Aniracetam For Anxiety and Focus

Aniracetam is one of the most popular nootropics being used around the world today. It is effective for a lot of people, has an excellent safety profile, and is readily available from a variety of online nootropic vendors. The benefits that aniracetam users report include increased focus, reduced anxiety, improved mood, faster learning, and better memory. But don’t just take their word for it. There’s plenty of science to support the safety and effectiveness of this potent nootropic. In this article, we’re going to take an in-depth look at aniracetam’s benefits, safety, dosage, and other relevant info. But first, let’s see what exactly aniracetam is.

What Is Aniracetam

This is a popular nootropic that is a member of the racetam family. The racetams are chemically-similar compounds, many of which are nootropics, and include piracetam, phenylpiracetam, oxiracetam, and several others. Aniracetam, known by chemists as N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone, is sold as a prescription drug in Europe under the brand names Sarpul, Memodrin, Referan, Draganon, and Ampamet.

While researchers were experimenting with piracetam in the 1970s, making slight alterations to the molecule, aniracetam was created. Since then, it has been used as a prescription medication in Europe and other parts of the world to treat a variety of conditions. And over the past decade or two, aniracetam has become popular among nootropic users. They often report that it can decrease anxiety, increase focus, and do a whole lot more. But we’ll get to aniracetam’s benefits in the next section. First, let’s take a look at how aniracetam works.

One of the ways that aniracetam works in the brain is by modulating AMPA receptors. These receptors are located all throughout the nervous system (including the brain) and play a vital role in communication between cells.

Aniracetam is also known to affect serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate receptors. These are all well-known neurotransmitters that assist in communication between neurons (nerve cells, including brain cells). Serotonin is known to play a role in mood, appetite, and sleep. Dopamine plays a role in motivation, pleasure, libido, and anxiety. And glutamate is involved in memory, learning, and a lot of other aspects of cognition.

Now that we’ve taken a look at what aniracetam is, let’s explore some of its benefits. We’ll see what nootropic users are reporting and take a look at the science to see if it supports these claims.

Aniracetam Benefits

Nootropic users have reported a wide variety of benefits from aniracetam. I’ve even had several experienced nootropic users tell me that, of all the ones they’ve tried, aniracetam their favorite. Some of the benefits that people have reported from aniracetam include increased focus, reduced anxiety, improved mood, better memory, and overall cognitive enhancement. But what does the science have to say about this interesting substance? Let’s dive in one benefit at a time.

Reduced Anxiety

One of the most commonly reported benefits of aniracetam (and one of the most common reasons for use) is reduced anxiety. Users often report that they feel more relaxed and experience less unwanted thoughts. I should note that I’ve personally experienced this with aniracetam. Though there haven’t yet been any rigorous human studies to text aniracetam’s effect on anxiety, there have been some promising animal studies.

A study published in 2001 looked at the effect aniracetam had on three different mouse models of anxiety. Mice are often used in studies because the way they respond to drugs is strikingly similar to the way humans do. In all three models of anxiety, the mice given aniracetam showed reductions in anxiety and stress.

Improved Memory and Learning

Another widely-reported benefit of aniracetam is improved memory and learning. Users often report that they find it easier to remember words and to memorize new ones. And there are several human and animal studies to support these claims.

A study published in 2012 looked at the effect aniracetam had on patients with cognitive impairment. Researchers compared the effectiveness of aniracetam to cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), drugs used to treat things like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were given either aniracetam, a ChEI, aniracetam and a ChEI together, or placebo. Out of all four groups, the participants in the aniracetam-only group had the best long-term outcomes.

An animal study from 1982 looked at the effects that aniracetam would have on learning and memory in rodents. The researchers noted 6 distinct positive effects it had including improved learning, better memory, and the prevention of drug-induced amnesia.

Improved Mood

Another nootropic benefit that aniracetam users report is improved mood. Some aniracetam users have even said that it works better than the prescription antidepressants they’ve tried. Human studies are needed before this can be stated conclusively, but preliminary animal research is promising.

A study done in 2001 looked at the effect aniracetam had on rats. The results of the study showed that, while aniracetam didn’t seem to have an antidepressant effect on younger rats, it did have one for aged rats.

Another animal study from 2002 showed similar results. Researchers tested the effect that several racetams, one of them being aniracetam, had on rats. They found aniracetam to have an antidepressant-like effect. The researchers also noted that aniracetam’s antidepressant effect came on faster than that of fluoxetine (Prozac), a common prescription antidepressant they compared it to.

Increased Focus

Yet another benefit that aniracetam users often report is an increase in focus. While I couldn’t find any human or animal studies that explore this directly, it’s not hard to understand why this benefit might be so commonly reported. And it’s a benefit that I’ve personally experienced with aniracetam.

If you have a lot of unchecked anxiety, are depressed, or have trouble remembering things, odds are you have trouble focusing, too. I, for example, have dealt with anxiety issues off and on for years. And when I’m really anxious, I can’t focus on anything except my anxiety. When I take aniracetam, it reduces my anxiety to a point where I’m not focused on it and I can devote my attention to other things. It’s not unreasonable to assume aniracetam’s focus-enhancing effect might be the byproduct of its anti-anxiety, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing properties.

Aniracetam Dosage

Aniracetam is usually taken in a dosage of 750-1,500 milligrams (mg) a day. Most people find dosages within this range to be effective. People often take it twice a day. So, if your dosage is 1,500 mg a day, take two 750 mg doses.

You can take aniracetam with or without food. However, since it is fat soluble, experts recommend taking it with food. Eating a small meal, one that contains some fats (saturated or unsaturated doesn’t matter) will help your body to absorb aniracetam better.

Aniracetam is available in powder and capsule form. The powder can be incredibly bitter, so most people prefer to go with capsules.

Aniracetam Side Effects

Studies have shown that individuals tolerate aniracetam very well. Clinical trials have demonstrated that up to 1,500 mg of aniracetam daily for several months straight is very safe. Side effects are rare but may include headache, nausea, upset stomach, anxiety, and diarrhea. If you experience any of these side effects, discontinuing aniracetam should make them go away quickly.

Also read our blog on Best Nootropics for Daily Use