In our past articles, we explained that Nootropics are a family of medications that can improve brain function. They are also known as substances, supplements, and other cognitive enhancers that enhance our memory, learning ability, focus, creativity, alertness or motivation [1]
In addition, Nootropics are drugs with stimulating effects that can balance the symptoms of medical conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, narcolepsy, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Noopept is one of the most potent synthetic nootropics on the market sold as a cognitive function enhancer. It’s legal, potentially safe, and very effective. But should you take it as your regular supplement? Check out our full Noopept review.
Overview
Noopept is a synthetic molecule that was developed in the 1990s to slow down cognitive decline in the elderly. [*]
Despite its primary function as a cognition enhancer, some studies show that Noopept may be an effective stress reliever and mood enhancer.
It is often connected to Piracetam because the two work in a reasonably similar fashion, but Noopept is believed to be more than 1000 times more potent than Piracetam.
Pair that with a low price, and it is pretty evident why Noopept is getting at the top of everyone’s nootropics list.
But what does the study say about Noopept?
Our Experience
We had tested Noopept a couple of times in the past years. We usually avoid synthetic nootropics, but we got so many questions about the effects of Noopept that we just had to give it a try.
Our Noopept experience showed that this is a potent nootropic that might provide a few essential long-term health benefits, but in the short term, it doesn’t do much.
During our test, we expected energy or focus boost of some kind, but it never happened.
We feel much stronger effects when merely drinking coffee. Having said this, it doesn’t mean that Noopept doesn’t work.
Quite the contrary, We think it’s quite a beneficial nootropic (more follows below), but it’s not a short-term energy booster.
So don’t expect a magical kick, because most likely, you won’t be able to feel it if you don’t combine it with other nootropics, of course.
Now, we didn’t take it for a longer period, because we lack the know-how about the long-term use of synthetic nootropics such as Noopept.
Until more is known, we find it too risky to take such synthetic nootropics.
Benefits
With battling the cognitive decline in mind, Piracetam was used by scientists as the basis for the development of Noopept in 1996.
Therefore, it should not be surprising that brain scans show very similar brain functions after ingesting one or the other. [*]
For faster absorption, Noopept is taken in pill, powder or drop form. It takes about 7 minutes to reach the bloodstream.
But what are its main benefits?
1. It May Improve Cognitive Performance And Memory
As soon as it reaches the brain, Noopept (similar to Piracetam) improves the alpha brain waves, which may boost your cognitive performance.
It also increases the production of brain chemicals called Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus.
Researchers hypothesized the increase in the two neurotrophin factors correlates to sustained memory improvement, even though Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) are more associated with long-term memory improvement. [*]
2. It May Remove Brain Fog
Additional studies have proven taking Noopept also has a ‘cholinosensitizing’ effect on the brain, making the neuron receptors much more sensitive and reactive to the incoming neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Improved sensitivity to acetylcholine means the brain signals will travel faster, making your mind clear and ready for mental exercise.
3. It May Help With Stress
Along with improved memory and giving you better clarity of mind, Noopept is proven to be a far more effective stress reliever and mood enhancer than Piracetam.
There are many benzodiazepine receptors in the hippocampus, which are directly connected to how your stress level fluctuates. [*]
The main metabolite of Noopept has been proven to affect the hippocampus in an anxiolytic (anti-stress) action.
4. It May Boost Focus
There is even some evidence Noopept excites neurons. This means that Noopept may be used as a psychostimulant (focus booster), but there haven’t been any conclusive studies on the matter just yet.
5. It May Help With Alzheimer’s
Recent studies show that Noopept is neuroprotective and can help with preventing cell death from amyloid, which is one of the causes of Alzheimer’s. [*]
More studies have to be done to confirm this.
As you can see, Noopept provides a whole range of benefits. Since most studies have been done on animals or in test-tube, more research has to be done to confirm the effects on people and assure that supplementing Noopept is safe in the long-term.
Dosage
In essence, Noopept is a supercharged version of Piracetam, so the dosages will be far lower.
According to research, the recommended daily dosage is between 10 and 30 mg. It’s recommended to take a month-long break after every 60 days of use. [*]
These are the current guidelines for taking Noopept, as additional research to determine the optimal intake for humans is still in progress.
This is a powerful nootropic, so use rational judgment when taking it. And as we always recommend, consult your physician and follow the dosage guide before supplementing it. Ask your doctor before taking any nootropics, especially if you have other health issues, undergoing health treatment and taking other medications, to avoid drug interactions and health problems.
Side Effects
When taken in the range of 10-30 mg a day, clinical studies claim the side effects should be reasonably limited.
When taken in high doses, Noopept can cause:
- headaches
- fatigue
- nausea
- insomnia
To avoid Noopept induced headaches, it might be effective to stack it with choline, but more on that in the next section.
Noopept should also not interfere with any medications you may be taking, but practice caution and consult your doctor before use.
Also, we don’t know the long-term effects of supplementing Noopept. And we don’t know yet if you can build up a tolerance to Noopept.
How to stack It
As you can see by now, Noopept is one versatile nootropic, and it reacts very well when stacked with other compounds.
According to studies, Noopept is often combined with:
1. Choline
Choline has been reported to have a soothing effect on Noopept users getting used to the smart drug.
Because some may experience headaches in the initial stages of taking Noopept, adding a quality choline source such as of Alpha GPC may help you avoid the nagging headaches and reap only the benefits of Noopept.
300 mg of Choline has been reported to be an effective dosage when used side by side with Noopept.
2. Racetams
Adding racetams like Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, or even Piracetam might seem counterproductive since Noopept was designed to mimic the effects of Piracetam, right?
