Coluracetam (BCI-540, or MKC-231) is a fat-soluble nootropic in the racetam-class of compounds. Coluracetam is much more potent than the original racetam, Piracetam.
Coluracetam was patented by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma of Japan in 2005. Making it one of the newest racetam-based nootropics.
The patent for Coluracetam was later sold to BrainCells, Inc. in San Diego, California. BrainCells is a small, privately-held biopharmaceutical company specializing in developing compounds for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment resistant depression (TRD), and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Coluracetam is similar in structure to Piracetam. And like all racetam nootropics, has a pyrrolidone nucleus at its core. The latest clinical research indicates potential for treating depressive disorders, and retinal and optic nerve damage.
Coluracetam is a very strong choline targeting supplement. It boosts your brain’s choline conversion to acetylcholine (ACh) through the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) process. Which increases alertness, attention to detail and memory.
Some research, and personal experience shows Coluracetam may affect AMPA receptors. Making it a potential ampakine nootropic. Which could explain the stimulant-like effects without the side effects of traditional stimulants.
Coluracetam also shows some anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) qualities helping improve mood and quieting anxiety.
Coluracetam helps:
- Brain Optimization: Coluracetam is a choline uptake enhancer which boosts the effects of choline in your brain. It increases the production of acetylcholine (ACh) through HACU. Resulting in better learning and memory.[i]
- Neurotransmitters: Coluracetam desensitizes glutamate (AMPA) receptors in your brain.[ii] Which boosts neural signaling by increasing the effectiveness of glutamate. Resulting in better focus and concentration.
- Mood & Anti-anxiety: Coluracetam is effective in treating anxiety and depression. Even in people suffering from major depression and who do not respond to SSRI’s.
Table of Contents
Overview
Coluracetam is in the racetam-family of nootropic compounds. It is a fat-soluble nootropic. The racetam-class of nootropics share a pyrrolidone nucleus at their core.
Coluracetam is unique among the racetams in the way it targets choline in the brain. It boosts your brain’s choline conversion to acetylcholine (ACh) through the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) process.
Pramiracetam is the only other racetam that has a similar mechanism of action. By influencing the HACU process.
Coluracetam is one of the newest synthetic nootropic compounds. It is known for improving long-term memory and mood. And for enhancing sounds and color.
Coluracetam is considered to be much more potent than Piracetam. And suggested doses are much smaller – often in the 3 – 10 mg range.
Coluracetam helps increase attention span, alertness and boosts long-term memory.
Coluracetam acts like an ampakine nootropic although this hasn’t been verified in clinical trials. Ampakines tend to have a stimulant effect. But do not produce the same stimulant side effects as Ritalin or coffee.
Coluracetam vs. Piracetam: What’s the Difference?
Piracetam, the original racetam that started the nootropic movement, is a cyclic derivative of GABA. It affects the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) by helping ACh receptors accept, or be more sensitive to acetylcholine.
Coluracetam also boosts acetylcholine in the brain. But through a different mechanism of action. Rather than making the ACh receptors more sensitive to ACh, it actually increases the synthesis of acetylcholine from choline. By affecting the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) process.
How does Coluracetam Work in the Brain?
Coluracetam boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Coluracetam boosts your brain’s choline uptake by targeting and working with the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) process in the brain’s neurons.
Acetylcholine (ACh) is made up of choline and acetate. These must be available to the neuron terminal at all times. So that ACh can be synthesized whenever it is needed.
Free choline circulating in the blood crosses the blood-brain barrier. And is taken up by cholinergic neuron terminals. It gets taken into the neuron by the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) system.[iii]
The synthesis of ACh takes place in the synaptic cleft. The space between neurons as it travels into the neuron.
The HACU system is temperature-, energy-, and sodium-dependent. This system is the primary means by which choline needed for the synthesis of ACh is transported into the neuron. And is the rate-limiting step in the production of this critical neurotransmitter.[iv]
When this system breaks down or doesn’t work as efficiently as it was designed, you experience problems with memory, learning, and brain fog.
Coluracetam effects this process and helps it work more efficiently. In fact, it seems to boost the HACU process. Even in damaged neurons.
Increased acetylcholine in neurons helps improve memory, boosts cognition and provides better decision-making capabilities.
