Piracetam for social anxiety

Piracetam

David Tomen
Author:
David Tomen
14 minute read
Piracetam has been shown to increase Cerebral Circulation, improve creativity and verbal fluency, boost memory, learning and recall, improve mood, and for the treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia

If you are in a hurry, then I suggest getting your Piracetam from:  Cosmic Nootropic – Piracetam or Science.bio – Piracetam

Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide, Nootropil) is a water-soluble ampakine nootropic in the racetam-class of compounds.

Piracetam was first synthesized by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea at Belgian-based pharmaceutical company UCB Pharma in the 1964. Piracetam is considered the first true nootropic ever developed.

As a cyclic derivative of GABA, the drug Piracetam was first intended to be a calming type of drug for motion sickness. But in spite of its connection with GABA, Piracetam didn’t show any behavior associated with this calming neurotransmitter. And cannot directly affect GABA receptors.[i]

Instead, Dr. Giurgea discovered that Piracetam was able to boost cognition even in healthy people. The company launched this new ‘drug’ as ‘Nootropil’ in Europe in the early 1970’s. The success of Nootropil soon allowed UCB Pharma to expand its operations which led to many new pharmaceutical drugs.

Dr. Giurgea coined the term “nootropic” to describe this class of cognition-optimizing compounds.[ii] Nootropic was derived from the Greek words for “mind” (noos) and “towards” (tropein).

Piracetam is sold as a prescription drug (Nootropil and Lucetam) in Europe. In South America, Piracetam is sold under the names Noostan (Argentina), Breinox (Venezuela and Ecuador), and Nootropil (Mexico). Piracetam is also branded as Lucetam, Oikamid, Smart, Geratam, Biotropil, Neurobasal, Stimulan and Nocetan in countries around the world.

In the United States, Piracetam is sold as an OTC supplement as Piracetam and Nootropil.

Dozens of racetam derivatives have since been developed based on the original Piracetam. All synthetic compounds, racetams share a pyrrolidone nucleus.

Piracetam modulates AMPA receptors, and boosts the function of acetylcholine in the brain. A favorite racetam among the nootropics community. Neurohackers use Piracetam to boost cognitive function and learning and memory.

If you’re going to start experimenting with racetams, my recommendation at Nootropics Expert is to start with Piracetam. Because it works, it’s safe and it’s cheaper than all the other nootropics in the racetam-family.

Piracetam helps:

  • Inflammation: Piracetam is a potent analgesic (anti-pain). This analgesic effect is related to inhibition of inflammatory markers including IL-1β. And the prevention of reduced glutathione, ferric reducing ability and free radical scavenging[iii]
  • Neurotransmitters: Piracetam potentiates the flow of, and increases the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain.[iv] And studies have shown it significantly improves learning and memory.[v]
  • Cerebral Blood Flow: Randomized controlled trials show Piracetam increases blood flow in the brain.[vi] Better blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to neurons improving cognition, memory and focus.

Overview

Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide, Nootropil) was the first in the racetam-family of nootropic compounds. It is a water-soluble ampakine nootropic. AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic) refers to one of three glutamate receptors in your brain.[vii]

Piracetam
Piracetam

 

 

Developed by a fellow of famous Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, Dr. Corneliu Giurgea first synthesized Piracetam at Belgian-based pharmaceutical company UCB Pharma in the 1964.

Since the discovery of Piracetam, dozens of piracetam like drugs (nootropics) have been created in the racetam-class of compounds. And all have a pyrrolidone nucleus at their core.

Piracetam is a cyclic derivative of GABA. But oddly enough, it doesn’t affect GABA receptors in the brain. Instead, Piracetam was found to modulate AMPA and NMDA receptors and improve the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh).

AMPA and NMDA receptors along with acetylcholine are associated with learning and memory.[viii] And when Piracetam is stacked with a choline supplement its effects are even more pronounced. Researchers have shown in hundreds of clinical studies that Piracetam therapy significantly improves learning and memory.

Piracetam also increases regional cerebral blood flow. Blood delivers oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism, and helps carry away cellular waste. Critical for the highly optimized brain.

