Fasoracetam: Benefits, Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects

A newer racetam family member, fasoracetam, is a smart drug that seems highly promising as a potential ADHD treatment.

Seen as a new cognition enhancer, it also bodes well in the areas of boosting memory, improving sleep, and alleviating depressive symptoms.

However, its most significant limitation seems to be the lack of human studies to back up many of its claims.

So, to gauge what this smart drug can and cannot do for you, our detailed fasoracetam review is here.

Contents

What is Fasoracetam?

Fasoracetam is a synthetic nootropic belonging to the racetams. A Japanese pharmaceutical company initially developed it for treating vascular dementia, but a lack of efficacy stopped its further development.

However, it is has recently reappeared in clinical trials, with research looking at its potential for treating different psychiatric disorders and improving general cognition.

The initiative has been taken up by Aevi Genomic Medicine that began clinical trials to investigate how this drug may affect people on the autism spectrum disorder, those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety.

Much of the research involves its effects on genetic mutations that impact metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) commonly prevalent in these conditions.

How Does Fasoracetam Work In The Brain?

As fasoracetam is a reasonably new substance, its exact mechanism of action isn’t fully understood.

But it is believed that fasoracetam works by interacting and modulating three critical neurochemical systems: the glutamatergic, cholinergic, and gabaergic systems.

All three can work in the capacity of a cognition enhancer with potential benefits like an improvement in cognitive function, reduced brain fog, and enhanced mental clarity.

Like other nootropic substances, fasoracetam increases acetylcholine levels. This cholinergic action helps enhance cognition, memory, focus, mood, alertness, neuroplasticity, and long-term memory.

At the same time, it also inhibits acetylcholine breakdown by cholinesterase, encouraging its uptake by cholinergic receptors.

The other neurotransmitter it works on is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by upregulating GABA (B) receptors.

GABA receptors are present throughout the central nervous system and, when activated, trigger excessive excitation inhibition in the central nervous system.

In other words, GABA soothes neurons to promote a sensation of calm and contentment. In addition, these mechanisms assist GABA to overcome anxiety, fear, sleep disorders, and depression.

The third mechanism involves the glutamate system. Fasoracetam also modulates primary metabotropic glutamate receptors, affecting cognitive functions, neuroprotection, synaptic plasticity, and general anxiety.

Imbalances of the neurotransmitter glutamate imbalances can be linked to several mental and physical disorders, including depression, ADHD, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few.

Of the eight known mGluRs, fasoracetam successfully restored the function of two inhibitory mGluRs, which lowered glutamate activity in the brain.

Conditions like ADHD are associated with low glutamate levels, and if fasoracetam can modulate all glutamate receptors, it may benefit people with ADHD.

Although human clinical trials are lacking, much of the evidence gathered from animal studies involving rats shows promising results.

What Are The Benefits of Fasoracetam?

Since fasoracetam acts on various systems in the human brain, this nootropic likely has some biochemical mechanism that underlies its apparent impact on memory and cognition.

Improves Memory and Learning

Research shows that fasoracetam works on specific glutamate receptors resulting in significant improvements in memory, mood, and learning ability.

However, there isn’t a lot of clinical data to support these claims in human subjects, but a small number of animal studies show promising results.

One clinical study, for instance, showed that fasoracetam drug administration was able to attenuate or reverse experimentally induced memory loss.

Another possible connection to improved mental performance may be how fasoracetam increases the choline uptake in the cortex and hippocampus.

Both these higher-order brain regions are involved deeply in various memory and cognition-related tasks.

One study investigated the effects of fasoracetam on cerebral ischemia and memory disruption.

Findings showed that administering the drug presented impacts brought on by high-affinity choline uptake, increasing acetylcholine release in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. It also suppressed GABA (B) receptor responses (1).

Reduces Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Among other effects of fasoracetam is its potential for reducing anxiety and managing depression symptoms.

Nootropics for anxiety usually have anxiolytic effects and fasoracetam, in this capacity, makes additional GABA available in the brain. This mechanism counters the excessive excitatory activity of the vital neurotransmitter glutamate.

Combined, these two mechanisms generate a smooth, non-jittery feeling, improved verbal fluency, and greater motivation to interact with others.

Alongside GABA, fasoracetam acts on glutamate as well. Both neurotransmitters are involved in maintaining the optimal balance of neural excitation and inhibition.

Any disruption or irregular activity has been linked to various psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.

By balancing these neurotransmitter functions, fasoracetam may help resolve common mood issues, increase motivation, reduce anxiety, and manage depression.

As such, its calming effects give it leverage as a potential treatment for relaxing the nervous system, alleviate depression, and even promote sleep.

Human use of the drug has many users reporting its mood-stabilizing effects. Fasoracetam users, in particular, have reported its efficacy to not only improve mood but also show a significant improvement in calmness and relaxation.

As such, many users find that taking fasoracetam is beneficial for managing anxiety symptoms. Once again, there aren’t any human studies to back up these claims. But some preliminary evidence from animal research offers positive results.

For example, one rodent study in this area found that rats given the drug were less susceptible to learned helplessness and demonstrated an easing in anxiety and depression-like behaviors (2).

Increases Alertness and Focus

Fasoracetam appears to show positive effects in mental performance related to alertness, focus, and concentration.

This benefit is once again associated with increasing choline reserves in the brain.

One study showed that acetylcholine efflux before a task led to sustained performance. Study participants had to encounter distractors which they successfully blocked and returned to the assigned task (3).

