The Rich Man’s Memory Enhancement Drug
Meta-Analysis of Pramiracetam
This cognitive enhancer has the highest lipophilic efficiency and is quite possibly the most powerful Racetam.
One of the first studies on it suggested that Pramiracetam could be five to ten times stronger than normal Piracetam.
This article is mostly going to focus on decoding what the human studies are saying about Pramiracetam and how this squares up with the anecdotal experiences of Biohackers online.
Scientific Research
Scientific studies and papers have demonstrated and documented that Pramiracetam can both be used to treat neurodegenerative conditions in the elderly or give an edge to those who already have high-functioning memories. You can find 40 different studies done specifically on Pramiracetam on Pubmed in addition to hundreds of more studies on the Racetam family of drugs.
Long-Term Memory
As a smart drug the primary reason to take Pramiracetam is to boost long-term memory and learning efficiency, in particular, it is effective at increasing spatial memory. This is because Pramiracetam boosts activity in the hippocampus by supercharging acetylcholine synthesis with its affinity to the choline uptake process. Acetylcholine is most commonly thought of as the neurotransmitter that facilitates the formation of new memories and as a chemical messenger in the nervous system of the body.
Speaking of memory, an Italian study of 35 elderly people demonstrated that Pramiracetam over 12 weeks was more effective for memory loss than weekly memory training sessions of 90 minutes done with tutors.
Results showed that objective memory gains of the two groups receiving pramiracetam were significantly larger than that of the [memory training] and [control condition] groups… In the [Pramiracetam] group, the level of depression, negatively interfered with metamemory but not with actual memory performance. The present findings stress, once again, the complex relationships between memory, metamemory and affective status, which may be differently modified by [Pramiracetam] and [memory training].
It has been demonstrated to improve long-term memory but holds no advantage to the working memory — the “RAM of the mind” which solves problems and deals with novel situations. Another great reason for Biohackers to consider cross-training Dual N-Back with taking Pramiracetam.
A Longecity user eloquently describes its effects on memory…
“I know exactly what you mean with the random recall. It’s beautiful actually. I realize my past with such vivid perfection, not necessarily nostalgic, but more like looking at a beautiful frozen creek in the middle of winter with snow falling around you and your beautiful lover next to you. Not an aroused feeling, but more serene and spiritual. If the racetams have done anything important, they have heightened my aesthetic ability.”
Spatial Memory
Pramiracetam is an excellent choice for professionals whose skill sets require a robust spatial memory such as:
- Architects
- Engineers
- Graphic designers
- Website designers
- Cartographers and geographers
- Artists
Those who rely heavily on their spatial memory should consider combining the smart drug with a Dual N-Back brain training regimen, which increases spatial memory consistently within 20 training sessions.
Mechanism of Action
Part of Pramiracetam’s mechanism of action is increasing blood flow to the brain; which makes you more energetic, focused, and attentive but you shouldn’t drink alcohol on it.
It penetrates the central nervous system (CNS) poorly according to an Italian analysis of different Nootropics pharmacokinetics.
Cognition Enhancer
A quick Google search demonstrates that Pramiracetam lives up to its title as a cognitive enhancer…
“I have had 5 grams so far. I feel an unprecedented surge of creativity, insight, philosophical reasoning, and articulation.”
History
Pramiracetam is a case study of the success of the patent system. It was originally developed and patented by Parke-Davis (now a subsidiary of Pfizer) in 1979. It has been studied exhaustively worldwide both in human and animal studies.
Vs Cerebrovascular Pathology
From a 2003 Russian study:
We have investigated the effects of monotherapy by a new nootropic drug — pramiracetam (Pramistar) on neuropsychological symptoms of memory deterioration in patients with chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency and stroke consequences in basilar and carotid vascular basin. The data obtained suggest statistically significant heterogeneous influence of the medicine on intensity of the evaluated symptoms.
Vs Brain Concussion
A Russian 2007 study of 65 patients with a mild craniocerebral trauma compared it with Piracetam.
Patients of the first group received in a complex treatment -[Pramiracetam], patients of the second group — piracetam. Patients of both groups noted considerable improvement during a complex treatment (disappearance of headache, dizziness and nausea) and at the same time patients receiving [Pramiracetam] had better restoration of orientation and feeling. [Pramiracetam] was also more effective in patients with amnesia.
