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Piracetam Nootropic Benefits
Piracetam reviews report a range of beneficial effects for this Racetam such as improving your ability to learn and remember, boosting focus and concentration, and improving your mood and motivation levels. It acts on the brain and nervous system to increase certain types of activity between neurons.
Researchers believe that it has a protective effect on brain cells and promotes neuronal communication. This part of the brain is also responsible for thoughts, actions, reasoning, perception, learning, and movement.
Piracetam Nootropic History
RELATED TOPICS
Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide) was the first compound developed in the racetam “family” of cognitive enhancing nootropics. It was created synthetically by Belgium lab UCB Pharma in 1964 as a means for improving corpus callosum communication. This section of the brain manages all communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.
The development of the drug required defining a whole new category of supplements – “nootropics.” The UCB Pharma team invented this term, which literally translates to “bend the mind,” specifically to describe the action of Piracetam.
It is chemically similar to the amino acid amino acid pyroglutamate, differing only by a single side chain.
Piracetam has been produced under many prescription names over the last 40 years, such as Cerebrospan, Encefalux, Nootron, Nootropil, Psycotron, and Stimucortex.
There is also a product called Fezam which contains Piracetam and cinnarizine and is marketed in Bulgaria and Russia.
Today, it is used for age-related cognitive decline and boosting cognitive function in healthy young minds.
How It Works
While all of Piracetam’s mechanisms of action are not yet known, it is thought to work in the following four main ways.
Increases cholinergic neurotransmission, which may have benefits for general cognition and working memory.
Boosts oxygen and glucose uptake in brain cells, which may promote feelings of alertness and mental fluidity
Protects brain cells from some forms of damage and signs of aging
Improved cellular membrane permeability.
Specifically, Piracetam (Nootropil) has been shown in double-blind placebo controlled studies to improve the delivery and dispersal of oxygen molecules to cells in the brain. It is also observed to result in an increase in circulation (blood flow) to neural tissues.
This has a secondary neuroprotective effect for structures like neurons and synapses. Better circulation keeps tissues healthy and nourished, protecting against normal damage and decay due to aging. It also helps to eliminate waste materials from cells at a faster rate.
Research shows that it functions in part by improving the permeability of cell membranes (also known as membrane fluidity).
Cell membrane health further protects against hypoxia and may prevent or reduce the risk of brain conditions which result from lack of oxygen, including stroke.
The nootropic Piracetam also affects brain glucose levels by inhibiting its reuptake. This results in an increased metabolism of glucose which may result in increased mental energy and alertness.
It is also reported to have some effect upon calcium in the brain which may potentiate overall neurotransmission, without exhibiting stimulant effects on the Central Nervous System.
This nootropic is a cyclical derivative of GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid). By removing a molecule from the chemical structure of GABA, a cyclical shape results retaining two nitrogen atoms with one amide that contains a side chain made of two carbon atoms and another nitrogen molecule.
Despite the fact that it is structurally similar to this neurotransmitter, it does not appear to activate or interact with GABA receptors.
Piracetam has been shown to increase cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) in the brain. Increase cAMP levels can improve the function of mitochondria, especially in aging brains.
According to a 1993 report in the journal Pharmacology, Nootropil increases the binding activity at L-glutamate and NMDA receptors. NMDA sites regulate memory and stimulate growth of neural connections.
This action could be a key factor in Piracetam’s use for age-related cognitive decline.
Benefits & Uses
As a clinical drug, Piracetam is used or has been studied for the following medical conditions:
Cortical Myoclonus
Alzheimer’s Disease
Verigo
Senile Dementia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Cognitive Disorders and Memory Dysfunction
Dyslexia
Sickle Cell Anemia
Breath Holding Spells
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Stroke
Tardive Dyskinesia
Brain Injury
Alcoholism
Vasospastic Disorders
Down’s Syndrome
Users report a range of cognitive, mood, social, and physical benefits with regular usage. The following are some of the key reasons that people take this nootropic drug.
Memory and Learning: Perhaps the most commonly reported benefit of this nootropic is an improvement in the areas of learning and memory. As early as 1976, articles in journals like Psychopharmacology began to report that daily doses of Piracetam above 1200 mg could cause noted improvements to working memory and brain function.
A 1991 study in the New Zealand journal Drugs Aging found that Piracetam facilities memory and new learning via callosal transmission. The same study also found that Piracetam improves cholinergic activity.
Acetylcholine & Concentration: Piracetam is able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with the Acetylcholine and Glutamate receptors. These neuroreceptors are involved in areas of the brain responsible for memory and cognition.
