Noopept: Benefits, Uses, Dosage, and Side Effects

If you have ever wondered what you could accomplish if you weren’t mentally tired or stressed, then you may want to hear about the increasingly popular nootropic known as noopept.

Noopept is 1000 times more potent than piracetam and is an exciting new tool for unleashing cognitive potential and improving brain health.

More on the benefits later, but first, we should look at what noopept is and how it works as a unique nootropic.

Contents

What is Noopept?

Noopept is a synthetic nootropic drug with a threshold dose 1000 times lower than the more popular nootropic, piracetam.

Noopept, also known as noopeptide, has a short half-life and was developed based on piracetam structure without being a part of the racetam family. 

The nootropic effects of noopept are like but not the same as the effects of other nootropics.

The chemical name is n-phenylacetyl-l-prolylglycine ethyl ester, and it is a prodrug of cycloprolylglycine, which is thought to be responsible for many of the noopept benefits (1).

Even though n-phenylacetyl-l-prolylglycine ethyl ester was first patented in Russia less than 30 years ago, it has gained ground as a popular nootropic.

The rising popularity has made it difficult for some supplement manufacturers of brand-name noopept to keep this product stocked.

Many people now tout the benefits of a noopept stack alongside other beneficial nootropics.

Noopect is commonly used for its cognitive results and to provide a boost to your overall brain health and well-being. However, a lot of nootropics users are unsure about how noopept works. 

How Does Noopept Work?

Noopept does several things in the human body, contributing to the overall effect on well-being. Many noopept effects are related to the production of cycloprolylglycine.

Since n-phenylacetyl-l-prolylglycine ethyl ester is a prodrug of cycloprolylglycine, when a person consumes noopept, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and increases the production of cycloprolylglycine.

This regulates the acetylcholine processes.

Acetylcholine (ACh) is essential for learning, memory, and attention span. Furthermore, studies indicate that noopept simultaneously regulated glutamate levels (2).

Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, and ACh is a neurotransmitter that signals a variety of receptors and neurons throughout the entire body.

Research shows that glutamate and ACh are associated with the activity of the NMDA and the AMPA receptors. By regulating the levels of glutamate and ACh, noopept prevents oxidative damage and keeps the brain functioning properly.

Noopept also acts by increasing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) (3).

Poor levels of NGF and BDNF are associated with cognitive impairment.

By fostering the expression of NGF and BDNF, noopept allows the brain cells to strengthen the neurons and their connections and processing pathways and can help to combat the cognitive and neurological decline.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor plays a crucial role in neuronal support, allowing the neurons and brain cells to survive and grow.

In addition, research shows that the BDNF helps to foster positive plasticity, which is necessary for proper learning and memory functions (4).

Noopept also acts on alpha brain waves which assist in the function of memory. Fostering alpha waves may allow us to recall information better and understand problems and their solutions, which is crucial for overall memory function.

When we use noopept, we increase the tonic inhibition within the hippocampus, contributing to improved well-being and reduced anxiety levels. 

What Are The Benefits of Noopept?

Noopept is unique because of its potency and fast mechanism of action, and the number of cognitive advantages it can provide.

Not only can you achieve cognitive and mental health benefits at lower doses, but the anti-anxiety and neuroprotective effects are more prevalent with noopept than with other nootropics.

If you struggle with brain fog, anxiety, depression, brain injury, or age-related cognitive decline, noopept may be just the thing.

Improves Mood and Emotional Balance

Noopept is excellent for elevating mood and stabilizing negative emotions.

In addition, it does not alter personality or cause adverse effects like some prescription mood stabilizers or antidepressants.

Several research studies suggest a noopept supplement is suitable for mood and emotion management. 

In one study, the participants who received the noopept doses reported a reduction in irritability and anxiety.

In addition, the study found that others who received noopept suffered from fewer headaches or experienced more restful sleep. Reducing aggravation can significantly improve your overall well-being.

The treatment of headaches and sleep improvement may be beneficial for productivity, concentration, and overall well-being.

Using a noopept supplement can make us feel better by helping us keep healthy habits regarding mental well-being and maintenance.

Boosts Memory and Cognition

There is a solid amount of research on noopept benefits for those who have suffered from disease or injury resulting in problems with cognition.

The research on patients with mild cognitive disorders or issues with their brain function and information processing is astounding and shows the miraculous effect that noopept can have on cognition.

In addition, there is a growing consensus that noopept increases learning ability, sometimes with only a single dose (5).

Noopept can help you unleash your cognitive potential and improve your learning ability and memory formation. 

Researchers believe that when comparing noopept and piracetam, noopept is a more potent memory enhancer than piracetam and other racetam substances.

Studies on animals who were subjected to amnesia with electric shock experienced significantly more cognitive enhancement with noopept than they did with piracetam (6, 7).

Poor memory contributes to brain fog and a reduction in focus. Therefore, improving memory can increase concentration and focus, which helps to increase productivity. 

Noopept escalates not only the amount of work that you can complete, but it can even raise the quality of the work.

Mental fatigue can harm productivity and well-being, and it is common to experience brain fog during the day at work.

A solid noopept stack can help you get to work in the morning or staying productive during the afternoon slump when your mind becomes sluggish after lunch. 

Noopept can help you focus on a specific task for longer and reduce the number of mental distractions that harm your productivity and mental concentration.

