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Supplements/Nootropic

Piracetam

Original racetam; modulates AMPA receptors and membrane fluidity. Rx in many countries.

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Overview

Original racetam; modulates AMPA receptors and membrane fluidity. Rx in many countries.

Natural sources
  • Synthetic
Common forms
  • Piracetam tablet/powder

Forms & variants of Piracetam

Different chemical forms of Piracetam behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Mechanism of action

Modulates AMPA receptor density and membrane fluidity.

Pathways
  • · AMPA modulation

Effects on the body

Supports
Cognition (cerebrovascular)

Organ system effects

Brain & CNS

Improves cognition post-stroke and in dyslexia.

Evidence-based benefits

Improves cognitive deficits post-stroke

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Headache (if choline-deficient)
  • · Nervousness
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Anticoagulants
      Antiplatelet effects.
      moderate

      Safety & non-supplemental interactions

      Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

      Avoid if you are
      • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
      • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with
      • Choline source (CDP-choline)
        Prevents racetam headache.
      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      1.2–4.8 g/d divided
      Best form
      Most evidence is based on the piracetam tablet/powder form.
      Timing
      Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
      With food?
      Either with or without food.

      Where to buy

      Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Scientific evidence8Show studies
      Meta-analysisCochrane Database · 2012

      Piracetam for acute ischaemic stroke

      Ricci S, et al.

      Cochrane review of piracetam in stroke.

      Key findings

      Possible cognitive benefit; mortality data inconclusive.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Piracetam — Improves cognitive deficits post-stroke

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Piracetam Improves cognitive deficits post-stroke" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Piracetam and "Improves cognitive deficits post-stroke". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Piracetam — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Piracetam randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Piracetam and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Piracetam — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Piracetam meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Piracetam and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Piracetam — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Piracetam pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Piracetam and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Piracetam — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Piracetam safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Piracetam and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Piracetam — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Piracetam dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Piracetam and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Piracetam — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Piracetam as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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