However, the specific effects may be different for each person. Some users report subtle increases in memory or thought processes while others begin remembering full dreams or even the smallest details of events.
Concentration and focus are also enhanced with Piracetam use due to the increased blood circulation within the brain. Users are also likely to notice an improved ability to think, pay attention, and manipulate data. You may find that normal tasks such as reading and writing are done with more mental fluidity.
Sensory Perception: Increased Acetylcholine activity due to Piracetam use is also linked to enhanced sensory perception. Many users report experiencing improvements in the ability to distinguish small details in sight, smell, and touch.
Users have also described an enhanced ability to recall previous visual, auditory and olfactory experiences and connect them to other memories. This is one of the things that a first time user of Piracetam may notice right away, with an increase in the vibrancy of colors being most reported by users.
Mood: Heightened motivation is another benefit connected to this nootropic. In many cases, individuals have reported an increase in their energy, both mental and physical. Several studies have also examined the effects of Piracetam on individuals diagnosed with depression, with a number of promising results reported.
Research indicates that cerebrovascular disease can cause depression symptoms, especially in old age. When administering Piracetam to elderly stroke patients, the improvements in brain circulation may also have the added effect of lessening depression and brightening mood.
Furthermore, there are a significant number of anecdotal reports online suggesting that Piracetam may lessen symptoms of general anxiety disorder, social anxiety and sleep disorders. There has been limited research into this area though and it is not clear what the mechanisms of action are.
Oxygenation: Oxygen utilization in the brain is increased following Piracetam administration. This has a number of practical applications like reducing fatigue and increasing attention span. It is also thought to prevent damage to the neurons due to cerebrovascular insufficiency.
Piracetam has noted benefits for issues relating to brain circulation. In addition to delivering oxygen and nutrient rich blood to neural tissue, Piracetam poses a significant anti-clotting effect.
In research this has been cited as a possible treatment for stroke victims, who experience significant cognitive impairment due to a lack of blood flow, often caused by a clot. Piracetam is sometimes administered as a prophylaxis directly after stroke, in order to prevent additional damage due to clotting.
Reading Disorders and Dyslexia: A paper published by European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that Piracetam had significant benefit for children with reading disorders.
In 7 double-blind studies of nearly 600 children diagnosed with dyslexia, the use of Piracetam improved both verbal reasoning and reading comprehension.
Piracetam and Old Age: Many of the most dramatic benefits of Piracetam can be found when used by people suffering from cognitive degeneration. In general use, it can improve memory, reasoning ability, and concentration. Short-term working memory and overall slowing of cognitive decline is widely reported by older patients.
Piracetam also ameliorated symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and improved psychological and neurological symptoms of dementia in a double-blind trial.
Piracetam and Alcohol-Induced Cognitive Impairment
In animal studies, Piracetam has been shown to reduce some of the nerve damage associated with chronic alcohol exposure.
Researchers know that long-term consumption of alcohol (ethanol) can result in impaired memory and fewer healthy neurons in the hippocampus of the brain.
This part of the brain plays an important role in the formation and retrieval of long-term memory.
Piracetam may prevent some of the neuron loss in this hippocampus that can occur in alcoholics.
In one research study, two groups of rats undergoing alcohol withdrawal following long-term use were given either Piracetam or a placebo. Researchers found that there were significantly more healthy hippocampal brain cells in the group given Piracetam compared to subjects given the placebo.
This study also showed that Piracetam can reduce lipofuscin deposits in the hippocampal neurons of rats exposed to chronic alcohol consumption. Lipofuscin is a lipid-containing residue or waste product that builds up in cells as we age.
Excess lipofuscin accumulation can lead to impaired cell function and may negatively affect cognitive abilities in elderly individuals.
The fact that Piracetam can reduce the build-up of this waste product in the hippocampus in alcohol-withdrawn animals suggests that it may have a protective effect against some forms of damage that contribute to premature aging.
However, more research is needed to validate these hypotheses and to determine whether Piracetam/Nootropil will have the same effect in humans as it does in rat studies.
Another study looking at alcohol-fed rats also showed that those given Piracetam had higher numbers of synapses between neurons than those given a placebo.
Nerve synapses are the connection points between neurons at which they are able to send and receiving chemical and electrical signals from other neurons. They consist of receptors as well as vesicles for releasing neurotransmitter chemicals.
The network of synapses between our neurons is constantly reorganizing itself to work more efficiently when exposed to new stimuli or when old information becomes less important to maintain.
