Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Pramiracetam, a fat-soluble nootropic developed by Parke-Davis in the 1970s, is known to enhance overall cognition, focus, long-term memory, and learning.
- Unlike some other nootropics, Pramiracetam doesn’t directly influence GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin in the brain, instead it increases nitric oxide activity which helps improve cerebral circulation.
- Pramiracetam boosts brain health and function in several ways, primarily improving memory and enhancing high-affinity choline uptake (HACU).
- Pramiracetam can help counter the effects of age-related cognitive decline by increasing acetylcholine synthesis and cerebral circulation.
- Pramiracetam dosage recommendations are 250-400 mg up to three times a day, taken with a quality fat and, for best results, a supplemental choline source.
Pramiracetam (N-[2-[di(propan-2-yl) amino] ethyl]-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamide, CI-879, Pramistar, Neupramir, Remen) is a fat-soluble nootropic in the racetam-class of compounds.
Do not mistake this racetam with Phenylpiracetam which acts as a central nervous system stimulant.
Pramiracetam was first synthesized by scientists at Parke-Davis in the late 1970’s. It was first tested with Alzheimer’s disease patients. Seeing mixed results, the company tried it with major depressive disorder. And licensed Pramiracetam as an orphan drug to Menarini who continued research on using it for dementia.
In 1991, the company licensed Pramiracetam to Cambridge Neuroscience Inc. (CNI).[i] The nootropic was then tested for restoring cognitive function after stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Researchers found that Pramiracetam was up to 30-times more potent than the original Piracetam. In Europe this nootropic is prescribed for the treatment of dyslexia, ADHD, dementia and other memory problems. Brand names for prescription Pramiracetam include Pramistar, Neupramir and Remen.
Pramiracetam has gained a reputation in the nootropics community for optimizing cognition. It’s a favorite with students and executives for boosting cognition, focus, memory, and recall.
Pramiracetam helps:
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High Affinity Choline Uptake (HACU)
Pramiracetam has been shown to significantly increase HACU in the hippocampus. This action boosts acetylcholine (ACh) use which accounts at least in part for Pramiracetam ability to enhance cognition and memory.[ii]
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Neurotransmitters
Pramiracetam has a profound effect on the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh).[iii] ACh is critical for encoding new memories, concentration, cognition and neuroplasticity.
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Cerebral Blood Flow
Pramiracetam increases nitric oxide (NO) activity in your brain.[iv] NO acts as a vascular dilator which means it relaxes blood vessels allowing for the freer flow of blood. Increased blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to brain cells promoting better learning and memory.
Pramiracetam
Pramiracetam (N-[2-[di(propan-2-yl) amino] ethyl]-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) acetamide or CI-879) is one of the newer nootropics in the racetam-family.
Pramiracetam was developed by Parke-Davis in the late 1970’s from Piracetam by substituting the amide group with a dipropan-2-ylaminoethyl group. Parke-Davis was once America’s largest and oldest drug maker. It has since been acquired by Pfizer as part of their acquisition of Warner-Lambert in 2000.
Parke-Davis has an interesting history and were pioneers in many areas including drugs that affect cognition. Even conducting some research with peyote in the early 1900’s.[v]
Pramiracetam as a nootropic is legal, and sold in many parts of the world as the prescription drug Pramistar, Neupramir, or Remen. In the United States, Pramiracetam is sold as an OTC ‘research compound’, and readily available to the nootropics community.
Pramiracetam shares a unique quality with Coluracetam in the racetam-class of nootropics. Its primary method of action is boosting high affinity choline uptake (HACU) in the hippocampus. It helps increase acetylcholine synthesis and function which helps overall cognition, improved memory and recall, learning, and focus.
Pramiracetam has been shown in the lab to not directly influence GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin in the brain.[vi] So don’t look to Pramiracetam to correct mood and anxiety issues.
Pramiracetam does increase nitric oxide activity in your brain. Helping to increase cerebral circulation which improves the efficiency of brain cells needed for motor function, learning and visual function.