These findings support the evidence that a supplement boosting acetylcholine levels impacts attentional effort and task performance directly.

May Be a Potential ADHD Treatment

Animal studies show that fasoracetam modulates and restores the function of two types of inhibitory mGluRs that help balance glutamate activity in the brain.

In addition, some research suggests that it may regulate the entire mGluR system, which may explain fasoracetam’s potential as an ADHD treatment as the condition is typically characterized by reduced glutamate activity.

One small-scale study showed that fasoracetam effectively treated adolescents with ADHD with a condition related to a genetic variation in a glutamate receptor gene (4).

The compound was able to reduce ADHD symptoms with some evidence that these effects were long-lasting. In addition, many of the ADHD patients involved continued to experience reduced symptoms after stopping treatment with fasoracetam.

Research is also looking at its effects on childhood ADHD and whether it can enhance cognitive functions in this demographic.

With more research, it may just be what people need to replace their ADHD medication with, but we’re not there just yet.

Alleviates Withdrawal From Other Drugs

Unlike several other drugs, the use of fasoracetam minimizes withdrawal symptoms when recovering from misuse of certain medications, stimulants, and substances.

This reported absence of dependence favors the use of fasoracetam, but there is no documented research to verify the risk or safety of this drug.

How To Take Fasoracetam?

Fasoracetam is a water-soluble and orally bioavailable nootropic drug. This means that you can take this compound with or without food. You can also use it sublingually for improved absorption.

It is available in both powder and capsule forms. Some people prefer taking it sublingually for fasoracetam powder formulation, while others do not, given its extreme bitterness.

Fasoracetam powder may also be a better option if you like to customize your dose. Otherwise, you can go with the capsule option since both forms provide the same potency and effects. But it is essential to take it with supplemental choline.

Dosage

There is no official recommended dose for the use of fasoracetam, but human clinical trials have worked with a dose range of 50-400 mg daily doses.

One published study shows fasoracetam administered in doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg twice daily as part of a clinical trial (5).

Anyone looking to use fasoracetam as a general cognitive enhancer can look at lower doses of 20-50 mg per day.

Higher doses are typically often intended to treat specific problems. For instance, treating depression has involved dosages of around 100 mg or more.

Since it is a powerful nootropic compound, fasoracetam dosage should start with the lowest effective dose and only be increased if the desired effects are not experienced.

Fasoracetam use is non-addictive with no tolerance or dependence concerns reported by users.

What is The Half-life?

Fasoracetam is a fast-acting compound presenting its desired effects within 2-4 hours of oral ingestion with an overall 7-20 hours duration.

When compared to other racetam nootropics, this is relatively standard.

Fasoracetam Stacks

Fasoracetam users find that stacking fasoracetam with other nootropics may enhance brain performance relating to memory problems and managing mood swings.

Fasoracetam and Choline Stack

Taking fasoracetam with a choline supplement can reduce the chances of any negative side effects like headaches.

Both compounds potentiate each other where choline counters choline depletion allowing fasoracetam to provoke the production of more acetylcholine without side effects.

Fasoracetam and Phenibut Stack

Taking fasoracetam with phenibut seems to yield a significant improvement in boosting mental acuity, according to users.

Together the two nootropics form a basic but effective stack. The result is often a dramatic increase in cognitive effects.

However, you need to be very careful with dosing as phenibut can build emotional tolerance quickly. It is also recommended to use a choline supplement with this stack.

Fasoracetam and Noopept Stack

Another potent fasoracetam stack, this one uses two powerful nootropics to improve focus. Again, combined with a choline source, you get the complete package for an energized effect.

Does Fasoracetam Have Side Effects?

Fasoracetam seems to be a generally well-tolerated substance and is safe for most healthy individuals when taken responsibly.

However, like other supplements, it may present some adverse effects that need to be acknowledged.

Racetam nootropics, in general, can present side effects of mild fatigue, digestive discomfort, and headaches. Of these, headaches may be caused by depletion of choline due to enhanced choline uptake by fasoracetam.

These symptoms can be avoided by stacking fasoracetam with a nootropic that enhances choline, such as alpha GPC or CDP choline.

Since fasoracetam gets metabolized by the kidneys, anyone with impaired kidney function should consult their doctor first.

Given the lack of human studies, it is hard to find any published fasoracetam side effects. However, that does not imply that there aren’t any.

Likewise, there isn’t enough information about fasoracetam’s drug interactions. Since it is not established how fasoracetam interacts with other drugs, always consult with a professional who can provide medical advice regarding its use.

Pregnant or nursing women should avoid this drug as there is no current safety data for this demographic.

Where To Buy Fasoracetam?

Fasoracetam is available at several online stores and vendors.

Among these, we recommend the reliable company PureRawz as a source to buy fasoracetam. This brand backs up its products with third-party testing and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

And in case you are not satisfied with your purchase, the company will issue you a full refund.

Conclusion

Our review shows that fasoracetam shows a great deal of promise for managing neurological disorders such as ADHD symptoms, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety.

It also provides benefits for improving different areas of overall cognition, such as improving focus and concentration, minimizing memory disruption, and improving memory recall, all without the risk of tolerance or dependence.

This sums up everything quality nootropics promise for enhancing brain function. Unfortunately, it is still a rookie among synthetic nootropics and is considered a research chemical at best.

If you are keen on trying a new nootropic, you could proceed with caution. But if you want to stay with true and tried options, then fasoracetam may not be for you.