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Piracetam (also known by the names Nootropil, Nootropyl, Lucetam, Noostan and Breinox), is not only the most popular nootropic, it also happens to be the origin for the entire category of brain and focus boosting compounds known as Racetams.
Piracetam was first developed in 1964 as a safe compound that increases levels of neurotransmitters in the brain with little to no side effects.
People take Piracetam both for short-term use – such as studying for an exam or preparing for the meeting that you have coming up – or for long-term mental improvement by increasing production of new brain cells.
Piracetam is believed to have a positive impact on a number of different factors related to cognition such as improved memory, better learning and concept retention, increased focus, and a slight impact on mood improvement.
It should be noted that in the United States, Piracetam is an unregulated, unscheduled compound. While Piracetam has been used for years as either a prescription drug or an over-the-counter drug in various countries around the world, in the USA the FDA has not approved Piracetam as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Piracetam also does not meet the qualifications of a dietary supplement and cannot be labeled or sold as such in the US.
While it is legal to buy and own Piracetam for personal use, due to FDA laws surrounding the sales, distribution, and labeling of Piracetam, buying Piracetam within the US can be difficult, and there are few vendors who sell it. Most users will instead import from 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 Effects
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
After taking Piracetam, many of the psychological effects are felt within 30 minutes.
Depending on your sensitivity level, you may experience an immediate increase in concentration, motivation, and alertness or you may notice the changes more gradually throughout the day.
For most people, this is experienced as the sensation of various tasks becoming easier or requiring less mental work.
Some people use more subjective descriptions like saying that they are “in the zone” and can work for extended durations without becoming exhausted or feeling that their mental energy stores are being diminished. Psychologists refer to this as the diminished sensation of mental strain.
In most cases, increasing productivity and overcoming procrastination is the best indicator of the effects of Piracetam as a nootropic.
The primary way that Piracetam works is to improve neuroplasticity – a concept related to how easily your brain makes new connections through learning and memory. It is also a general indicator of the health of your existing brain cells and the creation of new cells.
Neuroplasticity (or synaptic plasticity as it is sometimes called) is highly correlated to the presence of various neurotransmitters as well as oxygen in the brain. The more of these neurochemicals, the better resources and energy your brain has for processing and its various other functions.
In research, Piracetam has been seen to work by increasing the levels of two of the most important neurotransmitters – Acetylcholine and Glutamate – as well as having a modest effect on increasing bloodflow and oxygen. That is why it makes for such a powerful nootropic and enhances cognitive ability.
- Promotes neuron health & synaptic plasticity
- Supports memory recall & learning
- Boosts focus, visual perception & attention
In research studies, Piracetam has also been shown to improve perception and sensory alertness. Users report that colors may appear brighter, sounds seem louder, smells are sharper, and touches are more distinct.
This heightened physical awareness is why Piracetam is also used by athletes or other individuals who require high degrees of clarity.
Some people will use Piracetam for social anxiety and improving comfort in various social and conversational contexts. You may find it easier to speak in small groups or even in front of a large audience and you will feel like you have to think less about what you are trying to say.
Piracetam users also typically report a general improvement in their mood and temperament.
Piracetam Side Effects
Piracetam is one of the safest nootropics that you can use. It has very few known side effects and does not interact with most other drugs.
In fact, the entire class of nootropics was specifically designed to have extremely low scores on the therapeutic toxicity index. For example, Piracetam has lower toxicity scores than table salt and caffeine.
At high dosages, some mild side effects may be experienced such as headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping, stomach discomfort, anxiety, and tiredness.
The most common Piracetam side effect is headaches. Typically you can prevent this condition by making sure that you have enough choline in your diet.
Because Piracetam causes your body to make use Acetylcholine (which is produced from choline), it is important to have enough of this precursor in your body to support demand. In most cases, supplementing with additional choline is enough to stop the experience of the “Piracetam headache.”
The highest quality source of choline to combine with Piracetam is either CDP Choline or Alpha GPC. There is also choline in a lot of foods like beef, broccoli, shrimp, eggs, milk, and most fish however the amounts are so small that it is often necessary to use a choline supplement if you are taking Piracetam.
- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
- Boost energy, alertnes & memory
- Contains 12 safe and natural nootropic ingredients
Piracetam Dosages
Piracetam is the least concentrated of the nootropic racetams which means you will have to take a larger dose of it in order to get the same effects. The most commonly taken Piracetam doses are between 1 – 3 g, taken three times a day (total of between 3-9 g daily).
Some studies have used as much as 4.8 g three times a day, but you should start with a smaller dose and build up over time to allow your body to adjust.
Other people will recommend cycling your nootropics, but this is a matter of personal preference and not something you must do.
Piracetam is sold in either tablet or a powder format. Powdered Piracetam can be mixed into a glass of water with your other nootropics to be digested quickly. You will most likely start to notice the effects of this compound within 30 to 35 minutes of ingestion.
Piracetam Stacks
Piracetam benefits can be enhanced even more when taken in conjunction with several different nootropics at once. These nootropic stacks will help you address diverse areas of brain ability together.
The most common stack is Piracetam + Choline (either Alpha GPC, Centrophenoxine, or Citicoline), which was mentioned previously to help prevent Piracetam headaches. Another common practice is to take Piracetam with a natural nootropic stack product like Alpha Brain which gives you high dosages of a solid mix of nootropic ingredients.
Experiment for yourself to determine the right combination for your goals!
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment