Phenylpiracetam | Phenotropil™

Properties: Results of clinical trials leave no room for doubt: phenylpiracetam improves cognitive functions. Participants of the studies noticed that it was easier for them to focus and that they assimilated information more efficiently and more quickly – especially in long-term memory. So much for the observations but how does it happen?

For sure one of the reasons why these effects occur is the fact that phenylpiracetam improves blood flow in the brain and “prompts” neurons to work more effectively as it stimulates their energy centers – mitochondria. No wonder that a well nourished and oxygenated brain works more efficiently and processes information more quickly.

No less significant is the fact that phenylpiracetam affects the balance of neurotransmitters – dopamine and glutamate. Their appropriate level results in an increase of energy level and motivation. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for the ability to focus on the particular task. Scientific studies have confirmed that phenylpiracetam increases the sensitivity and the amounts of receptors for dopamine. Scientists believe that this is the reason why phenylpiracetam has a positive effect on mood. Dopamine is released as a result of stimulation of the reward system and in general it is responsible for being satisfied with life.

Occurrence: Phenylpiracetam, like other racetams, doesn’t occur in nature. It is obtained in laboratories by chemical synthesis. The first synthesis of phenylpiracetam was conducted in 1983 by Russian scientists at the Institute for Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences.

Biochemistry: Phenylpiracetam is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the group of racetams. As all substances from this family, its molecule contains a 2-pyrrolidone ring, which is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Phenylpiracetam is the equivalent of piracetam, which differs in the presence of an additional phenyl group. Because of this structural difference it crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than piracetam. Phenylpiracetam is easily and quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Its blood plasma density peaks around half an hour after administration. It isn’t metabolized in the liver and around 40% of its unchanged form is exerted in the urine. The remaining 60% is exerted in bile and sweat. This fat-soluble compound easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. It increases the concentration of nicotine receptors for acetylcholine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors for glutamate. Phenylpiracetam also contributes to the improvement of blood flow in blood vessels supplying our brain with nutrients and oxygen. In addition, it stimulates neuronal mitochondria (structures that are responsible for energy production in cells).

Fun fact: Phenylpiracetam was developed for Russian cosmonauts. In the 80s of the 20th century Russian scientists were looking for a new generation of chemical compounds that would help astronauts adapt to and survive long-term stay in space. Alexandr Serebrov – a cosmonaut who was using phenylpiracetam during the 197-day mission to Mir described its effects in those words: “It acts as the equalizer of the whole organism (…) completely excluding impulsiveness and irritability inevitable in the stressful conditions of space flight”.