Aniracetam (1-p-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone) is a nootropic in the racetam family of compounds. It has several nootropic benefits, including:
- Memory and learning enhancement
- Improved mood
- Less anxiety
It’s effects on mood make it unique among racetams.
It primarily acts on AMPA and NMDA receptors in the brain. It releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) and increases glutamate sensitivity.
Aniracetam can increase ACh flow by as much as 300.1Zhao X, et al. Nootropic drug modulation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat cortical neurons Mol Pharmacol. 2001
This increase can improve focus, memory, and general cognitive performance. It also seems to modulate the dopamine and serotonin systems, which can raise mood and lower stress.
Where To Buy Aniracetam
Aniracetam
Aniracetam Benefits
Many users note a minor stimulant effect (although not nearly to the degree of a drug such as Adderall).2Shirane M, Nakamura K. Aniracetam enhances cortical dopamine and serotonin release via cholinergic and glutamatergic mechanisms in SHRSP Brain Res. 2001
Aniracetam is also a neuroprotectant and can prevent and reverse cognitive decline. It may be useful for treating conditions such as dementia or concussions.
These effects have made aniracetam a favorite among the neurohacker community. It is a potent nootropic that you can stack with a choline source for maximum impact.
Aniracetam vs Oxiracetam
Oxiracetam and aniracetam are both popular derivatives of piracetam.
They both may increase overall cognitive function, increase long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, and have mild stimulatory properties.
But, they also have important differences.
Aniracetam can provide a boost in mood that oxiracetam does not.
Aniracetam seems to work on serotonin and dopamine in a way that oxiracetam has not been shown to.
Although there have been no human trials, some animal studies suggest that this nootropic can improve mood in rodents. There are also many personal testimonials to that effect.
In contrast, oxiracetam does not seem to enhance mood.
Instead, it seems to have more neuroprotective and memory benefits than aniracetam does.
There is also more evidence it is better for fighting off cognitive decline.
What Does Aniracetam Do?
Aniracetam And Cognitive Function
A 1997 study found that aniracetam improves visual recognition, motor performance, and general intellectual function in healthy adults.
The researchers concluded that this nootropic could have a wide variety of benefits for overall cognition due to its modulation of AMPA receptors.3Ingvar M, et al. Enhancement by an ampakine of memory encoding in humans Exp Neurol. 1997
Another trial found that aniracetam is effective for enhancing cognitive performance in impaired (i.e., brain-damaged) subjects but appears to be ineffective in healthy subjects.
However, this study looked at relatively low doses of aniracetam in rodent subjects, not humans. We suspect that this may be why they did not see any nootropic effects.4Thomas W. Elston, et al. Aniracetam Does Not Alter Cognitive and Affective Behavior in Adult C57BL/6J Mice PLoS One. 2014
Aniracetam and Depression
One study found that aniracetam can alleviate depression at least in rats.
They saw this antidepressant effect in both young and old rats. However, it was more prominent in the older rats who were suffering from cognitive decline.
The researchers concluded that this effect was due to aniracetam facilitating dopamine transmission acetylcholine receptor stimulation.5Nakamura K, Tanaka Y. Antidepressant-like effects of aniracetam in aged rats and its mode of action Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2001
Does Aniracetam Help With Anxiety?
Many people on aniracetam notice an increase in sociability when they take it. They report less social anxiety and more fluid conversation. Some even say it improves their vocabulary.
Results of one study indicate that this may be due to the interaction between cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems.
Researchers found that aniracetam could be useful against various types of anxiety-related disorders and social failure.6Nakamura K, Kurasawa M. Anxiolytic effects of aniracetam in three different mouse models of anxiety and the underlying mechanism Eur J Pharmacol. 2001
Aniracetam For Memory and Learning
Aniracetam may have benefits for memory and learning. Many users swear by this nootropic, although clinical evidence is conflicted.
An animal study found that aniracetam restored object recognition in rats impaired by age, scopolamine (an amnesia-inducing compound), and brain lesions.7Sebastian D. Goldsmith and Arlene McDowell. Designing a Formulation of the Nootropic Drug Aniracetam Using 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Suitable for Parenteral Administration Pharmaceutics. 2018
Oral doses of aniracetam have also led to improved learning acquisitions and prevented induced short-term amnesia in rodents with impaired learning or memory. 8Sebastian D. Goldsmith and Arlene McDowell. Designing a Formulation of the Nootropic Drug Aniracetam Using 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin Suitable for Parenteral Administration Pharmaceutics. 2018
Aniracetam also improved test results of memory and emotional stability in elderly patients who have Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately, these studies only tested for cognition enhancement in cases where the subjects had a pre-existing impairment.
They did not find evidence to suggest that the cognition-enhancing effects of aniracetam work in patients with normal cognitive function.
Aniracetam and Cognitive Decline
Aniracetam may protect your brain and mental abilities as you age, possibly because of its action on glutamate.
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and it is critical for healthy cognition. But, when levels get too high, such as periods of high stress, it can destroy neurons.
Fortunately, aniracetam can prevent this from happening by keeping glutamate levels in balance. One study found that aniracetam counteracted glutamate cell death in neurons.