- Coluracetam also seems to improve AMPA potentiation. AMPA receptors are affected by glutamate. Which works in the brain and central nervous system to improve alertness and cognition.
Coluracetam works with both AMPA potentiation and choline uptake enhancement. This combination seems to help improve mood disorders without affecting serotonin levels.
Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) is the current preferred mainstream medical method for dealing with mood disorders and depression. They come with a list of detrimental side effects. And don’t work for every depressed patient.
Researchers reported that Coluracetam was beneficial in treating major clinical depression and anxiety disorder.[v] Without affecting serotonin levels in the brain. And without the side effects that go with disrupting serotonin.
How things go bad:
As we get older, our brain chemistry and energy metabolism changes.
↓ Brain cell membranes degenerate
↓ Recall, reaction time and mood diminish
↓ Conversion of choline to acetylcholine breaks down
↓ Acetylcholine levels decline
All of these changes can happen at any age. And are a product of the food we eat, what we drink, lifestyle habits, the air we breathe and more.
So Coluracetam can help mood disorders and age-related cognitive decline. But it works as well for the student looking to do better in school. By boosting acetylcholine and controlling glutamate in the brain.
Coluracetam benefits
Research from a very limited number of studies have shown that Coluracetam will:
- Restore the synthesis of acetylcholine
- Restore long-term memory
- Improve working memory
- Relieve symptoms of severe depression
- Treat symptoms of general anxiety
- Increase choline uptake even in damaged neurons
- Repair retinal and optic nerve damage
The benefits from supplementing with Coluracetam seem to be long-lasting. Even after supplementation has stopped.
How does Coluracetam feel?
Even with very small doses of Coluracetam you should experience a decrease in anxiety and improved mood. Overall energy levels should go up.
Unlike the effect commonly produced by stimulants, Coluracetam offers a more relaxed, calm and free-minded kind of thought-processing.
Coluracetam acts quickly to boost long-term and working memory and word-recall. And many nootropic-users report that colors are crisper, or enhanced. Sound and audio seems to wash through you.
Some even report that Coluracetam enhances meditation. There is an extremely pleasant sense of being at peace with the world.
Coluracetam Clinical Research
Coluracetam was first discovered the late 1990’s. And because it’s so new, very few clinical trials have been done with humans. Most of the clinical research available to us has been done on animals.
BrainCells, Inc., who acquired the patent from the company that first developed Coluracetam, have begun human trials. Here we have two examples of the clinical research done in the last 15 years on animals.
Coluracetam Provides Long-lasting Cognition Improvement
Researchers in Japan worked with rats whose memory was chemically impaired. In this study, rats were dosed with Coluracetam (MKC-231) for 8 days.
The team studied the effects on the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) system of the rats after 8-days of repeated Coluracetam treatment.
They reported an increase of HACU activity along with a boost in cognition. And concluded that Coluracetam “could induce long-lasting pro-cognitive effects by changing the choline transporter regulation system”.[vi]
Coluracetam Improves Working Memory
A study at Iwate Medical University in Japan was done on mice with working memory deficits. In this study, scientists found that Coluracetam improved working memory at all doses tested.
They found it significantly reversed an acetylcholine deficit. And concluded that Coluracetam improved memory deficits by boosting high affinity choline uptake (HACU), and the release of acetylcholine.[vii]
Coluracetam Dosage
Recommended Coluracetam dosage is 20 – 80 mg per day. So 20 mg would be taken in two 10 mg doses. One Coluracetam dose in the morning, and one in the early afternoon.
Higher doses of Coluracetam are based on clinical trials mostly done on animals. When first adding Coluracetam to your stack, most neurohackers start out with a much smaller dose. And see how you react to it.
Coluracetam is typically sold in powder form. Smaller doses are often taken sublingually for faster and better absorption.
Since Coluracetam is a fat-soluble nootropic, you should take it with a meal containing healthy fats. Or with a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil.
My preferred healthy fat is a tablespoon of the new organic, non-GMO Performance Lab® MCT Oil.
Coluracetam Side Effects
Coluracetam is non-toxic. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.
Many first-time users of Coluracetam report fatigue which is often the result of starting with too high a dose.
