Piracetam
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| Piracetam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 cyclic 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,[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
Increased brain oxygen consumption has been noted mostly during periods of insufficient neuronal oxidation following piracetam ingestion or incubation with neurons. As these observations are indicative of glucose consumption, interactions with glucose oxidation were ingestigated and found to be replicated in humans following two 6g infusions of Piracetam.[4]
Interestingly, the aforementioned study divided dementia patients into those with Alzheimer's and those without and only in the Alzheimer's group (where glucose consumption is significantly perturbed) was there a statistically significant increase of 8-10% glucose consumption, suggesting a mechanism unique to cognitively impaired persons.
Piracetam (and Leviracetam) have been found to antagonize an inhibition of glucose uptake into erythrocytes induced by hypnotic drugs (including Melatonin)[5] which is likely related to membrane fluidity.[6] A possible connection between membrane fluidity and glucose consumption exists, although plausible mechanisms also exist for glucose consumption being enhanced downstream of modulating ion currents and action potentials.
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.[7] 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
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166767
- ↑ Effect of piracetam on cerebral glucose metabolism in Alzheimer's disease as measured by positron emission tomography. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3260597
- ↑ Piracetam and TRH analogues antagonise inhibition by barbiturates, diazepam, melatonin and galanin of human erythrocyte D-glucose transport. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15148255
- ↑ Piracetam improves mitochondrial dysfunction following oxidative stress. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16284628
- ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11346373