Pramiracetam
One of the most potent racetams, roughly 15-30x stronger than Piracetam. Known for producing an intensely focused, almost emotionally flat cognitive state — it enhances raw cognitive throughput at the cost of emotional richness. Popular among students and professionals for demanding analytical tasks. Fat-soluble and has an unpleasant taste in powder form.
Dosage
Standard: 300-600 mg twice daily (600-1200 mg total). Take with fat for absorption. Start at the lower end to assess tolerance.
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Half-Life
4.5-6.5 hours
Administration
Oral (capsules preferred due to extremely bitter taste). Fat-soluble — take with dietary fat.
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Mechanism of Action
Pramiracetam increases high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) in the hippocampus via potentiation of the choline transporter (CHT1), similar to but 15-30x more potent than coluracetam — dramatically increasing acetylcholine synthesis and release. It modulates AMPA glutamate receptors through positive allosteric modulation, enhancing excitatory neurotransmission. Pramiracetam increases neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity, elevating nitric oxide (NO) production and inducing cerebral vasodilation via cGMP-dependent pathways, thereby enhancing cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery. The emotional flattening effect suggests significant modulation of prefrontal cortex activity, possibly through excessive cholinergic tone in limbic-prefrontal circuits or reduced dopaminergic/emotional salience signaling. It may also modulate sigma-1 receptor activity.
Regulatory Status
Prescription medication in some European countries. Available as a research compound in the US and most other countries.
Risks & Safety
Common
Headache, emotional blunting/flatness, gastrointestinal discomfort.
Serious
No serious adverse effects documented at standard doses.
Rare
Irritability, social withdrawal due to emotional blunting.
Compare Pramiracetam With
Research Papers
10Published: August 12, 1994
AI Summary
Scopolamine significantly impaired episodic memory and selective attention tests in both scopolamine and placebo groups. Instead visuo-motor and incidental learning measures were unaffected.
Published: May 29, 2008
AI Summary
The structure of the title compound, C(14)H(28)N(3)O(2) (+)·HSO(4) (-), a nootropic drug (pramiracetam) investigated for cognition-enhancing properties, is closely similar to that of the previously determined acetonitrile solvate, both structures being characterized by the presence of ribbons o
Published: December 31, 1995
AI Summary
The possible protective action of pramiracetam, a pyrrolidinone nootropic drug, against hypobaric hypoxia was studied in two age groups of immature rats with implanted electrodes. The first afterdischarge was shortened significantly in 18-day-old animals but not to the level of rats not exposed to hypoxia.
Published: December 31, 1985
AI Summary
Both doses of pramiracetam significantly improved performance in the reference memory component of the task, but did not significantly affect the working memory component. These data indicate that pramiracetam can enhance some aspects of spatial learning and memory in the rat.
Published: April 30, 1985
AI Summary
The harmonic mean elimination half-life (4.5-6.5 hours), the mean total body clearance (4.45-4.85 mL/min/kg), the mean renal clearance (1.83-3.00 mL/min/kg), and the mean apparent volume of distribution (1.82-2.
Published: December 4, 1999
AI Summary
The kidney had the highest concentration of pramiracetam; the liver had the next highest concentration, and then the intestine, lung, muscle, heart, gonad, spleen and sebum had the high concentration in order. The plasma protein combining rate detected by the method of balance dialysis was 20.1-22.2%.
Published: March 31, 1991
AI Summary
Eight patients evidenced a best dose in the dose-finding phase, but in the subsequent replication phase only two again improved to a similar degree. PETs with fluorodeoxyglucose obtained in two individuals showed no definite change.
Published: April 30, 1994
AI Summary
This review covers clinical, pharmacokinetic, biochemical and behavioural results presented in the literature from 1965 through 1992 (407 references) of piracetam, oxiracetam, pramiracetam, etiracetam, nefiracetam, aniracetam and rolziracetam and their structural analogues.
Published: October 10, 1991
AI Summary
The results of the study indicate that subject performance in measures of memory, especially delayed recall, evidenced clinically significant improvements after the administration of pramiracetam sulphate as compared to placebo.
Published: December 31, 1988
AI Summary
This review has two aims: first, to marshal and discuss evidences demonstrating an interaction between nootropic drugs and brain cholinergic mechanisms; second, to define the relationship between the effects on cholinergic mechanisms and the cognitive process. 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pramiracetam used for?
One of the most potent racetams, roughly 15-30x stronger than Piracetam. Known for producing an intensely focused, almost emotionally flat cognitive state — it enhances raw cognitive throughput at the cost of emotional richness. Popular among students and professionals for demanding analytical tasks. Fat-soluble and has an unpleasant taste in powder form.
What are the side effects of Pramiracetam?
Common: Headache, emotional blunting/flatness, gastrointestinal discomfort. Serious: No serious adverse effects documented at standard doses. Rare: Irritability, social withdrawal due to emotional blunting.
How is Pramiracetam administered?
Pramiracetam is administered via oral (capsules preferred due to extremely bitter taste). fat-soluble — take with dietary fat..
What is the half-life of Pramiracetam?
The half-life of Pramiracetam is 4.5-6.5 hours.
Related Nootropics
Aniracetam
A fat-soluble racetam roughly 5-10x more potent than Piracetam by weight. Known for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties alongside cognitive enhancement — a combination that makes it popular for social situations and creative work. It modulates both glutamate and dopamine/serotonin systems, giving it a unique mood-lifting quality that other racetams lack.
Coluracetam
A racetam that enhances high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) — the rate-limiting step in acetylcholine synthesis. This makes it uniquely effective at boosting acetylcholine levels, which is why users commonly report enhanced color vision, sharper visual perception, and improved memory. It was briefly studied for treatment-resistant depression.
Fasoracetam
A newer racetam that uniquely upregulates GABA-B receptors, making it potentially useful for people who have developed tolerance to GABAergic substances like Phenibut or benzodiazepines. It also enhances glutamate and acetylcholine signaling. Being studied in clinical trials for ADHD in adolescents with specific glutamate receptor gene mutations.
Noopept
A synthetic peptide-derived nootropic often grouped with racetams due to similar effects, though it is technically a dipeptide analog of piracetam. Roughly 1000x more potent by weight than piracetam, requiring only 10-30 mg per dose. It provides both immediate cognitive enhancement and long-term neuroprotective benefits through BDNF and NGF upregulation.
Oxiracetam
A water-soluble racetam considered one of the best for logical thinking, analytical tasks, and technical learning. Often described as the 'logic racetam' because it excels at enhancing left-brain cognitive functions rather than creativity. It provides mild stimulation without the anxiety that stronger stimulants can cause.
Phenylpiracetam
Piracetam with a phenyl group attached, making it roughly 30-60x more potent and adding significant psychostimulatory effects. Originally developed in Russia for cosmonauts to enhance physical and mental performance under extreme conditions. Banned by WADA due to its performance-enhancing properties. Provides strong focus, motivation, and cold tolerance.