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COMPOUNDS / NOOTROPIC / NEFIRACETAM
NOOTROPIC

NEFIRACETAM

MEDIUM RISK
BEST FOR:Cognition●●●●●○○○○○5/10
NEFIRACETAM · DM-9384 · DZL 221 · TRANSLON
NootropicRacetamCognitive EnhancerCholinergicNeuroprotective

A pyrrolidone nootropic that enhances cholinergic and NMDA neurotransmission via PKC signaling pathways.

ROUTE / DOSAGE
LOW100mg
STANDARD150-300mg
HIGH600mg
Note: Bell-shaped dose-response curve — higher doses reduce efficacy and may increase adverse effects
CYCLE
Daily use in divided doses cycling not typically required
BIOAVAILABILITY
~40% oral
ACTIVE DURATION
4-8h (subjective)
STORAGE
Room temperature dry away from light
HALF-LIFE
3-5h (plasma)
DURATION BREAKDOWN
Total4-8 hours
Onset30-60min
Come up30-60 min
Peak1-3 hours
Offset2-3 hours
After effects2-4 hours
Duration varies by route, dose, and individual. Source: community reports.
§ 01 — EFFECTS
6 documented
Enhanced cognitive performance and memory consolidation
Improved learning in animal models of brain injury
Increased acetylcholine release in frontal cortex
Potentiation of nicotinic and NMDA receptor activity
Facilitation of GABA turnover and uptake
Neuroprotective effects against hypoxia-induced amnesia
§ 02 — RISKS
Testicular toxicity and reduced testosterone observed in animal studies, leading to discontinuation of clinical development
Bell-shaped dose-response curve means excessive dosing reduces efficacy and may increase adverse effects
Lack of approved human clinical data for long-term safety
Potential interactions with cholinergic and GABAergic medications
Not approved as a medication in any major jurisdiction
§ 03 — INTERACTIONS
Interaction data not yet available for this compound.
§ 04 — SCIENCE

Nefiracetam (DM-9384) is a pyrrolidone derivative demonstrated to improve cognitive function across multiple animal models of amnesia, including scopolamine-, ethanol-, and cycloheximide-induced memory deficits, as well as traumatic brain injury models. Its dose-response curves are characteristically bell-shaped in both behavioral and biochemical studies, meaning efficacy drops at higher doses. Clinical development reached Phase III trials for Alzheimer's dementia but was discontinued, partly due to concerns about testicular toxicity observed in animal studies including reduced testosterone levels. Recent pharmaceutical research has focused on improving its poor water solubility through cocrystallization approaches. Human clinical efficacy data remains limited, and the compound is not approved as a medication in any major jurisdiction.

§ 06 — SOURCES
[1]
Nefiracetam. DM 9384, DZL 221, Translon
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[2]
Nefiracetam, a novel cognition-enhancing agent. An introductory overview
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[3]
Nefiracetam improves Morris water maze performance following traumatic brain injury in rats
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[4]
Facilitatory actions of the cognitive enhancer nefiracetam on neuronal Ca2+ channels and nicotinic ACh receptors
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[5]
Effects of nefiracetam on amnesia animal models with neuronal dysfunctions
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[6]
Nefiracetam potentiates NMDA receptor function via protein kinase C activation
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Disclaimer. Protokol.wiki is an informational reference. Nothing on this site is medical advice. Compounds listed may be unapproved, unregulated, or illegal in your jurisdiction. Consult a licensed physician before use. Data compiled from peer-reviewed literature.
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