PRL-8-53

Other names Methyl 3-(2-(benzyl(methyl)amino)ethyl)benzoate

PRL-8-53 is an underresearched compound described by some users as the most powerful working memory enhancer they have tried. But how science-backed is it really? 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 PRL-8-53.

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Benefits

Read about the effects of PRL-8-53 in relation to the amount of evidence we've found

Can PRL-8-53 improve your memory?

Only one published study has examined the effects of PRL-8-53 in humans.

The study [1] was a placebo-controlled double-blind cross-over study, which means that every participant received both PRL-8-53 and placebo, on different days, and that neither participants nor researchers were aware of whether it was placebo or PRL-8-53 that had been given on any given day of cognitive testing.

Testing of memory performance was conducted 2-2.5h, 24h, and one week after the ingestion of the placebo or the drug. The memory test regarded verbal recall of word lists.

The test score data that was collected from participants 2-2.5h and 24h after placebo or PRL-8-53 included results from 52 and 43 people, respectively. For the 1-week data, test scores from 35 participants were analyzed. This means that about 1/3 of participants were not included in the 1-week data collection. The reason for this is not clear.

As for the results of the study, the following was found:

"The retention average for the subjects on drug is increased by 87-105%."

In the participants who performed worse after placebo, who are likely less cognitively proficient at baseline, PRL-8-53 had the greatest effects.

In fact, high performers had no improvements from PRL-8-53 when compared with placebo:

"Only the subgroup of high achievers fails to show significant improvement across the board. It must be kept in mind, however, that it is near impossible to obtain significant improvement figures when the control performance is near perfect to begin with."

The lead researcher behind this study argued that a more difficult test should be used to assess the cognitive effects of PRL-8-53 in healthy cognitively proficient people. This scientist was also the holder of the patent for PRL-8-53, which has now expired [2]. The fact that the lead scientist for this study had a financial interest in the results of the study decreases the amount of confidence that one should have in the findings of the study. While there is no reason to believe that he has manipulated any of the data in the study, he appears to have selected the tests in a manner that artificially increased the chances of statistically significant results. It is odd that he suggests that the tests used couldn't answer the very relevant question of whether PRL-8-53 is effective for cognitively proficient people. This is something that a more objective scientist would likely have handled in the design phase of the study - not when analyzing the results. To be fair to this researcher, it is (or at least was, it is getting better) common practice to conduct studies in a manner that increases the probability of reaching statistically significant results.

There were two other tests of cognitive performance included in this study, one of visual reaction time and one of motor performance. No effects were found in any subgroup of participants for these tests.

To conclude, the only study that has been conducted in humans on PRL-8-53 has severe methodological problems and needs to be replicated by other researchers with a better selection of psychological tests. Until more research has been conducted, it is very hard to make any valid conclusions regarding the efficacy of PRL-8-53 for healthy humans, especially in high performers.

There are several references to human studies other than this single published one that have supposedly been conducted on PRL-8-53 [3][4]. In the texts that referenced these unpublished studies, beneficial effects were claimed.

PRL-8-53 might improve your memory, but maybe not. There's not enough science available on the compound for a good answer to be provided.

For anecdotal experience reports from people who have used PRL-8-53, see FAQ's below.

Risks

The legality and side effects of PRL-8-53

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about PRL-8-53

How does PRL-8-53 work?

There appears to be some evidence that PRL-8-53 exerts cholinergic activity [4] in the CNS, but the quality of the source of this information is low. It may also be a dopaminergic drug [9].

The neuropsychopharmacological effects of PRL-8-53 have not yet been fully discovered by researchers.

Should you use PRL-8-53?

One thing that is certain about the effects of PRL-8-53 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 PRL-8-53, 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 use PRL-8-53?

In the only human study on PRL-8-53, 5mg was dosed once. Researchers were interested in its potential acute effects on various aspects of memory.

Anecdotal reports from people posting online how they have used it tend to be around 1-10mg, dosed as needed when studying or taking an exam.

How does it feel when you take PRL-8-53?

The following qualitative user experience reports and reviews are included to give you an understanding of what the experience of taking PRL-8-53 is like.

Anecdotal PRL-8-53 experience reports and reviews from Reddit

One person reported strong cognitive-enhancing effects from PRL-8-53 on Reddit (IMO = In My Opinion):

"Imo it's probably the best working memory nootropic out there, not to be confused with long term memory or memory consolidation.

It feels like being really fucking on, hungry to solve shit and just focused. It's a bit stimulatory like speed almost, but you're more present and on. Easier to have a lot of variables in your head at the same time."

