Aniracetam

Aniracetam may enhance memory, focus, and motivation to socialize. But how science-backed are these potential benefits? Read on to find out.

This nootropic has no healthy human placebo-controlled studies that meet our inclusion criteria. Negative side effects can occur if used carelessly, so make sure you’re aware of the risks of Aniracetam.

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Benefits

Read about the effects of Aniracetam in relation to the amount of evidence we've found

Why do people use aniracetam?

People who self-experiment with aniracetam often state they use it to improve their:

Sociality
Memory
Focus
Learning
Intelligence
Mood

There is a lack of solid scientific evidence for the effectiveness of aniracetam for any of these purposes, especially in healthy humans.

The science of aniracetam for cognitive enhancement

There's a lack of research on the efficacy of Aniracetam for cognitive enhancement in healthy humans.

People with mild cognitive deficits had improved cognitive performance in several studies when Aniracetam was compared with a placebo. There's currently only anecdotal evidence available to support the claim that healthy people can perform better cognitively thanks to the use of Aniracetam.

Does Aniracetam Improve Learning and Memory?

Human Studies on Aniracetam

In Healthy Humans

There are no studies on the cognitive or behavioral effects of Aniracetam in healthy humans.

In Diseased Humans

Two placebo-controlled studies in patients with cognitive impairment found that Aniracetam can protect people from mild cognitive deficits.[1] [2] [3]

However, one study found no effects on cognition in impaired individuals when Aniracetam was compared with a placebo. [4]

Two of the studies on Aniracetam in people with cognitive impairment did not use a randomized design which reduces the confidence we can have about Aniracetam's actual beneficial effects for restoring cognitive performance.

Animal studies on Aniracetam

On Healthy Animals

In one study in healthy mice, no effects were found on measures of learning and memory. [5] [6].

A mice study designed to simulate human use of the smart drug showed no effects on various measures of learning and memory. [7] This study doesn't provide any definitive answers as regards the efficacy of Aniracetam in healthy subjects but provides some evidence against its efficacy.

In a study on the memory-effects of Aniracetam in healthy pigeons, no effects were found.

Aniracetam had no effect on the pigeons’ memory performance, nor did it affect response latency. These findings add to the growing evidence that, while effective at improving memory function in models of impaired memory, aniracetam has no effect in improving memory in healthy organisms. [8]

On Diseased Animals

In studies on animals, cognitive enhancement from Aniracetam has been observed only in animals with pre-use impairment. [9] [10]

If Aniracetam has similar effects in humans as in mice, pigeons, monkeys, and rats, it is likely that people with cognitive impairment will see the biggest benefits from using it.

Animal studies should be interpreted carefully. In many cases, effects on animals are not the same as in humans.

Conclusion - Is Aniracetam Effective for Learning and Memory in Healthy People?

There is a lack of high-quality research, especially in healthy humans, on the effects of Aniracetam on learning and memory.

It is a promising substance with cognitive benefits demonstrated in some but far from all studies.

Due to the lack of research on Aniracetam, we never recommend that people use it.

Aniracetam for Social Nervousness

No studies in humans have examined the effects of Aniracetam on social nervousness.

One mice study looked at the effects of Aniracetam on different forms of nervousness and social impairments. There were improvements in these measures after the use of Aniracetam. [11]

Aniracetam use for reduction of social nervousness cannot be considered science-backed. Only animal findings and anecdotal reports support its effectiveness.

Risks

The legality and side effects of Aniracetam

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Aniracetam

Why do people use Aniracetam?

People who self-experiment with aniracetam often state they use it to improve their:

Sociality
Memory
Mood
Learning
Energy
Nervousness

There is a lack of solid scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Aniracetam for any of these purposes, especially in healthy humans.

How does it feel when you take Aniracetam?

The following qualitative user experience reports and reviews are included to give you an understanding of what the experience of taking Aniracetam is like.

Anecdotal aniracetam experience reports and reviews from Erowid

One person said it helped his mood and cognitive performance, both in the short and long term:

"The first time I ingested the 750mg capsule of Aniracetam, I noticed a significant boost in mental energy. I received the energy and the motivation to complete much of the work planned for the next few days. However, this intense motivation did not last after I re-dosed the next day.

I usually doses at a 750mg-1500mg, depending on the task at hand and the supply of the nootropic available to me. The effects of Aniracetam may be felt for about 3 hours. During that time, there is an increase in mental energy and thoughts remain intelligent, not just hyper. Although it is difficult to tell if there is a significant long-term improvement, my papers have become stronger (according to professors and collegues, although this may be a normal improvement and not entirely attributed to the nootropic) and I feel more intelligent. Furthermore, I feel much more social, confident and happy with the drug. I no longer suffer from a mild depression and feel open towards professors, collegues, strangers and friends. Dreams also become extremely vivid, and completely non-lucid.

