Noopept

Noopept improves cognition & memory. It is structurally similar, but far more potent than Piracetam. Research found it increases levels of BDNF, which play a role in neuroplasticity & learning. It’s been shown to improve learning & memory, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

Overview

What is Noopept?

Noopept is a nootropic that’s been receiving significant appreciation for quite some time. It has close links to the favorite racetam group of nootropics, known for their exceptional benefits on cognitive function and their neuroprotective qualities.

Its effects kick-in almost instantly after consumptions, which is one of the reasons behind its popularity. Many nootropics could take anywhere from one day to three months for their optimal effect to take action. But when it comes to noopept, results are usually felt minutes after ingestion. It shares a similar onset of action as somewhat related racetam phenylpiracetam.

“N-Phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester is promoted as a nootropic and is a prodrug of cycloprolylglycine. Other names include the brand name Noopept, developmental code GVS-111; proposed INN omberacetam. Its synthesis was first reported in 1996. Onset of action is the duration of time it takes for a drug’s effects to come to prominence upon administration. With oral administration, it typically ranges anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on the drug in question.” – Wikipedia.

In Russia and a few of the surrounding countries, Noopept is prescribed for its nootropic qualities. The demand for it is dramatically rising and is currently retailing worldwide, amongst the best selling nootropics on the major vendor websites.

It also acts similar to Piracetam’s way; however, it is said to be somewhere over 1,000 more potent. That is why people tend to reach the desired effect or outcome from as little as 10 mg and usually not exceeding 30 mg as total per day. It smoothly settles itself onto the brain’s receptors.

Even with a dose as small as 10mg, many reports it to be quite comparable, and many (myself included) actually favor it over Piracetam.

Noopept is inexpensive comparing to other nootropics because of its high potency.

Its effectiveness and low price led to its being a classic, very popular, and in any case, a favorite amongst the nootropic community.

According to Nootropics City:

Noopept is a very potent Ampakine nootropic drug, and the nootropics brand name for the research peptide “N-phenylacetyl-L-prolyglycine ethyl ester.” Noopept capsules is an entirely synthetic molecule and have a similar effect to Piracetam. However, its effects are quoted as up to 1000 times stronger. Effects are very much like a “mega dose” of Piracetam (when a nootropic is taken in dosages up to 8 times the usual amount) and even provides a slight psycho stimulatory effect when taken in low to moderate dosages.

Typical dosages of Noopept range from 10mg at the lower end, to a maximum effective dosage of 30mg per day. When higher dosages are taken, tiredness can result, negating many of Noopept’s benefits, alongside tolerance and an increase in Noopept’s harmful side effects.

Noopept, for best results, should be taken 3 times daily (preferably once with each meal) and should be taken with a choline source (preferably CDP Choline) for maximum results. Noopept, like Piracetam, displayed many neuroprotective effects in rats and mice during testing. More studies are needed to confirm precisely what causes Noopept’s supposed neuroprotective effect.

Take into account with Noopept capsules: Remember, Noopept is entirely a research molecule (as are most nootropics). Understand what you are taking, do your own personal research on it, and weigh the positives and negatives before taking Noopept. Take Noopept capsules in a regular, consistent dosing pattern of 10mg per day, and continue to supplement in the form of a U shaped curve, i.e., Start off with a low dosage, increase accordingly, then taper back down towards the end of your Noopept regiment.

Noopept capsules should be cycled on and off for 1-3 months at a time for best results. Be sure to take Noopept when a particularly rigorous mental task is being performed.

Noopept Benefits and Effects

1. Supports Memory and Learning
2. Neuroprotective and Promotes Longevity (Anti-Aging)
3. Increases Nerve Growth Factor and BDNF
4. Improves Association Between Left and Right Brain Hemispheres

Supporting research:

Supports Memory and Learning

Noopept primary interest is how it improves memory and ease the learning process. It helps in memory creation, with additional benefits such as memory consolidation and speed of recall. Noopept helps correct all sorts of stimuli as they are under process by the cerebellum, allowing better memory retrieval.

