Phenylpiracetam: Everything You Need To Know (Benefits & Risks)

Updated March 13, 2024 by | Reviewed by William Gallagher, MNeuroSci
(Estimated reading time: 8 minutes)
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Phenylpiracetam is the newest member of a long line of cognitive-enhancing drugs that aim to boost mental function and potentially provide an edge on memory, focus, and attention.

Though the drug is not currently FDA-approved for therapeutic use, it has nonetheless been studied and used by students, researchers, athletes, and professionals in a number of different settings.

Phenylpiracetam is one of the few types of nootropics that is also prescribed as a treatment for narcolepsy.

As an anti-fatigue agent and stimulant, Phenylpiracetam has been shown to improve wakefulness by stimulating mental activity without causing nervousness or over-stimulation.

Effects of Phenylpiracetam On The Brain & Cognitive Decline

One of the more interesting qualities about Phenylpiracetam is that it is able to help people focus better without any of the side effects associated with other focus drugs like Adderall. This increased potency is due to its active ingredient, phenylpiracetam.

It is a nootropic stimulant that affects the way our body handles dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA,, and glutamate in ways that increase verbal fluency and memory while reducing anxiety levels.

Using the drug can put you in a good mood and make you feel more alert without affecting your mental processes or ability to concentrate, unlike amphetamines for instance.

This is a reason why cognitive enhancement drugs like Phenylpiracetam are often preferred by those who use methamphetamines for study or work as it can help clear any mind jitters associated with stimulants.

Mechanism of action

Phenylpiracetam is much more potent than Piracetam and has a longer half-life.

It is absorbed relatively quickly and crosses the blood-brain barrier easily.

Once in the brain, it binds to transport proteins and accumulates in neuronal tissue.

It is not metabolized by enzymes but rather stored in vesicles and released on demand, which is what makes it so potent.

It is unclear exactly how Phenylpiracetam works to improve cognition, but it is believed that certain neurotransmitters could be responsible.

Specifically, Phenylpiracetam may increase levels of dopamine and serotonin to help with attention, focus, creativity, motivation, and memory retention.

It also stimulates nicotinic receptors in the brain which are linked to increased memory function.

Phenylpiracetam may also be considered a nootropic as it affects levels of GABA and glutamate in ways that can calm anxiousness and increase fluidity between neuron synapses.

The difference between Phenylpiracetam and all other nootropics

Phenylpiracetam is quite different from the rest of the nootropic supplements. It improves memory, focus, and attention without causing loss of sleep or a feeling of anxiety.

To put it simply, this is because phenylpiracetam has been found to cause a spike in the brain chemicals dopamine and acetylcholine when taken at a high dosage as opposed to other drugs that only increase levels in the hippocampus and striatum regions.

This means that it increases attention but does not cause mental fatigue, nervousness or over-stimulation like amphetamines do for instance.

Benefits - What The Clinical Trials Say

Unlike most other types of nootropics, Phenylpiracetam has been studied on non-psychiatric populations. Therefore, it can be used for a wide range of conditions ranging from helping with students' test anxiety and boosting focus during exams to helping people with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Also, unlike all the other smart drugs (Nootropics) that are available today, Phenylpiracetam tends to be quite safe.

Research suggests that even at high doses, phenylpiracetam offers few side effects as opposed to other nootropic drugs like Adderall or Ritalin.

Quick overview of the benefits:

  • Can improve physical performance and enhance cognition
  • Helps to prevent cognitive decline (helps cognitive function / brain function)
  • Inhibiting dopamine reuptake transporters
  • Clinical studies show it helps ease anxiety symptoms

Toxicity and harm potential

There have been some reports of people developing psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia, and irritability after the use of Phenylpiracetam, though it is not yet clear whether these are due to some factor that is unique to this drug or if they are more commonly associated with other smart drugs such as amphetamines.

However, most other nootropics sold on the market are not nearly as potent so they are unlikely to cause any problems.

Also, while Phenylpiracetam can be quite effective in helping increase mental function, it has not been shown to cause catatonia or psychosis so its side effects should be safer than those of other drugs.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Just like all other nootropics and stimulants, Phenylpiracetam can be considered addictive.

It is important to note that there is a potential for phenylpiracetam addiction even with short-term use.

As such, one should always take caution when using it or consider cycling off of it regularly (once every 1-2 weeks).

Fatal Dosage (LD50)

Fatal levels of phenylpiracetam are not known, but the LD50 (lethal dose) is approximated at 1.4 grams per kg of body weight in rats.

Phenylpiracetam may be habit-forming and it has the potential to cause psychological dependence among heavy users who don't cycle it properly.

If you feel that you are becoming addicted to phenylpiracetam, please consult with a doctor or addiction specialist.

Phenylpiracetam can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. So if you are taking phenylpiracetam and experience any abnormal changes in your heart rate or blood pressure, discontinue use and consult with a doctor.

Overall, Phenylpiracetam has a lower level of toxicity and addiction potential than traditional stimulants such as amphetamines.

Phenylpiracetam is also believed to be very safe for human consumption even at high dosages (up to 100mg/kg).

