Discovering Pramiracetam
Part of the racetam drug family, Pramiracetam is a nootropic compound and a stimulant for the central nervous system. It is considered to be one of the most powerful nootropics ever developed, having been shown to improve cognitive performance, learning capacity, memory, reasoning, energy, and concentration. This supplement is also used to treat attention deficit and memory in people suffering from vascular and neurodegenerative dementias.
A Brief History…
Pramiracetam was developed in the late 1970s at Parke-Davis, which was part of Warner-Lambert at the time. It should be noted that since 1996 generic versions of the supplement have been available as that was when Parke-Davis’ patents expired.
After its development, Warner-Lambert tested the drug on patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease in clinical trials. Unfortunately, their Phase II tests offered mixed results, based on which they decided to abandon this avenue of research.
The company then tried to use this drug on people suffering from major depressive disorder, employing it to support electroconvulsive therapy. This was done by developing it as an orphan drug, which allowing them to benefit from administrative exclusivity.
It was licensed in Europe to another pharmaceutical company, namely Menarini, which continued working on its development, targeting it as a treatment for dementias. Cambridge Neuroscience Inc (CNI) obtained a license for this supplement in 1991 and tried to use it to restore cognitive function in patients who had suffered traumatic brain injury or strokes. CNI later abandoned the project.
How Does Pramiracetam Work?
Pramiracetam’s chemical structure is comparable in certain respects to piracetam, except that a diisopropyl ethylamino chain has been added. In fact, Piracetam is used to create this supplement by using a dipropan-2-ylaminoethyl group to replace the amide group. In terms of pharmacological mechanisms, they aren’t exactly well understood or documented but the belief is that this supplement has the capacity to improve the uptake of high-affinity choline like other racetams.
Choline drives acetylcholine synthesis, which means that this supplement allows for the accumulation in greater levels than normal of acetylcholine. Since the latter has a role to play in the way the memory functions, it is believed that this could be the reason behind Pramiracetam’s nootropic effect.
Recognized Benefits…
Enhanced blood flow to the brain is one of the biggest advantages this supplement offers along with improved glucose metabolism and oxygen uptake. These effects are all believed to play a role in improving alertness and levels of mental energy, as well as lengthening attention span, increasing concentration and focus, and speeding up thought and cognitive processing.
Pramiracetam also seems to be able to improve one’s capacity to learn and their memory function, though the results tend to present significant differences from one person to the next. Thus, some people experience powerful changes almost immediately, while in others the effects can be slower to manifest and more subtle.
According to reviews, many people also experience an increase in the speed with which they are able to recall information as well as an improved degree of fluid intelligence. The latter makes it easier for people to do things such as interact socially, read and write.
In Europe, Pramiracetam is also prescribed as a treatment for many neurological issues, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia and ADHD.
Side Effects…
Side effects tend to be mild and limited to headaches, which can easily be resolved by taking a choline supplement such as Citicoline or Alpha GPC. Other serious issues have never been reported and this supplement has no known negative interactions with other forms of medication. It’s also not toxic.
Generally speaking, healthy adults tolerate it very well and this supplement is considered completely safe. However, like with any supplement, you should consult with a qualified health professional before taking it.
Pramiracetam Dosage
Pramiracetam is quite strong, which means that you don’t have to take large dosages, like with Piracetam. In fact, it seems that 500 mg taken twice or three times daily are more than sufficient for most people to experience the supplement’s complete effects. It’s important to take the supplement in two or three equal administrations per day because it has a half-life of 5 hours, meaning that its effects wear off after this timeframe. If you take two doses, one in the morning and one in the early afternoon, you can ensure you have this nootropic in your system throughout the day, when you need it.
Though you should certainly follow recommended dosages, it’s still a good idea to try out varying doses to discover the right amount for your body. Some people might be more sensitive than others, in which case a lower amount might be more beneficial, while others might be more resistant and will need a larger dose. Just make sure to spread the dosage out evenly over two or three administrations throughout the day to maximize the benefits.
Note, though, that it is recommended you don’t exceed 1.5 g per day because of this supplement’s potency. Not only will it lead to diminishing returns but it could have unwanted results, which is why it’s best to stick to this dosage ceiling.
Conclusion…
Pramiracetam is a powerful nootropic compound that has a wide range of benefits, including improving learning capacity, memory function, concentration, and focus. It has also been shown to increase mental clarity, speed up cognitive processing and even improve fluid intelligence.
It’s a great nootropic for anyone looking to significantly improve cognitive performance without worrying about taking large dosages or experiencing unpleasant side effects.