Signal Enhancer
A Swiss study demonstrated that Pramiracetam aids memory in the way it optimizes the adrenals. To quote the study referring to Racetams:
Their unique feature is that they exert distinct effects on memory, but show hardly any biochemical activity and are practically devoid of toxic effects.
A German study indicated that Pramiracetam facilitates better cell-to-cell signaling:
…some of the pharmacological properties of piracetam can be explained by its effects on membrane fluidity.
The Red Pill Formula for Cognitive Capital
Pramiracetam is such an expensive and rare smart drug that you rarely see it included in consumer-grade Nootropic stack products. However, pharmaceutical-grade Pramiracetam is an ingredient in Caballo, the red pill formula for cognitive capital.
Professor Jerry Muller, the author of The Mind and the Market, articulated it best:
“…a period of growing equality of access to education and increasing stratification of marketplace rewards, both of which have increased the importance of human capital. One element of human capital is cognitive ability: quickness of mind, the ability to infer and apply patterns drawn from experience, and the ability to deal with mental complexity. Another is character and social skills: self-discipline, persistence, responsibility. And a third is actual knowledge. All of these are becoming increasingly crucial for success in the post-industrial marketplace.” (March 2013, Foreign Affairs)
The extinction of jobs comprised of rote, repetitive, and unsophisticated tasks is a dire inevitability thanks to the aggressive innovation that our economy fundamentally relies on. In the past, those of low or average intelligence were practically guaranteed an unremarkable life of labor in a factory or a field, fast forward to the very near future and nothing is guaranteed. The only hope is to stay well ahead of the curve of automation. It’s time to invest in your own cognitive capital.
Sources
I’ve done some self-experimentation with COA-verified pharma-grade powdered Pramiracetam which you can get from our preferred vendor Swiss Chems.
If you can’t stomach nasty powder Pramiracetam and don’t mind paying a little more per gram Intellimeds in the EU offers COA-verified capsuled Pramiracetam. Here’s what biohackers are reporting…
Awesome racetam.
Improve my language skills and my awakeness with no effort .
Maybe, if you mixed with choline, will give us the ideal mix and mach potion avoiding double purchases.Top quality product. My focus and motivation is the highest it’s ever been because of Pramiracetam . Very pleased
Experiential
it’s not cheap and it really doesn’t taste great as you can see in this funny video blog I made with my friend Travis…
Cofactors
Taking an acetylcholine precursor with Pramiracetam is a great idea because of its affinity to the choline uptake process, this means supplementing Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline. High amounts of any Racetam may lead to temporary ACh receptor “burnout” without an acetylcholine precursor present.
It does not affect the feel-goods; Dopamine, Serotonin, and GABA. So if the objectives of your Nootropics habit include being more social and confident or overcoming anxiety or depression consider taking it with Piracetam or another Nootropic ingredient that boosts these other neurotransmitters such as L-Tyrosine, Theanine, or Rhodiola.
Recommended Daily and Usage
1200 milligrams daily (split up into two or three doses) is the standard dosage for otherwise healthy people looking for a cognitive edge.
An Italian study gave 600 milligrams of Pramiracetam daily to 11 people who were fasting, it noted
…the absorption rate was faster after oral administration of the drug in solution than after administration as a tablet. The half-life was very variable between subjects [2–8 hours], but less variable within subjects and it was unaffected by the formulation.
Side Effects
Pramiracetam, like other racetams, is very well-tolerated by humans. At unreasonably high dosages the worst symptoms reported are sleepiness, headaches, dizziness, and lack of appetite.
Bottom Line
It’s a powerful quintessential smart drug and 1200 milligrams a day may turn you into a very dangerous version of yourself! But this is not the place to dive into Nootropics. I’d contend that this is something for experienced veteran Biohackers who are already well-acquainted and experienced with diet, nutrition, mindfulness, brain training, sleep hacking, etc. Once you’ve optimized your mind and body via a holistic approach, turn to a potent tool like Pramiracetam — which is not be yielded flagrantly.
