What Are Racetams and How Do They Work?

The essential guide to racetam nootropic substances, how they work and what benefits they have to offer.

When discussing nootropics, one name continues to come up in the growing conversation: racetams. This synthetic class of drugs comes in a few different types, and some of them are heralded as leading nootropic substances thanks to their cognitive enhancement abilities.

Due to the fact that racetams aren’t natural substances, some might be concerned about using them as a nootropic. Although technically they are cognitive enhancers, there is a lot you need to know about this class of drugs if you’re considering using them for brain performance.

We’re going to explore the racetam class of drugs further to see what exactly they are and whether they offer any real benefits. If you’ve been wondering are racetams safe and whether you should choose a nootropic stack that features this syntenic ingredient, all of your questions will be answered in this article.

What Are Racetams?

Racetams are a class of drugs that include some like piracetam, which is a nootropic, and others like levetiracetam which is an anticonvulsant. These drugs all share a pyrrolidone nucleus which means they have the same organic compound.

Within the racetam family, there are many different types of drugs, but the ones most commonly used as nootropics are piracetam, aniracetam, oxiracetam, and phenylpiracetam. Although these drugs are technically nootropics in that they offer cognitive enhancement, they also come with additional side effect warnings as they’re not a natural substance, but generally not as many as other forms of medication.

Piracetam is also used as a medication to treat Alzheimer’s disease and help those suffering from age-related memory loss. It is this medicinal use that led nootropics users to discover the other benefits it could have on the brain, and they are now a popular choice for people seeking cognitive enhancement.

How Do They Work?

As there are many drugs in the racetam family, we need to know how each of them works differently. When it comes to piracetam and others that are used as nootropics though, there are some key ways that they improve the function of you brain.

Firstly, a racetam is capable of improving blood flow to the brain. This gives your brain more fuel and boosts its metabolism which means you’ll feel a greater focus, more mental energy, and an ability to concentrate better than before.

Secondly, racetams work with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, both improving the production of it and slowing down the degradation. Acetylcholine is an essential neurotransmitter in the brain as this is the one responsible for logic, memory, and attention, among others. It’s clear to see then why racetams are such a popular choice for nootropics as these drugs target all of the key areas of the brain.

The Different Types of Racetams

There are many types of racetams, and not all are used as nootropics, but this class of drug is mainly known for its effects on the brain. These are just some of the more common nootropics that fall under the racetam family and what each of them can do.

• Aniracetam

The body takes a long time to break this down and its effects will be felt for longer than others. Aniracetam is a more powerful substance that has seen great benefits for people who suffer from stress and anxiety without having some of the worrying side effects that other psychoactive drugs have.

• Piracetam

Often heralded as the very first nootropic drug ever, piracetam is a good choice for nootropic stacks because it’s not as potent as others in the family. This drug is especially helpful for people already suffering from mental decline due to age and other illness, but still has promising benefits for healthy people.

• Oxiracetam

This is considered the most stimulant like of the family, and it’s also the most expensive and strongest racetam. Best used for people who require analytical and logical thinking but also good at improving your memory.

• Phenylpiracetam

This nootropic is a popular choice among students as it is said to give you an increased focus and concentration as well as a boost of mental energy, without any jittery after effects. It is the most modified of the racetam family and probably not ideal for those who prefer natural nootropics. It is banned for Olympic athletes and in the UK due to its potency.

Do They Really Work?

The racetam family of drugs are still relatively new and have yet to receive conclusive testing that can prove its benefits. For those who are new to nootropics or want to choose a stack that features at least one racetam, piracetam is usually the best place to start.

The benefits of racetams are what make them so popular, and although they’re mainly used in a clinical setting for those with conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or age-related memory problems, there is promise in what they can offer healthy brains as well. These are just some of the benefits that the racetam family can offer:

• Increased sensory perception.
• Improved working memory which allows you to store information for longer.
• Focus and concentration are increased so that you stick to the task at hand.
• Increased alertness and mental energy levels.
• Improved mood and feeling of wellbeing.

Choosing Safe Nootropics

There’s no doubt that the racetam family of nootropics has a lot to offer in terms of cognitive function, but as a user of this class of supplements , it’s your responsibility to ensure you’re doing it safely. While racetams are said to have fewer side effects than other medications, you still need to be aware of what effects you’re feeling when taking them.

For people who are interested in synthetic nootropics as well as natural, piracetam seems a good place to start. The mildest member of the racetam family and first ever nootropic is a safer way to experience its benefits and perhaps use them in conjunction with other natural ingredients in a nootropic stack.