Piracetam vs Modafinil Benefits and Effects

Piracetam vs Modafinil

Since Piracetam and Modafinil are two of the most popular nootropics on the market, it stands to reason they are often compared and critiqued to see which one is most effective. Both of these drugs report they can improve many different brain functions though there are some differences in how they perform these actions. Many people find these two drugs can be easily stacked together for the best benefit to improve cognition, focus, drive and energy. Those who are considering whether or not to take Piracetam vs Modafinil will find this information is beneficial in helping them to make an informed decision for their nootropic needs.

Important Information on Piracetam

Piracetam is a nootropic drug that offers a wide range of benefits to those who suffer from cognition issues. The manufacturers of the drug promise it can offer help with a person’s memory and learning ability. This drug helps to boost the functions of the brain, for greater cognition, focus, concentration, and improved mood. Piracetam works with the chemical processes in the brain. It not only helps the brain but also works with the nervous system for a combined treatment.

The Benefits of Piracetam

There are many benefits to taking Piracetam on a regular basis. People take this medication because it benefits their cognitive function and mood. It also helps with social issues that people suffer from. The benefits of Piracetam are most noticed when it is kept at a regular level in the body which means it needs to be taken daily for the best results.

Memory and Learning — Studies dating back to 1976 have reported people who take 1200mg of Piracetam a day can benefit from improvements in active memory and recall. This can help a person overcome the brain fog they experience that prevents them from being able to retain their memory and be able to learn new information.

Concentration — Acetylcholine reacts with Piracetam to improve concentration and focus. This helps to prevent the mind from straying when concentration is attempted. This benefit is dependent on the individual’s experience with some reporting minor changes in concentration and others reporting much higher levels.

Sensory — People who take Piracetam often find their senses are improved and even heightened to where they are able to notice subtle nuances in hearing, taste, smell, touch, and sight. This is one of the first benefits people notice when they begin taking this drug as they find a big increase in the vibrancy of the colors they see around them.

Side-Effects of Piracetam

This drug is a water soluble medication which means it is generally safe and will not build up in high levels and be stored. Any excess amounts are flushed out of the body through the kidneys and urine. Most people find this drug to be well tolerable and not causing any major side-effects.

One of the most common side-effects is a headache and this often goes away as the body grows accustomed to the drug. Many users find taking a choline supplement with Piracetam helps to prevent the depletion of acetylcholine which often causes the symptoms of a headache. Other side effects that are experienced include:

* Mild anxiety

* Nervousness

* Agitation

* Sleepiness

The vast majority of people only experience these side-effects when they first begin taking the drug. As the body grows accustomed to the medication, these side-effects begin to fade and typically disappear within one to two weeks of first taking the drug. Ongoing side-effects are extremely rare and often are caused as a result of underlying medical conditions that were already present in the body. It is imperative people talk with their doctor to ensure there will be no medication interactions when they begin taking Piracetam.

User Reviews of Piracetam

In reading user reviews of Piracetam, most people report the drug is easy to take and does not cause many side-effects. The vast majority of people report positive benefits of taking the drug, such as:

* Being able to recall memory in minute detail, like they have never before been able

* The elimination of mental fog that prevents full concentration and focus

* Vividly lucid dreams they have never been able to experience

The main negative effect people report is feeling extremely tired when the medication is wearing off. Unfortunately, this tiredness can come on quickly. Many people have found taking choline with Piracetam helps to combat the feelings of tiredness.

Uses of Piracetam

Piracetam is used to help the brain focus better so a person can experience improved concentration, focus and memory recall. Many people take this as an Adderall alternative because it gives them the same effects as Adderall without the unwanted side-effects and the possibility for becoming addicted. Some people even use Piracetam with Adderall to balance the positive effects that are experienced.

Are There Any Dangers in Taking Piracetam?

This drug has been proven safe to take and is water soluble so there is no major worry of overdose. When used as directed, the drug offers positive effects with only minor side-effects being experienced.

Does Piracetam Need Choline?

Though not essential, many people stack choline with Piracetam to help prevent two side-effects that are most common in treatment. Taking Choline with this drug can help to prevent the headaches that some users experience. Choline can also help to prevent the feelings of tiredness that sometimes occur when the body is being depleted of the drug.

Dosages of Piracetam

This drug is taken in a wide array of dosages. Most people start off taking around 400 mg three times a day. The median dose of Piracetam is 800 mg three times a day. This drug should not be taken with alcohol, amphetamines or blood thinners. It should also not be paired with any recreational drugs.

Research on Piracetam

Extensive research has been carried out since Piracetam was first synthesized in the lab in 1964. Through extensive research, it has been found this drug can help people overcome many of the cognitive function declines that occur with aging. In a study carried out in 1974, the drug was found to have positive effects on those suffering from the first stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.