In other words, our sensations’ signal handling is more smooth as they are carrying forward into our memory. Through the continued use of Noopept, individuals report information to be more easily digested and processed, giving them the availability to be ready-for-use in everyday activities. One might remember names, places, maybe a word chatted in contact, a tune thought to be forgotten, and such. Memory failures will diminish or, to the least, will be kept to a very minimum. [1]

Neuroprotective and Promotes Longevity (Anti-Aging)

Studies prove that noopept possesses excellent neuroprotective attributes. The stimulation of the neurons produced by the supplement blocks oxidative damage in the human brain.

Many patients dealing with cognitive impairment can benefit from a consistent dosage of noopept to avoid further cognitive decline. [2]

Increases Nerve Growth Factor and BDNF

NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) is a protein in the body involved in the growth, preservation, and continuation of nerve cells, including brain cells. The nerve growth factor is also deemed very important in neurogenesis, the body’s ability to generate new cells.

By raising NGF levels in the cerebellum, it allows for new neural connections. The result indicates potentially improved mental skills in nearly all areas of cognition. [3]

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is another protein in the body that has s role in the NGF mentioned above. BDNF is one of the most critical molecules associated with memory, playing an essential role in short and long-term memory formation. [4, 5]

Improves Association Between Left and Right Brain Hemispheres

Both the right and left hemispheres of the brain have their localized functions. Through the use of noopept, each of those functions is developing by synthesizing various memories, ideas, and stimuli. There are nuances among these functions that improve the way we think. That is why many people have claimed that their quality of life had a significant improvement when taking noopept regularly.

Noopept Mechanism of Action

Noopept seems to be effective – and longer-lasting than Piracetam, due to its effect on the NMDA receptors. It works similarly and has similar mechanisms as Piracetam, but at a much lower dosage – when it comes to whole-brain function. The research available, along with the anecdotal reports, seem to strongly support this claim.

“Oral ingestion of Noopept results in a very rapid absorption and metabolism of Noopept, although the kinetics of metabolites (which are thought to be bioactive) is not yet known. A true bioavailability study has not been conducted, although it appears that an oral dose is about the equivalent of one tenth an injected dose (10% bioavailability).” – Examine.com

Noopept users report results of improved clarity, better memory, and focus. More studies are undergoing to determine precisely how it provides those privileges to the brain. Studies on animals have shown that Noopept increased alpha/beta1 activity in all brain areas [R].

Noopept’s mechanism of action is similar to the other racetams. Noopept works on the AMPA and NDMA receptor sites and their pathways of function. It also has an affinity for the Acetylcholine system and the ACh receptor sites. Both of these factors contribute to Noopept’s array of nootropic benefits. Like Aniracetam, Noopept appears to produce an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) response in animal and human models.

This is not a guaranteed result and seems to vary widely between subjects. Like with Aniracetam, Noopept seems to stimulate Dopamine receptor sites (D2 and D3) as well as the ACh nicotinic receptor sites. Noopept also seems to stimulate specific Serotonin receptors, and this may also contribute to its mood-boosting qualities.

On Memory and Cognitive Decline

Noopept seems to be incredibly useful and demonstrates the most significant benefits to patients with mild cognitive decline. It is now undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of mental deficiency of post-traumatic origin and cerebrovascular cause.

The cerebellum benefits include antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory qualities and repression of toxicity by removing excess glutamate and calcium. Similarly, blood rhythm and flow signifies further improvement. Two possible mechanisms of action for enhancing cognition are a sensitizing effect on acetylcholine processes or induction of neurotrophin production, both of which theoretically strengthen memory formation.

Noopept absorption is a process by the digestive system and succeeding to cross the blood-brain barrier readily. The brain utilizes it almost entirely; very little goes to waste.

Noopept marks glutamate receptor sections where it chains with the glutamate and inhibits breakdown. Glutamate, being one of the most influential neurotransmitters, supports and increases cognitive functioning. It works fast once it is in the bloodstream, maximizing concentration following only 15 to 20 minutes.

Anecdotal reports often recall the “sudden abundance of clarity and precision” delivered by the immediate advantage of added oxygen to the brain and enhanced glucose use. Furthermore, it frequently reported that it also improves eyesight and perception, expanding one’s awareness of their surroundings and perceiving colors and objects as more alive, vibrant, and vivid.