How does Pramiracetam work in the Brain?
Pramiracetam boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Pramiracetam improves memory. Several animal and human studies show that Pramiracetam has a significant impact on memory.
In one of the animal studies researchers administered Pramiracetam to rats in a one-trial test. This is significant because it proves that Pramiracetam works right out of the gate. It doesn’t take multiple doses, or a couple of weeks to build up in your system. It works on the first day you use it.
The scientists found that rats had a significant improvement in retention by using Pramiracetam. And the effect lasted for 24 hours.[vii]
- Pramiracetam increases high-affinity choline uptake (HACU). Studies have shown that Pramiracetam boosts HACU in the hippocampus. The increase in acetylcholine (ACh) makes more of this neurotransmitter available to neurons for cognitive processing. Increasing attention, mental clarity, memory and verbal skills.[viii]
High affinity choline uptake (HACU) is the uptake of choline in synapses needed for acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis. This is a critical link in the chain of events needed for your brain to make ACh.[ix] Studies with Pramiracetam and other racetam nootropics like Coluracetam show that boosting HACU increases memory. And even restores memory function in parts of the brain that have been damaged.[x]
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
↓ Acetylcholine receptors decline
↓ Acetylcholine levels decline
↓ Cerebral blood flow declines
↓ Nitric Oxide levels decline
↓ Negative Cognitive Symptoms Occur
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, Pramiracetam can help.
Pramiracetam benefits
Pramiracetam helps boost acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis and use in your brain, and increases cerebral circulation. This compound is highly bioavailable, meaning it passes through the blood-brain barrier quite easily.
As a nootropic, Pramiracetam easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.[xi] And since it is fat-soluble, it must be taken with a healthy fat such as unrefined coconut oil or MCT Oil to ensure absorption.
Pramiracetam increases the amount and efficiency of acetylcholine by influencing the high affinity choline uptake (HACU) system in your brain. This increase in ACh can have a profound effect on overall cognition and memory.
With Pramiracetam, you’ll find it easier to focus and learning ability will improve. This increase in ACh in your hippocampus helps with logic and understanding complex mathematical and technical subjects if that’s your thing.
Increased neuroplasticity from more acetylcholine and improved cerebral circulation affects long-term potentiation.[xii] So you may find it easier to recall long-forgotten memories.
How does Pramiracetam feel?
Many neurohackers report that taking Pramiracetam quickly gets your brain firing on all cylinders. There is an intense increase in focus and possibly even a boost in confidence.
But once you get accustomed to this laser-like focus, the novelty wears off and you become used to being able to focus at will.
Pramiracetam is reported to be great for intense, long study sessions. Or when you face logical, attention-based tasks where you need sharp focus. Like when you’re doing a presentation before the Board, or a group of VC’s.
This nootropic makes burning through tedious, arduous tasks that require a level of sustained focus easier, and that would otherwise seem difficult.
Others report improved recall ability, fluidity of thought, and ease of verbal communication and numerical calculations.
Pramiracetam Clinical Trials and Research
Pramiracetam Normalizes Brain Waves
Researchers working with old Fisher-344 rats found that the aged rats had a consistently different EEG profile from young rats. They found slow brain waves were present in both the frontal cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Theta brain wave activity was missing altogether but was dominant in the brains of young rats.
Theta brain waves are associated with creativity, integrative experiences and relief from trauma associated with brain injury. Theta waves are commonly experienced by meditators. An “ah-ha moment” is a burst of Theta waves in your brain.
This research team found that Pramiracetam normalized brain wave activity in the old rats. And even more interesting was that its older sibling Piracetam did not produce this effect on brain waves. And that tolerance to Piracetam was a problem.
While it hasn’t been proven in the lab, this study shows that Pramiracetam would be of benefit to the older generation looking to improve cognitive function.[xiii]
Pramiracetam Improves Memory
Researchers in Italy investigated Pramiracetam effects on memory, and memory training by a therapist. Types of memory measured were objective memory and metamemory performance.