The drug has not acted as a miracle worker, but it has aided and assisted me in achieving certain goals. The drug’s effects are much more than subtle (in contrast to piracetam) but it tends to be more expensive than piracetam as well. The symptoms of the drug have been relatively positive and mild." [13]

Another person who took 2g of aniracetam had the following experience during the first day of use:

"I did not sleep the first night, I was simply too excited to be getting work done and pushed through. Little seemed to bother me, I smiled more readily and could concentrate much longer and deeper on tasks and ideas, weighing their subjective value and amount of effort required to accomplish with relative ease. [...] While taking Aniracetam & fish oil, my thought process became much more streamlined and effective. I worked on and finished several computer projects that had alternately fascinated and repulsed me for weeks." [14]

A person who used aniracetam for one week experienced significant negative side effects:

"I took Aniracetam in 750mg doses four times daily for a duration of one week. [...] By the end of the seven day period I was experiencing mild shortness of breath, confusion (mostly expressed as difficulty comprehending long or complex written passages), and increased anxiety as well as irritability and reduced sex drive." [15]

For yet another person, aniracetam subjectively improved long-term episodic memory, procedural memory, story recall, productivity, and motivation to work when used three times daily in 500mg doses. On top of those effects they had the following experience with Aniracetam:

"As I'd move about or just watch things unfold, I felt as though I was watching a film. I didn't feel disconnected from reality in any way, but I felt as though just by thinking it, I could change camera angles and see myself from anywhere in the room - and I could! My imagination was so vivid that I was able to effortlessly reconstruct the room around me and think of myself as I move around in real time, at different angles. When things happened, they seemed to happen fluidly and effortlessly, as if I were simply watching them happen on screen instead of actively making them happen." [16]

Anecdotal aniracetam experience reports and reviews from YouTube

One nootropic reviewer on YouTube stated it helps him recall words better and reduces his social anxiety. He says he has used it almost every day for 7 years with no side effects. [17]

Another reviewer says Aniracetam seems to have had benefits for him lasting for long periods after he stopped the use of it. He stated it had no negative effects and enhances his working memory, verbal fluency, sociality, and mood. [18]

Yet another YouTube reviewer stated it had no negative side effects for him and improved his multi-tasking ability, working memory, speed of processing, and productivity. [19]

A fourth YT review included two people stating it increased their energy levels, mood, and motivation. [20]

Anecdotal aniracetam experience reports and reviews from Reddit

One redditor said it helped them think and speak better:

”Nothing has helped more for my career development. I speak and give presentations as a large part of my job and it is the best thing going for this purpose. Speech fluidity and thought organization are immensely important, obviously, and these are areas Aniracetam improves.” [21]

Another redditor said the following about aniracetam:

”I honestly hated it. It constantly gave me brain fog, and this feeling of floating. Definitely would not recommend it.” [22]

Another person said they experienced benefits from ”micro-dosing” aniracetam:

”10-15 mg every hour, I get mood and motivation boosts, increased clarity, I feel less held back by my emotions, and I feel better in general. I do not get the other effects that i get with larger doses, like HD Vision, Increased Alertness, and Lowered Latent Inhibition.” [23]

Yet another person commenting on their experience with Aniracetam on Reddit said the following:

”The effects are subtle and there is no 'buzz' or anything. The effect is pretty quick, like in an hour, but it's not something I particularly notice unless I am paying attention to it. After several days of being on it, I noticed that I was able to "break inertia" more. I wouldn't say I became more socially outgoing or got the "silver tongue" people talk about, but I did notice a personality change. I got more bold and willing to go for what I want. Less willing to settle. After a couple weeks on it, I decided I was sick of my station in life and decided to try aiming to be a military officer.

I also noticed that I don't get as tired during my workouts, and I am able to push on longer - especially with running. It compliments the caffeine from coffee.” [24]

How does aniracetam work?

The neuropsychopharmacological effects of Aniracetam have not yet fully been discovered by researchers.

Here's a quote from a mouse study on Aniracetam summarizing its mechanisms of action as far as they are known:

Aniracetam positively impacts the pharmacological profile associated with learning and memory by elevating hippocampal acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, and dopamine levels. In addition, aniracetam significantly facilitates long-term potentiation (LTP) formation in the hippocampus, reverses memory loss, reduces anxiety, and reverses ethanol-induced brain damage. [10]

What is a Racetam?

Aniracetam is a nootropic in the racetam family of compounds.

All racetams are similar in chemical structure but different in nootropic effects.

Other racetam compounds that are used by some self-experimenters for cognitive enhancement include:

Piracetam
Oxiracetam
Phenylpiracetam
Omberacetam, also known as Noopept (sometimes classified as a racetam, sometimes not)
Coluracetam
Fasoracetam
Pramiracetam
Nefiracetam

Should You Use Aniracetam?

One thing that is certain about the effects of Aniracetam is that we know relatively little about them. There is a lack of high-quality research, especially in healthy humans.

Because of the lack of research on Aniracetam, we never recommend that people use it.

If you have already decided to use it, here are some guidelines to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks.

How Much And How Often Should You Dose Aniracetam?

Human studies in people with cognitive impairment tend to use doses between 1000 and 1500mg.

The frequency of dosing varies between studies. It is usually taken daily.

Anecdotal reports from dosages used by self-experimenters posting how they use it on the web tend to be lower: around 750mg.

There are some anecdotal reports that hint at the possibility that low doses, perhaps as low as 300mg, may be effective for social nervousness, creativity, and verbal recall.

What substances may stack well with Aniracetam?

There's no high-quality research on the effects of combining Aniracetam with other substances, such as nootropic drugs or supplements. The safety and efficacy of the below-listed combinations are supported only by anecdotal reports.

People tend to report better effects from Aniracetam when they also use:

Choline sources, such as Alpha-GPC, Choline Bitartrate, or Citicoline
Fat sources, such as Omega 3, Walnut, MCT Oil, or Olive Oil

Before combining any drugs or supplements, talk with your trusted medical professional about the risks involved.

Studies

Studies conducted on the effects of Aniracetam in healthy humans

Last updated Saturday, June 10, 2023