Piracetam is sold as a prescription drug in many countries around the world. In the United States, Piracetam is sold as an unregulated OTC research compound.

Piracetam-improves-cerebral-circulation

How does Piracetam work in the Brain?

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

  1. Piracetam modulates AMPA and NMDA receptors in the brain. And improves the flow of acetylcholine (ACh) and sensitivity and density of ACh receptors.[ix]

This German study conducted with lab mice showed the pharmacological properties of Piracetam treatment elevated NMDA receptor density. And normalized the way those receptors worked with L-Glutamate similar to that of a healthy brain.

Deficits at the level of NMDA receptors could be one of the mechanisms of action underlying age-related cognitive decline. Studies show that nootropics like piracetam might act in part by restoring age-related deficits of central muscarinic cholinergic receptor density. And the researchers concluded that Piracetam showed cognition-enhancing properties.[x]

This effect on NMDA receptor sites is directly related to our interest in using Piracetam for Long-Term Potentiation and the support of long-term memory formation.

Neuroplasticity is dependent on activation of NMDA receptors.[xi] And this neuroplasticity is at the heart of memory formation. Reviews of Piracetam used by neurohackers frequently report the return of long-lost memories. Further proof of the efficacy in using Piracetam to support learning and memory.

  1. Piracetam increases cerebral blood flow. Several studies have shown how Piracetam positively influences brain blood flow. Cerebral blood flow is critical for cognitive function and the highly optimized brain. Blood delivers oxygen and local cerebral glucose utilization needed for cellular metabolism, and helps carry away cellular waste.[xii]

Strokes can be caused by an interruption in cerebral blood flow. Starving parts of the brain of oxygen and glucose. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was done with 24 stroke patients. One group received 2,400 mg of Piracetam twice daily, and the other a placebo.

Before treatment, both groups were comparable in performance during language tasks. The study found that Piracetam treatment improved recovery of various language functions. And this effect was attributed to increased blood circulation to areas of the brain related to language. The placebo group showed very little improvement in areas of language.[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 declinesPiracetam boosts acetylcholine

ATP energy levels decline

↓ Density of AMPA and NMDA receptors decline

↓ Acetylcholine levels decline

↓ Cerebral blood flow declines

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, Piracetam can help.

Piracetam benefits

Piracetam helps increase blood flow in the brain, improves oxygen levels, enhances glucose use in brain cells, maintains brain cell mitochondria and ATP synthesis.Piracetam-improves-brain-blood-flow

Piracetam is also a potent modulator of AMPA-sensitive glutamate receptors in neurons. It increases the density of specific binding sites for AMPA in neuronal synapses.[xiv]

Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain. This glutamate activity by Piracetam affects alertness, focus, attention, memory and learning. And one of the reasons why neurohackers consistently report that Piracetam improves mental performance and memory.

Piracetam increases high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) which is the process that occurs in cholinergic nerve endings and facilitates acetylcholine (ACh) formation. Boosting ACh with Piracetam produces a powerful effect on learning and memory.[xv]

Piracetam also boosts choline receptor density in the frontal cortex. The area of your brain used for working memory and decision-making.[xvi]

ATP energy is critical to your brain’s survival. Brain cells must produce all of their own ATP from glucose and oxygen. This brain energy carbohydrate metabolism depends on cerebral blood flow, oxygen uptake and glucose. Piracetam enhances this glucose utilization, and increases ATP synthesis within brain cell mitochondria.[xvii]

And Piracetam has analgesic (anti-pain) benefits. This anti-pain action is linked to Piracetam’s anti-inflammatory properties.[xviii] Inflammation can cause pain, and studies have shown Piracetam can have profound effect on pain.

And clinical research shows Piracetam may reduce the incidence of painful sickle cell disease crises in those suffering from sickle cell anemia.. But the research is limited and some studies dispute the clinical efficacy of using Piracetam for sickle cell anemia.

Piracetam boosts the use of acetylcholine so you should add a good choline source. Try Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline with Piracetam. And give your brain the choline it needs.

Piracetam-improves-memory-and-creativity

How does Piracetam feel?

Most neurohackers report a noticeable benefit from Piracetam after about 2 weeks. Consider that Piracetam is modulating your brain’s chemistry. And this change is unlikely to occur immediately.

Your brain needs some time to adjust to the new change in acetylcholine (ACh) levels and how it uses it. Increased cerebral blood flow takes a while to bring up levels of oxygen and nutrients. And for your neuronal cells to respond. Your mileage may vary depending on your own neuro-chemical makeup.

Many suggest starting with an ‘attack dose’ for the first 3-days. A 3,000 mg ‘attack dose’ of Piracetam for example to start with theoretically gets more of the supplement into your system right away. So it takes less time to build up before you start feeling the effects.

From there step down to a maintenance dose and vary the quantity until you find your own sweet spot.

Once you begin to notice the effects of Piracetam you’re likely to feel a mood boost, less social anxiety, heightened creativity, improved verbal fluency and better memory.

Piracetam does boost your brain’s use of acetylcholine. So you will likely find that adding a good choline source (Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline) to your Piracetam stack helps.

Piracetam Clinical Research

Piracetam-reduces-social-anxietyWe have plenty of evidence that Piracetam improves memory in animals and people who are suffering from many types of cognitive impairment. Keep in mind that most of the scientific research available for nootropics is done with sick people trying to get well.

The return on investment for research at institutions and universities comes from treating diseases. And not from helping ordinary biohackers like us trying to get a competitive advantage at work or in school.

We can however extrapolate the findings from these studies and learn if and how something like Piracetam can help our memory and cognition. Once-in-awhile someone does take the time to conduct such a study on healthy people. Like this one done with normal, healthy volunteers.

Researchers gave this healthy group of participants four 400 mg capsules of Piracetam 3-times per day (4,800 mg total) for 14 days. No effects on memory were observed after 7 days during this experiment. But after 14 days verbal learning had significantly increased.[xix]

Piracetam Improves Cognition

Researchers in Belgium (where Piracetam originated) conducted an analysis of 19 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies done with patients suffering dementia or cognitive disorders and who took Piracetam.

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated the difference between people who used Piracetam or used a placebo. The end result of this analysis provided compelling evidence for the usefulness of Piracetam in a diverse group of people with cognitive impairment and for boosting brain function.[xx]

Several studies and user reviews have shown that Piracetam dosage makes a difference. And unlike some other nootropics where you start at a lower dose and work your way up, with Piracetam I recommend you start at a higher suggested dose.

This study in Germany with 78 elderly patients showed that there was a significant difference in cognition improvement while dosing Piracetam at 1,600 mg 3-times per day. There was no difference in cognition with patients who received 800 mg 3-times per day.[xxi] Dosage matters when using Piracetam.

Piracetam Enhances ATP Production

Piracetam is used around the world to treat cognitive impairment in aging, brain injuries, dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Several studies show that Piracetam enhances ATP production, mitochondrial membranes and neurite outgrowth in neurons.

In this study, scientists investigated the effects of Piracetam on mitochondrial function. Human brain cells were treated with Piracetam under normal conditions and under conditions imitating aging and damage by ROS (reactive oxygen species). And with cells representing early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease.

The cells representing Alzheimer’s conditions showed impaired mitochondrial function under baseline conditions. Piracetam was able to restore this impairment in cells and shift mitochondrial function back to normal.

The researchers showed that the metabolic enhancer Piracetam is able to repair mitochondria in those with mild Alzheimer’s and return cell function back to normal.[xxii]

Piracetam for the Treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia is a serious, and often disabling movement disorder often caused by meds that are used to block dopamine receptors.

There is no current standard treatment for this disorder in mainstream medicine.

But this is where nootropics come to the rescue once again. A study conducted at Be’er Sheva Mental Health Center at Ben-Gurion University in Israel with 40 patients suffering with Tardive Dyskinesia.

Study participants were randomly assigned either 4,800 mg/day of Piracetam or a placebo for 4 weeks. The study authors concluded at the end of the study “Piracetam appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.”

Piracetam recommended dosage

Recommended Piracetam dosage is 1,600 mg 3-times per day. One Piracetam dose in the morning, and one in the early afternoon, and one later in the afternoon.Piracetam-dosage

You will likely want to start with an ‘attack dose’ when you’re first starting out with Piracetam. Refer to the “How does Piracetam feel?section of this article for more on ‘attack doses’.

Dosing Piracetam varies widely between neurohackers. Experimenting and finding the dose where you experience the most benefit is key. You may find a lower dose works well for you. Or you may find you need to increase your dose even more. Dosing Piracetam is directly related to your own unique neurochemistry.

Piracetam Side Effects

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

As with many of the racetams, Piracetam 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.

Many neurohackers find that stacking Piracetam with a choline supplement boosts the effect with improved memory and cognition. And this is supported in several research studies.[xxiii]

Where to buy Piracetam

Piracetam is sold in tablet, capsule and powder form. Tablets and capsules are usually 800 mg each.

I recommend Cosmic Nootropic – Piracetam or Science.bio – Piracetam who sell Piracetam as a “research” compound. It is sold to be used in an academic laboratory research setting. They go on to state “nothing we sell is intended for nor is it manufactured for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in humans.”

In Europe, Asia, South America and some other countries around the world, Piracetam is a prescription drug. And sold under many different brand names (including Nootropil). Refer to the Introduction of this article for some of these brand names.

Nootropics Expert Recommendation

Piracetam 1,600 mg 3-times per day

Nootropics Expert Tested and ApprovedI recommend using Piracetam as a nootropic supplement.

Your body does not make Piracetam on its own. So to get its benefits you must take it as a supplement.

If you’re going to start experimenting with racetams, our recommendation at Nootropics Expert is to start with Piracetam. Because it works, it’s safe and it’s cheaper than all the other nootropics in the racetam-family.

Piracetam is especially helpful for those suffering from most types of age-related cognitive decline.

Piracetam is also particularly useful to students and executives who want to enhance cognitive functioning, learning and memory.

You should use Piracetam with a good choline supplement like Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. It helps boost neural acetylcholine, so demands the presence of more choline in your brain.

You can safely boost daily intake of Piracetam to 9,600 mg if needed. Studies have shown that Piracetam is completely non-toxic even at high doses. You may find however that a lower dose than our recommended amount works better for you.

I recommend Cosmic Nootropic – Piracetam or Science.bio – Piracetam

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.

[i] Genton P., Van Vleymen B. “Piracetam and levetiracetam: close structural similarities but different pharmacological and clinical profiles.”Epileptic Disorders. 2000 Jun;2(2):99-105. (source)

[ii] Shorvon S. “Pyrrolidone derivatives.” Lancet. 2001 Dec 1;358(9296):1885-92. (source)

[iii] Navarro S.A., Serafim K.G., Mizokami S.S., Hohmann M.S., Casagrande R., Verri W.A. Jr. “Analgesic activity of piracetam: effect on cytokine production and oxidative stress.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 2013 Apr;105:183-92. (source)

[iv] Bering B., Müller W.E. “Interaction of piracetam with several neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system. Relative specificity for 3H-glutamate sites.” Arzneimittelforschung. 1985;35(9):1350-2. (source)

[v] Genton P., Van Vleymen B. “Piracetam and levetiracetam: close structural similarities but different pharmacological and clinical profiles.”Epileptic Disorders. 2000 Jun;2(2):99-105. (source)

[vi] Malykh A.G., Sadaie M.R. “Piracetam and piracetam-like drugs: from basic science to novel clinical applications to CNS disorders.”Drugs. 2010 Feb 12;70(3):287-312. (source)

[vii] Purves D., Augustine G.J., Fitzpatrick D., et al., editors. “Glutamate Receptors” Neuroscience. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2001. (source)

[viii] Ahmed A.H., Oswald R.E. “Piracetam defines a new binding site for allosteric modulators of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors.” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2010 Mar 11;53(5):2197-203. (source)

[ix] Stoll L., Schubert T., Müller W.E. “Age-related deficits of central muscarinic cholinergic receptor function in the mouse: partial restoration by chronic piracetam treatment.” Neurobiology of Aging. 1992 Jan-Feb;13(1):39-44. (source)

[x] Cohen S.A., Müller W.E. “Effects of piracetam on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor properties in the aged mouse brain.” Pharmacology. 1993 Oct;47(4):217-22. (source)

[xi] Williams J.M., Guévremont D., Kennard J.T., Mason-Parker S.E., Tate W.P., Abraham W.C. “Long-term regulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits and associated synaptic proteins following hippocampal synaptic plasticity.” Neuroscience. 2003;118(4):1003-13. (source)

[xii] Kojiro I., Secher N.H. “Cerebral blood flow and metabolism during exercise” Progress in Neurobiology Volume 61, Issue 4, July 2000, Pages 397–414 (source)

[xiii] Kessler J., Thiel A., Karbe H., Heiss W.D. “Piracetam improves activated blood flow and facilitates rehabilitation of poststroke aphasic patients.” Stroke. 2000 Sep;31(9):2112-6. (source)

[xiv] Copani A., Genazzani A.A., Aleppo G., Casabona G., Canonico P.L., Scapagnini U., Nicoletti F. “Nootropic drugs positively modulate alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-sensitive glutamate receptors in neuronal cultures.” Journal of Neurochemistry. 1992 Apr;58(4):1199-204. (source)

[xv] Pepeu G., Spignoli G. “Nootropic drugs and brain cholinergic mechanisms.” Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 1989;13 Suppl:S77-88. (source)

[xvi] Pilch H., Müller W.E. “Piracetam elevates muscarinic cholinergic receptor density in the frontal cortex of aged but not of young mice.”Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1988;94(1):74-8. (source)

[xvii] Grau M., Montero J.L., Balasch J. “Effect of Piracetam on electrocorticogram and local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat.”General Pharmacology. 1987;18(2):205-11. (source)

[xviii] Navarro S.A., Serafim K.G., Mizokami S.S., Hohmann M.S., Casagrande R., Verri W.A. Jr. “Analgesic activity of piracetam: effect on cytokine production and oxidative stress.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 2013 Apr;105:183-92. (source)

[xix] Dimond S.J., Brouwers E.M. “Increase in the power of human memory in normal man through the use of drugs.” Psychopharmacology(Berl). 1976 Sep 29;49(3):307-9. (source)

[xx] Waegemans T., Wilsher C.R., Danniau A., Ferris S.H., Kurz A., Winblad B. “Clinical efficacy of piracetam in cognitive impairment: a meta-analysis.” Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. 2002;13(4):217-24. (source)

[xxi] Kretschmar J.H., Kretschmar C.H. “[On the dose-effect relationship in the therapy with piracetam (author’s transl)].” in German Arzneimittelforschung. 1976;26(6):1158-9. (source)

[xxii] Stockburger C., Kurz C., Koch K.A., Eckert S.H., Leuner K., Müller W.E. “Improvement of mitochondrial function and dynamics by the metabolic enhancer piracetam.” Biochemical Social Transactions. 2013 Oct;41(5):1331-4. (source)

[xxiii] Platel A., Jalfre M., Pawelec C., Roux S., Porsolt R.D. “Habituation of exploratory activity in mice: effects of combinations of piracetam and choline on memory processes.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 1984 Aug;21(2):209-12. (source)

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Join The Discussion - 205 comments

Eegyew
September 22, 2018

Do you believe combining 9.8 grams of piracetam with 3grams of aniracetam is ‘too much’?Does the body build tolerace to these drugs?

    David Tomen
    September 24, 2018

    3 grams of Aniracetam is twice as much as the highest recommended dosage which is a problem. Both affect AMPA receptors which could also be a problem. So I don’t suggest taking them together. Esp. at that high a dosage of each.

    Some people do develop a tolerance to the racetams. I’ve not found that to be a problem with Aniracetam. But then I do plenty to replenish dopamine receptors and synapses which may be why I don’t need to deal with tolerance.

Eeg32
September 2, 2018

Hello David,
do you believe the max dosage of piracetam can be used safely long term?(9.8 grams).or 4.8 grams is better for long term use?im worried about kidney health because the deug is excreted through the kidneys but then again it is supposedly non toxic.

