The world’s first smart drug is Piracetam, which makes it a special highlight in the history of nootropics. It was first synthesized and developed in the 1960s to cure cognitive problems. Until today, Piracetam is still popular particularly to people who seek for a mild smart drug that effectively provides cognition benefits.
With its chemical name 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, Piracetam is GABA’s cyclic derivative – a powerful neurotransmitter that helps in reducing the excitability of neurons. The chemical name may sound complicated and a little confusing but its function is easy to understand: the smart drug improves the efficiency of your brain’s neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are the ones responsible for cognitive ability to focus, memory formation, and attention.
Today, the nootropic that is considered the safest is Piracetam. It only has few side effects and its mildness has made it the most popular nootropic among beginners. There are advanced users that try stronger compounds such as Noopept, Oxiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam.
Where Does Piracetam Come From?
Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea, a Romanian chemist, was the one to first synthesized Piracetam in 1964. He then coined the term nootropic later. The smart drug was then made available to pharmacies and consumers all over the world in the early 1970s. That time, it was marketed and sold as a drug that increases cognition functions without side effects that are dangerous.
Today, the smart drug is very popular all over the world particularly in European countries. Many doctors in Europe actually prescribe Piracetam to treat certain conditions related to cognition. However, it is not allowed to be sold in Canada and the United States. Individuals may import it for personal consumption though. This is why it is also popular in South America, North America and even in Asia.
Like other racetams, Piracetam targets the brain’s Cholinergic or Acetylcholine system. The Ach or Acetylcholine neurotransmitters play a role that is critical in memory focus, attention, and cognition. The nootropic enhances the Ach system to unlock the neural benefits that are powerful.
There is no known precise mechanisms of Piracetam yet. However, we now know that the smart drug is:
- Capable of improving the acetylcholine receptors’ efficiency, which are heavily used for the formation process of memory
- Providing an effect on the receptors called NMDA glutamate, which help in the further enhancement of memory, cognition, and learning
- Responsible in increasing the permeability of membranes, which makes it easier for nutrients, vitamins, and oxygen to cross the barrier between blood and brain that results to the enhancement of the brain’s overall health
What’s really interesting is that Piracetam doesn’t act as a stimulant or sedative when unlocking all of these great benefits. This is one major reason why the smart drug doesn’t have any side effects.
Functions of Piracetam
Piracetam may be the most studied smart drug to date because it was the first nootropic to be discovered. With numerous clinical studies and many years of research, the smart drug has sown that it is capable of providing a lot of cognitive benefits. These are:
Increased Neuroprotection
The ability to be a neuroprotectant is what makes Piracetam exciting. This means that the smart drug reduces neurotransmitters’ breakdown. The nootropic can be taken as a measure to prevent the development of the risk of stroke. But if taken after a person suffered from stroke, Piracetam significantly reduces the damage the stroke caused and it also speeds up the process of healing. Another amazing benefit is the ability of the smart drug to reduce alcohol abuse’s effects. There are also studies that showed how Piracetam can help in the treatment of degenerative neural conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Improved Overall Brain Health
Piracetam also targets the brain’s free radicals because it also acts as an effective antioxidant. As a result, there is an increase in the brain’s overall health and nerve growth. This makes the brain more capable of creating new connections and synapses, which results to the enhancement of communication within the brain. It also helps in the facilitation of communication in the corpus callosum, which is needed in connecting the brain’s right and left hemispheres.
Improved Cognitive Performance
Acetylcholine undeniably has a powerful effect on anyone’s memory. Enhanced memory and learning is the most striking benefits of Piracetam.
How To Use Piracetam As A Nootropic
The nootropic can be bought in the form of powder or tablet. Of the two, the powder is more affordable. Advanced users may also benefit more from the powdered form. This is because the desire amount can be easily mixed into a glass filled water. On the other hand, convenience is what makes capsules better.
It is recommended to buy a microscoop or electronic scale. In this way, you can monitor the amount of the nootropic you are consuming. You should take note that there should be control in taking the supplement because taking too much is never a good idea.
What makes Piracetam great is the fact that it’s water-soluble. This means that you can take it in capsule form with water or take it as a mixture of powder and water. Others mix the powder to water-based beverages because they find the taste bitter. One great example is orange juice, which works perfectly in masking the bitter taste.
You need to take an “attack dose” first if it’s your first time to take Piracetam. The dose involves taking of 3 grams of the smart drug three times daily for two straight days. The dose is higher than what is normally consumed but it is necessary so you would have a faster build-up of the nootropic in your system. However, if it’s your first time to take nootropics, then you should not apply the attack dose. For more advanced users, the dose is an effective way to achieve maximum benefits.
So, if you’re a beginner, take around 800-1,500 mg of the smart drug three times daily. It is highly recommended that you take Piracetam with choline as stack. Some of the great choline supplements are Citicoline and Alpha GPC. With choline, there is mitigation of side effects, which results to optimum benefits.
Side Effects of Piracetam
Headache is the only side effect of the smart drug, which only occurs when large amount is taken. When the acetylcholine system doesn’t produce enough choline, your head starts to ache. Aside from this, there are no more serious side effects.
Best Ways To Purchase
You need to by Piracetam online particularly if you’re living in North America. It can be imported to Canada and the United States for personal use. In Europe and other parts of the world, Piracetam is very easy to purchase. You don’t need any prescription.