Pramiracetam: Benefits, Dosing, Where To Buy, And More!

Last Updated:

Key Information

Pramiracetam is a potent nootropic:

Pramiracetam is a synthetic drug that can enhance memory, cognition, and brain health.

Pramiracetam works by boosting acetylcholine:

Pramiracetam increases the uptake of choline, a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.

Pramiracetam has neuroprotective effects:

Pramiracetam can protect the brain from damage and aging, and may help restore cognitive function after injury or disease

Pramiracetam is safe and well-tolerated:

Pramiracetam has few side effects and is non-toxic. It is advisable to take it with a choline source to prevent headaches.

Affiliate Disclosure: Holistic Nootropics may earn affiliate commissions if you purchase through the links on this page. Here's how it works.

Biohack Your Brainpower

Stay ahead with our newsletter: cutting-edge biohacking tips and the latest in nootropics, all in one place.

Pramiracetam – An Overview

pramiracetam,pramiracetam dosage,pramiracetam reddit,pramiracetam reviews,pramiracetam capsules,pramiracetam review,buy pramiracetam,pramiracetam powder,pramiracetam vs phenylpiracetam,pramiracetam dose
Pramiracetam is an extremely potent cognitive enhancer that can improve focus and mental abilities.

Pramiracetam (N-[2-[di(propan-2-yl) amino] ethyl]-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) is a central nervous system stimulant and nootropic agent belonging to the racetam family of drugs.

It is a derivative of the original racetam, piracetam. It was first synthesized in the 1970s and is considered 30x more effective than the original piracetam.

It was originally developed as an anti-Parkinson’s drug but has since become noticed for it’s cognitive enhancing properties. It has become popular among nootropics users for:

  • Memory
  • Cognition
  • Learning
  • Focus

Pramiracetam is considered an “ampakine.” It works by stimulating the transmission of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). It does this by modulating the AMPA and NMDA receptors in the brain. Acetylcholine is heavily tied to memory and cognition.

Pramiracetam also has notable neuroprotective qualities. In fact, it may help restore brain function after stroke or traumatic injury.

In many parts of the world, pramiracetam is a prescription drug. In America, it is considered an OTC supplement.

It is generally a good idea to stack pramiracetam (or any racetam) with a good choline source.

This is because racetams use up your body’s choline stores, so it is necessary to supplement with extra.

If you don’t, you may run the risk of getting a headache. Alpha-GPC and CDP-Choline are great options for this.

What Does Pramiracetam Do?

Pramiracetam For Memory And Learning

pramiracetam buy,pramiracetam dosage reddit,phenylpiracetam vs pramiracetam,pramiracetam stack,pramiracetam amazon,pramiracetam vs piracetam
Pramiracetam may improve memory and provide a boost while studying

The most notable effect pramiracetam has on memory and learning. Many nootropics users swear by its ability to improve study sessions or efficiently crank out work.

Most of the available clinical studies focus on older or cognitively impaired populations.

However, we can still use them to see the advantages of pramiracetam for young and healthy brains.

One study found that supplementing pramiracetam for 18 months could greatly improve memory and recall among men who suffered from brain injury.

The supplement group performed much better on memory tests than the placebo group, even a month after pramiracetam was discontinued.

This points to the permanent long-term benefits of using this nootropic.1McLean A Jr, Cardenas DD, Burgess D, Gamzu E. Placebo-controlled study of pramiracetam in young males with memory and cognitive problems resulting from head injury and anoxia Brain Inj. 1991

Another trial looked at a small group of healthy elderly patients. They were either given hands-on memory training, pramiracetam, both, or neither.

Then, they were given a series of memory tests.

The group that had both the pramiracetam and the memory training scored the best, followed by pramiracetam only, memory training, and finally, the control group.

Researchers concluded that pramiracetam had a very noticeable positive effect on the participants.2De Vreese LP, et al. Memory training and drug therapy act differently on memory and metamemory functioning: evidence from a pilot study Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 1996

Due to its effects on memory and learning, some people use pramiracetam for ADHD. There have not been any direct studies on this use, but some users find it effective.

Pramiracetam For Cognitive Enhancement

Pramiracetam is also known to improve overall cognitive ability by modulating ACh production. This overlaps with its neuroprotective qualities as well.

Multiple studies have looked at pramiracetam’s effects on repairing cognitive ability in patients suffering from brain injury or neurodegeneration.

Experiencing a stroke, physical damage, or a disease such as Parkinson’s can rapidly deteriorate the thought process.

Luckily, pramiracetam can repair overall mental function in these cases. Patients who take pramiracetam see an across-the-board improvement after a few weeks compared with patients who don’t.3Dziak LA, Golik VA, Miziakina EV. Experience in the application of pramistar, a new nootropic preparation, in the treatment of memory disorders in patients with cerebrovascular pathology Lik Sprava. 2003 4Malykh AG, Sadaie MR.. Piracetam and piracetam-like drugs: from basic science to novel clinical applications to CNS disorders Drugs. 2010

To date, there haven’t been any trials involving non-impaired participants. However, pramiracetam’s effects on cognition should translate to average, healthy adults looking for a mental boost. Judging from anecdotal reports, this should be the case.

Pramiracetam Is Neuroprotective

pramiracetam vs oxiracetam,oxiracetam vs pramiracetam,buy pramiracetam online,pramiracetam half life,pramiracetam effects,noopept vs pramiracetam,pramiracetam experiences,pramiracetam vs aniracetam,pramiracetam benefits,pramiracetam experience,piracetam vs pramiracetam
Pramiracetam can prevent cognitive degeneration and preserve brain health

Pramiracetam was originally conceived as a drug to treat Parkinson’s, due to its ability to protect the brain and preserve cognitive function as you age.

