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COMPOUNDS / NOOTROPIC / PIRACETAM
NOOTROPIC

PIRACETAM

LOW RISK
BEST FOR:Cognition●●●●●●○○○○6/10
PIRACETAM · NOOTROPIL · 2-OXO-1-PYRROLIDINE-ACETAMIDE · PIRACETAMUM · UCB-6474 · CEREBROFORTE · LUCETAM
NootropicRacetamCognitive EnhancementNeuroprotectiveAntithrombotic

Cyclic GABA derivative and prototypical racetam nootropic used for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.

ROUTE / DOSAGE
LOW500mg
STANDARD2000-3000mg
HIGH5000mg+
Note: Clinical doses for myoclonus may reach 24000mg daily in divided doses
CYCLE
Daily use common no established cycling requirement
BIOAVAILABILITY
~100% oral
ACTIVE DURATION
4-6h (subjective)
STORAGE
Room temperature dry away from light
HALF-LIFE
5-6h (plasma)
DURATION BREAKDOWN
Total4-6h
Onset30-90min
Come up30-60min
Peak1-2h
Offset2-3h
After effects2-4h
Duration varies by route, dose, and individual. Source: community reports.
§ 01 — EFFECTS
7 documented
Mild cognitive enhancement in healthy users
Improved memory consolidation in some clinical populations
Neuroprotective effects under hypoxic conditions
Reduced cortical myoclonus at high doses
Alleviation of vertigo of central and peripheral origin
Improved post-stroke aphasia recovery with speech therapy
Enhanced red blood cell deformability and reduced platelet aggregation
§ 02 — RISKS
Non-significant trend toward increased early mortality in acute stroke trials, possibly confounded by baseline severity imbalance
Headache is the most commonly reported adverse effect, often attributed to cholinergic depletion
Insomnia, nervousness, and gastrointestinal discomfort reported at higher doses
Hyperkinesia and irritability reported occasionally in pediatric populations
Long-term safety data limited despite decades of clinical use in some regions
§ 03 — INTERACTIONS
Interaction data not yet available for this compound.
§ 04 — SCIENCE

Piracetam has been studied extensively across multiple neurological conditions. A 2024 meta-analysis of 18 trials (886 patients) found no statistically significant memory enhancement in adults with cognitive impairment compared to placebo (SMD 0.75, p=0.12), highlighting weak evidence for cognitive benefits. Evidence is stronger for cortical myoclonus, where double-blind trials demonstrated dose-related improvement at 7-24g daily with excellent long-term tolerability. Piracetam showed efficacy for vertigo (2.4-4.8g daily) and post-stroke aphasia (4.8g daily with speech therapy). For acute ischemic stroke, a Cochrane review of 3 trials (1002 patients) found no significant benefit and a non-significant trend toward increased early mortality, possibly due to baseline severity imbalance. A 2024 pediatric meta-analysis confirmed efficacy for breath-holding spells in children with comparable adverse effects to placebo.

§ 06 — SOURCES
[1]
Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties?
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[2]
Piracetam for acute ischaemic stroke (Cochrane)
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[3]
Piracetam in the treatment of cortical myoclonus
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[4]
Efficacy of piracetam in children with breath-holding spells
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[5]
The effectiveness of piracetam in vertigo
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[6]
Piracetam in acute stroke: a systematic review
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[7]
Cognitive effects of piracetam in adults with memory impairment
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[8]
The role of piracetam in the treatment of acute and chronic aphasia
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[9]
PsychonautWiki - Piracetam
psychonautwiki.org ↗
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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