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Piracetam was the very first nootropic ever discovered. In some research studies, it exhibits a positive effect on cognitive performance, memory function, focus and mood.
However, in other studies the results have been less profound and it is possibly this could be attributed to differences in the Piracetam dosage used.
Research shows that Piracetam has a dose-dependent effect and many users are taking too low of an oral dosage to see short-term benefits.
This Racetam nootropic also seems to require a higher “loading dosage” when initially taking the compound in order to notice any effects.
An examination of the commonly recommended dosages and other dosing factors is in order. Here are the basics for what you need to know about using Piracetam and selecting the right dosage.
It should be noted that in the USA, Piracetam is an unregulated, unscheduled compound. It does not meet the qualifications of a dietary supplement, and cannot be labeled or sold as such. While Piracetam has been used for many years as either an over-the-counter or prescription drug in other countries around the world, the FDA has not approved Piracetam as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Due to FDA laws on the sales, distribution, and labeling of compounds like Piracetam, buying it within the US can be difficult. It is legal to buy and own Piracetam for personal use however, so many people will import amounts for personal use (typically about a three months supply will not have import issues) from countries where the sale of Piracetam is legal.
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Recommended Piracetam Dosages
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When it comes to nootropics like Racetams, there is no such thing as a medically recommended Piracetam dosage.
This is due to the fact that Piracetam is unregulated, at least in the United States.
In other words, Piracetam is legal but there are no officially prescribed recommendations for how to use it.
This might be a different story in other countries around the world where the supplement is more widely accepted and used clinically.
Since there is no single recommended dosage of Piracetam, the next best thing is to look at what a number of the academic studies and research actually used and what those recognized as experts suggest.
The dosing range is quite large, with most falling somewhere between 1.2 grams and 9.6 grams per day. Most research trials fall somewhere between 3 and 5 grams per day.
While research is one source of information for Piracetam dose guidelines, another is from reading user experiences and logs. The majority of Piracetam reviews cite taking between 4 – 4.8 grams of this compound in powdered format as much as two to three times a day.
Remember that these dosages are based on using Piracetam on its own, but if you are stacking it with other racetams (Aniracetam, Oxiracetam or Pramiracetam) you might want to use a smaller quantity.
It should also be noted that Piracetam has a short half-life. Users may need to take the supplement several times a day to maintain levels in the body, so divided administrations are also advocated. Really the main guideline is to pay attention to what your body is telling you as far as effects and benefits.
- Promotes neuron health & synaptic plasticity
- Supports memory recall & learning
- Boosts focus, visual perception & attention
Avoid Taking Too Little
The truth about Piracetam is that most people are taking too little. This is somewhat understandable when we consider the fact that this supplement is relatively low in concentration because it was the first Nootropic developed back in the 1960’s.
Everything that has come along in its class since that time has been more potent and requires a much smaller dose. Noopept, by way of comparison, is thought to be as much as 1,000 times as potent.
Not only should we avoid taking too little, we should split the doses up over the course of a day in order to make it more effective. Piracetam needs time (as do many other supplements, medicines, and drugs) to build up to an effective level within your system. While this will vary from person to person, it can take several weeks.
Many people have used what they call “attack” doses for the first few days or even up to a week. This is simply taking amounts that are two or three times as high as they are planning to use on an ongoing basis and then dropping back down after they feel some effects.
The best course of action would be to use what the majority of the research studies and reviewers suggest. This is a total dose of 4.8 grams twice a day. But if you are taking it for the first time, you should start with a smaller amount just to make sure that you react well to it. From here, you should feel free to adjust up and down depending on your specific results.
Match the Dose to the Objective
A consideration that many people seem to overlook is matching the dose to the objective. In other words, why are you taking Piracetam in the first place?
If you are just interested in the neuroprotective and anti-aging potential of this nootropic, you might want to use a smaller dosage. If you are seeking general cognitive benefits, then you will also end up on the lower end of the recommendations above.
For greater enhancement, increased focus, higher energy levels and maximization of cognitive potential then you may end up needing more of this compound.
Bear in mind that Piracetam has also been used for a number of other conditions. It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss exactly how to match the dose with many different uses; consult with a trusted doctor or qualified healthcare provider to make sure everything is in line.
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Can Too Much Piracetam Result In An Overdose?
Piracetam is incredibly well-tolerated and very safe. Surprisingly safe, in fact.
The supplement is non-toxic and should be safe to use in even Piracetam mega doses which can involve taking more than 10 grams at a time. Technically, there is no risk of overdose but prudence is still advised.
In some clinical applications, dosage of 24 g per day are used (split into 2-3 administrations) with no side effects.
There has never been any case of dangerous negative side effects caused by this supplement other than some mild side effects which are easily handled. If you do notice any unpleasant side effects like headaches or nausea, this might be a sign that your dosage has gone a little too high.
In one reported case, a patient took 75 g of Piracetam orally in one day. The only side effect report was bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain, which was attributed to the excessively high dosage of Sorbitol used in the product formulation.