When synaptic pathways are made stronger through a process called Long Term Potentiation (LTP), this is how new memories are stored. Piracetam may support this process and synaptic plasticity, which is a concept used to represent our ability to learn new things.
Researchers believe that it has a protective effect on brain cells and promotes neuronal communication. This part of the brain is also responsible for thoughts, actions, reasoning, perception, learning, and movement.
Piracetam Nootropic History
RELATED TOPICS
Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide) was the first compound developed in the racetam “family” of cognitive enhancing nootropics. It was created synthetically by Belgium lab UCB Pharma in 1964 as a means for improving corpus callosum communication. This section of the brain manages all communication between the two hemispheres of the brain.
The development of the drug required defining a whole new category of supplements – “nootropics.” The UCB Pharma team invented this term, which literally translates to “bend the mind,” specifically to describe the action of Piracetam.
It is chemically similar to the amino acid amino acid pyroglutamate, differing only by a single side chain.
Piracetam has been produced under many prescription names over the last 40 years, such as Cerebrospan, Encefalux, Nootron, Nootropil, Psycotron, and Stimucortex.
There is also a product called Fezam which contains Piracetam and cinnarizine and is marketed in Bulgaria and Russia.
Today, it is used for age-related cognitive decline and boosting cognitive function in healthy young minds.
How It Works
While all of Piracetam’s mechanisms of action are not yet known, it is thought to work in the following four main ways.
Increases cholinergic neurotransmission, which may have benefits for general cognition and working memory.
Boosts oxygen and glucose uptake in brain cells, which may promote feelings of alertness and mental fluidity
Protects brain cells from some forms of damage and signs of aging
Improved cellular membrane permeability.
Specifically, Piracetam (Nootropil) has been shown in double-blind placebo controlled studies to improve the delivery and dispersal of oxygen molecules to cells in the brain. It is also observed to result in an increase in circulation (blood flow) to neural tissues.
This has a secondary neuroprotective effect for structures like neurons and synapses. Better circulation keeps tissues healthy and nourished, protecting against normal damage and decay due to aging. It also helps to eliminate waste materials from cells at a faster rate.
Research shows that it functions in part by improving the permeability of cell membranes (also known as membrane fluidity).
Cell membrane health further protects against hypoxia and may prevent or reduce the risk of brain conditions which result from lack of oxygen, including stroke.
The nootropic Piracetam also affects brain glucose levels by inhibiting its reuptake. This results in an increased metabolism of glucose which may result in increased mental energy and alertness.
It is also reported to have some effect upon calcium in the brain which may potentiate overall neurotransmission, without exhibiting stimulant effects on the Central Nervous System.
This nootropic is a cyclical derivative of GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid). By removing a molecule from the chemical structure of GABA, a cyclical shape results retaining two nitrogen atoms with one amide that contains a side chain made of two carbon atoms and another nitrogen molecule.
Despite the fact that it is structurally similar to this neurotransmitter, it does not appear to activate or interact with GABA receptors.
Piracetam has been shown to increase cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) in the brain. Increase cAMP levels can improve the function of mitochondria, especially in aging brains.
According to a 1993 report in the journal Pharmacology, Nootropil increases the binding activity at L-glutamate and NMDA receptors. NMDA sites regulate memory and stimulate growth of neural connections.
This action could be a key factor in Piracetam’s use for age-related cognitive decline.
Benefits & Uses
As a clinical drug, Piracetam is used or has been studied for the following medical conditions:
Cortical Myoclonus
Alzheimer’s Disease
Verigo
Senile Dementia
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Cognitive Disorders and Memory Dysfunction
Dyslexia
Sickle Cell Anemia
Breath Holding Spells
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Stroke
Tardive Dyskinesia
Brain Injury
Alcoholism
Vasospastic Disorders
Down’s Syndrome
Users report a range of cognitive, mood, social, and physical benefits with regular usage. The following are some of the key reasons that people take this nootropic drug.
Memory and Learning: Perhaps the most commonly reported benefit of this nootropic is an improvement in the areas of learning and memory. As early as 1976, articles in journals like Psychopharmacology began to report that daily doses of Piracetam above 1200 mg could cause noted improvements to working memory and brain function.
A 1991 study in the New Zealand journal Drugs Aging found that Piracetam facilities memory and new learning via callosal transmission. The same study also found that Piracetam improves cholinergic activity.
Acetylcholine & Concentration: Piracetam is able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier and interact with the Acetylcholine and Glutamate receptors. These neuroreceptors are involved in areas of the brain responsible for memory and cognition.
However, the specific effects may be different for each person. Some users report subtle increases in memory or thought processes while others begin remembering full dreams or even the smallest details of events.