Aging is associated with a decline in ACh, cerebral blood flow, and choline uptake, all of which this nootropic can reverse.

There is clinical evidence that it can help even otherwise healthy people maintain brain health.

One study induced temporary amnesia in healthy participants by injecting a compound called scopolamine.

The group that took pramiracetam did about 50% better on cognitive tests than those receiving placebo.

This is clear evidence of how it can preserve mental abilities through adverse conditions. Pramiracetam should also prevent natural age-related memory loss.5Dziak LA, Golik VA, Miziakina EV. Experience in the application of pramistar, a new nootropic preparation, in the treatment of memory disorders in patients with cerebrovascular pathology Lik Sprava. 2003

Another study shows that pramiracetam effectively restores memory loss/disorientation in patients with mild cerebral trauma.

It also alleviated headaches, dizziness, and nausea.6Tkachev AV. Application of nootropic agents in complex treatment of patients with concussion of the brain Lik Sprava. 2007

Pramiracetam vs Piracetam

Pramiracetam is much more potent and is used in lower doses than piracetam. It is also significantly more bioavailable.

We consider pramiracetam significantly more effective than its predecessor on pretty much every level.

How Pramiracetam Works In The Brain

where to buy pramiracetam,pramiracetam side effects,pramiracetam bulk powder,pramiracetam for sale,buy pramiracetam capsules,buy pramiracetam powder,pramiracetam phenylpiracetam stack,bulk pramiracetam powder
Pramiracetam can improve acetylcholine flow and blood flow in the brain

Pramiracetam is very bioavailable and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.

It is fat-soluble, so the brain (mostly fat) can easily take it in and start using it.

When pramiracetam enters the brain, it increases “high-affinity choline uptake” (HACU).

This means that synapses take in more choline, which is a necessary compound for ACh synthesis.

The more choline gets taken in; the faster ACh becomes available for cognitive processes. Studies show that increasing HACU improves acetylcholine flow.7Simon JR, Atweh S, Kuhar MJ. Sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake: a regulatory step in the synthesis of acetylcholine J Neurochem. 1976

ACh is necessary for a wide variety of mental tasks. In fact, it is the most abundant neurotransmitter in the brain.

In particular, it is heavily linked to memory and recall. It is also necessary for overall mental clarity and flow.8Shih YH, Pugsley TA. The effects of various cognition-enhancing drugs on in vitro rat hippocampal synaptosomal sodium dependent high affinity choline uptake Life Sci. 1985

The ACh system is also necessary for repairing parts of the brain that have been damaged.

So, this uptick in HACU is what’s responsible for pramiracetam’s nootropic effects.

And, according to rat studies, pramiracetam can also increase blood flow to the brain.

More blood means more oxygen, which should lead to an overall improvement in the thought process. More blood also means the brain can better repair itself.9Corasaniti MT, et al. Systemic administration of pramiracetam increases nitric oxide synthase activity in the cerebral cortex of the rat Funct Neurol. 1995

How Much Pramiracetam Should I Take?

We recommend daily intake around 500 – 1,200 mg, split between 2 or 3 doses throughout the day. So, around 200 – 400 mg per dose.

We also highly recommend taking it with food, as it is fat soluble and will not absorb properly without it.

As always, it’s important to try and take the lowest effective dose of any supplement or medication.

Pramiracetam Potential Side Effects

Pramiracetam is non-toxic and usually well tolerated.

However, as with all racetams, this nootropic can cause headaches if you do not take it with a source of choline like Alpha-GPC or Citicoline.

Other (rare) side effects we have heard of include:

  • Irritability
  • Overstimulation
  • Blunted Emotions (Anhedonia)

Pramiracetam Reddit Reviews

[su_quote cite=”u/Lurkin_Dirty” url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/1e26u3/success_story_had_my_first_experience_with/”]I felt so sharp. I made several people laugh when engaging them. It was like that feeling you get when you are in that state at a party where you can do no wrong and have complete trust in your faculties and you are the fucking man- the life of the party. [/su_quote]
[su_quote cite=”Anonymous” url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/39t8qb/my_thoughts_on_pramiracetam/”]While I find it ideal for cramming for an exam or knowing what to say in a social situation (not to mention curbing anxiety and increasing mental clarity at a decent dose), I also find that this boost in clarity and thought can be psychologically addictive. You will want and crave that feeling again, but the positive thing is that it’s not as toxic as taking, say, modafinil, and it’s much better for the body. [/su_quote]
[su_quote cite=”u/ThirdHuman” url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/3a47aj/pramiracetamwow/”]Pramiracetam provides me with a clearly tangible cognitive boost that I can verify through both subjective experience and empirically through improved performance. Time almost seems to pass at a slower rate on Pramiracetam, it is almost as if I am able to think at a higher speed within a shorter period of time. I have experienced higher productivity at work, both on in terms of being able to more quickly deal with tedious tasks and to produce higher quality material in more mentally intensive projects.[/su_quote]

Wrapping Up

Do you have questions about, supplementing with Pramiracetam? Do you have experience supplementing with Pramiracetam? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

For a fuller discussion surrounding nootropics and holistic brain hacking, join our growing community on Facebook!!


References
Photo of author

Author

Erik Abramowitz is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), Naturopathic Doctoral student, health coach, and father. He is the primary content creator for HolisticNootropics.com and the host of the Holistic Nootropics Podcast.

0 responses to “Pramiracetam: Benefits, Dosing, Where To Buy, And More!”

Leave a Comment

Leave a Comment