Metamemory is both the inner-knowledge of one’s own memories combined with the processes for formulating new memories with no inner-knowledge.
35 healthy volunteers were chosen with an average age of 64.8 years. 10 subjects received memory training only, 8 received Pramiracetam, 10 received both memory training and Pramiracetam, and the control group received nothing.
Results of the study showed that those receiving both memory training and Pramiracetam experienced a significant improvement in memory. Followed by the Pramiracetam group. The memory training-only group and control group scored the lowest.
The research team concluded that Pramiracetam significantly improves memory. And the addition of memory training to Pramiracetam has an even more profound effect of both types of memory measured.[xiv]
Pramiracetam Enhances Cognitive Function
This double-blind placebo-controlled study worked with young males who suffered cognition problems due to traumatic brain injury. The men had problems with memory and recall.
One group received 400 mg of Pramiracetam daily for 18 months. And the other group a placebo. Memory was measured during the trial and for 1-month after Pramiracetam was discontinued.
The researchers found that Pramiracetam produced a significant improvement in overall brain function, cognition, memory and recall.[xv] These improvements were evident as well during a 1-month follow-up period after the Pramiracetam was discontinued.
Pramiracetam Dosage
Recommended Pramiracetam dosage is 250 – 400 mg up to 3-times per day. One Pramiracetam dose in the morning, and one in the early afternoon, and if you’re doing a 3rd dose do it later in the afternoon.
Pramiracetam is fat-soluble so for best results take it with a quality fat like a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil, MCT oil, or extra virgin olive oil. If you don’t take Pramiracetam with supplemental fat, don’t expect much of an improvement in cognition.
My preferred healthy fat is a tablespoon of the new organic, non-GMO Performance Lab® MCT Oil.
Pramiracetam is one of two racetams (the other is Coluracetam) that have a profound effect on high affinity choline uptake (HACU). This means it will help your brain make more acetylcholine (ACh) and boost the use of ACh.
Acetylcholine is synthesized from the available choline in your brain. Which means for best results you should stack Pramiracetam with supplemental choline. I recommend a good quality choline source like Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline.
Pramiracetam tastes particularly nasty. So you may want to get capsules or tablets rather than powder (unless you’re making your own capsules).
DO NOT try to take Pramiracetam sublingually because it will literally burn the lining of your mouth.
Pramiracetam Side Effects
Pramiracetam is non-toxic. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.
As with many of the racetams, Pramiracetam 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 also find that stacking Pramiracetam with a choline supplement boosts the effect with improved memory and cognition. And this is supported in several research studies.
Some users report that Pramiracetam blunts their emotions. Decisions when it comes life and work issues are logic-based rather than emotional. This can be good or bad depending on the situation of course. You could call it “emotional objectivity”.
Where to buy Pramiracetam
Pramiracetam is sold in tablet, capsule and powder form. Tablets and capsules are usually 250 or 300 mg each.
You can currently buy this racetam from Cosmic Nootropic – Pramiracetam or Science.bio – Pramiracetam who sell Pramiracetam 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.”
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Pramiracetam 250 – 400 mg up to 3-times per day
I recommend using Pramiracetam as a nootropic supplement to enhance your cognitive abilities.
Your body does not make Pramiracetam on its own. So to get its benefits you must take it as a supplement.
Pramiracetam is especially helpful for those suffering from age-related cognitive decline. Its boosts high affinity choline uptake (HACU) which means more acetylcholine (ACh) is available in your brain. Providing a significant improvement in cognition and memory, and other mental function.
Pramiracetam is also particularly useful to students and executives who want to boost their cognitive ability, cognition, focus, learning and memory.
Pramiracetam is fat-soluble so stack it with a good quality fat like coconut oil, olive oil or MCT oil. My preferred healthy fat is a tablespoon of the new organic, non-GMO Performance Lab® MCT Oil.
