Who doesn’t want to be smarter? Do you find your mind less flexible as you age?

Nutritional support of brain functions is essential for cognition and emotional resilience. Healthy adults know that diet and exercise contribute to mood, memory, concentration, and motivation.

The field of nootropics takes this line of thinking a step further. Increase the number of helpful brain chemicals through diet and nutrition supplements for optimum focus and retention. 

So how do you find out about the right doses for brain-enhancing compounds like Ginkgo Biloba or Ritalin? What is the proper Pramiracetam dosage? 

Read on to learn more.

What Is a Nootropic?

The term refers to natural or synthetic chemicals that might have an impact on mental skills. They can be dietary supplements, synthetic compounds, or prescription drugs. Examples of nootropic prescription drugs are Ritalin, a stimulant used to treat ADHD or Memantine, a medication for dementia.

Cognitive enhancers to boost intelligence, creativity, and motivation are a significant advantage in today’s competitive atmosphere. You might hear them called “smart drugs” but they are far more than that.

The word nootropic comes from Greek roots: “nous,” which means mind, and” tropin,” which means to turn or bend (like a river).

Are All Nutritional Supplements and Drugs Nootropic?

For a chemical compound to be considered a nootropic, it needs to meet specific criteria. In general, an acceptable nootropic 

• Enhances memory

• Improves reactions under stress

• Protects the brain from physical or chemical injury 

• Improves cortical/subcortical control 

• Has low toxicity or side-effects

Synthetic compounds following these criteria are of recent invention, but ancient medical traditions of China and India indicate uses of cannabis, ginkgo biloba, and other herbs for just these reasons.

Common Nootropics

Anything that might support any aspect of cognitive function can be called a nootropic.

For example, these nutritional supplements support some brain function.

• Creatine

• L-theanine 

• Acetyl-L-carnitine

• Phosphatidylserine

• Resveratrol

• Caffeine (although there are side effects and withdrawal symptoms)

They are also found in several types of food, so a nootropic diet might include food like red grapes and almonds, which are high in needed compounds.

Botanical extracts and oils known as possible nootropics are:

• Panax Ginseng

• Ginkgo Biloba

• Bacopa Monnieri

• Rhodiola Rosea

Synthetic compounds such as racetams and other GABA substances which are neither dietary supplements nor prescription drugs.

• Aniracetam

• Brivaracetam

• Phenylpiracetam

• Piracetam

• Pramiracetam

• Seletracetam

This list is by no means complete, and these compounds have different uses as anticonvulsants, mood enhancers, and more.

Prescription drugs (Adderall, Ritalin) that are stimulants, anti-depressants, or mood stabilizers can also be called d nootropics but may or may not meet the basic criteria.

Nootropics for Healthy Brain Function

Many nootropic chemical compounds have legitimate use in medicine to heal brain injury. However, the field of nootropic supplements uses nootropic compounds to improve brain function in otherwise healthy individuals.

There is scant scientific evidence for most compounds; however, there is a large and growing accumulation of anecdotal evidence to recommend different compounds and combinations.

Many individuals practice good sleep hygiene, moderate exercise, and a healthy diet. Nootropics offer an “edge” or hack to better brain function.

Why is Pramiracetam Popular?

Pramiracetam is part of the racetam family, a group of synthetic compounds that share a pyrrolidone nucleus. Drugs in this family are anticonvulsants, memory, and concentration enhancers. 

Pramiracetam positively affects the acquisition of memories. Research indicates that it is neuroprotective. Unlike many drugs in the racetam family, its efficacy was tested on healthy adults. Most racetam compounds were tested on seniors already in decline.

It is a powerful nootropic with long-lasting effects that build over time. Some evidence indicates that it may help with traumatic brain injuries.

Pramiracetam Expectations

People who take pramiracetam report effects such as:

• Improved alertness and mental focus

• Clear thinking and ideation

• Enhanced long-term memory formation and recall

• Enhanced senses

Some of these reported effects are backed by scientific animal and human studies, as well. 

Some users report negatives like:

• Bitter, foul or pungent flavor

• Emotional blunting

• Headache and fatigue

• Sleeplessness and anxiety

• Gastrointestinal distress

Of course, the effects varied greatly with pramiracetam dosage and the health of the user. The method of delivery, pramiracetam powder, or pramiracetam capsules also affects the results.

