PRL-8-53
An obscure but fascinating research compound developed by Dr. Nikolaus Hansl at Creighton University in the 1970s. A single human trial showed extraordinary results — participants who scored below average on memory tests improved their recall by 87-107% after a single 5 mg dose. The compound enhances cholinergic, dopaminergic, and possibly serotonergic transmission. Very limited research but a cult following in the nootropic community.
Dosage
Standard: 5-10 mg sublingually 2-3 hours before cognitive demand. Very limited dosing data — the human study used a single 5 mg oral dose. Most users take 5 mg 1-2 times per week. Do not use daily due to lack of chronic safety data.
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Half-Life
Estimated 2-4 hours (limited pharmacokinetic data)
Administration
Oral or sublingual. Sublingual may provide faster onset. Very bitter taste.
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Mechanism of Action
PRL-8-53 (methyl 3-(2-(benzhydryloxy)ethyl)aminobutyrate hydrochloride) enhances cholinergic neurotransmission through mechanisms that remain incompletely characterized. It appears to potentiate dopaminergic activity specifically in the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus and putamen) by modulating D2 receptor sensitivity and possibly inhibiting dopamine reuptake via the dopamine transporter (DAT). At higher doses, it exerts inhibitory effects on serotonin signaling, potentially through 5-HT2A receptor antagonism, which may contribute to its memory-enhancing effects by reducing serotonergic interference with dopaminergic memory consolidation pathways. The cholinergic enhancement may involve muscarinic M1 receptor potentiation or acetylcholinesterase modulation. In conditioned avoidance response studies in rats, PRL-8-53 showed potent enhancement of associative learning without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity — suggesting selective cognitive effects without general CNS stimulation or depression. The extraordinary human trial result (87-107% memory improvement in low-performers) suggests a mechanism that specifically amplifies encoding and retrieval processes in the hippocampal-cortical memory circuit.
Regulatory Status
Research compound. Not approved or regulated. Not a controlled substance. Extremely limited commercial availability.
Risks & Safety
Common
Unknown — very limited human data. Single dose in clinical trial was well-tolerated.
Serious
No long-term human safety data exists.
Rare
Unknown.
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Research Papers
1Published: April 10, 1978
AI Summary
Retinetion of verbal information was found improved to a statistically significant degree (most P values better than 0.01, some better than 0.001). No significant changes were found for either visual reaction time or motor control after drug when compared with placebo values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PRL-8-53 used for?
An obscure but fascinating research compound developed by Dr. Nikolaus Hansl at Creighton University in the 1970s. A single human trial showed extraordinary results — participants who scored below average on memory tests improved their recall by 87-107% after a single 5 mg dose. The compound enhances cholinergic, dopaminergic, and possibly serotonergic transmission. Very limited research but a cult following in the nootropic community.
What are the side effects of PRL-8-53?
Common: Unknown — very limited human data. Single dose in clinical trial was well-tolerated. Serious: No long-term human safety data exists. Rare: Unknown.
How is PRL-8-53 administered?
PRL-8-53 is administered via oral or sublingual. sublingual may provide faster onset. very bitter taste..
What is the half-life of PRL-8-53?
The half-life of PRL-8-53 is Estimated 2-4 hours (limited pharmacokinetic data).
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