You should use Pramiracetam with a 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 Pramiracetam to 1500 mg if needed. But most find that lower doses are more effective.
You can currently buy this racetam from Cosmic Nootropic – Pramiracetam or Science.bio – Pramiracetam.
Join The Discussion - 75 comments
Bob Dee
June 1, 2021
Aloha David, I do so well with sublingual dosing that I would like to try that with Pram too. But as you mentioned how nasty it is that way in your as usual excellent write up I wanted to ask if you thought mixing it with some baking soda might work? And I realize that an oil is need too from what you said so perhaps some MCT oil with it as well?
I do well with the baking soda/phenibut “tek” sublingually so I have some experience doing baking soda teks too.
Nui mahalos for any thoughts and again as always big nui mahalos for all you are doing for all of us! I will keep speading the word about your wonderful website and service and will keep paying your generosity forward too.
David Tomen
June 1, 2021
Bob, I would avoid trying to use Pramiracetam sublingually by any method because it will burn the lining of your mouth. I don’t what you to end up in the ER.
Bob Dee
June 1, 2021
More big thanks David!
Raymond
May 18, 2021
David,
Most searches access information about racetams and other safe and effectice nootropics but most articles offer very little and tend to be subjective. Yours, of course, are an exception. I appreciate your diligent research and carefully organized presentations, articles. Where can I go to Russian and European that gives more objective information like yours? Thanks.
Raay
David Tomen
May 18, 2021
Raymond, I do not know of another place that provides this type of information. It’s one of the reasons why Nootropics Expert is considered the authority.
Aaronn
May 16, 2021
What is the optimal way to cycle pramiracetam?
Does it have cross-tolerance with other racetams, in particular piracetam?
I am asking these questions since I am piracetam user, wondering whether I can cycle piracetam with pramiracetam. Does it make sense to cycle 6-8 weeks of daily intake of piracetam with 3-4 weeks of daily intake of pramiracetam?
David Tomen
May 19, 2021
Aaronn, I’ve never been a fan of mixing the racetams because each has a different mechanism of action. If Piracetam works for you I suggest keep on using it.
I’m not a fan of cycling either because it is usually not necessary if you get the dosage right in the first place.
Keep in mind that each of these racetams is a prescription drug somewhere in the world. And the doctors don’t have their patients “cycling” prescriptions. Nor do they worry about tolerance because dosage is exact and they use just enough for it to be effective and provide a benefit. Without aiming for altered states like some neurohackers try to achieve.
Aaronn
May 21, 2021
Thanks! Do you mean that if I stick with a low dose of pramiracetam (e.g., 100 mg 2-3 times per day), then I can take it daily for months without experiencing tolerance? By tolerance I mean disappearance of cognitive enhancement effects after prolonged use. I do not aim for “altered states”.
David Tomen
May 22, 2021
Aaron, that is exactly what I mean. But it is no guarantee that you will not experience tolerance. You can’t know until or if it happens.
Think again on how these racetams originated as prescription drugs. The doctors don’t alter the prescription fearing someone may grow tolerant to it. If it works at the dosage prescribed they’ll keep using it.
Don’t freak yourself out about things like tolerance. Just try the nootropic and see what happens.
Tony
March 3, 2021
Should I take piracetam the same time as Alpha GPC? I read somewhere else they should be taken apart, like an hour? What do you recommend? Thanks
David Tomen
March 3, 2021
Tony, the same time because Pramiracetam needs the extra acetylcholine in your brain to experience its benefits.
Tony
March 3, 2021
Thanks David, I’m stacking Pram with Alpha GPC, Vinpocetine, Omegas (DHA/EPA) and maybe Semax? You see any issues with that combo? I’m not sure about Semax though.
David Tomen
March 3, 2021
Tony, I’ve no experience with Semax but the rest of the stack sounds fine. As long as it works for you.