Proper Pramiracetam Dosage

This racetam is not a nootropic for a first-time or once-only use. Pramiracetam is a powerful synthetic compound meant for prolonged use. It is a fat-soluble chemical, which means that it enters the bloodstream via fatty acids.

The compound reaches its peak concentration and bioavailability within the first half-hour. It can last from four to six hours.  Recommendations for the most effective Pramiracetam daily dose vary. 

Before you decide your ideal pramiracetam dosage, consider these points.

1. Tablet, Capsule or Powder

The powder form has a strong, disagreeable taste, and is insoluble in water. However, this product is the fastest acting. Capsules have close to the same absorption rate.

Tablets take slightly longer to reach the bloodstream.  In general, potency and efficacy are unaffected by form. 

2. Choline Levels

Like other members of the racetam family, Pramiracetam depends on choline for its effects. It may deplete the body’s choline supply. If you lack sufficient choline reserves, consider adding a source of choline to ensure maximum impact.

Pramiracetam increases choline levels of the hippocampus. Choline plays an essential role as the precursor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Pramiracetam indirectly stimulates acetylcholine receptor sites.

This stimulation leads to more activity in the hippocampus and improvement to cognitive functions such as memorization, invention, and concentration. 

3. Stacking

As mentioned, Pramiracetam is not a choice for beginners, as its effects are rapid and robust. It can be 10 to 30 times stronger than its predecessor, piracetam. 

Stacking is the practice of combining one or more nootropics for maximum effect.  You want combos that amplify the positive impact or minimize the negatives.

Common stacks are Alpha GPC or citicoline. Both supplement choline levels in the body. Choline supplements seem to prevent headaches, a side effect of many nootropics.  

4. Prescription Stimulants

If you already take modafinil, adrafinil, or other nootropics for alertness, think about complementary effects.  Consider your Pramiracetam dosage to focus that alertness into something productive. 

Pramiracetam tends to blunt racing thoughts and other adverse effects of stimulant medications.

5. Use of Aniracetam

Aniracetam is another compound in the racetam family. It works to improve mood and comfort level.

Many nootropics users choose aniracetam to reduce stress and anxiety. Users report increased productivity and a positive mental outlook.

Since Pramiracetam has no effects on mood, no adjustment of your dose is necessary when you take both.

6. Injuries or Healthy Brain

Pramiracetam is known for its ability to protect brain function. Different studies indicate a neuroprotective role.

Tests of subjects with traumatic brain injury or memory loss indicate that use of the drug improved memory and cognition. Pramiracetam reduces headaches, dizziness, and nausea more effectively than other racetams. 

Sufferers of chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency where the arteries supplying blood to the brain are blocked, show memory loss, and other cognitive symptoms. Pramiracetam can improve memory decline 

Tests with Alzheimer patients showed little or no effect. Pramiracetam affects neurotransmitters of the adrenal gland, so steroid interactions may affect the dosage.

Doses for healthy brains are based on a standard dose of 1200mg.

7. Standard Dosage Timing

A literature review suggests a dose of 500mg to 1200mg per day for the best effect. Evidence suggests humans use a three times a day pattern of 400mg with or without meals.

Alternatively, a 600mg dose twice daily may be more appropriate for some user lifestyles. 

Some people report some gastric upset with doses, possible due to the unpleasant taste or irritation of the throat while swallowing. Experiment with taking Pramiracetam with meals.

How It Should Affect You

According to limited studies, Pramiracetam is relatively safe and well-tolerated by test subjects. Its effects begin within 30 minutes of a dose and reach peak effects around an hour or two later. The complete effects wear off in about four hours. 

Most users report improvements in forgetting (recall), thinking (brain fog), and memory formation (acquisition).

There are limited human studies of Pramiracetam. Most evidence is from animal studies over the past 50 years.

Nootropics to Hack Your Brain

Improving brain function is a goal that many people share. Whether it is to stave off the effects of age, heal injuries, or simply increase a competitive edge, there are some chemical compounds that can help.

You can acquire these compounds through hacks like nutritional supplements, diet, exercise, or prescription medications.   Better living through chemistry!

Want to learn more? This website has many great tips for a better lifestyle. Keep reading!