Racetams are a type of nootropic cognitive enhancing drug that all share a similar chemical structure.

All racetams including the most common Piracetam, Pramiracetam, Aniracetam, and Oxiracetam have a 2-pyrrolidone nucleus made up of oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

Racetams are known for improving learning, memory, focus, mood and energy levels as well as positively effecting many of the basic components of brain health.

Most Racetams work by stimulating receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and some also improve uptake of glutamate by activating AMPA and NMDA receptors.

These two functions together make racetams one of the most powerful components of any nootropic stack and an excellent supplement for anyone who wants to improve the cognitive ability and health of their brain.

List of Racetams

There are over 1,600 different compounds structurally related to Piracetam that have been synthesized since the introduction of this nootropic agent.

All of these racetams share a similar pyrrolidine based in their molecular structure. Of these, only 300 have been studied in animals.

Out of these 300, there are 19 different racetam drugs that have been developed further, studied clinically, or licensed as medications around the world.

These substances are used in a variety of different health and medicinal applications but the most popular ones are those suitable for use as nootropics: Piracetam, Aniracetam, Oxiracetam and Pramiracetam.

The complete list of racetams is below:

  • Aniracetam
  • Brivaracetam
  • Cebaracetam
  • Coluracetam
  • Dimiracetam
  • Doliracetam
  • Dupracetam
  • Etiracetam/Levetiracetam
  • Fasoracetam
  • Imuracetam
  • Methylphenylpiracetam
  • Nebracetam
  • Nefiracetam
  • Nicoracetam
  • Omberacetam (Noopept)
  • Oxiracetam
  • Phenylpiracetam
  • Piracetam
  • Pramiracetam
  • Rolipram
  • Rolziracetam
  • Seletracetam

Below is some additional information on these four compounds to help you discover which is the best racetam to take for your needs.

1. Piracetam

Piracetam (also known as Nootropil) is by far the most widely used racetam drug. It also has the distinction of being the very first nootropic supplement ever discovered.

Piracetam works by stimulating the Acetylcholine receptor system causing more of this neurotransmitter to be released into the brain. This can improve long-term brain health and also poses a number of benefits for boosting brain powder in the short term.

Piracetam also has an incredibly low toxicity level on the human body making it much safer than even your daily cup of coffee.

Effects: Piracetam improved cognitive ability on several different metrics at once. Most notably, you will experience increased neuroplasticity which related to better learning and memory retention.

More immediately, you will begin to feel enhanced sensory perception and awareness. Piracetam is also an excellent concentration and studying aid because it increases motivation and gives you more energy.

Dosage: The recommended dosage for Piracetam is between 1 and 3 grams up to 3 times per day. You can purchase 500 g of Piracetam for $39.99 making this one of the cheapest racetams and nootropics for sale today.

How to Take: You can take Piracetam powder by mixing it into a glass of water along with any other nootropics you might be stacking together. It is recommended that you use all racetams with CDP Choline, Alpha GPC or some other source of choline.

Since Piracetam increases demands on the Acetylcholine system, having sufficient amounts of choline in your body to support this increased neurotransmitter production is very important.

2. Aniracetam

Aniracetam is a more potent and longer lasting cousin of Piracetam.

Because it is fat soluble, it takes longer for the body to break it down. This means both that the effects can take longer to feel and also that the effects are felt for a greater half-life.

Aniracetam is also a better Ampakine than Piracetam meaning it stimulates the AMPA receptors more effectively.

Effects: Aniracetam greatly increases focus and concentration levels as an AMPA receptor agonist. This makes Aniracetam one of the best racetams and nootropics for studying.

Aniracetam has also been recorded to improve perception of sounds and colors, increase communication between the two hemispheres of the brain, greatly reduce social anxiety and improve creativity.

Dosage: The recommended dosage is between 600 and 3000 mg per day. Most people will take Aniracetam every 4 hours or as needed to ensure the effects are felt throughout the day.

It is important to supplement with choline when using this racetam or you may experience headaches throughout your usage.

How to Take: Unlike most other racetams, aniracetam is fat soluble. The best way to take aniracetam powder is to mix it in milk because it will not properly dissolve in water. You can buy pure aniracetam powder for $17.99 for 50 grams.

3. Oxiracetam

Oxiracetam is a much stronger analog of piracetam that is also faster acting than both piracetam and aniracetam.

It is considered to be one of the more expensive racetams, but you can also get away with using a smaller dosage of this nootropic supplement.

Oxiracetam is frequently used to increase motivation levels and to alleviate symptoms of mental fatigue, but it is also a cognitive enhancer and brain booster along with the other racetams.

Effects: Using oxiracetam will cause you to experience improved spatial memory and learning of abstract concepts. Oxiracetam effects include higher levels of choline acetylcholinetranferase – a neuro-enzyme which is responsible for the creation of the acetylcholine neurotransmitter.

Oxiracetam is also connected with higher ATP levels leading to increased energy for mental tasks. Oxiracetam side effects are extremely mild with some individuals reporting fatigue after extended periods of studying or work when using this nootropic.

Dosage: The suggested Oxiracetam dose is between 750 – 1,600 mg per day. Most people will take their oxiracetam doses every 6 to 8 hours when studying or doing any sort of mentally exhausting work.

How to Take: Because Oxiracetam is water soluble, you can take it by mixing your powder into water just like Piracetam. For best results, stack with Alpha GPC and other natural nootropics either on their own or in a product like Alpha Brain.

4. Pramiracetam

Pramiracetam is the most premium racetam with 30 times the potency of piracetam.

It is considered the strongest of the racetam nootropics and it lasts the longest of them all. This may be in part due to the fact that it is fat soluble and more bio-available.

You will often find Pramiracetam stacked with other nootropics and racetams because it is recognized for greatly enhancing the effects of these other compounds.

Pramiracetam is also known to be one of the safest racetams available with side effects equivalent to those of table salt.

Effects: Pramiracetam is specifically known for increasing mental energy levels and giving the user increased alertness for up to 8 hours after taking it. It is a true productivity supplement that will also improve your memory and neuroplasticity making it easier to learn.

Dosage: The recommended daily dosage for pramiracetam is much smaller because it is so concentrated. You should take between 100 – 1,200 mg of this compound in a 24 hour period. Most people will take one dosage in the morning and then a second one in the early afternoon to benefit from the full effects.

How to Take: Pramiracetam comes in white powder form and is fat soluble. Like other fat soluble racetams, you can mix it with milk but not water.

Alternatively, you can buy your own pill caps to fill with Pramiracetam powder and design your own stack. This is a good option for anyone who is lactose intolerant or who wants to prepare their nootropic stack with several ingredients ahead of time.