Remember, Coluracetam works by enhancing choline uptake in your brain. Choline is a precursor to the production of acetylcholine. If not enough choline is available in your system, you’ll feel the side effects.
Side effects are rare but can include anxiety, fatigue, headaches, nervousness and nausea. Again, side effects are often a result of unusually high doses of the nootropic.
Headaches from using Coluracetam typically happen when you forget to combine it with a good choline supplement. Headaches are often a symptom of a choline deficit in your brain.
Where to buy Coluracetam
Coluracetam is usually sold in powder form. A couple of companies offer it in a liquid base making it easier to dose and take sublingually.
The best place to buy Coluracetam is: Pure Nootropics – Coluracetam
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Coluracetam 20 – 80 mg per day
I recommend using Coluracetam as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does not make Coluracetam on its own. So to get its benefits you must take it as a supplement.
Coluracetam is unique among racetams because it is a high affinity choline uptake (HACU) enhancer.
Coluracetam is especially helpful for restoring long-term memory, boosting cognition and better decision-making. All benefits associated with improved choline uptake into neurons. And the improved synthesis of acetylcholine.
Coluracetam also has a strong, albeit brief history of treating major depression. For the healthy neurohacker you’ll get the benefit of a sense of contentment and peace.
And as an added bonus, the extra choline activity affects optic nerves. So you may experience enhanced colors and sound.
The positive effects of Coluracetam appear to be at least semi-permanent. The benefits continue even after it leaves your system.
You should use Coluracetam with a good choline supplement like Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. It helps boost acetylcholine synthesis, so demands the presence of more choline in your brain.
Clinical trials say you can safely boost daily intake of Coluracetam to 200 mg for major depressive disorder if needed. But we suggest starting with 20 mg per day. And increasing your doses only after you see how it works in your system.
And Coluracetam is a fat-soluble nootropic so for proper absorption into cells must be taken with a healthy fat like unrefined coconut oil, or extra virgin olive oil. My preferred healthy fat is a tablespoon of the new organic, non-GMO Performance Lab® MCT Oil.
The best place to buy Coluracetam is Pure Nootropics – Coluracetam.
[i] Takashina K., Bessho T., Mori R., Eguchi J., Saito K. “MKC-231, a choline uptake enhancer: (2) Effect on synthesis and release of acetylcholine in AF64A-treated rats.” Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna). 2008 Jul;115(7):1027-35. (source)
[ii] Akaike A., Maeda T., Kaneko S., Tamura Y. “Protective effect of MKC-231, a novel high affinity choline uptake enhancer, on glutamate cytotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons.” Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. 1998 Feb;76(2):219-22. (source)
[iii] Ray B., Bailey J.A., Simon J.R., Lahiri D.K. “High-affinity choline uptake (HACU) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in neuronal cultures for mechanistic and drug discovery studies.” Current Protocols in Neuroscience. 2012 Jul;Chapter 7:Unit 7.23. (source)
[iv] “Uptake of Choline, a Precursor of Acetylcholine” Williams Collegewilliams.edu Retrieved May 3, 2016 (source)
[v] Brauser D. “Neurogenesis-Stimulating Compounds Show Promise in the Treatment of Major Depression” Medscape Medical News September 21, 2009 (source)
[vi] Bessho T., Takashina K., Eguchi J., Komatsu T., Saito K. “MKC-231, a choline-uptake enhancer: (1) long-lasting cognitive improvement after repeated administration in AF64A-treated rats.” Journal of Neural Transmission (Vienna). 2008 Jul;115(7):1019-25. (source)
[vii] Murai S., Saito H., Abe E., Masuda Y., Odashima J., Itoh T. “MKC-231, a choline uptake enhancer, ameliorates working memory deficits and decreased hippocampal acetylcholine induced by ethylcholine aziridinium ion in mice.” Journal of Neural Transmission General Section. 1994;98(1):1-13. (source)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Hello David,
A few years ago, when I went back to college, I experimented with an Oxiracetam/Aniracetam stack that yielded significant benefits for memory and focus. I have also experimented with Pramiracetam because it’s more potent than Oxiracetam. The powder has a very pungent taste. Yuck!
Through more reading and research, I have recently learned about Coluracetam; I’m curious to know your thoughts on using Coluracetam instead of Pramiracetam if the key benefit sought is laser focus?
