Piracetam: It Makes You Smarter

Everyone has heard of better living through chemistry, but better thinking through chemistry? That one seems a little far fetched, but if the reports are to be believed, that’s exactly what Piracetam does. Piracetam is a member of a family of chemicals called nootropics or smart drugs. In the US, it is considered to be a supplement and is available for purchase over the counter, though it may be under stricter control elsewhere.

Piracetam was first discovered in the 1960’s by Belgian researchers. It is thought to exert an effect on acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that influences muscle and neuronal activation. Acetylcholine is also believed to play a role in sense perception and memory. Piracetam is also theorized to influence ion activity in the brain and the behavior of certain glutamate receptors.

The overall effects of Piracetam include, not surprisingly, enhanced memory, learning and improved overall cognitive performance. One of the more interesting effects of the nootropic is the improvement of communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. The implications of this heightened inter-hemispheric communication are not fully understood. However, an excerpt from the book Smart Drugs & Nutrients that appears on the Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute website reports that there is an association between such inter-hemispheric communication and creativity.

Piracetam may also have therapeutic uses. It has and continues to be tested as a possible therapy for victims of stroke, dementia and certain types of brain trauma. Additionally, it may provide some beneficial effects for those suffering from seizures and dyslexia. One of the things that makes Piracetam such an attractive secondary option is that it exhibits little to no toxicity even with extended use in high doses. Side effects, like headaches or nervousness, are very rare and tend to be mild.

Using a chemical like Piracetam may not be for everyone. Those on prescription medications should certainly confer with their primary physician before taking Piracetam, as should pregnant women. For someone in generally good health that simply wants to boost their brain power a little, Piracetam may be an option worth examining.

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