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In recent years there has been a lot of interest in using cognitive enhancers to help improve cognition, memory, learning, and a number of other mental functions.
These cognitive enhancers or “smart drugs” fall under a category of compounds called nootropics. This word comes from Greek and means, literally, ‘mind-turning.’
Two of the most commonly compared nootropics are Piracetam vs Noopept. Both are observed to improve memory, focus, reasoning, mood and other factors related to cognitive ability and mental processing.
But what do these compounds actually do? Do they have side effects and are they safe? This article will examine the similarities and differences between Piracetam and Noopept – two of the most popular nootropics sold today.
Before starting, it should be noted that in the United States, Piracetam and Noopept are unregulated, unscheduled compounds. While Piracetam has been used for years as either an over-the-counter or a prescription drug in various other countries around the world, in the US the FDA has not approved Piracetam as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Likewise, Noopept has not been approved as a drug either. Additionally, neither compound meets the qualifications of a dietary supplement, and cannot be labeled or sold as such.
It is legal to buy and own Piracetam and Noopept for personal use, however due to FDA laws surrounding the sales, distribution, and labeling of compounds like Piracetam and Noopept, buying from vendors within the US can be difficult.
There are some specialized online nootropic stores based in the US that sell Racetams, but they are limted. Many people will instead import from countries where the sale of Piracetam and Noopept is legal and regulated differently.
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Piracetam Review
Piracetam was actually the first nootropic developed, initially synthesized in 1964.
It is actually able to cross over the blood-brain barrier and works very quickly. It is believed to work by improving the functioning of Acetylcholine receptors and transmitters within the brain.
Acetylcholine is a very powerful neurotransmitter that is believed to play a critical role in a number of functions including mood, memory, learning, and possibly even thought processes.
By increasing the levels of circulating Acetylcholine, Piracetam is thought have a number of very helpful effects, including increasing concentration and focus, enhancing learning capabilities, and improving the formation and recall of memories.
Piracteam is thought to help improve communication between both hemispheres of the brain. There are also significant cognitive benefits including improved memory, enhanced learning, better mental energy, cognition, and focus. Another interesting benefit that has been seen with Piracetam is that it helps to protect the cerebral cortex against a loss of oxygen.
Incidentally, Piracetam has also been used to help with conditions like OCD disorders, post-stroke aphasia, epilepsy, and even cognitive decline after heart or brain surgery. Many researchers are also exploring additional uses for Piracetam in relation to lowering depression and anxiety, and use for age-related cognitive decline seen in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
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Noopept Review
Noopept is one of the most recent nootropics developed. This compound was designed to be an improvement over many of the ‘older’ nootropics like Piracetam. It has higher bio availability, meaning that more of the actual substance is usable by the body.
Additionally, Noopept is estimated to be between 1,000 and 5,000 times as potent as the original nootropics (i.e. Piracetam), making it the strongest available analogue of Piracetam. This compound is believed to work by binding to Glutamate receptors in the brain, augmenting the effectiveness of this neurotransmitter.
It is thought that Glutamate is another of the brain chemicals responsible for memory functions, and that Noopept may help increase its activity.
One of the major effects of Noopept is that it thought to improve communication between both hemispheres of the brain, just like Piracetam. It is also a neuroprotector, helping to protect neurons and brain cells from damage.
Many users have also noticed increased memory, improved general cognition, increased alertness, focus, concentration, and mental energy. Another big benefit is improved mental fluidity; many users find themselves reading, writing, and thinking with much less effort.
There is some research to suggest that Noopept may lead to a relaxing and comfortable feeling. It may help to reduce stress and fight fatigue, along with preventing oxidative damage.
The biggest difference between Piracetam and Noopept is the potency of these compounds. Noopept is much more potent substance than Piracetam and its effects are said to be stronger. The cognitive effects reported with both compounds are fairly similar, but users who have taken both have reported that Noopept is much stronger than Piracetam and takes effect more quickly.
Research Comparison
In one study, patients with traumatic brain injury or cognitive decline due to cerebrovascular disease were given either 20 mg of Noopept daily or 1,200 mg of Piracetam.
Patients taking noopept experienced greater improvements in mood, anxiety, fatigue, sleep, muscle weakness, attention, memory and cognitive function. They also had higher increases in their scores on a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Those taking Piracetam experienced more variable responses to the nootropic drug and benefits took a longer period of time to be discernable. Patients did experience reductions in daytime drowsiness, fatigue, anxiety, irritability and forgetfulness. There were improvements in speech, activity levels, attention and concentration.