Best,
Anthony
Anthony, see this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/the-top-7-racetams-which-one-is-best/. Pramiracetam is likely the best choice for what you are looking for.
Hi David,
It is good to combine with Noopept? or after a month of taking coluracetam next will be Noopept? which is better of two for students?
Thanks
Ken, you could combine Noopept with Coluracetam. Just make sure you are using CDP-Choline each time you take it.
Noopept is probably a better study nootropic than Coluracetam.
Thank you for your response sir David
I like with coluracetam it has a long lasting effect. How about noopept? It has a long lasting effect after long term of dosage? (Sample 3 months dosing of noopept)
Thanks
Ken, Noopept needs to be taken twice per day to stay in your system all day long. It will only provide its benefit the days you take it.
Hi David
Thank you for your fast response I will combined the two as you suggest to reap the benefits especially the long lasting effect of coluracetam
Hi David! I would like to know your opinion. Our Europe coluracetam vendor says two interesting things:
1) Every racetam that affect LTP need proper levels of ACH and glutamate to work. It’s important to me because I feel tired after nearly all racetams (although I add 600mg CDP + 500mg B5 + all cofactors possible) would L-Glutamine work in this direction? Or do you recommend something else for glutamate levels? Gaba is my dominant neurotransmitter so I assume glutamate might be lower.
2) They say coluracetam lasts 72h.
Thank you!
Aleksander, glutamate attaches to receptors which opens ion channels allowing neurotransmitters to pass through the neuron wall. You can increase glutamate by supplementing with L-Glutamine.
The recommended dosage for CDP-Choline is 300 mg. Recommended dose of Vitamin B5 is 5 mg per day. Try reducing those and see if it still makes you feel fatigued.
If it does then the racetams are likely the wrong supplement for you.
Hi David, I have been taking 20mg of Coluracetam for the past week, and yesterday I took 50mg of “coq10 phytosome” from science.bio. I have been having random headaches that are very short lived in random places around my head. Someone suggested that I take a vasodilator (so I took some ALA, Pine Bark, and magnesium l-threonate). But I’m not sure what is going on at the neurochemistry side of things, as I wasn’t expecting the coq10 to cross the blood-brain barrier and potentially interact with coluracetam, perhaps by supplying more ATP through bolstering mitochondria. Can you please give me your thoughts?
Chris, headaches when using any of the racetams is called a “racetam-headache” and it is unique to the racetams. Because they affect how your brain uses acetylcholine.
If you are deficient in acetylcholine while using Oxiracetam you’ll get a headache. This is why you need to take 300 mg CDP-Choline each time you use Oxiracetam. Your brain is telling you it needs more acetylcholine.
Is this safe to combine with other racetams?
Kyle, theoretically it is safe but I suggest you don’t use any more than two at at time. Keep in mind these racetams were developed and are used as prescription drugs in some countries. For example, you don’t stack various benzos or SSRIs for a more dramatic effect. Any of the racetams need to be treated with the same respect.
Hi David, I went to hrsupplements to look for Coluracetam, then I read the terms of service where I read all the Red print with all the Warnings, like don’t take any of these products if you have anxiety…what is your view on these statements?
Thanks
Don
Don, in a word “liability”. Because like all of the racetams, they were developed as prescription drugs. And many are still sold by prescription in some countries.
The racetams are not considered “dietary supplements” by the FDA in the USA. And cannot be sold as dietary supplements. Instead, they’re sold as ‘research compounds’ and you accept all the ‘risk’ when buying them and use them as nootropics. Some packages will even say “not for human consumption”.
I stand by my “Side Effects” section above in this review. Like any nootropic supplement you need to be aware of potential side effects. And the chance that it may be contraindicated with some prescription drugs or certain health conditions.
A new question about Coluracetam: Given that Pramiracetam and Coluracetam both are known for their HACU characteristics, would using them together in a stack be okay? For example, 300 mg Pramiracetam along with 40 mg Coluracetam. Also, given the HACU characteristics, would 300 mg CDP Choline be excessive if those two were used together?
Larry, you could use them together but not sure why you would want to. If stacked you may need to increase your CDP-Choline because of how they influence acetylcholine in your brain. If you normally use 300 mg CDP-Choline I’d try that and then try 600 mg the next time. And see if you experience anything different.