    David Tomen
    September 3, 2018

    Stay on the cautious side and keep it at or below 4.8 grams. Some find success with even lower doses of Piracetam. I would worry about negative effects on the brain as well as the kidneys at higher doses.

maira
July 15, 2018

Hi David , i’m from malaysia . my husband accident on march 2016 and remove skull at right side. while in ICU he got piracetam. and i got to give him around a years . but i’m not sure if its have good effect for schizophrenia . do you have any suggestion ? he even have cronic sign like : not bathing , not cleaning self like teeth brush and also changing clothes .

    David Tomen
    July 16, 2018

    Maira, It’s interesting that your husband was given Piracetam while in the ICU. There have been some positive studies on Piracetam for schizophrenia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10583700.

    A search of the forums including Longecity also show some success with Piracetam. But tolerance seems to be an issue.

James
June 14, 2018

Thanks for the reply! I better order some more then as the packs are going to go quickly!

So just to confirm the attack dose will total 9000mg?

I come back and post my results

Thanks

    David Tomen
    June 14, 2018

    James, that’s only the “attack dose” for Piracetam. If you’ve never used any of the racetams before I would be cautious about starting with such an aggressive dosage regimen. Piracetam is considered safe and has been used for many decades. But you first need to see how your body reacts when starting a new nootropic.

      James
      July 14, 2018

      Hi David,

      Apologies I did see you reply, and started on the above regime, will no adverse effects.

      I also take choline at night, which makes for vivid dreams, it’s only been a few weeks so difficult to tell if there’s been a change, but I feel my memory has improved, could be placebo? I know it takes weeks for Piracetam to build up in the body and start taking effect so let’s see.

        David Tomen
        July 14, 2018

        James, if you are experiencing vivid dreams it likely means your brain is working better than before. Long-term memories are consolidated at night. So a better working brain should result in better memory retention.

        This is the kind of change that is subtle. You may not notice it right away. But one day you’ll realize you remembered some little detail that you would otherwise not have retained. And you’ll know you’re on the right track with your nootropic stack.

James
June 13, 2018

Hi David,

Just to confirm for dosing for piracetam. For the attack dose is it 3 x 3,000 mg and also the maintenance dose is this 1600mg per dose or 1600mg x 3.

Cheers

James
London UK

    David Tomen
    June 13, 2018

    James, the attack dosage or the regular dosage for Piracetam is 3-times per day. One dose in the morning, one around noon and the last dose later in the afternoon.

Paul
April 22, 2018

Hi David,

In your dosage notes you recommend to take a choline source along with piracetam. So following your recommendation of three doses a day would I also take 3 doses of choline source (say alpha GPC) or just one? At what dosage should I take the Alpha GCP? (I have 300mg capsules).

Thanks again.

    David Tomen
    April 22, 2018

    Paul, try 300 mg of Alpha GPC each time you use Piracetam. If you find you get a headache try doubling your Alpha GPC dose. If that doesn’t work then it means you’re likely low in the B-Vitamins needed for acetylcholine synthesis.

Sparsh
March 11, 2018

Hi David,
I have been researching about Nootropics for a while now and I need your advice. My goal is the following:

Overall – Improve raw brain power.

Specifically:
A) Short-term goal
– Mood
– Attention
– Verbal Fluency
– Working memory
B) Long term goal
– Memory retention and recall
– Speedup learning new things
– Better non-linear thinking
– Faster processing of info
– Brain’s ability to recognize patterns in things
– Mental math
– Brain’s capabilities to make me successful as an engineer

Based on the above goals, I have started taking:
1. Fish Oil – 1.2g
2. Alpha-gpc – 300mg
3. Piracetam – 2.4g
4. Bacopa 50% bacoside – 300mg pill
5. Vitamin D – 4000 IU
6. Melatonin – 3 mg (occasionally)

I would love to have your advice about my current stack and if I can change/add anything to it. My concern is about Piracetam-the information is not consistent with no real info. on dosage, longterm effect, and if it does improve my brain at all or not.