This process could be useful for people suffering from degenerative conditions as well as healthy people.9Pizzi M, et al. Attenuation of excitatory amino acid toxicity by metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists and aniracetam in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells J Neurochem. 1993
A 1994 study found evidence of the potential benefits of aniracetam use in patients with mild to moderate senile dementia. 1500 mg/day aniracetam was significantly more effective than a placebo when given to elderly participants for six months.
The aniracetam group scored much better on tests of cognitive ability, indicating that the benefits of aniracetam may be cumulative.10Lee CR, Benfield P. Aniracetam. An overview of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and a review of its therapeutic potential in senile cognitive disorders Drugs Aging. 1994
A pair of rodent studies looked at aniracetam’s neuroprotective ability by inflicting amnesia on rats through various methods. The rats were then given aniracetam and subjected to various tests.
Across the board, researchers in both studies saw that aniracetam could partially reverse the cognitive damage they inflicted on the rats.
The results indicate that aniracetam improves cognitive functions in spite of impairment.11Cumin R, Bandle EF, Gamzu E, Haefely WE. Effects of the novel compound aniracetam (Ro 13-5057) upon impaired learning and memory in rodents Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1982 12Bartolini L, Casamenti F, Pepeu G. Aniracetam restores object recognition impaired by age, scopolamine, and nucleus basalis lesions Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1996
A 2012 study found that aniracetam improves memory in humans that have cognitive impairment. A group of 276 older adults with cognitive disorders took aniracetam for 12 months.
The results indicated that aniracetam “is a promising option for patients with a cognitive deficit of mild severity.”
The researchers also noticed it “seemed to exert a favorable effect on the emotional stability of demented patients.”13Bartolini L, Casamenti F, Pepeu G.. Aniracetam restores object recognition impaired by age, scopolamine, and nucleus basalis lesions Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1996
Aniracetam vs. Piracetam
Piracetam is the original racetam, first synthesized by the “Father Of Nootropics” Dr. Corneliu E. Giurgea in the 1960s.
Aniracetam was synthesized a few years later and is 10x as powerful as it’s predecessor.
They both share a pyrrolidone nucleus at their core, but aniracetam adds an anisoyl ring (hence the name).
Aniracetam is more potent, requiring smaller doses to achieve the same effect. And, it has a few benefits piracetam does not.
Aniracetam can have a positive impact on mood, while piracetam only seems to work on cognition.
Aniracetam also gives the user more of a “buzz” when it kicks in. It absorbs into the brain quicker, although it’s half-life is shorter.
Generally, aniracetam has more of a noticeable effect that piracetam, although depending on what you are looking for out of a supplement that may be positive or negative,
Although piracetam is still useful, most nootropics enthusiasts moved onto the newer racetams such as aniracetam.
How Aniracetam Works In The Brain
A couple of studies suggest that aniracetam may work by modulating AMPA, kainate, and NMDA glutamate receptors in the brain.
Specifically, it may stabilize the glutamate bound conformation and alter the ion flux. Researchers speculated that this could explain the altered cognition and memory improvements observed in animal models.14Jin R, et al. Mechanism of positive allosteric modulators acting on AMPA receptors J Neurosci. 2005 15Nicoletti F, et al. Excitatory amino acids and neuronal plasticity: modulation of AMPA receptors as a novel substrate for the action of nootropic drugs Funct Neurol. 1992
How Much Aniracetam Should I Take?
Aniracetam is an extremely potent racetam, but it has poor bioavailability.
Poor bioavailability means that very little of each dose gets absorbed into the bloodstream. So, you need to take a fair amount to feel an effect.
We recommend starting with 1,500 mg per day.
Most people find that 750 mg taken twice a day is the optimum starting dose. If you respond well to this dosage, you can probably increase to up to 3,000 mg per day without any negative consequences.
Aniracetam Potential Side Effects
Aniracetam has few reported side effects. The main issue is occasional headaches, which is a potential issue with all racetams. These headaches are due to how racetams increase choline utilization, which may lead to choline deficiency.
Taking a good choline supplement, such as alpha-GPC or citicoline can avoid these effects.
Aniracetam Reddit Reviews
[su_quote cite=”u/Canibeyourdoctor” url=”https://amp.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/43dm0f/aniracetam_my_personal_impression_my_life_has/”]This is the first time i’ve ever taken something that truly has improved my cognitive capacity. My mind has never been so clear. This was my first day taking it. I took 750mg, 3x throughout the day. I have been battling with severe stress, anxiety and depression. For the first time I feel optimistic. I could actually bear myself and to complete my studying/work.[/su_quote][su_quote cite=”u/dmt267″ url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/43dm0f/aniracetam_my_personal_impression_my_life_has/?utm_source=amp&utm_medium=&utm_content=post_num_comments”]Aniracetam is pretty damn great. It makes me less anxious,less prone to it,increased focus and makes me stoic.(I.e. Things bother me much less,like a ngaf attitude)
Wrapping Up
Do you have questions about, supplementing with Aniracetam? Do you have experience supplementing with Aniracetam? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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