History of Piracetam

Piracetam was the first drug developed in the racetam family. This synthetic drug was created by the Belgium UCB Pharma lab in 1964. When this drug was created, it began a completely new family of drugs called nootropics. According to the drug manufacturer, Piracetam works on the brain’s corpus callosum. This crucial area of the brain manages all of the communication between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Since its introduction, Piracetam has been marketed under the names:

* Cerebrospan

* Encefalux

* Nootron

* Nootropil

* Psycotron

* Stimucortex

Long-Term Effects of Piracetam

The long-term effects of Piracetam are:

* Enhanced memory

* Enhanced senses

* Enhanced concentration

* Enhanced dreams and visualization

Short-Term Effects of Piracetam

While Piracetam mainly offers long-term effects, people report feeling an immediate sense of increased sensory perception without any major euphoria. People also feel increased energy that begins shortly after they take the drug.

Important Information on Modafinil

Modafinil is a drug that is used to help people stay more alert during the day. Many people use this medication when they suffer from excessive sleepiness because of sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Some people also take the medication so they can stay alert when working a third shift job.

Benefits of Taking Modafinil

Modafinil helps to raise histamine in the body and also increases locomotor activity in the brain. This helps a person to feel more awake and alert so they can stay focused without beginning to feel sleepy and tired throughout their day. People who take this medication also find they are able to think more clearly without experiencing the brain fog people feel when they are becoming sleepy or tired. Modafinil can also be used to improve a person’s short-term memory.

Side-Effects of Taking Modafinil

Though Modafinil is considered safe when it is taken as prescribed, there are some side-effects people can begin to experience. The majority of these side-effects are temporary and are only felt in the beginning stages of taking the medication. Side-effects may include:

* Weight loss

* Loss of appetite

* Increased blood pressure

* Nausea and vomiting

* Insomnia

* Nervousness and anxiety

* Dry mouth

People who experience these ongoing side-effects should consult with their doctor to determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking the drug. While extreme side-effects are rare, it is always best a person is under the care of their doctor when taking this medication so they do not begin to experience any dangerous side-effects that could affect their health in detrimental ways.

User Reviews for Modafinil

Most patients taking Modafinil rate it as an 8.4 out of 10. People who take the medication report they are able to stay more alert and even find their depression improves for a much more elevated mood. Though the medication is meant to make a person more alert, patients report Modafinil does not interfere with their sleep at night and they are even able to take a nap successfully if they feel they need it during the day. Though most people report feeling no ill effects from the drug, some say Modafinil causes them to feel overly tired once it is depleting from the body.

Uses of Modafinil

Modafinil is prescribed to patients who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness because of insomnia and other sleep disorders. It has been used to treat sleep apnea and narcolepsy. This drug helps to stimulate the brain for improved concentration, drive and full focus.

Dangers of Taking Modafinil

Though this drug is considered safe for most people, in rare instances it can cause serious side-effects that must be discussed with a doctor immediately. These side-effects include:

* Black, tarry feces

* Chest pain

* Mental confusion

* Trouble breathing

* Depression

* Shaking and tremors

* Unusual bleeding and bruising

If a patient is experiencing any of these side-effects, they need to contact their doctor immediately. The doctor may need to adjust the dose or may determine taking Modafinil causes too much of a risk to a person’s health. Though these side-effects are rare, they can occur so a person needs to carefully monitor their health for any major changes while taking this drug.

Does This Nootropic Need Choline?

While doctors typically do not prescribe a patient to take Choline with Modafinil, many people do. Most patients who experience a mild headache when taking this drug find it improves by stacking the medication with a Choline supplement. Some patients also report Choline helps to prevent the unwanted side-effect of extreme tiredness that some patients experience when the medication is leaving their system.

Dosages of Modafinil

The dosage of Modafinil depends on what it is being prescribed for. A doctor will typically prescribe 100 to 200 milligrams.

* Narcolepsy — 200 milligrams one hour before work or school

* Shift work sleep disorders — 200 milligrams an hour prior to work

* Children — The FDA has not approved this drug for children. When it is given, it is prescribed in the lowest doses possible.

The maximum dose of Modafinil is 400 milligrams a day. While this high level seems to cause no major complications or side-effects, substantial evidence suggests this milligram dose is no more effective than 200 milligrams.

Research Carried Out on Modafinil

Much research has been carried out over the years on Modafinil and its effectiveness. While it is often labeled as a “smart drug”, research suggests this label is erroneous because Modafinil only provides greater alertness and does not affect the way people are able to learn. Many students take a combination of Modafinil and Piracetam so the two medications can work together to help them with all of the issues that prevent effective learning. Research suggests around 90% of patients are able to better control their symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness when they take their dose of Modafinil as directed by their prescribing doctor.