How to use Phenylpiracetam For Better Cognitive Function

Phenylpiracetam works best when it is taken as a powder. The recommended dose for adults is between 50 and 150 milligrams. However, different people respond to it differently, making it hard to determine the right dosage for the individual.

To ensure that you will not experience any adverse side effects or overdose, you should start at a low dose and proceed with caution by taking small amounts over time.

This will also allow your body to build up a tolerance so that you can safely take higher doses in the future.

Before you begin taking Phenylpiracetam, make sure that you talk to your healthcare provider so that you can get the correct dosage for your body type and any other conditions or medications you may be taking.

There is a lot of evidence to support the idea that certain nootropics work better when they are paired with each other.

However, there is little information on whether Phenylpiracetam needs to be taken in conjunction with other drugs in order for it to work well.

As such, it is best not to mix this drug with any other drug or substance without first consulting a medical professional and/or reading relevant research on the subject.

Is Phenylpiracetam legal?

Phenylpiracetam is classified as a prescription drug and is not legal to possess, use, or buy. Phenylpiracetam was developed in Russia in 1983, and it is a prescription-only drug in that country.

If you live in Germany you can legally buy nootropics online, however, you still need a prescription to take them.

Due to a heavy influx of counterfeit drugs from China and other countries selling this substance as Adrafinil (another smart pill that is sold legally over the counter), many countries have placed restrictions on importing nootropics for personal use.

Limitations and caveats

When it comes to nootropics like Phenylpiracetam, it is important to make sure that you do not buy any drugs without prescriptions or from unreliable sources.

This will help to ensure that your body responds well to the drug and that you get the best possible results while also ensuring that you are kept safe at all times.

Unfortunately, there have been many reported cases of people getting counterfeit drugs that were advertised as Phenylpiracetam or other nootropics.

These can be dangerous because they are not made using pure phenylpiracetam, so you cannot be sure of what exactly is in them.

Also, as Phenylpiracetam is a prescription-only drug in many countries, it can be difficult to get your hands on this substance legally.

This means that you may have to order it online from a country where it is legal or purchase it from a vendor who is based in that country.

Even then, there are no guarantees that the drug will be authentic, so you cannot rule out the possibility of getting counterfeit drugs even if you are buying from a reputable source.

It should also be mentioned that while Phenylpiracetam has shown to have various cognitive benefits, it is unlikely to work for everyone.

Some people may find that their overall well-being actually decreases after taking Phenylpiracetam, although this is rare.

FDA Compliance

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Phenylpiracetam for human consumption.

This means that the claims made about the benefits of this drug have not been evaluated by the FDA and that the agency has not issued any statements on the safety or efficacy of this substance.

As a result, it is important to exercise extreme caution when taking Phenylpiracetam and to always start with a low dosage.

This will help you to minimize your risk of experiencing any unpleasant side effects or an overdose.

It is also recommended that you only buy this drug from reputable manufacturers and suppliers so that you know for certain that you are getting the real thing.

In Summary

Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic drug that was originally developed in the Soviet Union to help cognitive processes and mental coordination. According to recent studies, it has been used for an array of different conditions including improving memory, learning, and focus.

But the research on phenylpiracetam is relatively new, so it’s not entirely clear how effective this smart pill actually is when compared to other drugs.

Phenylpiracetam may be safe to take if you follow recommended dosage guidelines but the side effects and safety profiles of other smart drugs may be much better than what you’ll get from phenylpiracetam alone.

If you’re interested in purchasing phenylpiracetam, talk to your doctor first. You may be able to get the right dosage from a doctor or over the phone and then use that information to purchase this substance from an online provider.

For serious nootropic novices, it’s best to stick with the drugs that have been tested in the literature for safety and proven effective.

If you are interested in more natural and natural-friendly smart pills, you should try out alternatives like Choline Bitartrate or Huperzine A.

Since phenylpiracetam has been largely only studied on rats and mice, there is not a great deal of human research available on this substance either. In fact, there is very little research available on phenylpiracetam so it will be difficult to get proper medical advice.

FAQ - Phenylpiracetam

Q: Why is phenylpiracetam banned?

A: Phenylpiracetam is a prescription-only drug that helps with cognitive decline in many countries, meaning that it is illegal to buy without a prescription.

It has not been approved by the FDA for human consumption, meaning that the claims about the benefits of this drug have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Q: What are the side effects of phenylpiracetam?

A: Phenylpiracetam has been shown to cause a range of different side effects, including headaches, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. It is important to start with a low dosage if you are new to this drug in order to minimize your risk of experiencing any unpleasant side effects.

Q: Does phenylpiracetam cause weight loss?

A: There is some evidence to suggest that phenylpiracetam may help some people lose weight. However, the studies on this are relatively new so it’s not entirely clear yet whether or not there is a connection between phenylpiracetam and weight loss.

Q: Which is better piracetam or phenylpiracetam?

A: Piracetam is a more widely studied drug and is considered to be safer than phenylpiracetam. Phenylpiracetam may be more effective than piracetam for some people, but the research on this is still relatively new (most of the clinical studies have been done on rat brain neurotransmitter receptors).