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The mechanism of action for Piracetam has fascinated neuroscientists ever since its discovery over 50 years ago.
Piracetam was the first Nootropic developed, produced as a cyclic derivative of GABA. This compound was invented in 1964 by a Romanian chemist when he converted 2-pyrrolidinone into an amide.
It is the founding member of the Racetam class of Nootropics and is succeeded by Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam, Nefiracetam, Coluracetam as well as several other Racetams that have achieved popular appeal.
While these follow-ups are each known to be more powerful than Piracetam, this original compound still remains the most popular nootropic available today.
Piracetam does have some legitimate medical applications, but it is primarily used as a cognitive enhancer or “smart drug”.
Piracetam is noted to boost memory performance, reasoning ability, verbal processing, analytical skills, learning capacity, concentration and more. It is also known to exert a protective effect on the brain from certain types of damage and to improve several metrics of neuron functionality.
It is interesting that despite its rich history of research, there is still much that we do not fully understand about how Piracetam works. What is Piracetam’s mechanism of action and what are the direct effects of this nootropic on your cognitive behavior?
It should be noted that at the present time in the United States, Piracetam is not regulated or scheduled and is used off-label for many of its Nootropic benefits. Piracetam does not meet the qualifications of a dietary supplement and cannot be sold as one. Although Piracetam has been used as a prescription or over the counter drug in many different countries around the world, in the US the FDA has not approved Piracetam as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
It is legal to buy, own, and use Piracetam, but sales of it within the US are very limited due to FDA laws surrounding the distribution, sale, and labeling of unscheduled, unregulated compounds. Most users will buy and import their Piracetam from international vendors based in countries where the sale of Piracetam is legal.
Memory
Attention
Brain Health- Promotes neuron health & synaptic plasticity
- Supports memory recall & learning
- Boosts focus, visual perception & attention
Piracetam’s Mechanism Of Action
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- Dangers & Safety
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- Piracetam vs. Aniracetam vs. Oxiracetam vs. Pramiracetam
- Comparison to Noopept
- Top Piracetam Stacks
- Stacking with Choline
To say that there is consensus among researchers regarding Piracetam’s mechanism of action would be misguiding. Many different theories have been proposed and there is evidence for most of these interactions born out in laboratory trials.
It may very well be possible that Piracetam exhibits several different mechanisms of action in the brain that contribute to its positive effects on brain power. Although the specific way that Piracetam works is not fully understood, we do know that the compound shows good penetration of the blood-brain barrier.
Once active in the Central Nervous System, it is believed to influence neuronal and vascular functions, all without acting as either a sedative or a stimulant.
An acknowledged effect of Piracetam is to increase the membrane permeability of neurons within the cerebral cortex. When Piracetam binds to the walls of these cells, it makes it easier for nutrients to enter into the cell and for waste products to depart.
Researchers have observed blood flow and oxygen consumption are increased in certain parts of the brain. That means that your cells receive more of the building blocks necessary for metabolism, producing a greater energy output.
This also has the effect of enhancing cell maintenance functions and preventing the accumulation of toxins or lipofuscin which can speed up the aging process. Increased neuronal fluidity can also lead to better signal transmission between cells, resulting in a higher baseline of basic cerebral functions.
This mechanism of action might explain the broad improvements in cognitive processing and memory recall speed that are observed when using Piracetam.
Another much-touted effect of Piracetam is on the activity of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is used to send signals between areas of the brain responsible for memory formation, learning, attention, and focus.
Acetylcholine seems to be particularly vital for working (or short-term) memory capacity as it relates to fluid intelligence. This is the ability to adapt, recognize patterns, understand connections between abstract concepts and perform critical analysis.
Piracetam is also thought to modulate the AMPA receptors (Glutamate) within the brain. These signally pathways are directly involved in synaptic plasticity and Long-Term Potentiation which is the process that occurs in your brain as part of memory storage.
- Promotes neuron health & synaptic plasticity
- Supports memory recall & learning
- Boosts focus, visual perception & attention
Use for Cognitive Impairments
While Piracetam offers benefits for healthy unimpaired individuals, it seems to be particularly effective at improving brain function in individuals suffering from certain types of damage or degeneration.