Another redditor said they had objective but not subjective memory benefits from the drug:

"For me, there is almost nothing that I really NOTICE or feel in the moment, but it has definitely had a huge positive impact on the outcomes of my study sessions and test-taking. It's really hard for me to say if it helps me form extra-salient memories when I'm on it, or helps me recall old memories when I'm on it, or both, but I'd say I'm leaning towards the former part. Without supplements, as I'm studying I will instantly feel the material slipping away out of my memory, and have to reread/rewrite things numerous times to get them to stick enough that I can move on to the next section and have any hope of retention. With PRL, as long as I am deliberately focused on learning something, it's almost like 1-2 revisits of that material (e.g. 1-2 rounds of flashcards or something) counts for 4-5, solidifying that memory much stronger and far more quickly. I hope that makes some sense.

I have pretty bad motivation and concentration problems, so it's not much surprise that I don't notice PRL affecting those aspects at all, if it even does. But being able to memorize so quickly is definitely encouraging, almost indirectly motivating me to study harder?

Also, no side effects so far." [10]

Another person reported severe persistent psychological side effects, even after stopping use of PRL-8-53:

"So when I first started PRL-8-53 I was very impressed with how significant the improvement to my memory was, so I kept taking it daily for about 3 months. I only took about 1mg per day. I didn't need more than that to get the effect, and if I took too much it made me feel weird and over stimulated.

Over time I started getting issues with anxiety and a general feeling of unwellness that is hard to describe. It dramatically changed the way I reacted to alcohol, causing a severe anxiety rebound effect. So I couldn't drink at all anymore, and I found that I couldn't tolerate nicotine as well. [...]

I quit taking it [...] It's been a month since then and I am still not back to normal. I feel weird, anxious, confused, low energy, and irritable most days." [11]

And one other person on said the following on Reddit:

"I've been taking PRL-8-53 from Ceretropic in 10mg doses daily for around 2 weeks now and I've got to say, it's one of the best nootropics I have ever taken.

It's become so much easier to find things I lose. Almost weird but I just have zero difficulty in remembering where I put things, even if I didn't consciously note putting them there." [12]

Another person said:

"I think PRL-8-53 Is absurdly under-rated and I think it stems from it's improper use. FOr me its BY FAR the most potent raw memory creator and retriver. For example its absurdly powerful to cram book defintions before an exam and then utlize the next on multiple choice exams. I find myself flying through exam questions answering without really thinking just because my mind subconciouslly filled in the blank from memory. For math exams it's similar...it serves best to memorize formulas that you'd forget....I write them down at the start of the test from pure raw memory to then let the other Noots and your natural brain power interpret what that random equation actually means. PRL offers ZERO benefit for me in the realm of problem solving and infact hinders my hollistic thinking (in stark contrast to aniracetam which is most beneficial to hollistic thinking) in exchange for massive memory boosting capabailities." [13]

Anecdotal PRL-8-53 experience reports and reviews from YouTube

One person who shared their opinion on the cognitive effects of PRL-8-53 said it is a powerful working memory booster for him [14].

Anecdotal PRL-8-53 experience reports and reviews from LongeCity

One person, who was also taking NSI-189 at the time, said the following about their experiences with PRL-8-53:

"I've been taking 20 mg per day for the last 3 days. There haven't been any notable changes, positive or negative, except for one big difference.

I am easily remembering, without effort or error, numbers that I always had to reference from written notes in the past. The first time this happened I was talking on the phone with someone and needed to give them an 8 digit number that previously I have always had to look up in my notes. I was astonished when I just spoke it to her while I was still looking for it in my notes. There have been about 6 instances of this instant recall since I started." [15]

Another person said:

"I took 10 mg two days ago and 100 mg one day ago. I am getting vivid flashbacks of memories from 10 to 15 years ago somewhat randomly. My memory has improved... its really a compound with amazing potential." [16]

Another person noted improved and decreased cognitive performance, dependent on which dose was used:

"This seems to have an inverted U dosage. I've taken 10 -30 mg and at 40 mg had higher scores on the brain games app I use.

Mistakenly took 80 mg today, I was fine but felt unpleasant, though not strong, stimulant effects. Much lower scores on the brain training app..." [17]

And finally, one person who used PRL-8-53 said the following on LongeCity:

"So I'd say there's perhaps a slight, though noticable improvement in working memory. Spatial span tests (memorizing the pattern in which squares flash on a static matrix, the size of the pattern increases) were actually not impressive at all strangely, possibly worse than my ordinary self. I had trouble memorizing patterns more than 5, which is very low (the test starts at 4, which I assume was found to be an average starting point). What I felt was impeding my ability to memorize the pattern was I was having trouble focusing and actually paying attention to the pattern." [18]

What substances may stack well with PRL-8-53?

There's no high-quality research on the effects of combining PRL-8-53 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 PRL-8-53 when they also use:

L-Theanine [19]
Vinpocetine [20]
L-Theanine and Vinpocetine [21]
Unifiram [22]
Pramiracetam [23]
Caffeine [24]

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

Studies

Studies conducted on the effects of PRL-8-53 in healthy humans

Last updated Saturday, June 10, 2023

PRL-8-53

Benefits

Can PRL-8-53 improve your memory?

Risks

Negative side effects of PRL-8-53

Side effects

Interactions

Legality

Legality Disclaimer

FAQ