Phenylpiracetam

Key Takeaways

1. Phenylpiracetam is a powerful water-soluble nootropic that enhances cognition, memory, focus, learning, and physical stamina, with a stimulant effect.
2. It is 20 to 60 times more potent than Piracetam due to the addition of a phenyl group, which increases its bioavailability and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
3. Phenylpiracetam is banned in professional sports due to its performance-enhancing properties, including improved athletic performance and resistance to cold.
4. It has clinical applications as a treatment for epilepsy and is used as a prescription drug in Russia and Eastern European countries.
5. Phenylpiracetam dosage recommendation is 100 mg 2-times per day.

Phenylpiracetam ((R,S)-2-(2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamide, Phenotropil, Fenotropil, Carphedon, Fonturacetam) is a water-soluble nootropic in the racetam-class of compounds.

Phenylpiracetam was created by adding a phenyl group to Piracetam by Russian scientists in 1983. It was developed as a nootropic to boost cognition, and to improve physical stamina.

It turns out that Phenylpiracetam is very effective in boosting athletic performance. It provides significant stimulatory effects and helps you resist cold. Leading to a ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency from use by athletes in the Olympics and other professional sports.[i]

Russian cyclist Anton Reshetnikov was suspended in 2007 for 2 years from the International Cycling Union for using Carphedon.[ii] One year earlier (2006), Russian Olympic athlete Olga Pyleleva lost her silver metal for using Carphedon.[iii]

Carphedon is a brand name for Phenylpiracetam. Adding a phenyl group to Piracetam boosts the bioavailability of Phenylpiracetam. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and is considered 20 to 60-times more potent than Piracetam.[iv]

Neurohackers report that Phenylpiracetam enhances alertness, focus, memory, and learning. It reduces brain fog. And it provides physical stamina and cold tolerance while combating physical and mental fatigue.

Phenylpiracetam helps:

• Prevent Anxiety & Fear: Phenylpiracetam helps reduce symptoms of anxiety and fear. Unlike popular prescription anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs, Phenylpiracetam has no sedative action or other adverse side effects associated with these medications.[v]
• Neuroreceptors: Phenylpiracetam increases the density of acetylcholine (ACh), NMDA, GABA and dopamine receptors in the brain.[vi][vii]More receptors mean more binding sites for neurotransmitters that affect memory formation, cognition, sleep and mood.
• Cerebral Circulation: Phenylpiracetam increases blood flow in the brain. As a derivative of Piracetam, this nootropic has the same mechanism of action when it comes to blood flow. It suppresses the constriction of blood vessels allowing the freer flow of blood. More oxygen and nutrients get to brain cells boosting alertness, cognition, focus and mood.[viii]

Overview

Phenylpiracetam (((R,S)-2-(2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamide) was created by adding a phenyl group to the original nootropic Piracetam.

Russian chemists synthesized Phenylpiracetam in 1983 to boost the physical and mental performance of astronauts during space flight. It’s currently used by Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station.[ix]

Phenylpiracetam combats physical and mental fatigue. It enhances memory, mood and focus. It facilitates learning and retention, reduces brain fog, increases alertness and boosts physical stamina and tolerance to cold.

Phenylpiracetam is also an effective treatment for epilepsy. This debilitating condition is caused by sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain. This temporary disturbance in messaging systems between brain cells can cause a seizure. Normal brain function gets halted or mixed up. This is where Phenylpiracetam comes in.

Phenylpiracetam has been shown in animal studies to affect Alpha and Beta brain waves.[x] Scientists haven’t quite figured out why it works, but Phenylpiracetam has an ‘anti-convulsive’ action in the brain. They did conclude after one clinical trial, “Phenotropil reduced the frequency of seizures and improved cognitive function in the absence of epileptiform EEG abnormalities.”[xi]

Phenylpiracetam is sold as a prescription drug in Russia and several Eastern European countries. In the United States, Phenylpiracetam is sold as an unregulated OTC research compound.

How does Phenylpiracetam work in the Brain?

Phenylpiracetam boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.

1. Phenylpiracetam as a stimulant. Phenylpiracetam increases the density of neuroreceptors. Studies have shown it increases the density of acetylcholine (ACh), dopamine, GABA, and NMDA receptors. This translates into more receptors for each of these important neurotransmitters to bind with and boost their effectiveness.

The increase in density of neuroreceptors likely accounts for Phenylpiracetam’s stimulant-like properties. Similar to Ritalin or Adderall, this nootropic increases the effectiveness of dopamine in your brain. Increasing alertness, decision-making capability, and cognition.

But unlike stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall, Phenylpiracetam does not come with any stimulant-like side effects. You should not experience any fatigue, rapid heartbeat, decreased appetite or irritability. Rather you’ll feel increased stamina, have more physical endurance and get smarter.

Just don’t try using Phenylpiracetam if you’re planning on being an Olympic athlete. It was banned several years ago because it’s too effective to be used in professional sports. We don’t want an unfair advantage now, do we?

2. Phenylpiracetam decreases anxiety and depression. For similar reasons to how Phenylpiracetam works as a stimulant, it can also tame symptoms of anxiety and depression. Animal studies show that it increases the density of receptors for acetylcholine (ACh), GABA and NMDA receptors.[xii]

This increase in receptor sites for GABA, choline and glutamate affects levels of the calming neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin in your brain. Studies in Russia using Wistar rats shows that Phenylpiracetam floods your brain with the neurochemicals you need to chill out.[xiii]

How things go bad

As we get older, our brain chemistry and metabolism changes. And it seems these changes are affecting younger and younger people.

↓ Recall, reaction time and learning capacity declines

↓ Neurotransmitter levels decline

↓ Density of ACh, GABA and NMDA, and dopamine receptors decline

↓ Acetylcholine levels decline

↓ Cerebral blood flow declines

↓ Stamina and endurance decline

All of these changes are contributing factors to age-related cognitive decline. Early signs of these effects can be seen in poor decision-making, difficulty learning, and even recalling simple things like an important appointment.

But even if you’re not concerned with the signs of aging, Phenylpiracetam can help.

Phenylpiracetam benefits

Phenylpiracetam is highly bioavailable when used as a nootropic. Once digested it quickly gets absorbed and crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Phenylpiracetam modulates neuroreceptors. It’s been shown to increase the density of receptors for GABA, NMDA, dopamine and acetylcholine.

More neuroreceptors result in more of each neurotransmitter being able to bind to neurons. And affect alertness, cognition, memory, recall and mood.

Phenylpiracetam has a positive effect on physical performance by increasing endurance, and reducing physical and mental fatigue. In fact, these effects are so potent that Phenylpiracetam has been banned from professional sports by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Phenylpiracetam has been shown to act as a stimulant. But unlike pharmaceutical drugs, it does not affect your cardiovascular or respiratory system. And does not have the side effects of jitteriness, restlessness or irritability like regular stimulants.

Phenylpiracetam is also noted for increasing your threshold to tolerance for cold.

How does Phenylpiracetam feel?

Many neurohackers say Phenylpiracetam is the strongest nootropic they’ve ever experienced. It’s highly bioavailable and you experience the effects within 30 minutes of taking it.

Phenylpiracetam users say it increases concentration, motivation, memory, physical endurance, and tolerance to cold. Learning is quicker and stress is reduced.

People report that learning and processing information becomes easier with Phenylpiracetam. You’re not re-reading sentences and paragraphs trying to understand them.

Short and long-term memory improves. Motor skills improve so you’re typing faster and more accurately.

Those dealing with depression report a decrease in depressive symptoms. More confidence helps in social situations and conversations are easier.

Productivity rises and you assume a “get it done’ mentality. Procrastination is a thing of the past.

Phenylpiracetam is a popular pre-workout supplement. It increases your endurance and reduces both physical and mental fatigue. And if you’re one of the unfortunate ones who live in a cold climate you’ll find that your tolerance for cold is better.

Phenylpiracetam Clinical Pharmacology & Research

Phenylpiracetam was developed in Russia in 1983. And the majority of research done with this nootropic has been conducted in Russia. Published in Russian medical journals in Russian.

So we have limited clinical trial data to draw on. And like many nootropics we rely on nootropic user reviews. The following is two samples of clinical trials I was able to find that have been translated into English. And published in Western medical databases.

Phenylpiracetam Improves Cognition

A study done by Russian researchers investigated the effects of Phenylpiracetam on cognition. 99 adults aged 40 – 60 suffering from cognition deficits due to surgery or brain trauma were enrolled in this study.

Volunteers were given 200 mg of Phenylpiracetam daily for 30 days. The researchers found that those using the nootropic showed a significant improvement in motor coordination, higher brain function, memory, attention and counting. And a reduction in both anxiety and depression.[xiv]

Phenylpiracetam Boosts Cerebral Circulation

Researchers in Moscow recruited 400 patients suffering from ischemic stroke. This is the most common type of stroke where blood vessels carrying blood to the brain are blocked by a blood clot.

Half of the group received 400 mg of Phenylpiracetam daily for a year. The control group got a placebo.

The research team found that the group who received Phenylpiracetam experienced a significant restoration in cognitive functions, and resumed daily activities. Far better than the control group who took a placebo.[xv]

Phenylpiracetam Recommended Dosage

Recommended Phenylpiracetam dosage is 100 mg twice per day. One Phenylpiracetam dose in the morning, and one in the early afternoon.

Don’t use Phenylpiracetam later in the day because its stimulant effect can cause insomnia.

You can develop a tolerance to Phenylpiracetam, so consider taking it only on days when you need the extra focus. Or try cycling it one week on and one week off.

Phenylpiracetam Side Effects

Phenylpiracetam is non-toxic. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.

As with many of the racetams, Phenylpiracetam can cause headaches because it boosts the use of acetylcholine in your brain. Choline supplements like Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline can help you avoid this side effect.

According to an animal study, Phenylpiracetam was reported to reduce body weight gain by a significant amount in obese rats. However, since rat brain neurotransmitter receptors differ from humans, it is impossible to say for sure if Phenylpiracetam has similar metabolic benefits in humans at this time.

Tolerance is a problem with Phenylpiracetam and builds rather quickly. Commonly reported dosages sit at around 12x that of Noopept. It will soon lose its effects if used in excess. So try using Phenylpiracetam only when you need extra cognitive performance, or before a workout. Or try cycling it one week on and one week off to avoid tolerance.

Many neurohackers find that stacking Phenylpiracetam with a choline supplement boosts the effect even more with improved memory and cognition. And this is supported in several research studies.

Where to buy Phenylpiracetam

Phenylpiracetam is sold in tablet, capsule and powder form. Tablets and capsules are usually 100 mg each.

You can currently buy Phenylpiracetam from Cosmic Nootropic – Phenylpiracetam. The company sells brand name and patented forms of many of the racetams and is highly recommended.