Charles
January 29, 2021
Hi David,
I have one big complex question, which if you have the time, I would really like some intellectual help with.
I am new to the nootropics scene but have read up on it and as a result of this tried a couple of nootropics. I am a 25 year old healthy male except for the following: I have ADD, am slightly depressed, am introverted, have a mild form of autism and I have an anxious personality (I especially have social anxiety also because I am very sensitive to stimuli such as being around new people and being in a crowd).
After trying many nootropics and antidepressants to help me with my huge concentration problems during studying and also to improve my mood and energy, I am now taking the following mix (daily):
– 150 mg Wellbutrin
– 150 mg Sertraline
– 225 mg of armodafinil (I don’t spread it throughout the day, I take the 225mg al together early in the morning, during breakfast)
– Ashwagandha 500mg twice a day (so 1000 mg per day)
– Pramiracetam 600 mg twice a day (so 1200 mg per day)
– Alpha GPC 300 mg twice a day (so 600 mg per day)
– Occasionally when I get too nervous (presentations, social gatherings) I also take 350mg to 700 mg of L-theanine
– I also take 5mg levocetirizine pills for allergies and eczema
– I also use hormone crème’s for eczema, such as: Protopic, Triamcinolonacetonide and Diprosalic
My specific question is whether the above-mentioned pill-mix that I take daily is optimal and healthy for me/my specific situation. Does this pill-mix give me the strongest effect possible that nootropics, anti-depressants and other available pills/medication/substances have to offer?
Should I add centrophenoxine?
Sorry for the huge amount of text.
David Tomen
January 29, 2021
Charles, forget about Centrophenoxine because it likely will not help you.
I cannot tell you one way or the other if the stack you describe is the best one for you. Only you can determine that by how you feel.
Do you feel the benefit of this combination? I think it’s pointless to use both Wellbutrin and Armodafinil. Better to choose one or the other because while their mechanism of action is not ‘exactly’ the same, it’s close enough to not warrant using both of them.
And I need to correct something you said. ” Does this pill-mix give me the strongest effect possible…?”
That is not the goal for using nootropic supplements. We use nootropics to optimize brain function. We provide the tools to make our brain work better. This is much different than amping things up like you would with a Red Bull or cup of strong coffee.
This is a link to the ADD stack that is used by thousands around the world. It includes which supplements to use including dosages and timing during the day: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/. And is designed to be used with or without prescription stimulants.
Charles
January 30, 2021
Thank you! This really helps.
wong
March 4, 2021
Hi charles
I am surprised to read your post because i have the same problem with you. However you are much luckier than me as you are only 25 and you have come to this site. I am 39 and have been suffering your problem since I was young and only recently know there is something wrong with me and visited this place. I have been trying 3 months and have read alot here. Perhaps you can try what david has suggested to me and it is to fix your gut and BDNF. It could be inflammation of your brain too.
Currently I am taking the
multivitamins , DHA, Prebiotics by performance lab. a high quality b complex, the basic stacks and choose a few nootropics from the page on BDNF and leaky gut. After that choose a few nootropics from the ADHD page and I guess you will get better within months.
I have truly tell you i get better now and I really have to thank david for this page.
Charles
January 30, 2021
Should I also add L-tyrosine and 5-HTP?
I have been feeling foggy and tired the last 2 days, could this be because my alpha GPC suply has run out so I haven’t been able to take them? Or does my sleep get disturbed by the armodafinil? (I take the 225 armodafinil in one dose, 12 hours before I go to sleep).
One important question I also have is that one source claimed that your body can only absorb 100 mg of modafinil per 2 hours, thus taking 200 mg modafinil in a single dose is not going to improve on the 100 mg single dose.
David Tomen
January 30, 2021
Charles, more than likely you’re running low on dopamine. Because both Wellbutrin and Armodafinil affect dopamine, norepinephrine and their receptors and transporters.
If your brain doesn’t have enough dopamine to support their use you’ll feel the effects.