According to the study authors, there were no significant difference in the range of the nootropic effects between the two, but that Noopept produced a better profile of effects with fewer psychostimulatory side effects.
Piracetam did not cause the same anxiolytic effect as noopept and there was no positive benefit for sleep. Noopept produced a greater benefit for normalizing autonomic nervous system function.
Comparing Side Effects
Nootropics are generally considered to be very safe. Of course, nothing works exactly the same for everyone, since different bodies have different chemistry.
Piracetam side effects are considered to be fairly rare, with only about 10% of users every reporting any effects. The side effects that are most commonly reported are all mild and can include some nervousness, agitation, weight gain, and headaches. Most side effects only occur when extremely high doses are consumed.
The most common side effect, headaches, is believed to be not due to the Piracetam directly, but instead because of its relationship with Acetylcholine. The increased Acetylcholine activity that Piracetam is thought to cause can lead to stores of this neurotransmitter becoming depleted. When this occurs it is thought to cause burn out of receptors that are still firing but have no Acetylcholine.
Adding a high quality choline supplement such as Alpha GPC or Citicoline is thought to help minimize or reduce these headaches by providing the raw materials to produce more Acetylcholine and replenish depleted stores.
It is recommended to take choline with all of the Racetams to help avoid headaches. Noopept on the other hand does not often cause headaches like these because its primary action is related to Glutamate and not Acetylcholine.
Like Piracetam, side effects of Noopept are fairly rare, and no serious side effects have ever been reported. The most common Noopept side effects can include nervousness, irritation, restlessness, agitation, dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, asthenia (physical weakness), heart palpitations, and insomnia.
These side effects are typically only reported when higher than recommended dosages have been taken. The best way to avoid any of these effects is to stay within the recommended dosage levels.
One comparative research study found that Noopept was safer when used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of mild cognitive disorders. Patients taking 20 mg of Noopept daily experienced 1.8 times fewer side effects than patients taking 1,200 mg of Piracetam.
According to the researchers, “In most cases, undesirable effects on treatment with Noopept were transient and of insignificant severity. The use of piracetam was associated with a greater frequency, severity, and spectrum of undesirable effects in the patients, which were dominated by effects linked with the excessive stimulatory action of the agent, along with somatoautonomic impairments.”
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Recommended Dosages
Based on research studies and user reviews, Piracetam has a typical dosage range of between 1.6 and 9.6 grams per day, with most users reporting taking 4.8 g dosages two or three times per day. Dosages are typically split up into multiple equal administrations throughout the day due to the short half-life of Piracetam in the body.
Be careful taking this compound immediately before bedtime (unless interested in pursuing lucid dreams), as it can cause some people to be too alert.
Since Noopept is so much more powerful, a typical dosage is much lower. Most users report only take between 10 and 30 milligrams per day. Once again, this is most commonly split into equal administrations throughout the day.
As with any new nootropic, it is always advisable to begin with a lower dose and then only work your way up once you know how it affects your body.
Aniracetam vs Noopept
Another interesting nootropic similar to Piracetam and Noopept is Aniracetam. Unlike many of the other Racetams, this one is fat soluble and is thought to possibly cross the blood-brain barrier better than the water-soluble Piracetam.
Similarly to Noopept, this nootropic exerts its influence upon Glutamate receptors, but like Piracetam it also affects Acetylcholine receptors. It is also fairly potent (but not as strong as Noopept).
The cognitive effects between Piracetam, Aniracetam, and Noopept are quite similar. An increase in memory, concentration, focus, mental energy, and general cognition are the most cited effects of Aniracetam. Aniracetam may also help to increase the rate of memory processing, which is a bit different than many of the other nootropics.
If you do not find the effects of Piracetam to be enough for your needs, but Noopept seems to be too strong, then Aniracetam may be a nice compromise for you to try.
Piracetam vs. Noopept Conclusion
So which is the best nootropic? This is a highly personal decision and really depends upon your needs and goals. Based on user reviews, both work incredibly well, with similar cognitive effects.
If you are just starting out trying nootropics in general then it is generally recommended to start with the milder Piracetam at first as you learn how your body reacts to nootropic compounds. Once you have determine how Piracetam works and are interested in trying a more potent nootropic, than Noopept may be a good choice.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment