What Is Piracetam – Uses, Side Effects & Dosage

Introduction

In the 1960s, some really smart people created piracetam. Their first goal was to help you when you get super dizzy. But as scientists explored this medicine more, they found it had another exceptional talent. Piracetam could make our brains sharper!

Think of it like a tiny superhero for the mind. Because of its brain-boosting abilities, they called it a “nootropic.” That’s just a fancy word meaning it helps our brains work even better.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and there was a big surprise waiting. Scientists discovered that piracetam could help you if you had seizures. Imagine buying a toy and finding out it has a hidden button that does something extra cool. These “wow” moments are abundant in science and are a large part of why scientists enjoy their work so much.

Piracetam has also been explored to boost geriatric memory and treat blood diseases. Piracetam may not solve all problems, but experts are actively studying it. Science is exciting because it’s dynamic.

What Is Piracetam?

Also called pyracetam, pyrrolidone acetamide, memotopril or UCB6215, piracetam comes from a class of drugs called Racetams. It is declined into several forms.

The first form is the nootropic form. It includes aniracetam, oxiracetam, phenylpiracetam and piracetam. The other derived of racetam are used as anticonvulsant and are usually labeled as levetiracetam and seletracetam.

So what is racetam?

Racetam is a group of pharmaceutical drugs that gathers components that have the same chemical structure and produce about the same effects in the human body and brain. They are designed to treat, cure or prevent disease or to promote well-being. You can find these chemicals in several prescription drugs or pharmaceutical supplements.

As we have mentioned above, part of the drugs that we call racetam are used to act as nootropics to enhance brain functions. The reason is that the racetam chemical structure triggers the glutamate and acetylcholine receptors, two of the most important neurotransmitters of the human body.

So piracetam is mostly used to improve overall cognitive functions and brain health. It is a synthetic drug meant to provide a “brain boost” to its consumer. According to examine.com, piracetam is used to treat cognitive impairment.

Studies have shown an improvement of cognitive functions on patients with age-associated memory impairment. With such great results on cognitive decline it is no wonder that brain-hackers have started looking into the properties of piracetam and using it as a brain drug to improve cognitive functions.

How Does Piracetam Work?

Imagine a brain and blood cells as little rooms inside a body. These rooms have special walls around you, like the walls of a house. Just as a room needs windows and doors to let air in and out, these cells need a “membrane” to work properly.

Sometimes, these walls can cause problems. It’s like when a door in your house gets stuck, and they can’t open it. It can happen because of time passing or if a person gets sick. When this happens to the walls around our cells, we can’t do our jobs well. They can’t breathe properly and can’t talk to other cells like they’re supposed to.

Here’s where Piracetam comes in. Think of Piracetam as a special tool or magic oil that helps fix those stuck doors. When you take Piracetam, it’s like boosting the walls around the cells. It makes these walls more flexible, like a rubber band. It helps the cells do their jobs better. They can talk to each other more easily, work together, and stay strong.

Piracetam is like a superhero for the brain and blood cells. It helps your walls stay flexible so they can do important tasks for you. It’s like making sure the doors and windows in rooms at home can open and close without any problems. This way, everything runs smoothly, and the body stays healthy and strong.

Top 10 Amazing Uses Of Piracetam

#1. Stopping Dizziness From Movement

Sometimes, you may spin around in circles and feel dizzy afterward. Imagine feeling that way without spinning. You get this way whenever you’re in a moving vehicle, such as a car or boat. It’s as if you can’t figure out whether the way is up or down in your head. This feeling is often called motion sickness.

Piracetam was first made in the 1960s to help these people. There are many piracetam benefits like it helps your brain get “unmixed” and makes you feel stable again. Like when you stop spinning and soon feel normal, Piracetam can help you with motion sickness feel better quickly.

#2. Improving Memory And Learning

School is hard when there’s a lot to remember. You need more time to learn or remember what you’ve learned. Piracetam improves brain function in these areas.

Consider your brain a vast library. Sometimes books (or memories) are scattered, making it hard to find what you need. Piracetam organizes these books like a librarian to help you find them and learn faster.

#3. Controlling Seizures

Imagine a brain as a big city with lots of roads and pathways. Usually, traffic flows smoothly. But sometimes, there’s a big traffic jam, causing chaos. This traffic jam in the brain is what we call a seizure. During a seizure, a person might shake uncontrollably or seem lost for a while.

By chance, in the 1980s, scientists discovered that Piracetam could help control these “traffic jams” in the brain. It acts like a traffic officer, directing cars and ensuring everything flows smoothly again.

#4. Helping With Reading Difficulties

Reading is like opening the door to fantastic tales, fascinating facts, and exciting adventures. However, this can be challenging for you because the terms are confusing. Dyslexia is a term used to describe this condition. 

It’s the equivalent of handing in a secret code that allows you to decipher the written text. Using Piracetam, you may enjoy reading again and discover new worlds you never knew existed.

#5. Treating Movement Problems From Certain Medicines

Sometimes, after taking some specific medicines, you can experience unexpected and uncontrolled movements. It’s like your body starts dancing without any music.

Piracetam has been found helpful in treating this condition, known as tardive dyskinesia. When taken, it’s like Piracetam turns off the unexpected “music,” allowing the body to move normally again. 

#6. Calming Breath-Holding Spells

Imagine being so shocked that you forget to breathe momentarily! Especially children, might hold their breath when they’re upset or startled. It can be scary to watch and experience. These moments are called breath-holding spells.

Piracetam has been helpful for those who experience these spells. When taken, it’s like Piracetam reminds the body to keep breathing normally, even when you are very surprised or upset.

#7. Helping With Vertigo

There is a feeling you get when you are on a swing and go high. That’s fun, but some of you feel dizzy without swings or spinning. This kind of dizziness is known as vertigo.

Piracetam can help those with vertigo feel grounded. It’s as if it gives the brain a gentle reminder of which way is up, helping people feel more balanced and steady.

#8. Assisting The Elderly With Memory Issues (Dementia)

As you grow older, some might have trouble remembering things. Your brain’s “library” gets dusty, and the books (memories) are harder to reach. This condition is known as dementia.

Piracetam has shown promise in helping some elderly people with these memory issues. Taking it can be like giving the brain a feather duster, helping to clear away the dust and making those memory “books” easier to reach again.

#9. Aiding In The Treatment Of Schizophrenia

The brain is like a radio, playing many stations or thoughts simultaneously. For people with a condition called schizophrenia, it’s like radio gets stuck between stations. It feels like playing mixed-up signals and causing confusion.

Piracetam has been used as part of the treatment for schizophrenia. When taken, it helps tune the brain’s “radio” better, allowing clearer thoughts and reducing the mixed-up signals. It will help you with schizophrenia better understand the world around you.

#10. Treating Blood Issues (Sickle Cell Disease)

Our blood cells carry oxygen like little trucks carrying vital cargo. These cells grow deformed like vehicles with flat tyres in sickle cell disease, making oxygen transport difficult.

Sickle cell disease is treated with piracetam. It boosts malformed blood cells’ oxygen “cargo” carrying when administered. It makes ill patients feel better and more energetic.

Studies On How Piracetam Affects Our Brain

The study gave half of 16 healthy persons Piracetam, and half did not. They received 400mg of Piracetam thrice daily (1200mg) for 14 days. After two weeks, Piracetam users remembered words in reverse order better. This data implies that Piracetam may help us retain information in our working memory.

Another study compared participants with and without dyslexia to determine if Piracetam helped those with reading difficulties. But an interesting thing happened: the people without dyslexia who took Piracetam also showed improvement!

After taking 4.8g of Piracetam for 21 days, these people were almost 9% better at verbal learning, which is like getting better at understanding and remembering what people hear.

A group of 18 older adults, all aged 50 and above but still mentally sharp, were studied to see if Piracetam could boost your thinking skills. They took 1600mg of Piracetam three times a day (which is 4800mg in total) every day for 8 weeks. The results?

They generally did better on different thinking tests! However, many thought they were taking Piracetam, which may have affected the results. It suggests they knew they were taking medicine and thought they were doing well.

Side Effects Of Piracetam

Like any medication, piracetam aims to improve the body. It can benefit many, but some may encounter negative effects. These unanticipated responses can be mild or serious. Anyone considering or using Piracetam must understand these negative effects.

It teaches you to monitor your health and respond quickly to changes. To provide a complete overview, we discuss Piracetam side effects below.

#1. Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, which can be mild or severe.

Some patients taking Piracetam have reported feeling more anxious than before. It could mean you felt more worried, restless, or even had thoughts racing through your mind faster than usual. It might be because the medicine is slightly altering the brain’s chemistry. 

This change could amplify those feelings for you already predisposed to feeling anxious.

It’s essential to communicate with a healthcare professional if feelings of anxiety increase after medication. They might suggest strategies, therapies, or even alternative medicines to help you manage this side effect.

Check Best Nootropics For Anxiety

#2. Insomnia

Even when given the chance, insomniacs have trouble getting or staying asleep. Some Piracetam users develop sleeplessness. Without enough sleep, our bodies cannot repair and rejuvenate, affecting our health.

Piracetam may cause insomnia due to its brain-altering effects. If you has sleep problems after starting Piracetam, you should stick to a schedule, adopt a relaxing night ritual, and talk to a doctor.

#3. Drowsiness

Some of you have problems sleeping on Piracetam, although others feel sleepy. Drowsiness is feeling weary and wanting to sleep while you should be awake. It can be problematic, especially when driving.

If Piracetam makes you tired, you should avoid focus-requiring activities until you see how it affects you. Discussing this side effect with a doctor is essential.

#4. Agitation

Agitation is anxiousness or excitement. Some Piracetam users report being more irritable or impatient. Medicine-induced brain activity or chemical changes may cause this. Agitation affects relationships, work, and health.

If Piracetam makes you upset, you should try stress-relieving activities. It includes meditation or exercise and talking to a doctor.

#5. Nausea

Many describe nausea as feeling sick in the stomach and wanting to puke. Nausea has been reported with Piracetam. Why might this happen? Our gut and brain are more intertwined than we think. When a medicine like Piracetam interacts with our brain, it may send signals that cause nausea.

Throwing up can be disruptive. It makes eating, usually fun, seem like work. Frequent nausea can also make it hard to get nutrition, which can lead to other health difficulties. Piracetam can cause nausea, but there are ways to cope. 

First, you should take your medication as prescribed, possibly with food. Toast or plain rice is bland and easy on the stomach. Ginger tea and supplements can also reduce nausea.

Special Precautions And Warnings Of Piracetam

| Taking Piracetam

By mouth: If you take Piracetam as a pill, it’s usually fine. But be careful because it might make you feel sick, add weight, jumpy, or change your sleep.

Using an IV: Doctors sometimes put Piracetam directly into blood using a tube. It is called an IV, and it’s typically safe.

| Who Needs To Be Extra Sure

Youngsters: Kids should only take Piracetam if a doctor says it’s okay.

Epilepsy: This condition causes seizures. If you stop taking piracetam suddenly, you might have more seizures. Always talk to a doctor first.

Huntington’s Disease: This is a brain condition. If you have it, don’t take Piracetam because it could make things tougher for you.

Kidney Check: Our kidneys help get rid of Piracetam from our body. If you have kidney problems, talk to a doctor before using Piracetam.

Going for Surgery: Piracetam can slow down how fast a person’s blood stops bleeding. So, if you are getting surgery soon, stop taking Piracetam about two weeks before.

How Much Piracetam To Take

| For Adults

Heart Surgery (CABG surgery)

• If taken by mouth: 12 grams daily for 6 weeks, but start taking it 6 days after the surgery.
• If given with a needle: A healthcare expert gives one dose of 12 grams. This same dose is given every day from one day before the surgery until 6 days after the surgery.

Seizure Issues (Epilepsy):

• If taken by mouth: Between 9.6 to 24 grams daily for up to 18 months.

Movement Problems (Tardive Dyskinesia):

• If taken by mouth: 2.4 grams twice a day for 4 weeks.
• If given with a needle: Between 8 to 24 grams daily, provided by a healthcare expert.

Dizziness (Vertigo):

• If taken by mouth: 800 mg thrice daily for 1 to 8 weeks.
• If given with a needle: 1 to 2 grams, given once by a healthcare expert.

| For Kids

For Holding Breath Too Long (Breath-holding attacks):

• If taken by mouth: 40 mg for every kg of your weight daily for 2 to 3 months. It is for younger kids, between 6 months to 3 years old.

Reading Issues (Dyslexia):

• If taken by mouth: 3.3 grams daily for at least 12 weeks. It is for kids aged 7 to 14 years.

Are There Any Similar Drugs To Piracetam?

Since 1960, piracetam has been around. It’s a pioneer in a large family of brain-healthy drugs. This large drug family is racetams. They’re lab-made because scientists made them. About 20 piracetam-like drugs have been developed in recent years. Why? Improve thinking, cure brain difficulties, or treat nervous system issues. 

However, some are no longer available. All these drugs—including piracetam—share something. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) links them. GABA is a brain transmitter. Racetams feature a 2-pyrrolidone nucleus, which makes them unusual.

Even the most competent experts are confused about this. These drugs may affect glutamate receptors and brain cell “doors.” Despite its relationship, it doesn’t seem to be linked to GABA.

A racetam named Levetiracetam is similar to piracetam. Compare them to cousins. Levetiracetam stops seizures better than piracetam, which is cool. Both drugs seem to control unexpected muscular actions similarly. Levetiracetam is offered as Elepsia XR, Keppra, and others in the US Doctors prescribe it for various seizures.

Is Getting Piracetam Illegal?

Many companies offer piracetam, notwithstanding FDA letters. There was a study that inspected 10 piracetam products available without prescriptions. The findings raised eyebrows: two products didn’t have any piracetam, while others had amounts different from advertised – either too much or too little. 

Alarmingly, some of these labels recommended taking a dose much more significant than what medical experts deem safe. If you ever contemplated buying piracetam, it’s wise to choose a brand vetted by professionals to ensure its quality.

A particular group of legal professionals is examining the case against piracetam producers. Their goal is to ensure safety and transparency for consumers. Outside of America, the tale of piracetam varies. In Australia, for example, you need a doctor’s prescription to procure it. However, Australians can order up to a three-month supply from international vendors. 

Does Piracetam Reduce Anxiety?

You might want to take piracetam to boost brain function. You wonder if piracetam reduces anxiety. Lots of worry or nervousness is anxiety. See what research discovered. Some studies suggest piracetam reduces stress. In one trial, piracetam reduced stress for 12 weeks. They felt calmer and less worried.

Brain cells interact well with adequate acetylcholine. It enhances brain function. Anxiety can result from brain cell communication issues. By boosting acetylcholine, piracetam may increase brain cell communication.

Brain blood flow and oxygen supply may increase with piracetam. Brain function is optimal with more blood and oxygen. It may relieve anxiety by improving focus, mood, and brain fog.

Piracetam impacts glutamate receptors, according to a study. Glutamate helps brain cells communicate. Piracetam may alter glutamate receptors to reduce anxiety. In anxiety studies, piracetam works best at doses above 1,200 mg daily. The maximum suggested daily piracetam dosage is 4,800 mg. 

It appears that piracetam is most effective for treating generalized anxiety disorder. Long-term anxiety and fretting differ from the occasional bouts of worry many people experience. The effectiveness of piracetam in treating social anxiety disorder remains unproven.

Piracetam, like many medications, can cause unwanted effects. The initial intake of piracetam may induce nervousness. Sleeplessness, irritability, drowsiness, and headaches are further symptoms. Most adverse reactions are minor and short-lived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Piracetam is a rare drug that has amazed everyone worldwide. Like a puzzle piece, it fits differently. Some countries sell it quickly, but others don’t. The US keeps it in a grey region, neither accepting nor banning it. It makes it crucial to be cautious and knowledgeable before using it. Always verify its origin and authenticity. 

Like choosing a snack—you want the freshest and tastiest. For piracetam, choose the safest option. Like asking an adult or teacher about a confusing school topic, go to a doctor or specialist about piracetam. Keep in mind that safety is paramount.

For those who dream about a sharper mind and faster thinking, piracetam is definitely a MUST try. Though it takes several days and sometimes weeks to benefit from the full effect of the drug, this chemical may enhance your cognitive functions and improve focus and energy. It is widely used among nootropic fans always seeking to increase their intelligence, memory and mental capacities.

Piracetam is also known to prevent damage on brain cells and protect the overall health of your brain by increasing blood flow and stimulating the glutamate and acetylcholine neurotransmitters.

Even though Piracetam seems to have great benefits and it is one of the least harmful smart drugs it is still a drug and you should seek medical attention before taking it. Because everybody is different, it is safer to talk to your doctor first about the appropriate dosage of Piracetam you should take or not.

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References

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