What is the best way to use Picamilon powder and what Picamilon dosage should you be taking for optimal effects?
This nootropic combination of GABA and Niacin offers a lot of cognitive benefits and mood enhancing effects.
However, as an anxiolytic, it is often overlooked in favor of other nootropics like Phenibut, Sulbutiamine and Theanine.
Picamilon is one of several Nootropic supplements that were originally developed in Russia (then called the Soviet Union) during the Cold War.
This is probably why the supplement has been incredibly underused in the West for many years. Most of the studies and research were conducted and written in Russian, preventing its widespread dissemination even though Picamilon has been used since the early 1970’s.
As such, it can be difficult to find usage and dosage information for this supplement online. In this article, we will tell you how to use Picamilon and what the recommended daily dose is.



- Consists of GABA & Niacin
- Stimulates GABA receptors in the brain
- Promotes mood, sleep & relaxation
Picamilon Overview
Related Topics
The original purpose for developing this supplement was to increase the levels of circulating GABA in the brain.
Because GABA itself cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, this necessitated either changing its structure or combining it with another substance.
When GABA was combined with Niacin to create Picamilon, an ideal formula for stress relief and energy boosting was found.
Many studies have since been conducted to determine the effectiveness of this unique supplement and how it actually works. We know that it has quite a distinct set of benefits, causing stimulation on one hand and relaxation on the other.
Picamilon Benefits:
The primary Nootropic benefits of this supplement center on mood boosting and overall brain function improvements. This includes helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
In fact, many users feel that this supplement is so good at reducing these feelings that they use it on a regular basis to help relax. An improved positive outlook and attitude will also often follow. Once a person is relaxed, they will usually find themselves having improved sleep which is also more restful and deeper.
As a brain booster, Picamilon benefits also include better mental energy and improved clarity and focus. It is easier to think and make decisions as well when using Picamilon supplements
There are also a number of additional health benefits associated with daily dosages of this nootropic. For starters, Picamilon helps to reduce and regulate blood pressure in the body. There is also a lot of evidence demonstrating that it can alleviate migraines and poor cerebral blood flow and circulation.
This supplement has further been shown to treat the symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication and the effects upon the brain. There is even the possibility that Picamilon may act as an anti-oxidant and rid the brain of toxins and other harmful substances.
How Picamilon Works:
It is helpful to think of Picamilon as a mixture of two different chemicals – GABA and Niacin.
Once it is absorbed into the bloodstream both compounds cross over the blood-brain barrier together. This is courtesy of the Niacin pathways since GABA is not capable of this action by itself.
As the GABA enters into the central nervous system it targets receptor sites and performs its job as the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter within the human body. GABA is known to prevent over-stimulation and excitotoxicity of your brain cells which can occur when your neurons are firing faster than they should be.
We experience this over-activity as anxiety and the feeling like you cannot stop thinking about certain memories or future possibilities. Picamilon essentially curbs these excessive thought processes, resulting in a sensation of peace and calm.
Many people are tempted to think of the Niacin found in Picamilon powder simply as a GABA transport method. They would be incorrect; the Niacin from Picamilon is itself active and has a positive nootropic effect on mental performance. This substance is primarily responsible for opening up (or dilating) blood vessels within the brain.
As these passageways open, this leads to the improvement in cerebral blood flow, oxygen supply and glucose metabolism. The result is better cellular energy and improved resource supply to maintain the health of your neurons.
It also helps to keep skin healthy and may even play a role in improving vision in those suffering from glaucoma.
Picamilon Dosage:
The standard dosage range for Picamilon is between 50 and 300 mg per day.Of course, this may be split into several different administrations throughout the day, depending upon how it effects the user. Generally, a divided dose means one in the morning and one in the evening.
Most supplements sell it in 150 mg tablets or capsules, but you can also buy it as a bulk powder to get more control over your dosages. Picamilon works best when taken on an empty stomach and the effects of this nootropic will last anywhere from two to four hours.
You should always start out with the smallest effective Picamilon dose possible. Study the benefits obtained and then determine if increasing the dose is in order.
Stacking & Cycling Picamilon:
Many users have found that stacking and cycling their Picamilon dosages can be very effective. It is certainly very safe and it may even help to increase the effects of other Nootropic supplements like the Racetams including Aniracetam and Piracetam. Even herbs like Valerian Root and Kava can be helpful when used in combination.
There are a number of other Nootropics that have similar effects to Picamilon, but might lead to tolerance if used on a daily basis. This means that it might be helpful to include Picamilon as part of a cycle with something like, say, Phenibut.
Start with the safer option (Picamilon) and use on a 3 or 4 day on and 2 day off cycle. For the days off of Picamilon, substitute with the Phenibut.
Picamilon Side Effects
Picamilon is generally very well-tolerated and very safe with no reports of serious side effects ever published. It can even be used on a regular basis and is less likely to cause tolerance or withdrawal in comparison to Phenibut.
Any Picamilon side effects that one is likely to encounter will be very mild. These may include headaches, nervousness, fatigue, and intestinal issues. Most of these are the result of simply taking too much, so reducing the dosage is normally enough to solve these issues.
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- LogaÄ IM, Leus NF, Rozanova ZA. [The characteristics of the retinal absorption of labelled preparations of pikamilon and GABA]. Fiziol Zh. 1991
- Silkina IV, Gan'shina TC, Seredin SB, Mirzoian RS. [Gabaergic mechanism of cerebrovascular and neuroprotective effects of afobazole and picamilon]. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2005
- BasinskiÄ SN, Krasnogorskaia VN, Lenis IuA. [Pathogenetic treatment of central chorioretinal dystrophies with pikamilon]. Vestn Oftalmol. 2001
- Davydova GA, Mukha AI. [Results of the use of vasoactive preparation pikamilon in pigmented retinal abiotrophy]. Vestn Oftalmol. 1995
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment