Piracetam: Difference between revisions
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Piracetam tends to share structural similarity to the neurotransmitter [[GABA]], as it is a cyclical derivative; as such, it retains two nitrogens in its structure with one amine bearing the two-carbon side chain that has the other nitrogen within it. | Piracetam tends to share structural similarity to the neurotransmitter [[GABA]], as it is a cyclical derivative; as such, it retains two nitrogens in its structure with one amine bearing the two-carbon side chain that has the other nitrogen within it. | ||
==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
Piracetam's mechanism of action, as with racetams in general, is not fully understood. The drug influences neuronal and vascular functions and influences cognitive function without acting as a sedative or stimulant.<ref>Piracetam: a review of pharmacological properties and clinical uses (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16007238</ref> Piracetam is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor.<ref>Piracetam defines a new binding site for allosteric modulators of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20163115</ref> It is hypothesized to act on ion channels or ion carriers, thus leading to increased neuron excitability.<ref>Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8061686</ref> [[GABA]] brain metabolism and GABA receptors are not affected by piracetam.<ref>http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ddr.430020505/abstract;jsessionid=B9BF0E3214F13C8DD3692A776A0A5B78.f02t01</ref> | |||
AMong other things, it has also been found to increase blood flow and oxygen consumption in parts of the brain, but this may be a side effect of increased brain activity rather than a primary effect or mechanism of action for the drug.<ref>Cerebral blood flow effects of piracetam, pentifylline, and nicotinic acid in the baboon model compared with the known effect of acetazolamide (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8876930</ref> Piracetam also improves the function of the neurotransmitter [[acetylcholine]] via muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors, which are implicated in memory processes.<ref>Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties? (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16459490</ref> | |||
Although it is now fully understood how, it's these multiple complex mechanisms of action which result in piracetams [[nootropic]] effects. | |||
==Subjective effects== | ==Subjective effects== | ||
Revision as of 02:02, 23 June 2016
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| Chemical Nomenclature | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common names | Piracetam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Substitutive name | Avigilen, Memo-Puren, Nootron, Nootrop, Nootropil, Nootropyl, Normabrain, Norzetam, Geratam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Systematic name | 2-(2-Oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Psychoactive class | Nootropic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical class | Racetam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Summary sheet: Piracetam |
Piracetam (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide) is a nootropic drug in the racetams group which is a derivative of GABA. Piracetam was first synthesized in 1964 by Corneliu E. Giurgea and other scientists at the Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB. As a "smart drug", it is reported to enhance cognitive functions including memory, intelligence, and attention.[1]
In the U.K., piracetam is prescribed mainly for myoclonus (spasmodic jerky contraction of groups of muscles),[2] but is used off-label for other conditions. In the United States, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for any medical use and it is not permitted to be sold as a dietary supplement. However, it is still readily available and sold through online vendors.
Piracetam's dosage is 100x less potent than that of noopept, making it both the earliest and least potent racetam. The standard piracetam dose for adults is between 1,200-4,800mg a day. The largest effective dose is 1,600mg taken three times a day for a total of 4,800mg.
Chemistry
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This chemistry section is incomplete. You can help by adding to it. |
Piracetam (known as (2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine-acetamide) is a synthetic compound of the racetam family, and shares the characteristic 5-carbon oxopyrrolidone ring structure.[3]
Piracetam tends to share structural similarity to the neurotransmitter GABA, as it is a cyclical derivative; as such, it retains two nitrogens in its structure with one amine bearing the two-carbon side chain that has the other nitrogen within it.
Pharmacology
Piracetam's mechanism of action, as with racetams in general, is not fully understood. The drug influences neuronal and vascular functions and influences cognitive function without acting as a sedative or stimulant.[4] Piracetam is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor.[5] It is hypothesized to act on ion channels or ion carriers, thus leading to increased neuron excitability.[6] GABA brain metabolism and GABA receptors are not affected by piracetam.[7]
AMong other things, it has also been found to increase blood flow and oxygen consumption in parts of the brain, but this may be a side effect of increased brain activity rather than a primary effect or mechanism of action for the drug.[8] Piracetam also improves the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine via muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors, which are implicated in memory processes.[9]
Although it is now fully understood how, it's these multiple complex mechanisms of action which result in piracetams nootropic effects.
Subjective effects
The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.
In comparison to the effects of other racetam nootropics such as noopept, this compound can be described as focusing primarily on physical stimulation over that of cognitive stimulation.
Sensory effects
Physical effects
- Stimulation - The stimulation which piracetam presents can be considered as primarily subtle, comparable to that of caffeine.
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
Cognitive effect
- Wakefulness
- Anxiety suppression or Anxiety
- Thought connectivity
- Focus enhancement
- Motivation enhancement
- Memory enhancement
- Dream potentiation
- Irritability
Toxicity and harm potential
Adverse effects, although rare and of short duration are limited to anxiety, insomnia, drowsiness and agitation. It may be safe for up to 18 months in humans at doses of 3.2g daily with one year-long study in ambulatory patients with Alzheimer's using 8g daily reporting no side effects.[10] However, a possibility for adverse drug-drug interactions persists for piracetam due to it interacting with blood in an anti-clotting manner (and such, caution should be taken when pairing piracetam with pharmaceutical blood thinning agents such as Warfarin or potent nutraceutical options).
No fatal overdoses associated with piracetam use have been reported as of 2016. In animal models (rodents, dogs, and marmoset), an LD50 failed to be established at the dosage of 8-10g/kg.
Regardless, it is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.
Lethal dosage
The median lethal dosage (LD50) of piracetam has not been officially published as it has low abuse potential, but the typical dosage is two grams once to three times a day. Anecdotal evidence from people within the community who have tried piracetam suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the drug by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but, as per most substances, nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption. It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.
Tolerance and addiction potential
The chronic use of piracetam can be considered as not addictive with a low potential for abuse. It does not seem to be capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users.
Tolerance to many of the effects of piracetam develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Piracetam may presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all racetam nootropics]], meaning that after the consumption of piracetam certain nootropicss such as noopept and pramiracetam may have a reduced effect.
Legal issues
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This legality section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it. |
Piracetam, being a member of the racetam family, currently is legally available to buy and sell in most countries, but may still vary by region.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Piracetam FAQ - Fooling the Bladder Cops by Christ Schoon (maintained by Erowid) | https://www.erowid.org/smarts/piracetam/piracetam_faq.shtml
- ↑ Nootropil (piracetam) - Net Doctor | http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001864.html
- ↑ Piracetam and piracetam-like drugs: from basic science to novel clinical applications to CNS disorders. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166767
- ↑ Piracetam: a review of pharmacological properties and clinical uses (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16007238
- ↑ Piracetam defines a new binding site for allosteric modulators of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20163115
- ↑ Piracetam and other structurally related nootropics (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8061686
- ↑ http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ddr.430020505/abstract;jsessionid=B9BF0E3214F13C8DD3692A776A0A5B78.f02t01
- ↑ Cerebral blood flow effects of piracetam, pentifylline, and nicotinic acid in the baboon model compared with the known effect of acetazolamide (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8876930
- ↑ Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties? (NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16459490
- ↑ Long-term efficacy and safety of piracetam in the treatment of progressive myoclonus epilepsy. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11346373