Oxiracetam – a long-acting nootropic

Briefly:

• Oxiracetam works for 8 to 10 hours;
• works stably for a longer period of time;
• improves the performance of the body;
• improves concentration and memory;
• improves the learning process;
• acts on glutamate, acetylcholine and GABA;
• enhances sensory function;
• daily dose from 800 mg to 2400 mg;
• water-soluble, can be taken independently of meals;
• negligible side effects.

Oxiracetam is a long-acting racetam, up to 8-10 hours. Has a great effect on the performance of the body. It can be used for training because of its effect on body performance. It works stably because of the long time it stays in the body. It can be taken once a day.

Oxiracetam in the body probably works in two ways. It modulates the levels of two neurotransmitters: glutamate and acetylcholine. In the case of acetylcholine, Oxiracetam increases its release and utilization in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Once released, acetylcholine is involved in learning and memory formation, and regulates the sleep cycle. Upon awakening, it engages sensory functions, improves concentration and, together with dopamine, regulates the brain’s reward system.

Compared to other racetams, Oxiracetam does not affect serotonin or dopamine levels in the brain, such as aniracetam. This makes Oxiracetam a classic nootropic agent, as it can only be used to improve cognitive function. Compared to piracetam, Oxiracetam is several times more potent, so smaller doses are needed.

Effects of oxiracetam

Improved sensory performance

Oxiracetam improves the performance of both cerebral hemispheres by increasing blood flow in the brain, especially on the left side. The left hemisphere of the brain is more responsible for performing functions related to logic, such as science and math, but also plays a role in receiving stimuli from the right side of the body. After taking Oxiracetam, the brain is able to more quickly assimilate, identify and interpret what we see, hear, smell, taste and touch. Sounds appear deeper, colors have better contrast and smells are more distinct.

It is easier to combine different stimuli to make quick decisions. What’s more, by expanding our perception to include external factors, we also become more aware of what our own brain is producing. This means that our intuition, or so-called sixth sense, becomes clearer and more accurate.

Increased concentration

Focusing on the activity at hand may not be easy for many people, as there are still a lot of distractions in the mind. But it is essential if we want our mind to work efficiently. We can’t remove all of our thoughts and distractions, but there are ways to teach the brain to respond better to such external and internal stimuli. This is where nootropic agents come in handy – they give the brain the energy to not succumb to distractions and be able to focus on what we want at the moment.

Oxiracetam makes the mind stick to a particular task for a longer period of time, without losing interest in it or wasting energy fighting distractions. Like most other nootropics, Oxiracetam stimulates the front part of the brain, which is responsible for attention.

Improved memory

In addition to increasing the speed of information processing in the brain, Oxiracetam can also affect better memory. The brain processes huge amounts of information and assimilates some of it for longer – this is how memory is formed. Sometimes all this memory content may not be readily available, although it may be there. We need it when making important decisions. To do this, the signals in synapses must be strong and fast. Oxiracetam strengthens these signals for a long time.

Oxiracetam also improves memory by alleviating neuronal damage, affecting brain metabolism, increasing brain blood flow and preventing astrocyte activation. The human brain consumes more than 20% of the oxygen supplied to the body. This means that if there is no proper blood flow, neurons are deprived of oxygen and glucose. In addition, due to the many metabolic processes in the brain, neurons are susceptible to oxidative damage caused by byproducts. Oxiracetam counteracts all these effects with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

All of these combined actions protect healthy neurons, promote brain plasticity and benefit the neurotransmitters responsible for creating, maintaining and sharing memory. This makes Oxiracetam a very useful supplement for learning subjects and performing tasks that require logical thinking.

Mood enhancement

In addition to stimulating acetylcholine and glutamate levels, Oxiracetam also has some effect on GABA, the brain’s main inhibitory messenger. However, the way it increases GABA levels is different from its effects on acetylcholine and glutamate. Instead of binding and activating GABA receptors, it acts as a cyclic gamma-aminobutyric acid derivative. Drugs such as benzodiazepines, for example, act in the same way to enhance the effects of GABA.

GABA is crucial. It inhibits excited neurons. When neurons are overexcited, they can cause anxiety, depression and even insomnia. GABA restores balance, counteracting depressive mood symptoms. It not only improves mood, but also increases focus and relaxation.

Dosage and side effects

The daily dose ranges from 800 mg to 2,400 mg. If one takes Oxiracetam regularly, the daily dose can be divided into two or three servings. On the other hand, if one wants to take this racetam ad hoc, before intellectual or physical exertion, it is used one hour before.

Studies show that it does not cause sleep problems, but because it has a stimulating effect it can make the time needed to fall asleep longer.

Oxiracetam is water-soluble, so it can be taken independently of meals. Bioavailability from the gastrointestinal tract ranges from 56-80%. The effects begin to be visible after 30-90 minutes.

Side effects are negligible, they usually occur with a significant overdose. They can include: headaches and dizziness, irritability, sleep problems.

Oxiracetam can be taken together with other racetams, such as Coluracetam or Sunifiram. This way you can boost their effects and lower the dosage at the same time. You can also add a source of choline, such as Alpha-GPC or CDP-Choline. Potential headache problems can be avoided with these drugs.