7
5
3
Whenever adding a new supplement or compound to your routine, it is important to analyze your current consumption behaviors and health regimen to determine if there are any potentially unsafe combinations.
This applies even when using a nootropic as non-toxic as Piracetam. While Piracetam is remarkably safe when used on its own, combining it with other substances can sometimes increase your risk of negative results.
One of the combinations that many people are curious about is drinking alcohol when using Piracetam. This comes up a lot because some sources say that taking Piracetam whenever you drink a beer or harder liquor can actually prevent some forms of neuronal damage that alcohol is prone to causing.
But is it safe to combine these two and are there any considerations you should keep in mind if you do happen to use them together?
Memory
Attention
Brain Health- Promotes neuron health & synaptic plasticity
- Supports memory recall & learning
- Boosts focus, visual perception & attention
Piracetam at a Glance
Related Topics
- What is Piracetam?
- What is Nootropil?
- User Reviews
- What to Expect
- Effects and Benefits
- How to Take
- Suggested Dosages
- Side Effects
- Dangers & Safety
- Top Piracetam Uses
- Effects on Memory
- Piracetam for ADHD
- Where to Buy
- Bulk Piracetam Powder
- Is Piracetam Legal?
- Piracetam vs. Aniracetam vs. Oxiracetam vs. Pramiracetam
- Comparison to Noopept
- Top Piracetam Stacks
- Stacking with Choline
Piracetam was the very first nootropic agent ever marketed and to this day it remains the most popular. You may see it referred to as a Racetam in some online communities which is the name given to several related supplements.
Others in this group include Aniracetam, Oxiracetam and Pramiracetam which are all derived from Piracetam.
This compound is chemically known as a cyclic derivative of GABA and it is observed to increase activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
As a nootropic or “smart drug”, Piracetam has grown to fame because it has exhibited extensive benefits in cognitive brain functions. Various studies have determined that increases in attention, memory, and intelligence are commonplace when taking Piracetam for extended periods of time.
In one study, college students that were found to be in good health experienced improvements in mental performance, especially in verbal memory. Piracetam was seen to facilitate efficiencies of telencephalic functions in the brain.
It can also facilitate an increase in the communication and blood flow between both the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
While Piracetam has been used for years as either a prescription or over-the-counter drug in other countries around the world, the FDA has not approved Piracetam as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. In the USA, Piracetam does not meet the definition of a dietary supplement; it is an unregulated, unscheduled compound, that is now considered an investigational new drug (IND).
Buying Piracetam in the US can be difficult due to FDA laws surrounding the sales, distribution, and labeling of compounds like Piracetam. It is legal to buy and own Piracetam for personal use though, and many people will import from countries where the sale of Piracetam is legal.
- Promotes neuron health & synaptic plasticity
- Supports memory recall & learning
- Boosts focus, visual perception & attention
Piracetam and Alcohol
A few studies have examined the effects of taking Piracetam to prevent or repair damage to the brain due to alcohol consumption.
Drinking alcohol puts a lot of stress on the brain by reducing the utilization of oxygen in neuronal cells. This is known as oxidative stress and depending on how much alcohol you consume, it could lead to premature brain cell death.
Piracetam is shown to protect against the damage of brain tissue when abrasions or alcohol abuse have taken a toll on the tissue. It has been observed to impede damage to neurons in the Hippocampus after consuming alcohol as well as during alcohol withdrawal following addiction.
Piracetam has further been used to reverse and prevent memory loss due to alcohol consumption as well as decreasing the intensity of hangovers.
Can you Use Alcohol with Piracetam?
Does that mean you should always make sure to have some Piracetam ready whenever drinking alcohol? Unfortunately, alcohol is listed as one of the few drug interactions for Piracetam and you are cautioned against using them together.
The mechanism of action for Piracetam is observed to intensify the effects of alcohol intoxication. It also increases flow of the blood to the brain as well as cell membrane fluidity which can increase damage and intoxication quickly.
You may find that your tolerance for alcohol is significantly diminished when using the two together such that one or two drinks might leave you feeling like you have had three, four, or more. As such, any dangers that may occur when drinking alcohol will be exacerbated with the presence of Piracetam.
- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
- Boost energy, alertnes & memory
- Contains 12 safe and natural nootropic ingredients
User Experiences
Several different studies have found that Piracetam significantly attenuates the negative side effects of alcohol. This can lead to an increase in the sedative effects of alcohol as well as loss of coordination, loss of impulse control, and more.
It has been advised to avoid driving if you accidentally combine alcohol and Piracetam.
There are some who will combine Piracetam with alcohol for recreational purposes because they say it gives them a better “buzz”. User reports say that taking both at the same time results in a deep feeling of calm and relaxation and sensations of “numbness” in muscles.
Others state that it can produce a euphoric feeling and remove any sensations of tension or stress in the body. Some have admitted to combining the two so that they feel drunk after a smaller number of beers and do not have to drink as much.