You will find that the best way to determine the right Piracetam dosage for you involves testing out slightly different dosages until you get it just right for your body.
Piracetam Side Effects
While Piracetam is very safe and non toxic there can be side effects from time to time. These are not common and occur in less than 10 percent of all users. They generally are fairly mild and can include headaches, fatigue, irritability, nervousness, and stomach or intestinal disorders.
Usually, these side effects indicate that the dosage has been raised too high for your personal physiology; simply lower and you should be fine.
Headaches are a special case. The reason for the headaches is most commonly because your brain is demanded more Acetylcholine than your body is currently supplying and the receptor sites are ‘burning’ out.
This issue can usually be relieved by adding a good quality choline supplement to your regimen. The choline is a precursor to Acetylcholine and provides more of the materials necessary for the body to make more Acetylcholine to meet demands.
A typical dosage ratio of Piracetam to high-quality Choline sources like Alpha GPC or Citicoline involves taking 4 grams of Piracetam to 250 mg of your choline supplement. This works out to a 16:1 ratio. For example, if you were to use 4.8 g of Piracetam, you would need 300 mg of Citicoline or Alpha GPC.
Again, this ratio is something you will want to experiment with to make sure that your Piracetam dosage is just right for your personal needs.
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- 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.
- De Reuck J, Van Vleymen B. The clinical safety of high-dose piracetam--its use in the treatment of acute stroke. Pharmacopsychiatry. 1999 Mar;32 Suppl 1:33-7.
- Gouliaev AH, Senning A. Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics. Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 1994 May;19(2):180-222.
- Flicker L, Grimley Evans G. Piracetam for dementia or cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2001;(2):CD001011.
- Gualtieri F, et al . Design and study of piracetam-like nootropics, controversial members of the problematic class of cognition-enhancing drugs. Curr Pharm Des. 2002;8(2):125-38.
- Szelies B, et al . Restitution of alpha-topography by piracetam in post-stroke aphasia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2001 Apr;39(4):152-7.
- 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.
- Mindus P, et al . Piracetam-induced improvement of mental performance. A controlled study on normally aging individuals. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1976 Aug;54(2):150-60.
- De Deyn PP, Reuck JD, Deberdt W, Vlietinck R, Orgogozo JM. Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke With Piracetam. Stroke. 1997 Dec;28(12):2347-52.
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
6 Comments
“This is a total dose of 4.8 grams twice a day.”
This statement is confusing. Does it mean (i) 2.4 grams taken twice a day for a total daily dose of 4.8 grams or (ii) 4.8 grams taken twice a day for a total daily dose of 9.6 grams? Since this is an article on best dosage it should be clearer.
@Dan: I can say from experience he is talking 9.6 grams a day. I used to have this amount every day for about 3 months. I even had weeks of 3×4.8g a day. Somehow I tested it on my own regardless of my fear that I would have irremediable side-effects. There were only SOME headaches but I do usually have them from time to time so I could not say if this is the cause. I found that the most apparent enhancement was in the mood of getting things done, the rest of the effects are somewhat unnoticeable until you really need them. There are two pleasant side-effects that nobody talks about or at least they do not mention it so as anybody can understand it. First of all, your body can learn to produce more choline in time, so I rarely need any choline supplements. Second, there are some increase in some kind of nerve growth factors (didn’t care enough to study more as to what kind of growth factor) so in the long term you begin to be able to concentrate longer and harder, you can easily grasp harder problems WITHOUT taking any dosage, although I recommend it from time to time. And do not undervalue the lipofuscin excretion enhancement, this is great for long time use.
Do not do it at home notice:
After saying all this, I do recommend you to NOT test anything on your body first. Read studies already done (a lot of them, and cross-reference them so they cannot lie). In the end, you are the only one who can decide what to do with the information.
How to weigh 4.8 grams is my question.
Also, I think the reason anybody speaks of 4.8g is that there are a lot of piracetam brands that sells it in pills form, with 1200mg dosage per pill. So I usually take 4 at a time for a total 4.8g.
I am a 54 yr old woman who has always had difficulty with telling a story or staying on track with conversation. I’m not handicapped in any way. In fact I work a full time job and do quite well. It’s hard for me to remember things, names and my past. It doesn’t come easy for me in casual conversation, a lot of effort to focus and engage for long periods of time.
I started taking peracetam about one month ago. I seem to find it helpful so far. My thinking seems to be clearer and sharper. My confusion is what is a good dose for me. Can anyone tell me exactly the dose I should take? I am approximately 125lbs and I also take Zolof (any contraindications with the combination?)
To check for contraindications with all your medications download the MEDSCAPE app to your phone. Inside the app theres “INTERACTION CHECKER” type in all your Rx Medications and other Supplements you are taking to make sure that there are no contraindications.
Again, the steps are:
1.) download Medscape App on your phone
2.) under “Interaction Checker” type in all your drugs
3.) You may now check if any has contraindications!
Hope it helps!
P.S. I am not with Medscape, but it is the App of choice of Medical Students in the University.