Aniracetam is popularly described as a nootropic compound — one that allegedly improves cognitive function. Despite a lack of efficacy and security information and FDA warnings, some people today use it for dementia, anxiety, and melancholy. But, aniracetam is not a nutritional supplement but an unapproved drug. Keep reading to find its unwanted side effects, risks, and reviews.
Disclaimer: This post is not an endorsement or recommendation for aniracetam. It’s categorized as an unapproved experimental drug by the FDA, meaning that its safety and effectiveness are unknown. Aniracetam might have a high potential for injury. We’ve composed this post for informational purposes only, and none of this information in this post should be utilized as a replacement for traditional medical care. Always make certain that you talk to your physician before experimenting with aniracetam or some other supplements.
What’s Aniracetam?
Review
Aniracetam is a kind of racetam, a class of compounds that have a similar center chemical structure and varying impacts on the brain.
This chemical was designed in the 1970s from the Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-La Roche.
Proper scientific evidence is lacking to determine the effectiveness and security of aniracetam.
Despite this, online sellers sell aniracetam (N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone) as a nootropic, misleadingly marketing it for fostering mood, concentration, and memory.
FDA Status and Warnings
The FDA recently issued warnings to several businesses that were illegally generating and promoting racetams.
In the warning, the FDA reinstates that all racetams, such as aniracetam, are brand new unapproved drugs since they are not generally recognized as safe and effective for the labeled uses amongst specialists.
Proposed Mechanism of Action
Like all raceways, the mechanisms of actions are not fully understood.
Scientists are exploring if piracetam has the following effects on the brain, according to animal and mobile data:
- AMPA receptors are activated by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Aniracetam binds to AMPA receptors, amplifying their response to glutamate activation and causing the release of noradrenaline.
- Aniracetam slows down AMPA receptors desensitization to glutamate. Desensitization is when receptors no longer or less economically respond to neurotransmitters after prolonged exposure.
- Aniracetam also binds to some other class of glutamate receptors known as kainate receptors and increases the effects of glutamate stimulation.
- Aniracetam is cholinergic, meaning that it raises acetylcholine transmission in the brain.
- Aniracetam reduces dopamine levels in particular regions of the brain (striatum and hypothalamus) and increases serotonin levels in certain regions (cortex and striatum) while decreasing it in others (hypothalamus).
None of these mechanisms or their health implications are researched in humans.
Programs of Aniracetam Lacking Evidence
All of the racetams, such as aniracetam, are classified by the FDA as unapproved new drugs.
Evidence is lacking to support any of those applications listed below.
We strongly advise against taking aniracetam until its safety and effectiveness have been determined in large clinical trials.
1) Dementia
There is insufficient evidence to determine the effects of aniracetam on dementia.
In A low carb study (placebo-controlled trial in the 90s) on 109 mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease sufferers, subjects which were awarded Piracetam revealed some progress in attention, verbal and visuospatial memory, and logical-perceptual capability compared to patients who received a placebo.
Another Study (double-blind randomized controlled trial) of 60 patients having psychological deterioration found that 1,500 mg/day of aniracetam for four weeks improved cognitive functioning. This analysis is only available in Italian and its findings haven’t been replicated.
Research (randomized controlled trial) of all 276 dementia sufferers, aniracetam supplementation for 12 months averted cognitive decline and improved mood.
In rats, aniracetam increased amounts of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with memory, learning, and muscle movement.
Large-scale, multi-center trials are required to further explore the effectiveness and security of aniracetam in dementia patients.
Additional Precautions
Apart From being ineffective and unsafe, products like aniracetam may stop someone from seeking appropriate diagnosis and treatment for cognitive issues.
The FDA recently issued 12 warning Letters and 5 online advisory letters to companies that are illegally promoting unapproved and misbranded drugs that claim to prevent, treat or treat Alzheimer’s disease and other serious diseases and health conditions. Aniracetam was on that record.
2) Sleep
We don’t know how aniracetam might affect sleep, anxiety, or mood since human data are lacking.
Aniracetam Appeared to restore REM sleep and a normal sleep cycle following five times in stroke-prone rats. The control rats demonstrated decreased REM sleep throughout the day and excessive non-REM sleep during the night. Far more research is needed, especially since insomnia is a potential complication.
3) Anxiety
In Mice, aniracetam had anti-anxiety consequences as shown by increased social interactions and enhanced functionality in mazes and fear stress evaluations. The effects of aniracetam on anxiety in humans are unknown. Furthermore, some users report increased stress from this chemical.
4) Depression
Aniracetam increased serotonin and dopamine. Theoretically, a balance of these hormones affirms disposition and is associated with positive feelings. However, no human data talk to the effects of aniracetam in your depression or mood.
Researchers Hypothesize that aniracetam’s effects on AMPA receptors can play a role in depression brought on by cognitive disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. A study in rats showed that aniracetam’s influence on AMPA receptors appeared to decrease symptoms of depression.
