Jaw or Teeth Clenching
In cases of overdose, these adverse reactions may become intensified. Learn more about the recommended dosage for Phenylpiracetam in this article.
User Reviews of Negative Effects
In the section below, you will find anecdotal experience logs from individuals who have taken Phenylpiracetam and experienced side effects.
The majority of user reviews posted on Reddit or Longecity involving this dmart drug describe it as being well-tolerated. However, adverse effects are possible and you may experience side effects different from those described below.
Also taking noopept with phenylpiracetam has caused my nose to actually bleed on two seperate occasions I’ve taken them together. Should I be worried?
I don’t think that I’m necessarily allergic to any of the substances, but it seems like a strange and uncommon side effect.” – QwertyCrusader [1]
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Uses & Mechanisms
Phenylpiracetam has been show to enhance cognitive function, improve learning and memory, increase focus and motivation and to exert neuroprotective effects on the brain.
It is used off-label as a nootropic supplement to enhance cognition, problem-solving skills and other factors related to fluid intelligence and executive function. It has a similar mechanism of action to Piracetam with regards to increasing acetylcholine neurotransmission in the brain.
It has been shown to bind to the alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the cortex of mice. These receptors are involved in learning as well as increasing growth hormone release.
It has further been shown to reverse deficits to memory caused by scopolamine (Hyoscine) which is a muscarinic receptor antagonist (MRA). Scopolamine produces its effects by blocking activity of acetylcholine in the brain.
Phenylpiracetam reverses deficits caused by this anticholinergic agent and restores densities of cortical nACh and hippocampal NMDA receptors.
Acetylcholine is linked to a number of cognitive processes including the formation of memories, synaptic plasticity, focus and concentration, attention span, ability to ignore distractions and more.
Phenylpiracetam may have a positive effect on dysfunctions that impair long-term memory storage. It has been shown to affect neuron receptors in the Hippocampus, which is the brain system involved in long-term memory storage.
A common theme of Phenylpiracetam experience logs is having more energy and motivation in day-to-day activities. Users have reported significant mood enhancement with greater optimism and excitement for tasks as well as a desire to be more productive.
Many users say that a small Phenylpiracetam dosage in the morning gives them enhanced focus all day long, making it easier to work without being distracted. It can also lessen sensations of mental fatigue so you do not feel as worn out after a day of work.
This may be linked to its ability to increase extracellular dopamine levels in the brain. It has been shown to act as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to the reward feedback loop, feelings of pleasure, mental drive, goal-directed behavior, executive function and more.
Because of this mechanism of action, it has been investigated for its use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, but has not been approved for use at present.
Phenylpiracetam has also been observed to improve the body’s reaction to stress. In studies, it has been found to increase the threshold for sensitivity to pain and cold temperatures.
It produces stimulating effects, which may be linked to its actions as a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). Drugs that act as NDRIs can increase adrenergic neurotransmission and have beed used in the treatment of clinical depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy and other conditions that cause excessive fatigue.
Taking Phenylpiracetam is also common among athletes and bodybuilders. It is purported to boost athletic performance, increase energy and stamina as a pre-workout supplement and help users train harder during their workouts.
This drug has also been used to alleviate motion sickness, to prevent stress, improve muscle weakness, help support appetite suppression and weight loss, to reduce fatigue linked to alcoholism and to address lethargy and apathy.
Tolerance Concerns
User reviews anecdotally suggest the potential for developing a tolerance to the effects of this drug. While some medical literature explicitly states there is no potential for tolerance, this has been documented by case reports online.
Tolerance occurs when the effects of a substance become less pronounced with continued use at the same dosage. It may be required to take a higher dose in order to achieve the same results.
This practice should be avoided as taking too much of this nootropic will increase the risk of adverse effects. Another possibility is withdrawal symptoms when the compound is discontinued.
If you notice that Phenylpiracetam is losing its effectiveness, it is recommended to begin cycling on and off this nootropic agent to minimize the risk of tolerance. It should not be taken every day for an extended period of time, unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
While some studies have used dosage protocols of 400 mg taken every day for a year, this is typically reserved for patients who have some form of cognitive dysfunction, cerebral ischemia or traumatic brain injury.
The best way to take Phenylpiracetam will depend on goals and reasons for using it. Some nootropic users recommended taking it only on certain occasions, such as before preparing for a test at school or to help you perform well on a big project at work.
Banned by WADA
If you are a competitive or professional athlete, consult with the governing body of your sport to determine whether Phenylpiracetam, Phenotropil or Carphedon are banned for you.
Phenylpiracetam has been added to the list of banned substances by a number of different sporting associations and committees, including the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
It is a prohibited substance under the International Olympic Committee, which has suspended athletes from the Olympics for Phenylpiracetam use.
It was banned not due to a risk of side effects, but due to its psycho-stimulant properties and ability to improve cold resistance.
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- Phenylpiracetam side effect. Reddit.
- Long term users of phenylpiracetam. Reddit.
- Phenylpiracetam side effects? Reddit.
- Savenkov AA, Badalian OL, Avakian GN. [Nootropics and antioxidants in the complex therapy of symptomatic posttraumatic epilepsy]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2013
- Liubimov AV. [The use of phenotropil in vertebrobasilar insufficiency]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2013
- 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
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment