Best Racetam Smart Drugs Reviewed
If you are looking for the best brain supplements to use, chances are that you have come across the word “racetam” quite a few times. But what on earth are they?
In the following guide, we’ll talk about the best racetam powders available out there currently.
Keep scrolling to learn more.
What are Racetams & What Do They Do?
Well, they are a group of cognitive enhancers that can help you to focus, improve your brain health, enhance your memory, and offer anti-anxiety support.
They are synthetically (artificially) made in the sense that they are prepared in the lab. In fact, the oldest known nootropic known is a racetam that was created in the 1960s by Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea who is widely considered the father of noots.
Now that we have an idea what these drugs really are and what they do, let us get down to business. The following is a comprehensive guide to racetam brain supplements.
Piracetam
Summary: Cheapest, beginner-friendly, good For Students
Piracetam is a nootropic that improves brain function and memory. You might want to keep in mind that it has been in existence for a while now and that is why it is considered a classic in the entire list of racetams. In fact, it’s the oldest racetam ever created.
What’s More?
The drug supports rational and ingenious thoughts to run together shoulder to shoulder and ultimately lead to higher-level thinking. You can call it the mother of all nootropics and if you are looking to enhance your cognitive abilities, piracetam should be your first choice.
Other Effects
Additionally, it increases the volume of information that your brain can process and retain, for future reference. Romanian psychologist Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea is the brain behind Piracetam dating over 50 years ago. He created the supplement with the intention of improving learning capacity and memory.
Piracetam is used medically in various countries including Russia and Europe as a treatment for a kind of muscle spasm known as molycous.
Nevertheless, due to its nootropic properties, it has turned out to be one of the most conspicuous smart drugs for recreational use.
Aniracetam
Summary: Creativity boosting at its best, lucid dreaming, good for studying
Aniracetam is 2-5 times more powerful than piracetam. However, even with that, its effects diminish rather fast within 2-4 hours. Remarkably, Aniracetam’s mechanism of action is quite popular.
What’s More
Indeed, Aniracetam functions largely by pursuing the brain AMPA receptors and merging with choline, dopamine, and serotonin. All these are neurotransmitters that directly affect your mental health.
So, it’s not surprising that Aniracetam is quite popular out there with its effects often being compared to those of its cousin – Phenylpiracetam.
The supplement has been proven to increase efficiency in the right side of the brain, which plays a gigantic role in creative thinking.
While aniracetam dissolves in fat, you do not have to ingest it with fatty acids and you can actually take it before meals.
Extra Details
The recommended dosage for this brain supplement is 400mg to 1500mg per day which can be split twice or thrice.
But even then, it’s worth noting that this powder has a distinctly unpleasant taste! So, your best bet is to swallow it in capsule-form with lots of water if you cannot stand its bitter taste.
Excessive calmness which might make you less aggressive as you go about your day-to-day roles. This is due to its anxiolytic effects. Other than that, if taken in excessive dosages, this synthetic nootropic may cause:
Nausea
Insomnia
Headaches
Fortunately, Aniracetam is largely safe. And to unlock more benefits from it, you simply need to stack it with either piracetam or oxiracetam.
A combination of these three ensures that all the key pressure points in your brain a well-attended to. For instance, Piracetam kickstarts your brain and enhances memory.
Oxiracetam upgrades your rational thinking capacity. And Aniracetam does an incredible of unlocking your creative juice.
Oxiracetam
Summary: Best Energy-Boosting Racetam
Whether you are a driver who has to go long distances, or you work somewhere where you need to be awake and alert at odd hours, you will be pleased to know that you’ve hit the jackpot with this racetam. A comparison between Piracetam and Oxiracetam proves that the latter is by far more powerful even when administered in small dosages.
What’s More?
A distinct hydroxyl group makes Oxiracetam different from piracetam in terms of structure. Aside from functioning the same way as piracetam, Oxiracetam increases acetylcholine and glutamate.
This results in an increase in metabolic activity at the neuron level which further supports memory formation.
More Details
Further studies reveal that aside from improving memory, Oxiracetam has the highest potential when it comes to averting neural decline.
Oxiracetam works best when taken in 1,200mg to 2,400mg dosages split into two to three smaller doses. It also tends to work best when taken roughly an hour prior to engaging in any mindboggling activity.
There have been some reports of restlessness, brain fog, nausea, and mild headaches when using Oxiracetam. However, even with its minor stimulatory features, oxiracetam will not obstruct your sleep.
This means that unlike other stimulants like coffee, you can take it at night, concentrate on your task for a few hours, and you will still be able to fall asleep. How cool is that?
Phenylpiracetam
Summary: Recommended for tolerance to cold weather.
This is precisely what its name suggests. Simply put, it is a piracetam with a phenyl group added to it.
But before you rush to order a package full of it, it is important to be aware that it’s one of the performance-enhancing drugs banned by WADA. So, if you engage in competitive sports, you might want to check with an expert before taking it.
So, what is so special about phenylpiracetam? Well, compared to Piracetam, it comprises the phenyl group which enhances its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
What’s More?
Although it is famous for increasing physical strength and brain function, phenylpiracetam can also ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The ideal dosage has not been confirmed yet, but phenylpiracetam has been found to be most effective when taken intensely in the 100 mg-200 mg range for a maximum of three times a day.
Some of its side effects include irritability, insomnia, and headaches.
Wait, that is not all! One last nugget will surely interest you.
Worth Noting
Phenylpiracetam can also help you keep your weight in check, and even intensify your forbearance to cold temperatures!
It’s no wonder the racetam is commonly used by some military officers who are required to engage in high altitude training. That said, more studies still need to be done to ascertain those benefits.
For now, what you can take to the bank is that Phenylpiracetam has proven to be the best anti-depressant among all the racetams.
Nonetheless, you need to take extra caution if you are an athlete who has to go through drug tests because phenylpiracetam is a common ingredient in most banned substance lists.
Pramiracetam
Summary: Best for Focus
This is yet another racetam that shoots from the paternal piracetam. Take note though; do not mix up pramiracetam and piracetam. Pramiracetam has not been under thorough research as the other racetams but all the same, it is worth looking at.
Both human and animal studies conducted so far show that pramiracetam has a great impact on concentration, improving long-term memory and enhancing learning abilities. It has been dubbed the most potent racetam available, and correctly so.
What’s More?
Pramiracetam can improve your blood flow to the brain and make you concentrate better on the task at hand. It also helps in reducing brain chatter that most of us experience when trying to concentrate on something specific.
When used as a cognitive enhancer, it is recommended that you take pramiracetam at 1200mg split into two or three servings throughout a day.
Pramiracetam is safe to use as long as it is taken in the suggested dosage and it does not come with a lot of unsolicited baggage.
Potential Side Effects
However, if you take more than the stated dosage, you risk exposing yourself to:
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Nausea
Mood swings
Insomnia
Headaches
The main point to keep in mind is that Pramiracetam is probably the most powerful racetam out there. However, the same thing that makes it so appealing is also its biggest downside.
Since the studies on pramiracetam are not conclusive yet, it would be wise not to take it regularly because you never know what its long-term effects might be.
Fasoracetam
Summary: Recommended for cognitive balance
First produced in Japan in the 90s, Fasoracetam spent the better part of the early 2000s struggling to gain acceptance in the society. It was, however, not until early 2013 that efforts to see it become a mainstream racetam gathered momentum.
What’s More?
As we speak, this smart drug is in its second phase of clinical trials. Scientists are currently focusing on ascertaining its benefits on anxiety, autism, and ADHD management. That said, it’s still early days and we might need to wait a few more years to advise you on whether to buy it or not.
But just like with all the other racetams, the mechanisms of action with fasoracetam are not very clear.
Effects
It has been said that it triggers metabotropic glutamate receptors, surges the number of GABA receptors and accelerates the discharge of acetylcholine from the cerebral cortex. Whereas intensified acetylcholine levels lead to enhanced memory development, higher GABA levels help fight anxiety and depression.
As such Fasoracetam plays a vital role in ensuring that these neurotransmitter levels stay in check.
Dosage
Fasoracetam works best when taken in dosages ranging from 10 mg to 40mg per serving 1-3 times a day. The drug is largely filtered by the kidneys, so if you have any kidney problems, it would be best to keep away from it.
Its side effects may include:
Lowered heart rate
Fatigue
Headaches
Since Fasoracetam is quite new, its impacts and side effects are not clearly known. If it really fascinates you, you can go ahead and try it but it would be wise to wait for conclusive research on its effects.
Noopept
Summary: Best for mental stimulation & memory
Noopept is not a true racetam though it is still considered one due to its racetam-like structure and effects.
It is probably the most sought-after nootropic supplement on the market currently. If you are reading this, chances are that you’re wondering whether it is the right powder to go for or not.
What’s More?
One thing we particularly like about Noopept is that it is a stimulant. But unlike conventional stimulants (such as caffeine), it doesn’t seem to have any major side effects or even addictive properties.
The smart drug exists as a neuroprotector and memory enhancer, which is believed to be up to 1000 times stronger than Piracetam. Yup, you read that right.
