Phenotropil is one of the brand names under which the nootropic drug, phenylpiracetam is sold. Phenotropil is estimated to be approximately 30 to 60 times more potent than piracetam. It is also one of the more popular racetams used not only for cognitive enhancement, but to improve physical performance as well. Competitive athletes and fitness enthusiasts also use phenotropil often as part of their preworkout supplement stacks to benefit more from their training.
Phenylpiracetam has a phenylated analog structure of piracetam. The addition of the phenyl molecule makes phenylpiracetam more potent and more bioavailable. There are tests indicating that phenylpiracetam drugs like Phenotropil cross the blood-brain barrier faster and more efficient than other racetams with traces of it observed to be present in the central nervous system in less than 15 minutes after administration.
Developed in the former Soviet Union in 1983, phenylpiracetam or Phenotropil is being prescribed for a variety of neurological and psychological disorders. These include dementia, depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline due to ageing. Phenotropil is also being investigated for its potential as treatment or management of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Phenotropil has also been observed to increase the physical stamina of its users. This is the main reasons why its use is also popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Using phenotropil can also make one more tolerant of pain and more resistant to cold. This property of phenylpiracetam is apparently so effective that it is included in the list of banned substances by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
While Phenotropil may be banned in the Olympics and other international sporting events, it is legal in most countries including the US for personal use or as a dietary supplement. Its lack of abuse potential and low toxicity profile makes it one of the better cognitive enhancers to use. Phenotropil acts by stimulating the activity of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter in the brain thought to be responsible for most of the brain’s cognitive processes. This is also the reason why Phenotropil is ideally taken with choline supplements like Alpha GPC or citicholine.
Experienced nootropic users who have tried Phenotropil give the product generally good reviews. Users report of a noticeable improvement in their ability to retain new information as well as dig up old memories. These users also claim to experience an enhancement in their logical reasoning, their learning abilities, and have also noticed that they have become more articulate. Some report of an unusually acute mental focus and the ability to resist outside stimuli when concentrating on a problem.
Although it may seem as if everything is butterflies and sunshine for Phenotropil, there are a few but legitimate downsides to supplementing with the drug. One of them is down regulation or the development of tolerance for it. Users report of requiring higher dosages within 10 days of using Phenotropil. It is also known to cause mild to severe headaches, which users say can be manageable with the addition of a choline supplement. Other side effects from Phenotropil supplementation include nausea, disturbed sleep patterns, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, depression, and upset stomach.
PROS
- It is more potent than other racetams
- It is an effective nootropic agent.
- It can help stabilize your mood.
- It has physical benefits as well.
CONS
- One can develop a fast tolerance for it.
- It can cause severe headaches.
- It has its own share of unpleasant side effects.
Other phenylpiracetams are sold in powder form and are usually pharmaceutical grade. Phenotropil on the other hand comes in 100mg tablets. The daily recommended dosage for experienced nootropic users is between 200 to 300mg daily. Those who are new to nootropics will require a smaller dose, but Phenotropil may not be the best nootropic for beginners to start supplementing with.
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