Nootropic profile
Piracetam
Piracetam is the original racetam and the compound that coined the term "nootropic." It modulates neurotransmitter systems and improves cerebral blood flow to support memory, learning, and cognitive clarity - particularly in ageing or impaired populations.
Best for
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Piracetam?
Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide) was synthesised in 1964 by Romanian psychologist and chemist Dr Corneliu Giurgea, who also coined the term "nootropic" (from the Greek noos meaning mind, and tropein meaning to bend or turn).
What it does for you
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How to take it
- Typical dose: 1,200–4,800 mg per day, divided into 2–3 doses
- Common starting dose: 1,600 mg three times daily (4,800 mg total)
- Attack dose: Some users begin with a higher "attack dose" of 4,800–9,600 mg for the first few days, then reduce to maintenance
- Onset: Effects may take 1–2 weeks of consistent use to become noticeable
- With choline: Often stacked with a choline source (Alpha-GPC or citicoline) to prevent headaches and enhance effects
Watch out for
- Side effects: Very mild - occasional headache (often due to choline depletion), insomnia, anxiety, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Toxicity: Extremely low. The LD50 in animal studies is remarkably high, and no deaths have been attributed to piracetam overdose in humans.
- Drug interactions: May enhance the effects of blood thinners (anticoagulants). Consult a doctor if taking warfarin or similar medications.
- Pregnancy: Not recommended due to insufficient data.
- Legal status: Prescription medication in some European countries. Not approved by the FDA as a drug or dietary supplement in the US. Unregulated in the UK.
The science, if you're curious.
- Piracetam enhances cholinergic neurotransmission by increasing the density and sensitivity of acetylcholine receptors, supporting memory formation and recall.
- It improves the fluidity and integrity of neuronal cell membranes, which tends to decline with age, supporting efficient signal transduction between neurons.
- Piracetam increases blood flow to the brain and improves oxygen utilisation, enhancing overall cerebral metabolism.
- It positively modulates AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors, which are critical for synaptic plasticity, learning, and long-term potentiation.
Where to find it
- Synthetic compound: Piracetam does not occur in nature - it must be synthesised
- Supplement form: Available as capsules, tablets, and bulk powder from nootropic vendors
- Brand names: Nootropil (prescription), various generic formulations
- Related racetams: Aniracetam, oxiracetam, and phenylpiracetam are structurally related compounds with different potency profiles
The research
Frequently asked
Piracetam is the original racetam and the compound that coined the term "nootropic." It modulates neurotransmitter systems and improves cerebral blood flow to support memory, learning, and cognitive clarity - particularly in ageing or impaired populations.
The main benefits people report from Piracetam are: Cognitive Enhancement, Creativity, Focus, Longevity, Memory, Mood.
Typical dose: 1,200–4,800 mg per day, divided into 2–3 dosesCommon starting dose: 1,600 mg three times daily (4,800 mg total)Attack dose: Some users begin with a higher "attack dose" of 4,800–9,600 mg for the first few days, then reduce to maintenanceOnset: Effects may take 1–2 weeks of co...
Side effects: Very mild - occasional headache (often due to choline depletion), insomnia, anxiety, or gastrointestinal discomfort.Toxicity: Extremely low. The LD50 in animal studies is remarkably high, and no deaths have been attributed to piracetam overdose in humans.Drug interactions: May enhance...
Piracetam enhances cholinergic neurotransmission by increasing the density and sensitivity of acetylcholine receptors, supporting memory formation and recall.It improves the fluidity and integrity of neuronal cell membranes, which tends to decline with age, supporting efficient signal transduction b...
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