Posted by honeybee on July 6, 2006, at 13:13:49
In reply to Re: PIRACATAM WORKS!!!! try it, u might be suprised, posted by shasling on July 6, 2006, at 6:56:55
Not the last word, but a start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracetam
Piracetam (brand name: Nootropil®, Myocalm®), is a cerebral function regulating drug which is claimed to be able to enhance cognition as well as slow down brain aging. Piracetam's chemical name is 2-oxo-pyrrolidone, or 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide. Piracetam is a cyclic derivative of GABA . It is one of the racetams, and is similar to the amino acid pyroglutamate. Though rare in the United States, Piracetam is commonly prescribed in Europe for a variety of conditions.
Contents [hide]
1 Effects
2 Mechanisms of action
3 History
4 Approval and usage
5 Dosage
6 Contraindications
7 Special warnings and precautions for use
8 Undesirable effects
9 References
10 See also
11 External links
[edit]
Effects
Several meta-reviews of literature on Piracetam indicate that Piracetam increases performance on a variety of cognitive tasks among dyslexic children, which may reflect improvements in intelligence or cross-hemispheric communication rather than a specific improvement in whatever causes dyslexia. Piracetam also seems to inhibit brain damage caused by a variety of factors including hypoxia and excessive alcohol consumption.Piracetam has been studied in an extensive number of clinical experiments, mostly focusing on dyslexic children, and some believe that understanding the mechanism it works through can teach us about the role of inter-hemispheric communication in the brain.
[edit]
Mechanisms of action
The mechanisms of action of Piracetam are quite broad. Piracetam is understood to work by stimulating the cerebral cortex as well as by increasing the rate of metabolism and the energy levels of neurons. It possibly facilitates movement of information between the brain's two hemispheres via the corpus callosum, and improves the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine via muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors which are implicated in memory processes. Furthermore, Piracetam may have an effect on NMDA glutamate receptors which are involved with learning and memory processes. Finally, Piracetam may exert its global effect on brain neurotransmission via modulation of ion channels (i.e., Ca2+, K+).[edit]
History
Piracetam was first synthesized in 1964 by scientists at the Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB led by Dr Corneliu E. Giurgea. The drug was the first of the so-called nootropics ("smart drugs" or "cognitive enhancers"), that is, substances which purportedly enhance mental performance. The term nootropic was coined by Giurgea. Nootropil was launched clinically by UCB in the early 1970s and remains an important product of that company in Europe.[edit]
Approval and usage
Piracetam is primarily used in Europe. Piracetam is legal to import in the United Kingdom for personal use as are other prescription drugs (assuming the importer has a prescription, of course). As of June of 2006, piracetam is not regulated in the United States (it is neither a controlled substance nor a prescription drug).[edit]
Dosage
Piracetam is usually supplied in 800 mg tablets. As much of its use is not doctor-approved, dosages vary from person to person. Some literature recommends an 'attack dose' of 1600 mg to 2400 mg for the first two days of use in those seeking cognitive enhancement effects. Some sources say that one tablet should be taken three times daily, giving a dosage of 2400 mg. It is recommended that one starts with an 800 mg dose and then try an attack dose if it is felt necessary. Dosages of up to 4800mg are thought to be safe, and few side-effects occur even at relatively high doses.In the US, and possibly other countries in which Piracetam is unregulated, it is often sold in bulk as a powder. It is up to the user to decide how they want to ingest said powder; orange juice is frequently cited as a good mixer to mask the taste.
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Contraindications
Piracetam is contra-indicated in patients with severe renal impairment (renal creatinine clearance of less than 20 ml per minute), hepatic impairment and to those under 16 years of age. It is also contraindicated in patients with cerebral haemorrhage and in those with hypersensitivity to piracetam, other pyrrolidone derivatives or any of the excipients .[edit]
Special warnings and precautions for use
Due to the effect of piracetam on platelet aggregation, caution is recommended in patients with underlying disorders of haemostasis, major surgery or severe haemorrhage.Abrupt discontinuation of treatment should be avoided as this may induce myoclonic or generalised seizures in some myoclonic patients.
As piracetam is almost exclusively excreted by the kidneys caution should be exercised in treating patients with known renal impairment. In renally impaired and elderly patients an increase in terminal half-life is directly related to renal function as measured by creatinine clearance. Dosage adjustment is therefore required in those with mild to moderate renal impairment and elderly patients with diminished renal function.
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Undesirable effects
Following adverse experiences were reported for piracetam with a statistically significantly higher incidence than placebo. Incidences are given for piracetam versus placebo treated patients.Central and peripheral nervous system disorders
Hyperkinesia (1.72 versus 0.42 %)
Metabolic and nutritional disorders
Weight increase (1.29 versus 0.39 %)
Psychiatric disorders
Nervousness (1.13 versus 0.25 %)
Somnolence (0.96 versus 0.25 %)
Depression (0.83 versus 0.21 %)
Body as a whole - general disorders
Asthenia (0.23 versus 0.00 %)
Post-marketing experiences have reported the following undesirable effects:- Ear and labyrinth disorders:
vertigo
- Gastrointestinal disorders:
abdominal pain, abdominal pain upper, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting
- Immune system disorders:
anaphylactoid reaction, hypersensitivity, multiple chemical sensitivity
- Nervous system disorders:
ataxia, balance impaired, epilepsy aggravated, headache, insomnia, somnolence
- Psychiatric disorders:
agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucination
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
angioneurotic oedema, dermatitis, pruritus, urticaria, rash
Other resources/links:
Erowid Piracetam Vault
Erowid Piracetam FAQ
Collection of Scientific Abstracts on Piracetam
Piracetam (Nootropyl) by Ward Dean, M.D., and John Morgenthaler
Nootropics - Reviewing The Smart-Drugs, By James South, MA
Piracetam - The Original Nootropic, By James South, MA
The Cognitive Enhancement Research Institute
Neopharmacology.com - Informational Resource
poster:honeybee
thread:664478
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060704/msgs/664507.html