Taking nootropic powders can be really easy but there are some things you should know before beginning. Below are some tips and things you should know before taking a powdered nootropics.

Fat Soluble vs. Water Soluble

If you have done a lot of research about nootropics online you have likely run into the terms “water soluble” & “fat soluble”. This may cause some confusion because solubility can mean a substances ability to dissolve or the ability for a substance to absorb within the body.

If you receive some Piracetam powder and add it to water you will observe that it will mix with the water and dissolve like juice crystals. This is because Piracetam is water soluble. This solubility directly relates to how Piracetam and other water soluble racetams like Oxiracetam and Pramiracetam are absorbed and eliminated in the body. Many vitamins are water soluble which means that they are absorbed very fast and eliminated much quicker than their fat soluble counter-parts.

Other racetams are fat soluble. If you added Aniracetam powder to water you could stir for hours but the powder would just clump on top and never truly dissolve. Alternatively, mixing the Aniracetam with milk will yield a more consistently dissolved solution. This is because Aniracetam is fat soluble. Just for reference, most drugs are fat soluble. Fat soluble drugs take longer to get absorbed in the blood stream but last much longer within the body than water soluble substances.

Should I Take Nootropics With or Without Food?

Water soluble and fat soluble nootropics are absorbed differently within the body. Water soluble racetam powders work best on an empty stomach. Since they are absorbed and eliminated from the body very quickly, having a full stomach may influence this rate and cause a reduction in nootropic benefits. Try to take water soluble racetams 15 min before a meal or snack for optimal absorption rates.

On the flip side, fat soluble racetams will be less effective if taken on an empty stomach. You should always have something in your stomach 15 minutes before taking a fat soluble racetam. Fat soluble racetams and substances last longer within the body and bind to fat cells. Another thing to note is that you do not have to take a fat soluble racetam with a fat source as commonly cited on nootropic forums and blogs.

Nootropic Powders Taste

This is one downside to taking nootropic powders. Most of them have a very bitter taste that many people can`t stand. Some might even go as far as comparing it to a shot of tequila. Mixing the powdered substance with a couple of shots of MIO or cranberry juice can be a popular method to reduce the displeasing taste. Some nootropic powders taste much worse than others.

How to Measure Nootropic Powders

Dosages for nootropics range and so do the methods of measuring them. You could go the route of using a scale. Many people like the scale method and prefer the precision of knowing the exact amount they are taking. Even though this may not be necessary, it is a great method to use especially for inexperienced nootropic users. You can purchase a cheap nootropic scale here.

For the other less potent nootropic powders, less precision is needed. Many people will  “eyeball“ using spoons to get their desired dosage. With this method, it eliminates the hassle of using a scale every day and you can develop a dosage that works for you. The more crystalline the powder the more dense and more milligrams there will be per measurement.

Piracetam is very crystalline and 1 level teaspoon will measure around 2800mg. A 1/2 teaspoon of piracetam will measure half of this at 1400mg and a 1/4 teaspoon will measure 750mg. You can follow this same sort of guide for other nootropics like aniracetam and oxiracetam. Just remember the more crystalline the powder, the heavier it will weigh (most of the time)

Can I Overdose On Nootropics?

Many people are worried about taking nootropic powders due to the possibility of taking too much or more than intended. There are many reports online of people taking 5x and even 10x the max recommended dosages of racetams. The truth is, having a severe negative overdose or death is very uncommon and even unheard of. Racetams are very safe and should you make a mistake, there should be little chance of an overdose causing severe consequences. With this said, be responsible and follow the above advice to reduce risk.

Some other “nootropics” are a little more at risk for causing overdose. Adrafinil for instance, can have very severe consequences if one were to take too much. Once again, this would be in very high, unrealistic dosages but caution should be taken with this supplement.