I was wondering about the coluracetam for the benefits it has for eyesight. Up until I was just past 50, I’ve never needed eyeglasses, and even now it’s only for reading; distance vision was slightly better than 20/15 last December. My thought was that coluracetam could be just enough to be able to ditch the glasses. I suppose rather than an either/or choice, perhaps an every other day or every other dose approach may work as well. I will try both for a week or two, while using your advice, and see how it goes. Thanks so much for the advice and your time David, it’s greatly appreciated.
Larry, Coluracetam may help but I think a far better choice for you is the Performance Lab Vision supplement: https://nootropicsexpert.com/performance-lab-vision-review/. Please read that review because this is one of the best and most effective supplements they make in my opinion.
I have slightly modified my stack since I last asked a question about coluracetam. The following list is taken 3x daily:
1x MLP
1x PL Men’s Daily
1x PL T-Boost
1x Uridine Monophosphate
1x NAC 600 mg
400 mg l-theanine
1x Norwegian Fish Oil- 500 mg DHA, 100 mg EPA
100 mg moda
40 mg Coluracetam
Is the fish oil capsule enough fat for the 40 mg coluracetam (or 300 mg pramiracetam) absorption? I’ve been having some amazing results with intermittent fasting and am trying to keep calories down until after I get home from work. After our 3 month break from COVID (March 18-June 4) I was at the 3rd notch on my belt and am now at that awkward point where the 4th notch is a bit loose and the 5th is a bit tight…sometimes.
Larry, it’s not likely enough fat to get the full benefit from the fat-soluble supplements in your stack. And some of the vitamins and minerals in PL for men are fat-soluble too. Why not take it with a tablespoon of MCT Oil? Not fattening and immediately turns into ketones.
Thanks for the information David. I seem to have some issues with MCT, even at doses as low as 15 ml (1/2 TBSP?) I don’t know if I need to ramp it up slower or if I just can’t take it. Does trying do 15 ml once a day for a day or two, then go to twice, and so on until I can get to 3x, then after that, I’ll try 1x @ 30 ml and 2x @ 15 ml and keep going until I can get to 30 ml 3x sound like a good plan?
Larry, whatever works best for you. If you’re using MCT Oil just for the healthy fat you can try something else like Extra Virgin Olive Oil if your system can’t take coconut oil.
Hi David 🙂
I want to add Coluracetam to my stack but i use 50mg Dosulepin TCA antidepressants before bed.
It seems that Coluracetam works on acetylcholine (ACh) but i just want to be sure. they don’t raise serotonin, nor adrenaline or dopamine levels right?
Is it possible to use Coluracetam with Dosulepin?
Anthony, Dosulepin is an antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors as well. So it will likely potentiate the effects of Coluracetam. And I’m not sure how that will work out. Because it may take more Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline than you’d normally stack with Coluracetam.
But this a complete unknown and I’m not sure I’d risk it.
A couple of questions about coluracetam dosing and choline amounts:
1) Would 1x MLP, 1x T-boost, 250 mg CDP, 250 mg UMP, and 20 mg Coluracetam (3x/day-first dose when I get up and the last dose approx. 1:30 pm and the second around the mid-point) be a good combination?
2) And would adding the following to the above work: 10 mg vinpocitine, 400 mg l-theanine, 100 mg Moda, 1000 mg DHA, and 3x 1TBSP MCT. I suspect I may know what your response to one of the items in this group may be 😉 so a bit of explanation may be in order: I’m up every morning at 3:30 am, at work (mig-welder) by 5:00 am, go home at 2:30 pm, and bedtime at 9:00 pm.
2a) Would Oxi and/or Ani be of any benefit to group 2 above?
Larry, both stacks should work well. But you may need to increase your CDP-Choline dosage. Try your suggestion first and if you get a racetam-headache you’ll know to increase your choline supplement.