A study on aging rats with diminished brain function, aniracetam decreased depressive behavior in a stressful forced-swim test. These findings can not be applied to humans.
5) Brain Damage
Human data are lacking to determine how aniracetam might affect recovery from brain damage.
Aniracetam Reversed the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome in young rats by increasing the amount of AMPA receptors in the hippocampus.
Aniracetam Increased bladder capacity in rats with blocked blood flow to the brain. In such animals, obstructed brain blood circulation caused tissue damage and led to bladder overactivity. Aniracetam was hypothesized to act by restoring neural pathways that were disrupted, though that has not yet been supported.
In another animal experiment, aniracetam corrected behavior and Memory in rats using a deficiency of blood circulation to the brain and exposure to excessive nitrogen gas.
Researchers Are exploring whether aniracetam can enhance the growth of neurons. They’re interested to know whether it may affect brain tissue repair after a traumatic brain injury that damages neural connections, but further animal studies are required. Human studies have not been completed due to safety issues.
6) Performance and Memory
Some elderly animal studies, aniracetam improved behavioral performance and reversed memory loss in rats. It also enhanced memory loss because of sleep deprivation and improved attentiveness impaired by a chemical called apomorphine in rats.
In Aged rats, aniracetam appeared to reduce reduced impulsivity and distracted behavior without reducing choice accuracy or rate in a physical test through modulation of the AMPA receptors in the brain indicating a gain in focus.
These studies are often translated by people to imply that aniracetam is a nootropic. But there are numerous problems with this.
For One, animal studies can’t be applied to people. Aniracetam was never shown to improve memory, focus, or other aspects of cognition or focus in healthy men and women.
Additionally, newer animal data contradicts older studies.
The only recent study, published in 2014, concluded that aniracetam does not alter cognition or behavior in mice. They analyzed repeated doses of aniracetam on several steps of learning, memory, and cognitive function and found no impact of the drug.
Negative Effects & Hazards of Aniracetam
If You’ve been exposed to racetams, including aniracetam, and experience poisoning, urgently contact a poison control center near you (call 1-800-222-1222).
All raceways might have anti-clotting effects, which can be especially risky for those who are on blood-thinning drugs.
Headache, fatigue, foggy thinking, intense irritability, and faintness are all possible symptoms of racetams overdose.
Negative Effects
The most common side effects of aniracetam are anxiety, uneasiness, and insomnia. Other negative effects at higher doses comprise headaches, vertigo, nausea, along with powerful rashes.
Dosage
There isn’t any safe dose for aniracetam as it’s an unapproved new drug that poses a significant safety threat.
Is a summary of the doses utilized in scientific study, outlined for informational purposes. We highly advise against using aniracetam.
Taken Orally, the majority of clinical trials utilized a range of 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day, with 1,500 mg being the greatest for those who have cognitive impairment.
Aniracetam is fat-soluble.
The Half-life of aniracetam is estimated to be 1 to 2 2.5 hours, which can be comparatively brief; In rats, a concentration of 4.5 grams/kg has been the maximum concentration before the medication was filtered out by the liver.
Some Users advocated combining aniracetam with a choline source (alpha-GPC or citicoline). This isn’t evidence-based because the safety of this combination is unknown.
User Reviews
The Opinions expressed in this section are only those of the users that might or might not have scientific or medical training. Their testimonials don’t reflect the opinions of SelfHacked. SelfHacked doesn’t endorse any specific item, service, or treatment.
Don’t consider User encounters as medical information. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your health care provider or another qualified health care provider because of something you’ve read on SelfHacked. We know that studying individual, real-life encounters can be a very helpful resource, but it’s never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy from a qualified health care provider.
“Last Night I tried to get the first time, one pill of 750mg taken with fish milk and oil. About 30mins in I started feeling a little foggy, then within one hour, I was downright tired, disoriented and nauseous! I had to lay back on the sofa, and couldn’t even use/read on my mobile phone. A headache started, so I quickly took an Ibux to prevent it from escalating into something like a migraine. This did move away but still, I just felt like going to bed and that was it.”
“The flavor of this powder isn’t for Me (even though I would drink it with milk). I discover that Aniracetam works better for me than oxi or piracetam. I’ve incorporated aniracetam in my everyday regimen and I’m taking two capsules in the morning together with a hearty breakfast. The aniracetam appears to maximize my memory (words come to mind simpler ), and reduce my normal morning stress.”
“They really boosted my attention After a week or two. I took them with my additional vitamins. Two capsules a day. It actually helped! I need a higher dosage but so far I am pleased with all the capsules. I’ll post a new review in 2 months to see just how much it has helped. It sorta feels like it creates new pathways in mind, but takes some time to see success ”
“The best way to describe it’s relaxed yet highly concentrated. There isn’t an advantage to it in case I Stick with just one 750 mg capsules every day. Over that and the attention Becomes a little edgy for me personally… Aniracetam helps me concentrate on the job And makes me feel cool and confident in encounters. I hope to always Have some about.”