I am a very hard worker and have achieved more than what many of my peers have. My achievements are because of a lot of hard work but I feel insecure about my brain’s raw power. I feel that I have to put much more effort in many things than some of my ‘brilliant’ peers. Having a little added ‘brain power’ can help me achieve a lot more. I am not seeking nootropics as a easy way out in life, rather as a way to take on much harder challenges.

I would really appreciate your advice.

Thanks!

    David Tomen
    March 12, 2018

    Sparsh, you may want to divide your Piracetam dose into 2 or 3 and use 200 mg of Alpha GPC each time. Possibly even increase Piracetam by 1 gram. I would add magnesium, a highly bio-available B-Complex and use coconut or MCT Oil each time you dose. Please check dosage instructions for each of these in the individual reviews for each nootropic.

    Your brain needs the basic fundamentals for synthesizing neurotransmitters, and increasing the efficiency of receptors to make things like Piracetam work better. You’re off to a good start but need to build on what you are already doing.

    Rather than making a book out of my response here I suggest you study several of the posts I wrote here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/blog/. Specifically, the posts on learning and memory, flow state, BDNF, and “13 vitamins essential …”. It’ll give you some ideas on how this all works and suggestions on what to add to your stack as well.

    Don’t make massive changes all at once. Add something and see how it works for a few days. Then try something else. But the vitamins and minerals are essential no matter what you try.

      Sparsh
      March 27, 2018

      I just realized, I did not thank you for your reply. Just wanted to let you know that you are a huge help! Thanks a gallon. I will hopefully get your book too in the near future. Until then, will ask a few questions on your blog – once in a while.

        David Tomen
        March 27, 2018

        I appreciate it Sparsh. Good luck and thanks for visiting.

        Henry
        January 3, 2020

        Hi David, My x wife and my son both have Schizophrenia. after many doctor visits and medication , nothing has really worked. Is there any hope in trying Piracetam ?

        David Tomen
        January 3, 2020

        Henry, there have been some positive studies on Piracetam for schizophrenia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10583700.

        A search of the forums including Longecity also show some success with Piracetam. But tolerance seems to be an issue.

Amela Topic
July 25, 2017

Dear David,
I have been reseaching a bit on piracetam since our sons epileptologist suggested to try it out. Now the thing is, my son (2,5 years old) has a very rare genetic mutation on the GRIN2B gene, which codes the NR2B subunits on the NMDA receptors. In his particular case the mutation causes inability to bind glutamate to the NMDA receptors and a slight decrease in binding of glycine. Very simplified, this causes hypofunction (or in his case more of a no-function due to inability to activate the NMDA receptors that containg NR2B subunits. So since I am quite new to all of this, I’m in search of someone that could help me understand the action of piracetam and how it at least in theory could affect a person with hypoactive nr2b containing NMDA receptors. Do you perhaps have any knowledge in this regard? TIA

    David Tomen
    July 25, 2017

    Amela, we have 40 years of research on Piracetam to draw from. So what I’m about to point out only touches the surface of what’s available. Hopefully, it’ll get you started in your research.

    Piracetam elevates NMDA receptor density and enhances affinity of L-glutamate for the NMDA receptor: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8234409

    Piracetam alters the brain cell membrane by increasing its fluidity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16459490

    Piracetam doesn’t seem to have much anti-epileptic effect on its own, but does potentiate the effect of conventional anti-epileptics: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00702-004-0155-6

    Which brings me to a nootropic I have not yet reviewed. It’s a derivative of Piracetam called Levetiracetam which one study called “The New Anti-epileptic Drug”: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1737842/pdf/v072p00426.pdf. You can read more about how Piracetam works in this pdf: http://www.ptfarm.pl/pub/File/Acta_Poloniae/2005/5/405.pdf.

    Follow through on some of the links in the reference section of my main Piracetam article which will take you to more clinical studies. And can provide a clearer understanding of what science knows about Piracetam so far. Seems your epileptologist is onto something here which is encouraging in our current medical environment. Dosing Piracetam with someone this young on the other hand will mean working closely with your doctor. Please do NOT follow the dosage instructions I’ve provided in this article for someone so young.

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