For you last question, I’d choose Aniracetam because I’ve used it for over 12 years and it works very well for me. But you may want to give each a one month trial and see which one works best for you. Or you may find you don’t get any benefit at all. Only way to find out is to try …
Ok, I was kind of leaning that way, however, I thought I remembered seeing somewhere that Aniracetam was recommended to be stacked with CDP choline at 1:5 or 1:4 ratio (1000 mg aniracetam 200 mg CDP/1000 mg aniracetam 250 mg CDP). With one capsule of MLP and 250 mg capsule of CDP I came up with 375 mg of CDP and according to that, it SHOULD be enough for the aniracetam, but wasn’t sure if adding the coluracetam would make it too low despite the HACU (?) properties of the coluracetam. Also, the question between oxi and ani was due to coluracetam’s anxyiolitic properties and didn’t know if there would be too much redundancy? I know with brain chemistry YMMV is a real factor, but ratios, to me, seem to be a nice ballpark starting figure.
Once again David, thanks so much for your willingness to share your knowledge! I think I may try your suggestion tomorrow so if it doesn’t go so well, can try to fix it at home rather than at work. 🙂
I love your website it’s very informative, I have A question though other websites mention it gives people suicidal thoughts now in your opinion and research is that true and on which bases.
Fahad, it never same up in my research when writing this review. And I have not seen any clinical evidence of this type of side effect. But if you find something please let me know. Personal opinion doesn’t count. Only peer-reviewed clinical studies if you find any.
But here’s a suggestion for you. If you come across anything like this find out what dosages were reported. Because side effects sometimes only show up when someone does not follow dosage instructions and their dosage is much too high.
Can I take this alongside conservative dosing of Aniracetam? (I have been taking Aniracetam for some time, but am seeking the vision / eye health benefits of this.
Many thanks –
Chelsea, you can use this with Aniracetam. Both boost acetylcholine but Coluracetam does it through high affinity choline uptake (HACU) process. But since they both boost acetylcholine I suggest using the lower end of dosage and make sure you are using enough of a choline supplement like Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline.
Something else to consider is the best vision supplement I’ve ever tried. You can check Performance Lab Vision out here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/performance-lab-vision-review/
Thank you!
Good God! Is it possible for virgin coconut oil to go rancid? This stuff left my mouth tasting like I’d just eaten a candle!! It went through me like Sherman went through Georgia, it didn’t stop til it reached the sea… Maybe a dish of olive oil and a baguette would be a better idea, a little crushed basil for flavor, maybe some roasted garlic. Don’t think I can bring myself to another teaspoon of the coconut.
Eric, beautifully written and I commend you for your skill. I think the Coluracetam must have worked! But yes, coconut oil can go bad. It should taste slightly like coconut or have no flavor at all.
Thank you. Since I started taking the lithium orotate, some things taste different. Not unpleasant, just different. I stopped taking the Coluracetam and switched to the Oxyracetam as I found the Coluracetam increased my anxiety. The lithium orotate with 3oo mg of l-theanine and 400 mg of magnesium glycinate has really helped with the anxiety. I take one of these stacks first thing in the morning, and another along with five mg of melatonin before bed. This has made a considerable difference. Last night I slept for TEN HOURS!!! I usually get no more than 3 or 4 and wake up in full panic attack mode. Most unpleasant.
You are the best, my friend. Keep up the good work, I have no doubt that you have made a good difference in many lives. You certainly have in mine.
Hi David,
Here another line which is not clear for me:
“Oxiracetam modulates AMPA-sensitive glutamate receptors, and increases neurotransmitter release”
do you mean that oxiracetam work in the reverse of Aniracetam?
aniracetam make AMPA receptors less sensitive?
and oxiracetam make them more sensitive?
Please I am very confusing to know what is the best state for me at least.
I want to discover what the expected results with less sensitive AMPA receptors and what other results if they become more sensitive?
note that I am currently getting good results and more stable with aniracetam.
but I am looking to support his result with another good nootropic.
Thanks & Regards
The racetam-family of nootropics are considered “ampakines” or ampakine nootropics because one way or another they affect how AMPA receptors do their job.
For the most part they either prevent their desensitization, increase their sensitivity, or increase the number of AMPA receptors. Making glutamate more active, increasing its levels, or boosting glutamate effectiveness.
Of course, each of these racetams were developed by a pharmaceutical company looking for the next BIG THING in treating some disease. So each of them work differently. Read each racetam review closely so you’ll learn to distinguish the difference in “mechanism of action”.