Piracetam is noted to reduce oxidative stress on the brain as related to alcohol and drug consumption. Some individuals find that it makes an ideal hangover cure. There is also a great deal of promise and excitement about the research examining the use of Piracetam in treating Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Alzheimer’s patients typically exhibit low levels of Acetylcholine activity in the brain, resulting in difficulty forming new memories and retrieving stored memories. By increasing the efficiency of the Cholinergic system, it is hypothesized that Piracetam may be able to prevent or reduce signs of Alzheimer’s. This is a very promising and interesting area for future research.
Piracetam may also alter membrane properties within specific areas of the brain (especially those that have been previously damaged). One of the most common medical uses of Piracetam is as a medical and neuroprotective agent which can be administered before or after a stroke.
This compound is thought to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke and also to reduce post-stroke damage to the brain. Additionally, it is an anti-coagulant and anti-thrombotic agent that is often used in conjunction with other therapies.
Piracetam Safety & Drug Interactions
Piracetam has a very safe user profile with limited side effects reported and almost no drug interactions to speak of. There are a few mild side effects associated with Piracetam, but normally these only present when consumed in higher than recommended doses, or in those who have sensitivity to the compound.
These side effects include headaches, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, GI tract issues, and depression. The most commonly reported side effects is headaches. It is most commonly thought that typically these headaches are related to Acetylcholine levels in the brain.
Piracetam is believed to increase Acetylcholine activity. If the supplies of this neurotransmitter become depleted, then the Acetylcholine receptors can “burn out,” which is believed to be the source of these so called Piracetam headaches.
Typically adding a high quality choline supplement can help with the Acetylcholine receptor sites burn out effect. The choline is a precursor for Acetylcholine. It is thought that by providing more of the raw material needed to make Acetylcholine that levels may not become depleted, hence avoiding the subsequent headaches.
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Piracetam Stacking
Another great feature about Piracetam is that it can also be stacked, or used in combination, with a number of Nootropics for added effect.
Piracetam is known to amplify the effects of most other nootropics and psychoactive substances – something that can perhaps be attributed to the increase in neuron membrane permeability.
A good starter stack is to combine Piracetam with a Choline source like Alpha GPC or CDP Choline. This can be a good synergistic stack even if you are not experiencing Piracetam headaches.
If you find yourself on edge or regularly experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, some users have suggested combining Piracetam with Aniracetam for a mood enhancement effect. For individuals who want to maximize their ability to focus, a stack of Piracetam and Noopept may have excellent results.
Conclusion
Piracetam is an extraordinary compound; its singular properties warranted so much attention in the 1960’s that researchers found it necessary to invent a new category of substances – Nootropics – in order to properly classify it.
Piracetam continues to fascinate neuroscientists and neuropharmacologists today, in part driven by the fact that there are still unanswered questions about how it exactly works.
We know what it does; there are countless Piracetam reviews attesting to the fact that it can increase memory and learning capacity, improve the speed of recall and intellectual processing, and enhance attention span, focus, sensory perception, mental energy, and more.
It has been seen to have neuroprotective properties, acting as an antioxidant and removing toxins from the brain. While the exact mechanism of action for Piracetam continues to be debated in the academic community, any one of Piracetam’s devoted fans will tell you that there is no debate about whether Piracetam works.
Consider trying this nootropic out yourself to find out if its touted memory, concentration, and cognitive processing effects work for you.
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- Moriau M, et al. Platelet anti-aggregant and rheological properties of piracetam. A pharmacodynamic study in normal subjects. Arzneimittelforschung. 1993 Feb;43(2):110-8.
- Eckert GP, Cairns NJ, Müller WE. Piracetam reverses hippocampal membrane alterations in Alzheimer's disease. J Neural Transm. 1999;106(7-8):757-61.
- Grotemeyer KH, et al. Piracetam versus acetylsalicylic acid in secondary stroke prophylaxis. A double-blind, randomized, parallel group, 2 year follow-up study. J Neurol Sci. 2000 Dec 1;181(1-2):65-72.
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- Vural M, et al. High-dose piracetam is effective on cerebellar ataxia in patient with cerebellar cortical atrophy. Mov Disord. 2003 Apr;18(4):457-9.
- 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