Well, not necessarily. Because Noopept and Racetams target different areas of the brain, the mentioned compounds may have a synergistic effect, taking mood, focus, and memory to even higher levels.
However, racetams are also synthetic nootropics, so you need to consult your doctor before supplementing them.
Half-Life
Noopept is known to have a very short half-life. For example, during clinical studies, it was shown that half of Noopept was eliminated from rodents in about 15 minutes.
In humans, Noopept half-life is around 30-60 minutes.
This means that in about an hour after you take it, Noopept should start providing the effects or show some improvements.
Compared to Piracetam (5-6 hours), Noopets’ half-life is much shorter, which adds to its popularity.
Users Feedbacks
Noopept is quite popular in the nootropic circles because of its effectiveness and price performance, so there is no shortage of other people’s reviews of Noopept.
Scroll down to see what other users have to say about it:
“I’ve read lots of good things about noopept and decided to try it to give me focus. Each dose works for a good time. The taste of the sublingual isn’t too bad, but I prefer capsules better. Taking noopept and the optimal choline is my currently preferred choice for a focus nootropic.”
“What an amazing, lifesaving, truly beneficial nootropic. I have experimented with a number of nootropics, and have found Noopept to be “hands down” my the absolute best and my favorite. I work for a start-up company where the pressure and hours can be quite grueling. Noopept has allowed me to continue working 12 hour days, with intense focus, concentration, and overall mental clarity for the entirety of those 12 hours. I ingest acetyl-choline approximately 30 minutes prior to using the Noopept, which has prevented “the headache”. The effects of Noopept are felt within about 5-10 minutes, and last for a sold 2-3 hours without a “crash”. In addition to the cognitive enhancement, I have also noticed better sleep and better mood.”
“Personally, in the first week I took it, it felt like I had become numb emotionally, highly logical, talked all the time, was impatient toward others lack of understanding when teaching something and was really sensible to temperature fluctuation in a room in a weird kind of way. Now after many months of cycling, it only give me a little more word fluency.”
I use noopept in 56 day cycles of 10mg twice a day. I then refrain for 7 days and then go back on the cycle. The effects I've had can only be described as positive. I feel as if it has corrected some aspects of my brain that I've previously damaged with past recreational drug use and legal pain killers after an accident. Clarity has returned, I don't forget what I was saying mid sentence like I was doing just a year ago, and my ability to concentrate has increased.”
“I love this product. It was one of the first nootropics I tried. I have had no headache or any side effect. It gives a clean, smooth mental energy , motivation and even a little mood boosting. I take it alone or stack with Alpha GPC and Aniracetam for stronger effects. It’s also great for menopausal brain fog! I’ve taken it for close to a year as it will always be a mainstay nootropic for me. . I do cycle off if I have to take too many days in a row to complete a project as the effects seem to diminish a little with daily use for me.”
Where to Buy It?
In short, Noopept may:
- improve your memory
- alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression
- speed up learning
- get rid of brain fog
- perhaps even give you a sharper focus
However, due to the lack of long-term studies and the dubious legal status of Noopept, we recommend avoiding it.
Instead, we recommend taking a a high-quality nootropic supplement instead. Find our final recommendation below.
Verdict
Your Inception currently does not recommend supplementing Noopept. Noopept seems like a great nootropic that is potentially very effective. However, we lack studies to confirm its long-term safety. Therefore, we cannot recommend it as a daily nootropic.
Instead, we prefer high-quality, reliable, safe, and effective nootropic stacks that can be taken in the long-term. Click on the button below to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It legal in the US?
Yes, Noopept is legal in the US and readily available. Noopept is not a controlled substance in the US. It instead qualifies as an unapproved drug, according to the FDA.
How long does It last?
After ingesting Noopept, you should see visible results for up to a little over an hour. If you wish to prolong the effects of Noopept, try dividing your doses into several smaller quantities and consume them in 45-minute intervals. It is recommended not to consume more than 30 mg a day, or you might be at risk of getting a headache and feeling irritable and/or nauseous.
What is It used for?
Noopept is used for improving memory, removing brain fog, dealing with stress, and improving overall cognitive performance. It is also used by people who are recovering from brain injuries.
Is It good for anxiety?
Yes, Noopept may be good for anxiety and dealing with stress. It has been proven that Noopept affects the hippocampus in an anxiolytic (anti-stress) manner.
Is It safe?
Yes, Noopept is considered potentially safe. However, long-term effects have not been proven yet. Until more is known, we recommend consulting your doctor before supplementing it.
6 thoughts on “Noopept: 6 Outstanding Benefits, Dosage, And Side Effects”
Do you recommend taking Noopept with Qualia Mind, cycling 5 days on with 2 days off? Thanks
Hi there, I replied to you under your other question! :)
So is it possible to jump from one to the other? Ie if taking adrafinal for a month – switch to noopet for a month and then back? Or is the strain to the body similiar enough from both? Ie when you cycle off does that mean no nootropics whatsoever or can you seesaw between diff ones and still maintain health?
Hi there, thanks for your question :) You can switch once, but I am not sure if switching from one to another every month will be beneficial in any way. I rather suggest choosing one that works better for you and sticking to it :) When it comes to cycling, I recommend taking no other nootropics on your “off days”, that’s kind of the whole point of cycling. Don’t worry, once you are taking nootropics for some time, the benefits won’t just disappear in the “off cycle period” :) Hope this helps!
Is noopept good for confidence?
Hi Jay, yes, some people report feeling better (hence, having more confidence), but I’d say there are better nootropics on the market for that. Check our list of best nootropics stacks :)