But how they work in YOUR brain is what counts. And often that means trying it and see how you feel. I’ve personally tried several different racetams and my favorite, the one I always come back to is Aniracetam.
Hi David,
Can you please clairfy below phrase:
“Coluracetam desensitizes glutamate (AMPA) receptors in your brain”
“desensitize” word give indication that it will create kind of less sensitive feeling or smartness or thinking.
But I tried Aniracetam and got many benefits in the thinking without being less sensitive to the thinking process.
please clarify how this “desensitizing” can be useful?
if I have mistake in the understand, please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks for your valued information.
Regards
Thank you for pointing out that this was clearly not explained correctly when I first wrote this review.
Aniracetam “strongly reduces glutamate receptor desensitization”. “And Aniracetam selectively prolongs the time course and increases the peak amplitude of fast synaptic currents.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC53047/pdf/pnas01073-0571.pdf
Glutamate is directly associated with brain cell signaling and thinking.
This was a mistake on my part and thank you for bringing it to my attention. I’ve now corrected the relevant sections in my Aniracetam review: https://nootropicsexpert.com/aniracetam/
Dave…thanks for the post on Coluracetam. Out of all Nootropics this is the only one that truly works to improve all categories you mentioned in your Best of 2018 YT video. Colur seems to get better and better each time
( 10 mg sublingual), and lasts for 7 plus hours. The only other nootropic that comes close to this gem is L -Theanine. Again. Thanks.
Thanky you,
I will definitely post the results here after the test.
I forgot to ask, Does aniracetam and coluracetam work right out the gate like pramiracetam?
They should work within 30 mins. of taking them.
Hi David, Firstly i would like to say a big thank you for the nootropics information you have shared repeatably.
Does Coluracetam or aniracetam effect dopamine receptors?
I like to use pramiracetam as it does effect dopamine or serotonin because for some reason nootropics that effect serotonin and dopamine tend to lead me to feel depressed afterwards quite easily…not majorly but more of a mild bummer.
The only issue that i have with prolonged use of pramiracetam is the Vulcan like emotional blunting i get….Dont get me wrong my mind is super efficient when i stack alpa gpc and pramiracetam together and the long and short term memory recal is awesome but i do find that im so logical that i tend to loose empathy and love for people but not in a nasty way simply in logical way. Obviously cycling pramiracetam lowers this effect and once discontinued the Vulcan effects go away within a 2 to 3 days. Can you recommend anything that could replace pramiracetam that does not crash out serotonin and dopamine? well for me anyway. “Live long and prosper”
Coluracetam does not affect dopamine or serotonin receptors. Aniracetam does seem to affect dopamine (D2 and D3) and serotonin receptors. If you kinda’ like Pramiracetam then I’d try Coluracetam. And if you try it, please bookmark this page then come back and let us know now it worked for you in comparison to Pramiracetam.
Thank you, I will post here to let you and others know how the test goes.
I have both aniracetam and coluracetam ordered and they will turning up in the next few days.
I forgot to ask you if it is likely that i will feel the effects from the first dose of aniracetam and coluracetam?…separately of course. I find pramiracetam works right out the gate.
You should but it gets better the longer you use it. Been my experience.
Will it interact adversely with a drug that has ANTI-cholinergic side effects like the antidepressant imipramine?
Douglas, Coluracetam will very likely interact with imipramine in an adverse way. But I’m not aware of any clinical studies showing this interaction. Imipramine affects in some way nearly every major neurotransmitter system in your brain. I would not combine Coluracetam with any SSRI or tricyclic antidepressant.
do you have to cycle coluracetam? do you build a tolerance to it? I’ve heard conflicting information about cycling vs not needing to cycle racetams.
You may want to cycle Coluracetam because it desensitizes glutamate (AMPA) receptors in your brain. Cycling would give your AMPA receptors time to recover. On the other hand, I use Aniracetam every day and have for years which also desensitizes AMPA receptors. And I’ve never had a problem.
Everyone’s brain is different so the only way to find out in this case is experimenting. And likely why you’ve heard conflicting information about this nootropic. Try not cycling for a couple of weeks and see how you feel. Make sure you’re using a good choline supplement as well. If you find Coluracetam is no longer effective then you’ll know it’s time to try cycling it.