Extra Details
The drug gained a reputation in 1996 for being a cognitive enhancer that dwarfed the well-known wakefulness promoters at that time.
Undeniably, so far, different studies have confirmed its value particularly in the management of cognitive decline. For instance, in a 2008 study appearing in the Springer Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine confirmed that Noopept held immense potential in the management of mild cognitive impairment.
Coluracetam
Summary: Improves attentiveness and keeps you calm
This is a nootropic that can dissolve in fat and it (obviously) belongs to the racetam family. Coluracetam is much more powerful than the Piracetam, the original racetam.
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma of Japan patented it in 2005. This made it one of the latest racetam-based nootropics.
What’s More?
Later, BrainCells, Inc. in San Diego bought the patent for coluracetam. BrainCells Inc. is a privately owned, small biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, treatment resistance depression (TRD) major depressive disorder (MDD).
Coluracetam has a similar structure to Piracetam and just like all racetam nootropics, has a core with a pyrrolidone nucleus. The newest clinical research shows potential for treating optic nerve and retinal damage as well as depressive disorders.
Effects
Coluracetam is a very solid supplement that targets choline. It increases your brain’s choline alteration to acetylcholine using the high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) procedure. This improves attentiveness, attention to detail and recollection.
Some personal experiences and research studies reveal that Coluracetam may impact AMPA receptors. This makes it a probable ampakine nootropic. This explains the stimulant-like effects minus the side effects of conventional stimulants.
Coluracetam also displays some anti-anxiety properties that help in improving mood and calming anxiety.
Aloracetam
Aloracetam is a nootropic drug that belongs to the racetam family. It was created by a French pharmaceutical company known as Sanofi-Aventis as a potential treatment to the Alzheimer’s disease.
Interestingly, the drug has never been marketed and this explains why it is probably the least popular of all the racetam nootropic powders.
This fat-soluble racetam has, however, struggled to gain recognition worldwide and it was at one time discontinued in Japan and Germany.
The drug isn’t approved by the FDA and is categorized as an unscheduled compound. In terms of benefits, it works quite well in supporting brain development at the neuronal level.
On top of that, it is a neuroprotectant meaning that it prevents further damage of brain cells and nerves – effectively boosting long-term potentiation.
Levetiracetam
When used in combination with other medications, Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant that treats seizure disorders like epilepsy. Levetiracetam has been confirmed to lessen the number of seizures in adults and children. Details are not yet clear on how it works to inhibit seizures.
Keppra, the medicine used to treat epilepsy contains the active ingredient levetiracetam. The way it works is by calming electrical commotion in the brain.
The brain and nerves are made up of many nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. Nerve cells in the brain communicate using these electric signals in the brain.
So does levetiracetam have any side effects?
Yes, it does. Some users have reported weakness, unusual tiredness, and drowsiness. These are more prevalent during the first month of taking levetiracetam as the medication infiltrates your body.
However, if the effects get worse or last longer, you should consult with your physician right away.
Seletracetam
Seletracetam is derived from the pyrrolidone drug of the racetam family that is fundamentally related to levetiracetam. The racetam was initially developed by the UCB pharmaceutical company as a potentially more powerful and active anticonvulsant drug with the potential to be used as a substitute to Levetiracetam.
However, its development has been put on hold for now.
Generally, the idea behind this drug is to create a system that directly impacts the release of neurotransmitters. Besides that, it helps tone down pressure at the neuronal level thereby stabilizing mental activity.
How does this relate to my brain health? You might be wondering. Well, by toning down the activity of your neurons, Seletracetam helps reduce the occurrence of seizures.
What’s More?
It also protects you against potential neuronal degradation which may lead to a premature loss of memory of other crucial brain functions.
Lastly, you can bank on this nootropic powder to reduce the risk of epilepsy as it tends to reduce the amount of calcium inflow in the brain.
But as we have mentioned, Seletracetam is still under study and is also yet to be approved by the FDA. So, we still need to give the scientists time to understand it so it can be availed either under prescription or over-the-counter.
Brivaracetam
Brivaracetam is a racetam derived from levetiracetam and is vital in the treatment of partial-onset seizure attacks. Brivaracetam combines with the brain sites where neurotransmitters like dopamine are produced in pretty much the same way levetiracetam does (but 20 times better).
For now, Brivaracetam exits under the brand name Briviact which is a product of the UCB pharmaceutical company.
The product is mainly prescribed to manage partial-onset seizures in kids aged 4 years and above. Its benefits can help protect one from having to reach a stage where they need anti-epileptic medication.
However, this racetam has a number of side effects among them:
Nausea
Fatigue
Irritability
Drowsiness
Dimiracetam
Dimiracetam is yet another one of the members of the racetam nootropics family. And in this review, we’d like to confirm that it plays a key role in the management of neuropathic pain.
Besides its antineuropathic pain properties, it plays a major role in the management of cognitive impairment.
But generally, its advanced formula makes it ideal for prescription-based use. For instance, your doctor may recommend it to you if you’re undergoing chemotherapy, facing osteoarthritis or nerve injury. It’s a really good pain management tool that you can always count on.
As you know, there are very few therapeutic choices for calming down neuropathic pain. And in that case, Dimiracetam presents you with the best possible, harmless treatment option.
Rolziracetam
If you thought you knew each and every member of the racetam family think again – here comes the one and only Rolziracetam.
This is a nootropic drug that is commonly used in the management of cognitive decline in old age. It also can be used to restore normalcy in cognitively impaired human beings.
If you’re always feeling sluggish and struggling to remain focused when undertaking demanding tasks, Rolziracetam might be of help.
However, a lot more studies need to be done to ascertain its benefits and potential long-term implications. So, for now, we’d prefer that you first talk to your doctor prior to using it in any way.
Piperacetam
Most of the well-known racetams contain the phenyl group but Piperacetam is different. Instead, it contains piperazine.
So far, research about this nootropic is still at its earliest stages although the outcomes so far have been quite promising. For instance, in a study scientists found out that Piperacetam has benefits that are closely related to those of ampakines (a class of nootropics associated with the enhanced production of neurotransmitters like glutamate).
More Details
So far, a compound known as Sunifiram has been developed and is believed to have piracetam-like effects. In fact, scientists once observed that you need a dose of 0.001mg/kg of piperacetam to achieve the same effects as 30 mg/kg of piracetam.
That makes piperacetam 30,000 times more powerful than piracetam (and potentially 30 times more powerful than Noopept).
All we’d say for now is that it’s still early days for this racetam nootropic family member. More studies still need to be done on it.
But should everything fall in the right place, this might just be the supplement that will dethrone Noopept as the best racetam of the century.
Watch this space!
The Best Place to Buy Racetams
We saved the best for last – where to buy racetams? The three popular marketplaces for these nootropics are: Nootropics Depot, Absorb Health, and our favorite Pure Nootropics.
We have shopped from Pure Nootropics several times and the experience has been good so far.
We particularly love their free domestic shipping policy!
But you can also shop from the other two if you wish. We’re yet to find any on Amazon.
Concluding This Best Racetam Guide – Finally!
Whew! Quite a long read…but we’re glad that you’ve made it to this end. And we hope that you’ve also been able to meet with a supplement that you’d consider the best racetam nootropic for your situation.
You might also want to read more on this best nootropic supplements guide we wrote recently for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Racetams
Having any questions about this special group of brain supplements? We’ll try to answer some of those in the section below.
Are racetams illegal?
When it comes to matters legality, Racetams are to some extent a grey area. For something to qualify as safe for human consumption or to be legally sold in the market, it has to be a supplement, drug, or food.
For instance, in the U.S., the FDA has not sanctioned any of the racetams as a supplement or drug. That said, the government has not necessarily barred racetams either.
Therefore, while they are not illegal, there are no lawful restrictions for possession and consumption.
Are racetams addictive?
So, here is what you should keep in mind. By taking racetams, you alter your brain chemistry because you have introduced chemicals.
As such, you should consult your doctor before use. However, none of the racetams has been reported to initiate addictive behavior in either humans or animals.
You stand the risk of developing tolerance to racetams if you take them for an extended period. It is important to cycle your racetam intake every two months.
What are some of the side effects caused by racetams?
All the racetams exhibit more or less the same side effects, which may include;
(1)Weight gain
(2)Diarrhea
(3)Insomnia
(4)Drowsiness
(5)Depression
(6)Nervousness
(7)Hyperactivity
(8)Muscle spasm
(9)Rashes
This is not an exhaustive list of all the side effects you may experience when taking racetams. Consult with your physician about the side effects you may experience with a particular kind of racetam.
How do racetams work?
Racetams are reported to function by triggering glutamate receptors that are confined to cholinergic receptors.
This increases the regularity of stimulation of the latter.
Racetams are theorized to boost memory through communication with glutamate and cholinergic in the central nervous system.
What to stack racetams with?
You can never go wrong combining any type of racetam with a good source of choline such as Alpha GPC when looking for compounds to supplement your use of racetams.
In reality, the two compounds will have a synergistically affect each other.
This means that the effects of one or the other will be magnified to some extent.
Alpha GPC intensifies the creation of choline and this leads to an enhanced conversion of Acetylcholine and subsequently more potent and longer lasting racetam results.
