This profile is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before use. See full terms.
Phenylpiracetam
Phenylpiracetam is a potent racetam nootropic with an added phenyl group that dramatically increases bioavailability and stimulant properties. It enhances physical and mental performance, focus, memory, and cold tolerance - notably banned by WADA as a performance enhancer.
Benefits
What is Phenylpiracetam?
Phenylpiracetam (also known as Phenotropil or Carphedon) is a modified version of piracetam with a phenyl group attached to the pyrrolidone nucleus. This structural modification makes it approximately 20–60 times more potent than piracetam, while also adding psychostimulatory and physical performance-enhancing effects that piracetam lacks.
Developed in Russia in 1983 by the Russian Academy of Sciences, phenylpiracetam was originally created for cosmonauts to enhance physical and cognitive performance in the extreme conditions of space. It is one of the few nootropics to be banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as a performance-enhancing substance, which speaks to its notable efficacy.
Phenylpiracetam is valued for its ability to provide clean, focused stimulation alongside cognitive enhancement. Users frequently describe it as combining the cognitive benefits of piracetam with the alertness and drive of a mild stimulant - without the anxiety, jitters, or crash associated with caffeine or amphetamines.
- Dopamine and norepinephrine modulation: Increases the density of dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptors, as well as norepinephrine receptors, enhancing motivation, focus, and alertness.
- NMDA receptor modulation: Like other racetams, it modulates NMDA glutamate receptors, supporting synaptic plasticity and memory formation.
- Acetylcholine enhancement: Increases cholinergic activity, supporting attention, memory, and cognitive processing speed.
- Cold tolerance: Enhances tolerance to cold environments, likely through increased norepinephrine activity and peripheral vasoconstriction.
- Anti-convulsant and anxiolytic: Exhibits anticonvulsant properties and reduces anxiety without sedation, a hallmark of racetam compounds.
- Physical performance: Increases physical stamina, reduces perceived effort, and enhances locomotor activity - the basis for its WADA ban.
- Typical dose: 100–300 mg per day, taken in 1–2 doses
- For cognitive enhancement: 100–200 mg in the morning
- For physical performance: 100–200 mg taken 1–2 hours before exercise
- Maximum: 300 mg per day - effects plateau and side effects increase beyond this
- Cycling: Tolerance develops quickly - most users limit to 2–3 times per week or cycle 1 week on, 1 week off
- Best taken: Early in the day due to stimulant properties. Can be taken with or without food.
- Side effects: Headache, insomnia, irritability, and overstimulation - especially at higher doses or late in the day.
- Tolerance: Develops rapidly with daily use. Intermittent or cycled dosing is strongly recommended.
- WADA banned: Prohibited in competitive sports as a stimulant (category S6).
- Drug interactions: May interact with stimulants and dopaminergic medications. Avoid combining with other racetams or strong stimulants.
- Legal status: Prescription medication in Russia (Phenotropil). Available as a supplement or research chemical in many other countries.
Natural Sources & Forms
- Synthetic compound: Does not occur in nature - synthesised as a derivative of piracetam
- Supplements: Available as capsules and powder from nootropic vendors
- Brand name: Phenotropil, Carphedon (Russian prescription brand - discontinued in 2017, generics remain)
- Note: Supply has been intermittent since the original manufacturer ceased production. Verify source quality carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phenylpiracetam is a potent racetam nootropic with an added phenyl group that dramatically increases bioavailability and stimulant properties. It enhances physical and mental performance, focus, memory, and cold tolerance - notably banned by WADA as a performance enhancer.
The key benefits of Phenylpiracetam include: Cognitive Enhancement, Creativity, Energy, Focus, Memory, Mood, Motivation.
Dopamine and norepinephrine modulation: Increases the density of dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptors, as well as norepinephrine receptors, enhancing motivation, focus, and alertness. NMDA receptor modulation: Like other racetams, it modulates NMDA glutamate receptors, supporting synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Acetylcholine enhancement: Increases cholinergic activity, supporting attention, memory, and cognitive processing speed. Cold tolerance: Enhances tolerance to cold environments, likely through increased norepinephrine activity and peripheral vasoconstriction. Anti-convulsant and anxiolytic: Exhibits anticonvulsant properties and reduces anxiety without sedation, a hallmark of racetam compounds. Physical performance: Increases physical stamina, reduces perceived effort, and enhances locomotor activity - the basis for its WADA ban.
Typical dose: 100–300 mg per day, taken in 1–2 doses For cognitive enhancement: 100–200 mg in the morning For physical performance: 100–200 mg taken 1–2 hours before exercise Maximum: 300 mg per day - effects plateau and side effects increase beyond this Cycling: Tolerance develops quickly - most users limit to 2–3 times per week or cycle 1 week on, 1 week off Best taken: Early in the day due to stimulant properties. Can be taken with or without food.
Side effects: Headache, insomnia, irritability, and overstimulation - especially at higher doses or late in the day. Tolerance: Develops rapidly with daily use. Intermittent or cycled dosing is strongly recommended. WADA banned: Prohibited in competitive sports as a stimulant (category S6). Drug interactions: May interact with stimulants and dopaminergic medications. Avoid combining with other racetams or strong stimulants. Legal status: Prescription medication in Russia (Phenotropil). Available as a supplement or research chemical in many other countries.
Overall Rating
Log in to rate this nootropic.
Comments
Log in to leave a comment.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your experience!