However, there are a comparable number of negative experiences from combining Piracetam and alcohol resulting in feelings of lightheadedness, headaches, stomach discomfort, vomiting, and more.
Some people will take Piracetam as a way to avoid or limit the effects of a hangover, and some user reviews have reported positive experiences with this. However there are other users who state that taking Piracetam and alcohol together has caused them to have a worse hangover than just drinking alone.
While there is legitimate evidence that Piracetam can prevent or reduce certain forms of brain damage due to alcohol use, it is recommended that this pairing should be avoided. Piracetam has the effect of amplifying the neurological pathways used by alcohol to generate sensations of intoxication. This means you will have a lower tolerance to alcohol and are at a greater risk of experiencing negative side effects.
Free shipping
- Mattie-Luksic M, Javornisky G, DiMario FJ. Assessment of stress in mothers of children with severe breath-holding spells. Pediatrics. 2000 Jul;106(1 Pt 1):1-5.
- Akhondzadeh S, et al. A double-blind placebo controlled trial of piracetam added to risperidone in patients with autistic disorder. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2008 Sep;39(3):237-45.
- Ince Gunal D, Agan K, Afsar N, Borucu D, Us O. The effect of piracetam on ataxia: clinical observations in a group of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia patients. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2008 Apr;33(2):175-8.
- Güngör L, Terzi M, Onar MK. Does long term use of piracetam improve speech disturbances due to ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Brain Lang. 2011 Apr;117(1):23-7.
- Szalma I, et al. Piracetam prevents cognitive decline in coronary artery bypass: a randomized trial versus placebo. Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Oct;82(4):1430-5.
- Garg RK. Piracetam for the treatment of breath-holding spells. Indian Pediatr. 1998 Oct;35(10):1034-5.
- Ricci S, et al. Piracetam in acute stroke: a systematic review. J Neurol. 2000 Apr;247(4):263-6.
- Holinski S, et al. Cerebroprotective effect of piracetam in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2011;17(2):137-42.
- Sawires H, Botrous O. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of piracetam on breath-holding spells. Eur J Pediatr. 2012 Jul;171(7):1063-7.
- Loscertales M, et al. Piracetam facilitates long-term memory for a passive avoidance task in chicks through a mechanism that requires a brain corticosteroid action. Eur J Neurosci. 1998 Jul;10(7):2238-43.
- Evers S, Grotemeyer KH. Piracetam and platelets--a review of laboratory and clinical data. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1999 Mar;32 Suppl 1:44-8.
- Croisile B, et al. Long-term and high-dose piracetam treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 1993 Feb;43(2):301-5.
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
7 Comments
When I combined alcohol and Piracetam, my conclusion was that I needed a lot less alcohol to get drunk and I felt worse when I combined them compared to when I only drank alcohol.
Also, the hungover was a lot worse.
I would definitely advise against combining the two.
Thanks for the feedback Darius!
Mi experiensa de combinar alcohol y piracetam creo que fue buena, fue la primera vez que me puse “ebrio” y me sentia bastante bien, eso si senti que esté estado de ebriedes me duro menos que el de mis amigos con los que estaba bebiendo, si bien fueron como 4 horas en un estado “sedado y euforico” al paso de estas el efecto paso, mientras ellos seguian bajo los efectos del alcohol por unas horas mas; en conclucion y por lo que he leido tendria que comprobar por lo menos una vez mas si esta combinacion puede estar bien o no segun como soy.
If I took Piracetam in the morning and then later that night wanted to go out and drink should this still be avoided? Would I still feel intoxicated more quickly even though it has been hours since I took the Piracetam?
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your question! The effects will be different for different people as some people have very quick clearance of Piracetam while others do not. I’ve taken Piracetam in the morning and then consumed alcohol in the evening, but to gauge your personal tolerance it may be best to try it with a small amount of alcohol first.
I took Oxiracetam with Alph-GPC at 8am, then went for a Mexican cuisine dinner at 6pm. I had two jumbo frozen Margarita’s and became rather sick. My face was flushed, I felt very overheated and had to apply cold compresses to my head and armpits. I also vomited a few times. Normally this number of drinks with food would not affect me in that way. I would have thought the racetam effects would have worn off, but apparently not, so I won’t be consuming alcohol on the same day as a racetam again.
Buenas noches, gracias por la información que comparten. Yo estoy usando actualmente Nootropil y me esta yendo muy bien. Recién voy un mes y medio y leyendo acerca de piracetam y el alcohol me pregunto si para poder tomar alcohol por decirlo en alguna fiesta o reunión, cuando o cuanto antes tendría que abstenerme de tomar la pastilla de piracetam para no no causarme algún daño?. Debo no tomar la pastilla horas antes? talvez días antes? que sería lo mas recomendable?. Lo que sí leí es que al día siguiente de haber ingerido alcohol no es malo volver a tomar el piracetam. Muchas gracias por su consejo de antemano.