Piracetam Vs. Noopept - Know Their Similarities And Differences

Has the comparison between Noopept vs. Piracetam ever crossed your mind? Most Nootropics enthusiasts would be wondering about the most effective one between the two. Nootropics, also known as smart drugs, are natural or synthetic substances that have the ability to improve mental performance. Two of the most popular Nootropics available on the market are Piracetam and Noopept.

In this blog, we have compared both nootropics based on their mechanisms of action, benefits, potency and bioavailability, half-life, costs, reviews, dosage, side effects, and interactions.

Piracetam and Noopept- An Overview

Piracetam is a nootropic drug that is used in the treatment of myoclonus and acts as a cognitive enhancer. Piracetam was developed between the 1950s and 1964 by Corneliu E Guirgea [1].

Noopept is a smart drug or nootropic that is used for cognitive enhancement. Developed in the 1990s, it is sold as a cognitive enhancer, a memory enhancer, and an anxiolytic.

Noopept Vs. Phenylpiracetam- Dosage Guidelines 

Phenylpiracetam is the analog (chemically similar) of Piracetam medication. The standard dose of Noopept is 10 mg and is available in tablets, liquid, and powder forms. For quicker effects, it is advisable to take the liquid form of the medication. 

Whereas, Piracetam can be taken orally or through syringes. 

Oral Administration

• For CABG heart surgery- 12 mg of Piracetam can be taken for 6 weeks following the surgery. 

• Epilepsy- About 9.6 to 24 grams of Piracetam can be taken for 18 months. 

• Vertigo- Piracetam or Nooptropil 800 mg is advisable for 1 to 8 weeks.

Through syringe

• For CABG surgery to improve the blood flow to the heart- About 12 grams is administered as a single dose by a physician for up to 6 days after the surgery.

• Vertigo- 1 to 2 grams of Piracetam is administered. 

Noopept Vs. Piracetam - Similarities And Differences

Let us have a look at some of the notable differences and similarities between these Nootropics. 

Uses and Benefits

Legal Status 

The use of Piracetam and Noopept may differ based on the country; in some countries, it may be available over the counter, while in others, it may be considered a prescription drug. 

The legal status of Piracetam- 

• Germany- It is a prescription medication under the 1 AMVV anlage. 

• United Kingdom- It is a prescription medication with no legal action for importing or possessing them. 

• Switzerland- Piracetam is a prescription medication in Switzerland and is listed as an "Abgabekategorie B" pharmaceutical product. 

• New Zealand- Piracetam is a prescription drug and can be purchased only with a doctor's prescription. 

The legal status of Noopept- 

• United States- It is not a scheduled medication and thus is available over the counter. 

• Australia- Schedule 4 prescription medicine. 

• United Kingdom- It is not legal to use Noopept in the UK. 

• Canada- The sale and distribution of Noopept in Canada is not legal. 

Medical Benefits  

- Piracetam

The benefits of using Piracetam Tablets are noted below- 

• May boost brain function- Piracetam may boost brain function, but it takes some time to show its effects on brain functioning [3].

• Piracetam may reduce dyslexia symptoms- Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects the ability to read, learn, and spell. A study suggests children taking Piracetam improved their reading and understanding of text [4].

• May protect against myoclonic seizures- Myoclonic seizures are characterized by sudden involuntary muscle spasms. It can interfere with daily activities such as writing, eating, and washing hands. Multiple studies have shown that Piracetam may protect against Myoclonic seizures. One such study from 2001 found that using Piracetam reduced the severity of their overall myoclonic seizures [5]. 

- Noopept

• Enhances Memory and Learning- Like Piracetam, Noopept enhances memory and learning. This makes it an effective stimulant as a brain cognitive enhancer. 

• Neuroprotective- Several mouse models suggest that Noopept is neuroprotective. However, the half-life of Noopept is very short, and higher doses may not be effective.

• Stress and Anxiety Support- Animal studies have shown that taking Noopept can significantly reduce animal anxiety. A similar human trial found that people taking 10 mg of Noopept daily experienced decreased anxiety [7]. 

The Onset Of Action

The action of Noopept starts in 25 minutes, whereas, Piracetam takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to show effective results. 

Duration of Action

The effects of Piracetam last for about 8 hours. Whereas the duration of action of Noopept is much weaker than Piracetam, and it lasts for 1 to 2 hours. 

The duration of action of medication may differ in people depending on numerous factors such as health conditions, dosage, half-life, etc. The half-life of Piracetam is 5 hours, and the half-life of the drug in the cerebrospinal fluid is 8.5 hours. On the other hand, the half-life of Noopept is between 30 to 60 minutes. 

Pregnancy Guidelines

The use of both Piracetam and Noopept is not advisable for pregnant women. Such people should take the stimulant only after consulting a physician. 

Bioavailability

Piracetam is absorbed well by the human body, which shows good bioavailability of the Nootropic. On the other hand, Noopept does not have good bioavailability, and for its better absorption into the body, it is taken sublingually [8]. 

Noopept Vs. Piracetam- Which Is A More Affordable Stimulant? 

The cost of Nootropil 800 mg, the brand name of Piracetam, at online pharmacies such as Remedy Counter is $1 per pill. On the other hand, the price of Noopept listed by the website wholistic Research is $23 for 50 pills. 

Noopept And Piracetam Stack- Is It A Good Idea?

Before we get into Noopept And Piracetam Stacking, let us understand what stacking is. Medicine stacking is a process of taking a medication before the peak effect of the previous dose has not been reached. This helps in achieving a better and more potent result. 

Things to consider and know while stacking Noopept And Piracetam-

• Know your goal and what you want to achieve from stacking them together. 

• Start with small dosages. 

• To experience the desired result, it should not take several days. 

So, is stacking Piracetam and Noopept ideal?

• One possible scenario to do so is by taking either one of the two Nootropic regularly and adding the other one at certain times when you need that extra boost. 

• While the other option is to cycle these nootropics to avoid developing tolerance. 

The following benefits can be achieved by stacking Noopept and Piracetam together-

• It helps in improving the cognitive functioning of the person. It thus improves focus, attention span, learning capacity, and concentration. 

• Stacking them is effective in enhancing memory along with enhancing sensory perception through sound and sight. 

The Perfect Stacking Dosage

We do not recommend stacking two stimulants to get a better result. In case you fail to receive the desired result from your Nootropic, it is best to consult a doctor a look for a Noopept or Piracetam alternative. 

However, if you are still willing to give Noopept And Piracetam Stack a try, here is how you should proceed or be aware of. 

• Noopept is 1000 to 5000 times more concentrated than Piracetam. 

• Dosage of Piracetam is taken 2 to 3 times a day, whereas Noopept is taken once daily. 

• Beginners should start with a lower dose of both the brain stimulant to let their bodies adjust to the medication. 

• There is no proven ratio for mixing them together, and hence it is best to keep trying till you get your perfect combination. 

Side effects of Noopept And Piracetam 

The side effects of both Piracetam and Noopept are similar and tend to go away as the body adjusts to them [9]. Some of the common side effects notable for both stimulants are listed below. 

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Depression

• Diarrhea

• Agitation

• Insomnia.

Piracetam Vs. Noopept - The Takeaway

So, who wins the battle between Noopept vs Piracetam? Based on our findings and Research, we choose Piracetam for the following reasons:

• The half-life of Piracetam is longer than that of Noopept; therefore, it has a longer duration of action. 

• Noopept is not studied well.

• Piracetam has good bioavailability than Noopept.