Noopept Dosage

If you prefer to prolong the effect throughout the day, the recommended Noopept dosage would be to take it in three doses of 10mg, two doses of 15mg, or just one dose of 30mg.

• 10 mg: divide into three doses throughout the day
• 15 mg: divide into two doses twice a day
• 30 mg: one dose per day

Do not exceed the 30mg Noopept dosage in one day – and ideally, no longer than 60 days cycle if taken every day. After that, allow yourself some time off before you start another cycle. Alternatively, you can take it on and off as needed. Experimenting is the best way to find out what works for your own body.

Given how fast the body metabolizes it and its relatively short half-life, it is best to take small doses multiple times a day instead of a large one at once, thereby prolonging the effects. It is wise to start with the smallest effective amount with careful observation, before progressing into a higher dose.

Noopept Powder Form

In powder form, take Noopept sublingually or as a drink with water. Effects will kick-in almost immediately. According to the label, take Noopept for 1.5 to 3 weeks and then, if necessary, to begin another cycle after a 1-month break. Alternatively, many users follow 56 days on and four days off. Do not take Noopept late in the evening as its energizing effects may interfere with sleep.

And furthermore, “to supplement Noopept, take 10 – 30 mg, once a day, for up to 56 days at a time. More research is needed to determine the optimal human dose for Noopept.” again, quoting Examine.

Noopept Nasal Spray (Intranasal)

Many people seem to discuss different mixtures to getting the most ideal ratio for a Noopept Nasal spray. Still, there isn’t any reliable information that I could put on here. If you’re interested in user experiments and anecdotal experiences, there are a couple different threads you can find by searching ‘Noopept Nasal’ on the Reddit nootropics subreddit here.

Noopept Stack

Alpha-GPC or Citicoline (or whatever your choline preference maybe). This will massively potentiate the effect and will prevent the occasional occurrence of Noopept’s headaches.

Noopept Side Effects

These side effects of Noopepts are mostly occurring when higher doses are consumed:

• Headache
• Restlessness (or overstimulation)
• Dizziness
• Irritability

Some studies suggest that it magnifies the effects of stimulants, such as amphetamines. Hence, caution is advisable for individuals using ADHD medication. I can personally advise that as well. I’ve felt that sense of overstimulation on a couple different occasions when taking a 30 mg dose of Noopept shortly after taking my ADHD medication. I now find that a 15 mg dose works best for me, whether once or twice per day.

Noopept Review and User Experience

My Personal Experience

Noopept was amongst the very first nootropics I got to try taking it in one dose of 30 mg in the early afternoon with 300mg of Alpha-GPC.

Probably the most effective and most profound feeling I ever got off a nootropic to this day. I really thought I hit the jackpot. I was able to sit throughout the day at work, fully engaged. I focused on whatever I was working on, without any sort of complaining whatsoever. And that was at my corporate job, not at my home office. I was amazed by that.

I had to see if it was in my head or if it had been really that effective. So I had both my best friend and my sister try it out on different occasions – both of them ended up asking me to try it a few more times. My friend went on to buy her own while doing her finals at an international affairs academy program. I never heard her talk so positively about any supplement or nootropic whatsoever the way she spoke and liked Noopept.

Unfortunately, though, today, after quite a long time since I first discovered it, it seems to have half the effect it had on me back in the day, even if I don’t take it for a month or so. But it makes complete sense due to the similarities of other racetams that I supplement with frequently – mostly Aniracetam. But the feeling I experienced in the first few times of Noopept was something I had never felt with any other nootropic.

Reddit

On Reddit’s nootropics sub, a user wrote:

“Noopept: Probably the most potent memory and cognition enhancing nootropic I’ve tried besides Phenylpiracetam…noopept really makes a huge difference for me in terms of mental clarity, memory recall, and fluid thinking. I’ll be on this for life 100%.”

