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Fasoracetam
A newer-generation racetam that uniquely upregulates GABA-B receptors and enhances high-affinity choline uptake, researched for ADHD, anxiety, and cognitive support with a distinct mechanism from other racetams.
Benefits
What is Fasoracetam?
Fasoracetam (NS-105, LAM-105) is a synthetic nootropic of the racetam family, originally developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Nippon Shinyaku in the 1990s for the treatment of vascular dementia. Although the initial clinical trials were discontinued, the compound was later acquired by Aevi Technologies (formerly NeuroFix) and entered Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of ADHD in adolescents with specific glutamatergic gene mutations (mGluR network variants). This makes fasoracetam one of the few racetams to have undergone modern, rigorous clinical development for a psychiatric indication.
Fasoracetam's mechanism is distinct from most racetams. While piracetam and aniracetam primarily modulate AMPA receptors and acetylcholine, fasoracetam's most notable action is the upregulation of GABA-B receptors. This is particularly significant because GABA-B receptor downregulation is a consequence of phenibut and baclofen use, and fasoracetam has gained a following in the nootropics community for its reported ability to restore GABA-B receptor sensitivity. It also enhances high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) in the hippocampus, supporting acetylcholine synthesis and cholinergic cognitive function.
- GABA-B receptor upregulation: Increases the density and sensitivity of GABA-B receptors, restoring GABAergic tone - particularly relevant after GABA-B agonist (phenibut, baclofen) use
- High-affinity choline uptake (HACU): Enhances the transport of choline into cholinergic neurons, increasing acetylcholine synthesis capacity
- Metabotropic glutamate receptor modulation: Influences mGluR signalling, which is relevant to the ADHD subtype with mGluR network gene variants
- Cyclic AMP modulation: May increase cAMP levels in cortical neurons, supporting intracellular signalling cascades involved in memory
- Acetylcholinesterase interaction: Some evidence suggests mild acetylcholinesterase modulation, though this is secondary to its GABA-B and choline uptake effects
- Nootropic dosage: 20-100 mg per day, taken sublingually or orally
- Clinical trial dosage (ADHD): 100-400 mg twice daily was used in the Aevi Technologies Phase II trials
- Sublingual administration: Many users report better effects when taken sublingually rather than swallowed, due to improved bioavailability
- Timing: Can be taken once or twice daily. Some users prefer morning dosing for focus effects
- Onset: Effects on focus and mental clarity may be noticed within 1-2 hours. GABA-B receptor upregulation effects develop over days to weeks
- Generally well tolerated: The ADHD clinical trials reported a favourable safety profile with no serious adverse events
- Possible side effects: Headache, fatigue, or gastrointestinal discomfort at higher doses
- Choline support: As with other racetams that enhance cholinergic function, supplementing with a choline source (citicoline, Alpha-GPC) may reduce headache risk
- Regulatory status: Not approved as a medication in any country. Available as an unregulated compound from nootropic suppliers
- Limited long-term data: While the ADHD trials provided useful safety data, long-term safety for nootropic use is not fully established
Natural Sources & Forms
- Powder: Available from nootropic retailers in powder form, typically with a small scoop for dosing
- Capsules: Some suppliers offer pre-capsulated fasoracetam in 20-100 mg doses
- Solution: Sublingual solutions available from research chemical suppliers
Frequently Asked Questions
A newer-generation racetam that uniquely upregulates GABA-B receptors and enhances high-affinity choline uptake, researched for ADHD, anxiety, and cognitive support with a distinct mechanism from other racetams.
The key benefits of Fasoracetam include: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Focus, Memory, Mood, Motivation.
GABA-B receptor upregulation: Increases the density and sensitivity of GABA-B receptors, restoring GABAergic tone - particularly relevant after GABA-B agonist (phenibut, baclofen) use High-affinity choline uptake (HACU): Enhances the transport of choline into cholinergic neurons, increasing acetylcholine synthesis capacity Metabotropic glutamate receptor modulation: Influences mGluR signalling, which is relevant to the ADHD subtype with mGluR network gene variants Cyclic AMP modulation: May increase cAMP levels in cortical neurons, supporting intracellular signalling cascades involved in memory Acetylcholinesterase interaction: Some evidence suggests mild acetylcholinesterase modulation, though this is secondary to its GABA-B and choline uptake effects
Nootropic dosage: 20-100 mg per day, taken sublingually or orally Clinical trial dosage (ADHD): 100-400 mg twice daily was used in the Aevi Technologies Phase II trials Sublingual administration: Many users report better effects when taken sublingually rather than swallowed, due to improved bioavailability Timing: Can be taken once or twice daily. Some users prefer morning dosing for focus effects Onset: Effects on focus and mental clarity may be noticed within 1-2 hours. GABA-B receptor upregulation effects develop over days to weeks
Generally well tolerated: The ADHD clinical trials reported a favourable safety profile with no serious adverse events Possible side effects: Headache, fatigue, or gastrointestinal discomfort at higher doses Choline support: As with other racetams that enhance cholinergic function, supplementing with a choline source (citicoline, Alpha-GPC) may reduce headache risk Regulatory status: Not approved as a medication in any country. Available as an unregulated compound from nootropic suppliers Limited long-term data: While the ADHD trials provided useful safety data, long-term safety for nootropic use is not fully established
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