History of Modafinil

The history of creating Modafinil began with the production of a stimulant called Adrafinil. This medication was created to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy, without the unwanted side-effects amphetamines caused when treating these conditions. Unfortunately, this drug had to be broken down by the body so it could be properly used. In studying the way the body broke down this drug, scientists were able to develop a new substance, called a metabolite. This metabolite was developed into the drug we know today as Modafinil. Since its introduction in the early 1970s, this drug has been successfully prescribed to treat a wide array of sleep disorders and has even been researched in being used for the treatment of mild depression symptoms.

Long-Term Effects of Taking Modafinil

Through the years, little has been understood about the long-term effects of taking Modafinil. The FDA has listed this drug as an IV controlled substance so it can only be taken with a prescription. It appears, according to research, there are no long-term effects associated with improved alertness and concentration. Modafinil clearly offers mostly short-term benefits that appear to go away once the medication is no longer being taken.

Short-Term Effects of Taking Modafinil

The short-term effects of taking this medication are improved alertness and focus. This medication does not begin working in full effect until around an hour after it has been taken. This is why doctors recommend their patients take the medication about an hour before they will need to be alert for their job or school. According to studies, the effects of this medication generally last between ten and fifteen hours though this can vary among patients.

Final Comparison of Piracetam and Modafinil

While these two drugs are considered the most popular nootropic drugs on the market, they each work independently and provide different benefits. Piracetam is a drug that can help people to have a better mental concentration and improved memory. Modafinil works on the brain as well, but it helps the mind to stay alert so sleepiness and tiredness do not begin to set in.

Many people have found a combination of issues causes their lack of focus, concentration and energy. Unfortunately, there is not a drug that can offer benefits for all of the issues some people suffer from. This is why many patients end up taking both of these medications together. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from sleep disorders and have cognitive issues that affect the way they are able to think and focus.

The benefits of stacking these two medications allow each to work together to give the best benefits they offer without the annoying side-effects taking them alone can cause. Since they seem to work synergistically, people are able to dramatically improve their alertness and mental focus throughout their day, no matter what conditions may have held them back in the past. Many people find taking these medications together helps to increase the positive benefits experienced.

With this combination of medications, people can experience these positive benefits:

* Improved memory

* Improved sensory perception and reasoning

* Elevated and improved mood

* Greater attention span

* Improved focus

* Higher levels of energy

When stacking these two drugs together, the experts recommend patients first take Piracetam to allow their bodies to grow accustomed to the drug for about two weeks before Modafinil is introduced. This method of stacking can help to reduce the unwanted side-effects people experience when they first attempt to combine the two medications.

It can also be widely beneficial for people to include Choline as a part of the two medications. This trio works together to ensure the best benefits are experienced while headaches and tiredness do not occur.

Final Thoughts on Piracetam and Modafinil

Both of these medications have been used for decades to help people overcome a wide array of cognitive function issues. When they are used together, they form a super treatment that seems to take care of all of the negative issues people experience when their cognition and alertness is lowered because of health concerns, sleep disorders, and increased age.

Before combining these medications, it is crucial people speak with their doctor and carefully research each nootropic to ensure the two will work together to help them overcome their issues with cognitive focus. When used as directed and dosages are increased slowly, most people do not experience any major side-effects that would leave them unable to continue taking Piracetam and Modafinil together.

Those who are suffering from lowered memory, issues with cognition and understanding, lowered ability to learn and recall, excess daytime sleepiness and fatigue and problems with energy, drive and motivation will find these two drugs can help. Though some effects can be felt immediately, many take time to begin working together to dramatically improve a person’s brain function.

Given ample time and when taken as directed, Piracetam and Modafinil can produce positive effects that they could not offer alone. When these two powerful nootropic drugs are combined together with Choline, the results are even more favorable, allowing a person to experience all of the benefit these medications offer while reducing the common unwanted side-effects that may cause the drugs to be less desirable for people needing treatment.

As long as people use caution and avoid mixing these drugs with recreational drugs, alcohol and prescription drugs, there should be no worrisome interactions. Those who take prescription medications or have major health concerns should first consult with their doctor before they begin the Piracetam/Modafinil therapy. This combination has been used for years and has helped thousands of people to be better able to function in their day to day life without feeling overwhelmed, out of touch and having difficulty remembering or learning. When adults use this medication, they typically begin feeling the best benefits after one to two weeks while some report feeling them right away. Piracetam and Modafinil can help people overcome their cognitive difficulties so they can improve their performance on the job, in school and in their everyday life.