Concentration and focus are also enhanced with Piracetam use due to the increased blood circulation within the brain. Users are also likely to notice an improved ability to think, pay attention, and manipulate data. You may find that normal tasks such as reading and writing are done with more mental fluidity.
Sensory Perception: Increased Acetylcholine activity due to Piracetam use is also linked to enhanced sensory perception. Many users report experiencing improvements in the ability to distinguish small details in sight, smell, and touch.
Users have also described an enhanced ability to recall previous visual, auditory and olfactory experiences and connect them to other memories. This is one of the things that a first time user of Piracetam may notice right away, with an increase in the vibrancy of colors being most reported by users.
Mood: Heightened motivation is another benefit connected to this nootropic. In many cases, individuals have reported an increase in their energy, both mental and physical. Several studies have also examined the effects of Piracetam on individuals diagnosed with depression, with a number of promising results reported.
Research indicates that cerebrovascular disease can cause depression symptoms, especially in old age. When administering Piracetam to elderly stroke patients, the improvements in brain circulation may also have the added effect of lessening depression and brightening mood.
Furthermore, there are a significant number of anecdotal reports online suggesting that Piracetam may lessen symptoms of general anxiety disorder, social anxiety and sleep disorders. There has been limited research into this area though and it is not clear what the mechanisms of action are.
Oxygenation: Oxygen utilization in the brain is increased following Piracetam administration. This has a number of practical applications like reducing fatigue and increasing attention span. It is also thought to prevent damage to the neurons due to cerebrovascular insufficiency.
Piracetam has noted benefits for issues relating to brain circulation. In addition to delivering oxygen and nutrient rich blood to neural tissue, Piracetam poses a significant anti-clotting effect.
In research this has been cited as a possible treatment for stroke victims, who experience significant cognitive impairment due to a lack of blood flow, often caused by a clot. Piracetam is sometimes administered as a prophylaxis directly after stroke, in order to prevent additional damage due to clotting.
Reading Disorders and Dyslexia: A paper published by European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry found that Piracetam had significant benefit for children with reading disorders.
In 7 double-blind studies of nearly 600 children diagnosed with dyslexia, the use of Piracetam improved both verbal reasoning and reading comprehension.
Piracetam and Old Age: Many of the most dramatic benefits of Piracetam can be found when used by people suffering from cognitive degeneration. In general use, it can improve memory, reasoning ability, and concentration. Short-term working memory and overall slowing of cognitive decline is widely reported by older patients.
Piracetam also ameliorated symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and improved psychological and neurological symptoms of dementia in a double-blind trial.
Piracetam and Alcohol-Induced Cognitive Impairment
In animal studies, Piracetam has been shown to reduce some of the nerve damage associated with chronic alcohol exposure.
Researchers know that long-term consumption of alcohol (ethanol) can result in impaired memory and fewer healthy neurons in the hippocampus of the brain.
This part of the brain plays an important role in the formation and retrieval of long-term memory.
Piracetam may prevent some of the neuron loss in this hippocampus that can occur in alcoholics.
In one research study, two groups of rats undergoing alcohol withdrawal following long-term use were given either Piracetam or a placebo. Researchers found that there were significantly more healthy hippocampal brain cells in the group given Piracetam compared to subjects given the placebo.
This study also showed that Piracetam can reduce lipofuscin deposits in the hippocampal neurons of rats exposed to chronic alcohol consumption. Lipofuscin is a lipid-containing residue or waste product that builds up in cells as we age.
Excess lipofuscin accumulation can lead to impaired cell function and may negatively affect cognitive abilities in elderly individuals.
The fact that Piracetam can reduce the build-up of this waste product in the hippocampus in alcohol-withdrawn animals suggests that it may have a protective effect against some forms of damage that contribute to premature aging.
However, more research is needed to validate these hypotheses and to determine whether Piracetam/Nootropil will have the same effect in humans as it does in rat studies.
Another study looking at alcohol-fed rats also showed that those given Piracetam had higher numbers of synapses between neurons than those given a placebo.
Nerve synapses are the connection points between neurons at which they are able to send and receiving chemical and electrical signals from other neurons. They consist of receptors as well as vesicles for releasing neurotransmitter chemicals.
The network of synapses between our neurons is constantly reorganizing itself to work more efficiently when exposed to new stimuli or when old information becomes less important to maintain.
When synaptic pathways are made stronger through a process called Long Term Potentiation (LTP), this is how new memories are stored. Piracetam may support this process and synaptic plasticity, which is a concept used to represent our ability to learn new things.