Another Reddit user wrote his experience titled: ‘My Experience with Noopept and Adderall’ and it says:

Before the downvote brigade comes out and downvotes me to hell, I am prescribed Adderall, it works wonders for me, and no nootropic could ever replace Adderall for me. I’ve been on it for probably 15 years. It does its job, but I still have issues with performance anxiety. If I start thinking about my performance, it slowly spirals into being so anxious about not doing well that I can’t even retain the information in a sentence. CBD oil helps a little bit.

My focus has never really been mine to ‘give’; it’s more at the whim of when and where it works, no matter how hard I may try to concentrate. Noopept is changing that.

Anywho, WOW is all I have to say. I have tried noopept many times, but never did I do it consistently. I hate that I hadn’t before because this is borderline life-changing. Here’s what happened:

My friend ordered some Russian noopept for the both of us, as he’s from Russia and wanted to try it out. I had tried the sublingual and powdered versions of it. They had always given me brain fog, so I was a bit wary, but his dad had said that he had used it in college and that you have to keep taking it to get over that sickening feeling. So I figured I’d give it a shot; it was the original stuff after all. So I took he threw me a box of it in class the day it came in, and we took some right there.

Day 1: The first dose in the morning didn’t kick in until about an hour, took it on an empty stomach. It was the same sickening, brain foggy stuff I was used to, but he was so excited about it I was gonna give it a few days before I was gonna stop and tell him. We took a second dose a few hours later and felt noticeably worse. We kinda brushed it off and hoped his dad’s advice was correct.

Day 2: Same thing, took it in the morning and at lunch, but couldn’t concentrate at all. Except for later that day, I got this burst of clarity around the time I was expecting it to wear off, which was unusual. But before the clarity happened, I felt downright awful, enough so that I wasn’t going to take another dose. It felt like nicotine poisoning almost. I told him about it, and he said he felt similarly. But then this clarity, it was like I had a cup of coffee, but I hadn’t. It was weird.

Day 3: I take it with breakfast, and holy crap, I feel great. It’s like I can just read a sentence without my eyes jumping around the page!!! (Something that I would consider quite the feat!) It was like my focus was mine to give like I could read an entire line of code and actually process it without having to re-read it at all!

Day 4 and 5: I continue taking it with food, and now I understand why people say its effects compound. I still have plenty of focus to give, more so, and I feel like some of my anxiety has gone. Very satisfied.

Now here it is on Day 7 on a Sunday, I didn’t take it yesterday, and I feel like the effects are still there. I had the focus to give yesterday and today, and I haven’t taken it. Like I don’t know what to say, except that I wonder if this is how neurotypical people feel regularly. It’s nuts.

My only concern I have here is its interaction with Adderall tolerance. I haven’t noticed anything yet, but has anybody that has taken these 2 together experienced any effects on their Adderall/amphetamine tolerance? (Vyvanse, Dexedrine, etc.) That would be the only thing that would stop with noopept if it severely affects tolerance.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience with the two, and I hope it’s helpful! I also wasn’t on any other nootropics this week to test this out.

UPDATE: I have been taking 10mg twice a day on weekdays and the only physical side effect I’ve noticed is I’m more sensitive to temperature and I’ve been sweating more, even sitting still. Off of it my pits don’t sweat but on it they do.

Conclusion

The benefits of Noopept are numerous, but the best thing about it is that its effects are cumulative.

Noopept has quickly grown in demand and has earned its space within people’s nootropic stacks due to its impressive results, ease of small doses, and reasonable, affordable cost.

Whether an expert nootropic user or merely getting to learn about it all, noopept is an excellent choice for an overall cognitive function boost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Further Readings

1. Aniracetam
2. Piracetam
3. Phenylpiracetam
4. Pramiracetam
5. Oxiracetam
6. Fasoracetam
7. Sunifiram
8. Coluracetam

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Studies

1. Neuroprotective effect of novel cognitive enhancer noopept on AD-related cellular model involves the attenuation of apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation
2. Neuroprotective and nootropic drug noopept rescues α-synuclein amyloid cytotoxicity
3. The nootropic and neuroprotective proline-containing dipeptide noopept restores spatial memory and increases immunoreactivity to amyloid in an Alzheimer’s disease model