Piracetam is one of the oldest, most studied and safest of the nootropic class of drugs. As the first racetam discovered by Dr. Corneliu Giurgea (famed for not only discovering the first classical racetams but coining the term nootropic and devising the first criteria for what a nootropic compound is or does). It’s generally the first compound that is suggested to be tried for the nootropic newbie as it’s so well studied and still proven effective as a cholinergic and neuroprotective agent. It’s also exceptionally inexpensive and at recommended dosage of 1.5g-5g, split throughout the day won’t make too much of a dent in your wallet. As a result many users are interested in knowing what is best to stack with piracetam. In this article we’ll hopefully be able to explain the most popular potentiators and synergizing combos and a bit about how and why they’re effective.

Classic Piracetam and Choline Stack

If you’ve done your homework as far as nootropics use goes you’ve come across the concept of “stacking.” Piracetam is another great choice for the beginner because it stacks safely and synergizes well with a number of compounds. The most basic racetam stack recommended for instance is piracetam with some form of Choline, choline bitartrate and citrate are cheaper forms of choline that will satisfy nutritional requirement but have no stand alone nootropic properties. If you’re using plain choline bitartrate or lecithin a 1:1 ratio (nearly the same amount of choline or lecithin) is a good idea to start out with. Be careful if you’re using soy based lecithin as too much soy has side effects, especially in persons sensitive to some of the plant hormone compounds in soy.

Since most people are already deficient in choline it’s a good idea to make sure you supplement your racetams with choline.Two popular, high quality acetylcholine precursors are Alpha GPC and citicoline. Depending on your personal tastes, preferences and needs one or the other of these, or even a combination, might be your best choice as an addition to your basic piracetam stack.

Choline is a necessary nutrient for the brain which is made up mainly of a specific type of fatty tissue, specifically phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidyl serine (PC and PS). Choline and acetic acid combine to endogenously biosynthesize acetylcholine (the brain’s learning and memory neurotransmitter). Citicoline (also known as CDP Choline) is a dopamine precursor so it can also be responsible for an increase in motivation, energy and mood while GPC is a highly refined form of lecithin that can be useful to increase strength and endurance as well as improve cognition. With higher quality choline sources, you don’t have to use as much (maybe 250 -300mg of citicoline or 100- 600mg of alpha GPC is all you should need per dose, as compared to grams of choline or lecithin).

The Piracetam – Aniracetam – Oxiracetam stack

While Piracetam is by far one of the most effective as a neuroprotective and also excellent at decreasing results of cognitive decline or brain injury it’s not considered by many to be the most effective at improving recall or verbal fluency for instance. Though aniracetam and oxiracetam are both related to (and analogues of) piracetam they each have their own distinctive “flavor.” Oxiracetam has a more motivating, energizing aspect to it while aniracetam seems to be more social and even possibly anxiolytic (anxiety relieving).

Adding the l-theanine/caffeine combo

 

Another effective but mild combo to add to increase the efficacy of your piracetam stack that is neither expensive nor unsafe is the l-theanine and caffeine combo. This is an interesting stack seeing as it’s actually technically found in nature in the staple of Asian health and medicine, camellia sinensis (Chinese green tea). Green tea contains not only the antioxidant and focusing compound and stimulant caffeine but also an amino acid that is slightly sedative but also packs a punch of added focus. Best ratio for theanine to caffeine is considered 2:1.

SUPPLEMENT SAFETY

It’s always best to try just one substance first alone to test it and then the other after establishing your baseline (current level of mood, focus, attention, productivity, etc.). One great way to do so is by using sites like Quantified Self or apps to facilitate cognitive tracking. Once you tracked your baseline against each individual compound then track the performance with the two together. Don’t forget that 90% of Americans are deficient in choline and since both of them are high potency cholinergics (stimulate production of the learning and memory neurotransmitter, acetylcholine) but need choline as a precursor.

Be careful to stay in the safe range with noopept. It is newer and less studied than the classical nootropics and some users have reported headaches, brain fog or mild depression with mega-doses and overdoses as well as potential irritability and anorectic side effects. Likelihood of brain fog or headache is decreased when supplementing with a high quality choline source. Choline bitartrate is a cheaper alternative, but has no stand alone nootropic properties itself. Citicoline or Alpha GPC are better choices depending on your needs. Citicoline for instance has dopaminergic action as well and GPC can support exercise and work out routines. Remember to always check with your personal care practitioner before changing diet, exercise regimen or undergoing any new supplementation routine especially if you are currently under a physician’s care for any existing medical conditions or are already taking any over the counter or prescribed medications.