I suggest 500 mg L-Tyrosine in the morning and at noon. And 500 mg L-Tryptophan before bed to raise serotonin (and melatonin). This timing and dosage method helps keep dopamine and serotonin in balance.
A higher dose of Armodafinil will just put more strain on dopamine receptors and transporters. A “normal” dose is 50 – 100 mg. You will not experience more benefit by using more. And one of the common side effects of Armodafinil is insomnia.
Charles
January 30, 2021
Thank you! I will adress this problem accordingly.
Martin
November 12, 2020
Hi David, im pokerplayer and i need be focus in long sessions without distraction, my actual stack is:
AlfaGPC: 150mg x3 day.
Choline Birtrate: 500mg 3xday.
Noopept: 15mg 3xday
Piracetam: 800mg 3xday
Pramiracetam: 300mg 3xday
Oxiracetam: 500mg 3xday.
Could you suggest me something more? I use Rhodiola, Ashga, Bacopa and other nootropics too. The problem that i feel is that after 1-1.5hs i dont feel that effect of racetam anymore, and im 2-3 hours with crash after my netx dosage. Ihave taking that around 2weeks. All you suggest will be welcome.
David Tomen
November 13, 2020
Martin, it’s not a good idea to be using so many racetams at the same time. I suggest choosing one along with Noopept. And change Choline Bitartrate to CDP-Choline 300 mg 3-times per day. Increase Alpha GPC to 300 mg 3-times per day.
You’re likely depleting your acetylcholine levels a lot with what you are using now. Add ALCAR 750 mg 3-times per day along with a high quality B-Complex, magnesium and Vitamin C. See if that helps.
And you may want to add Mind Lab Pro. I know it’s used by at least one professional poker player successfully.
Martin
December 6, 2020
Hi David, i lost this comment. What do you think that is bad idea mixing Racetams? Have side effects in the long term or what is the bad thing about that. I have read many people mixing for his job and get the max results.
Im using Alcar too, tryptophan for sleep, and in the day, Theanine, tyrosine, rhodiola rosea, KSM 66, Theacrine or caffeine, and taking like you said 300mg CDP Choline. I had a weird and strong headche since Im increasing Choline, i wonder why would be the problem.
David Tomen
December 6, 2020
Martin, there is something called a “racetam-headache” which almost always happens if someone using a racetam and forgets to include enough of a choline supplement.
If you’ve got too much acetylcholine you’ll have problems too. Either feeling sleepy, or a headache, or both.
I highly recommend that you become familiar with how each of these racetams work in your brain. They are similar enough that it just doesn’t make sense to use several different racetams at the same time.
These are potent supplements that are used individually as prescription medications in many countries around the world.
I doubt you’ll find a doctor who would prescribe more than one racetam at a time for a patient.
But do whatever works for you. That’s my opinion.
Prakriti Singha
August 31, 2020
Hello Nootropics expert! so following your advice of stacking phenylpramiracetam with Alpha-GPC, and also the fact that you mentioned in one of the articles that one might get tolerance to phenylpramiracetam so one should use it only when a cognitive boost is required. So should I use Alpha GPC only when I need to use Phenylpramiracetam? or use Alpha GPC everyday and use phynylpramiracetam when needed?
David Tomen
August 31, 2020
Prakriti, you’ll get benefits from using Alpha GPC 2 or 3 times every day. To avoid tolerance with Phenylpiracetam I suggest using only when needed. Or use it for a couple of days and take a day off.
G.Jack
August 29, 2020
Hi David, I had a few racetam powder form. I do notice that Pramiracetam look different from other racetam form, and suggested by the manufacturer to keep Pramiracetam in low temperature and avoid direct sun light. can i put all these powder below together in a small plastic bag?
creatine
oxiracetam
Phenylpiracetam
Pramiracetam
David Tomen
August 29, 2020
G.Jack, you can store them together as long as you don’t mix them. Not unless you intentionally mix a combo at the right dosages for each.