It’s high time I write a review on one of my favorite staple nootropics – Piracetam. Today only makes sense to pound this puppy out as I’ve just recently dosed my standard 4 Grams after a small hiatus.
Piracetam has long been the most recommended nootropic out there. People must be getting blue in the face by now helping out new comers when they ask,
“What nootropic should I try first??”
The original answer was Piracetam and will most likely always be Piracetam. So what gives? Why is Piracetam the highest rated and most recommended nootropic of all times?
History of Piracetam
Early in the 1960’s it was demonstrated among the scientific community that the neurotransmitter GABA had significant effects on the brain. Creating drugs which effected GABA quickly shot to the forefront of all pharmaceutical research resulting in a number of interesting compounds.
One of these compounds was Piracetam. Developed in Belgium at UCB (Union Chimique Belge) Piracetam was intended to be a sleeping agent with strong anti anxiety and sedative effects. Upon further research, it was demonstrated that the scientists had missed the mark – no such effects were noted with the newly invented compound.
However, the scientists were not dismayed and with the help of leading researcher, Corneliu Giurgea, Piracetam was spun as a completely novel genre of pharmaceuticals he coined as nootropics.
Mr Giurgea dove balls deep into understanding and defining the interesting properties of Piracetam. He demonstrated a number of unique qualities present in Piracetam and layed the framework for what a compound required to be classified as a nootropic.
He noted Piracetams unique quality as a neuroprotective agent. He also noted Piracetams ability to enhance certain cognitive functions of the brain. This turned into the 2 classic properties we refer to when discussing whether or not something can be defined as a nootropic:
1.) The compound must be neuroprotective
2.) The compound must enhance cognition while remaining non-toxic
A number of spin offs came out of the Piracetam experiments with lack luster results. It was only later we began to identify and create other novel and exciting nootropics. As you can see, we have Piracetam to thank for all these fun “smart drugs.”
Read this PDF for a more in depth history of Piracetam and the origins of nootropics.
Is Piracetam Safe?
Another thing to note is the very very low toxicity level of Piracetam. In fact, the toxicity level is SO low an LD-50 hasn’t even been shown or demonstrated despite many attempts. The LD-50 is the dosage required to kill off half the test subjects. Thankfully this stuff is tested on rats but the data can generally be extrapolated to humans in most cases.
Piracetam Dosage
There is no recommended dose of Piracetam. People used to recommend dosages from 500mg – 1G but recent anecdotal reports (including my own) have discovered a much more effective experience in the 2G – 4G range. Start with a small dose and then work your way up from there. For example, start off with a gram taken twice daily for a week and see how you feel. No effects? Ramp up the dosage.
It’s important to note that while some feel the effects of Piracetam instantly, it can take up to a week before you see any marked improvements. Be patient and always track your dose.
Remember, this is a nootropic not a drug. Many nootropics are subtle and take time before they are noticed.
My personal review of Piracetam
Firstly, I have been taking Piracetam on and off for well over a year. There have been months where I’ve taken it every day and there have been periods where I stopped dosing completely.
This has given me a finger tip feel of what this nootropic has to offer. For me, I feel Piracetam almost instantly. I mix it into juice or water and slug it down straight away.
I go from feeling depressed, low, and unmotivated, to focused and mentally energetic. I know it’s not placebo either. While I CAN get things done without Piracetam, it’s a struggle and I’m forced to expend the majority of my willpower on even the smallest of tasks.
When I’m properly dosed, I have the mental energy to get things done and ideas flow. Writing this post now I can feel as if I could type forever. I can always tell what posts I wrote on Piracetam because they’re usually 3X as long haha!
In one of my latest videos I discussed a few notable behavioral side effects of Piracetam that I personally experience. One of these side effects is a kind of emotional numbing. Things which would otherwise rub me the wrong way have little to no effect. I’m a very sensitive person and even the smallest words or gestures from people can put me in my head and ruin a whole day. I know, pathetic!
On Piracetam I don’t give a shit. Words that would bother me go in one ear and out the other. I have very low tolerance for other peoples bullshit and actually find most conversations rather annoying.
It’s as if the Piracetam gives you an ability to block out external stimulus and get things done. For this reason I recommend Piracetam to individuals who find themselves getting over emotional when they need to be getting things done. If you’re surrounded by people who annoy you, Piracetam will block them out and allow you to hone in on your task.
Great stuff for work and dealing with negative emotions, especially in social situations. It does appear to take you out of your head and into the real world where there is good work to do.
Benefits and side effects of Piracetam
Piracetam for memory and focus
The second characteristic of Piracetam is a laser sharp focus and ability to absorb information. You can easily connect ideas and become very creative. As a writer and content producer I have an endless stream of ideas I can capitalize on at a moments notice.
I don’t know anybody who could not use a little more creativity in their life. I find myself actively finding solutions to problems rather than passively accepting my fate. I ask myself, what would El Chapo do?
Long term Piracetam use
Is Piracetam safe for the long term? While there are no studies available to answer this question, there are people who have been using Piracetam for a very long time. Me being one of those people, I can say I haven’t experienced any adverse side effects.
With that said, I have no doubt Piracetam has rewired my brain for the better. I’m more focused on the work that needs to be done rather than the drama going on around me. Instead of going full blown ADD I can easily determine what courses of action are required to reach my next goal.
While this seems rather robotic, I can assure you my emotional faculties are well intact. They just seem to be more justified and well measured than before. My mind is constantly going through a series of appropriate synaptic questions:
“Is this worth arguing about? Is this worth getting emotional about?”
It’s a nice change from constantly being at the mercy of external events and internal emotions.
Piracetam and Choline
Piracetam works by modulating the brains usage of Acetycholine. Acetycholine is a crucial neurotransmitter for memory and learning. Choline is a direct precursor to Acetycholine so it is suggested that you also take supplemental Choline alongside Piracetam. This is especially important if you begin to experience headaches from continued Piracetam use. This means your brain is blowing through available stores of Choline.
The best form of Choline is Alpha-GPC (highly bio-available) although cheaper versions like Choline Bitartate are also effective.
Piracetam Studies
To satisfy the more curious of you, here are some links to a few important Piracetam studies:
Profound effects of Piracetam and Choline supplementation in aged rats
Piracetam on cognitive impairment
Piracetam and Alzheimers Disease
Where to buy Piracetam
I always stress buying your nootropics from the most legit source possible. Nootropic vendors come and go but Peak Nootropics have withstood the test of time always deliver the best product and powder. It’s where I buy all of my nootropics including Piracetam.
Final Thoughts
Piracetam is a safe an effective nootropic worth experimenting with. If you have problems with focus, mental energy, or brain fog, Piracetam could quickly become your right hand man.
Piracetam should NOT be taken in place of a healthy lifestyle but only as a supplement. Nootropics are meant to take you to the next level of life. The benefits you see from Piracetam will only be compounded by how healthy you are.
With that said, grab some powder and get dosing.
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