Piracetam is the prototype for Racetam supplements, which are a group of synthetic supplements intended to provide a cognitive boost.
Contents
Uses
- Used as a dietary supplement
Benefits
- Piracetam is as effective as aspirin when it comes to preventing blood clotting, which makes it a useful supplemental intervention after cardiovascular trauma.
- According to a meta-analysis on human studies, piracetam improves general cognition when supplemented by people in a state of cognitive decline, such as the kind that comes with aging. Though piracetam may be a useful supplement for improving longevity, it offers limited benefits for healthy people.
- Many experts believe that it has a protective and optimizing effect on the cerebral cortex to improve communication. This part of the brain is also responsible for thoughts, actions, reasoning, perception, learning, and movement.
Cautions
Within a broad range of standard doses, Piracetam is non-toxic to the body. As it is water soluble, the body simply discards of any excess amounts by flushing it out through the urinary tract. This make it very difficult to overdose. No cases of serious harmful effects have ever been reported due to an overdose of Piracetam. Even in cases of excessive dosing for healthy people (above 5 grams per day), toxic effects were still not exhibited, as reported in a 1999 report by the journal Pharmacopsychiatry. It is reported to have a lower level of toxicity than tablet salt and caffeine as measured by the LD50 standard (lethal dose for 50% of the population).
According to user experiences, Piracetam is generally considered very well tolerated. There are few side effects reported, with less than 10 percent of users having any kind of negative reaction. One of the more common is a mild headache. The best way to remedy this is by taking a choline supplement which seems to prevent depletion of acetylcholine levels in the brain. Other side effects include light anxiety, nervousness, feeling agitated, and drowsiness. These effects are considered short term if they occur at all.
Interactions
- Alcohol – Piracetam can impair perception of intoxication, leading to potential alcohol poisoning. A large dose in conjunction with heavy drinking can impair motor function and present serious physical risks, and should be avoided. Piracetam has also been studied as a treatment for alcoholism withdrawal symptoms.
Amphetamines – Piracetam amplifies the effects of stimulating prescription drugs such as Adderall. This can result in irregular heart rate and high blood pressure, along with anxiety and inability to concentrate.
Blood thinners – Piracetam has an anti-clotting effect which can be dangerous when combined with prescription blood thinner medication. This combination may lead to excessive bleeding or the exaggeration of wounds and tissue damage.
Otherwise, Piracetam is safe to combine with most nutrient, vitamins and nootropic cognitive enhancement supplements. Some of the most popular Piracetam stacks are listed below
Other names
Piracetam is known under hundreds of brand names, which you could view here: http://www.drugs.com/international/piracetam.html
References
Source: Examine.com, http://examine.com/supplements/piracetam/
NooTreatment, http://nootriment.com/piracetam/