Racetams

Racetams

What is a racetam?

In our context racetam refers to piracetam and its nootropic derivatives, most commonly either:

How do racetams work? What is their mechanism of action?

The mechanism racetams utilize is not fully understood and there may be differences between them, but there are a few likely theories. They may work by:

Increasing ATP synthesis
Increasing acetylcholine utilization
Increasing membrane fluidity
Increasing microcirculation
Modulating AMPA receptors

See also:

Which racetam would you recommend most?

Piracetam.

It has the most relevant research in its favor in terms of its cognitive enhancing effects and its safety profile. No other racetam has been shown to be beneficial to healthy individuals on average. No other racetam has relevant data on its safety to compete with decades of Postmarketing surveillance on top of the usual toxicity studies.

How long does it take for piracetam to work?

It takes about two weeks for piracetam’s effects to become statistically significant. ref This doesn’t preclude immediate positive effects for some people, but two weeks is a good minimum trial period.

Is it necessary to take choline with racetams?

It’s not strictly necessary to supplement choline when you’re taking a racetam. However, racetams may slightlydiminish your hippocampal acetylcholine levels if you don’t. Anecdotal reports suggest choline mitigates racetam induced headaches. And choline may in fact work synergistically with racetams. Taking choline is recommended.

Note: You can get a substantial amount of choline from dietary sources such as milk, cheese, eggs, soy lecithin, fish, beef (especially liver), almonds, cauliflower, pistachios, spinach, wheat germ and spirulina.  More

Animal and plant foods Choline (mg) Calories
5 ounces (142 g) raw beef liver 473 192 [nb 1]
Large hardboiled egg 113 78 [nb 2]
Half a pound (227 g) cod fish 190 238 [nb 3]
Half a pound of chicken 150 543 [nb 4]
Quart of milk, 1% fat 173 410 [nb 5]
A gram soy lecithin 30  approx. 8[17][18]
100 grams of Soybeans dry 116 268[19][20]
A pound (454 grams) of cauliflower 177 104 [nb 6]
A pound of spinach 113 154 [nb 7]
A cup of wheat germ 202 432 [nb 8]
Two cups (0.47 liters) firm tofu 142 353 [nb 9]
Two cups of cooked kidney beans 108 450 . [nb 10]
A cup of uncooked quinoa 119 626 . [nb 11]
A cup of uncooked amaranth 135 716 [nb 12]
A grapefruit 19 103 [nb 13]
Three cups (710 cc) cooked brown rice 54 649 [nb 14]
A cup (146 g) of peanuts 77 828 [nb 15]
A cup (143 g) of almonds 74 822 [nb 16]

See also:

http://www.smarternootropics.com/table-of-contents/piracetam/

How much choline should I supplement if I’m taking a racetam?

  • 0-3,500mg Choline Bitartrate per day

Recommended starting point: 650mg in the morning

  • 0-750mg Citicoline (CDP-Choline) per day

Recommended starting point: 250mg in the morning

  • 0-900mg L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha GPC, choline alfoscerate) per day

Recommended starting point: 300mg in the morning

  • 0-7,500mg Lecithin per day

Recommended starting point: 2,500mg in the morning or at night

Additional notes:

  • You can also take your choline throughout the day if you prefer.

Should I take piracetam on an empty stomach or with food?

Either. Find out what works best for you.

Should I take aniracetam on an empty stomach or with food?

For best results take aniracetam shortly after eating.

Should I take oxiracetam on an empty stomach or with food?

Either. Find out what works best for you.

Should I take pramiracetam on an empty stomach or with food?

For best results take pramiracetam shortly after eating.

Should I take noopept on an empty stomach or with food?

Either. Find out what works best for you.

Should I take modafinil on an empty stomach or with food?

Empty stomach has the most pronounced effect.