In addition, noopept can increase your attention span and improve your alertness so that you can work longer with no mental break.

The positive effects on cognitive function make noopept an effective way to fight against burnout and improve performance.

Researchers are excited about these mechanisms as a potential treatment option for ADHD, especially in combination with other compounds.

For increased efficacy in the realms of learning and cognitive processing, we recommend combining noopept with a choline supplement.

This is because choline is a compound that supports memory capacity. This combination may have the potential to improve memory consolidation, so memories remain accessible for a more extended period.

Reduces Stress

Research suggests that noopept has the potential to reduce overall stress levels (8).

While more studies need to be done, noopept is commonly used as a tool to fight against rising amounts of worry.

Many people buy noopept for this reason. Noopept provides more anti-anxiety effects than other nootropics.

Noopept is a great supplement because it is an effective alternative to mind-numbing prescription anti-anxiety drugs. Noopept can reduce tension without causing a clouded brain or a reduction in cognitive abilities.

There is research that also suggests that there is a connection between low BDNF and high tension, depression, and other negative feelings.

Animal studies provide evidence to support these claims that BDNF levels correlate with disruptions in processes involving the central nervous system.

Besides possibly fighting stress directly, noopept may indirectly ease tension. This is because it can improve your frame of mind and enhance productivity by boosting memory and brain structure.

This can allow us to get more done and reduce our tension levels through focus and concentration.

To reduce worry, we recommend stacking noopept with Rhodiola Rosea supplements, which evidence suggests may be effective for decreasing pressure and worry.

Neuroprotective Properties

Besides providing more stress-relieving properties than other nootropics, including piracetam, noopept also has some powerful properties for neuroplasticity and neuroprotection.

Noopept may help to protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It is more beneficial for this reason than piracetam.

Noopept is approved in Russia to use for the treatment of traumatic brain injury.

This is because noopept can protect your cells from dying prematurely, which experts believe is one of the major causes of these diseases.

Noopept is an excellent option for those who are concerned about brain health and neuroplasticity (9).

In animal studies, noopept prevents memory loss symptoms associated with forms of dementia. We should note that this study found that these benefits were noticeable after only a week of noopept ingestions.

Noopept may also be suitable for battling oxidative stress in people with brain damage or neurodegenerative diseases.

While the mechanisms for combating free radicals are not entirely understood, this feature interests scientists in studying nootropics.

While we need more human research, the possibilities of noopept and similar nootropic drugs for treating cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, are exciting.

We recommend stacking noopept with alpha-GPC for increased neuroprotective and nootropic benefits.

This is because of the astounding benefits that Alpha-GPC may have on cognition for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia or brain injuries.

The ratio of noopept to Alpha-GPC should be 1:20. 

Increases Nerve Growth Factor

Among the noopept long-term brain benefits is the effect on nerve growth factor. Research shows that noopept increases NGF, which may have several health benefits.

First, NGF may be related to an improved mental and emotional condition and reduce the chances of developing depression (10).

This may be because of the effect that NGF has on serotonin, a chemical in the brain related to mood.

NGF may also be associated with heart health, and increasing NGF may help decrease your inflammation and help you prevent or reduce pain associated with inflammation.

A drug used for arthritis-related pain works by inhibiting NGF. The brain is the most crucial part of the body, making sense to keep it healthy.

Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Consumers are always looking for an affordable, effective, and safe way to reduce their symptoms associated with anxiety and depression, and, for many, noopept is a possible solution.

The major metabolite of noopept seems to have anxiolytic properties in rodents. There has been at least one human study on the beneficial mental health effects of noopept.

In the studies, anxiety improved in those who had suffered from cognitive ailment from vascular damage that can cause dysfunction in the brain.

They also had improvements in apathy, irritability, sleep, and well-being. These are promising effects of noopept that may increase the popularity of this specific nootropic substance.

For some, noopept will work after a single dose. However, we have found that it can take up to a week of daily use before some people get the mood-boosting effects.

The benefits for mental disorders are some of the most common reasons people buy noopept, and it is known for its excellent anxiety reduction effects.

Because of these mechanisms, it may be an alternative medicine treatment option for those who suffer from mental illness.

How To Take Noopept?

Noopept can be consumed in a few different ways depending on the form.

The methods of ingestion are orally, sublingually, or intranasally. The effects of each one are a little different, and it is best to research all the options before deciding which way is right for you.

In addition, double-check the noopept dosage and watch for any potential side effects.

Dosage

The dosage for noopept depends on the method of ingestion and is one of the primary differences between noopept and piracetam.

In addition, to keep the beneficial effects and avoid tolerance buildup, we suggest you cycle it on and off.

This means that you should take noopept for a maximum of 5 straight days and then take 2 consecutive days off without consuming any at all. This may also help you get noopept long-term benefits. 

Oral

Noopept commonly comes in capsules which you can take orally by swallowing. This is the easiest method and makes it easy to take your noopept with you to work, class, or vacation.

We also recommend oral ingestion for those who buy noopept for the first time. Typically, we recommend you start slow with noopept and only take a single 5 to 10 mg dose at first.

Then you can increase up to 30 mg per dose, one to three times per day.

Do not exceed over 40 mg in a single dose or above 120 mg in a day. It is always best to start any nootropic slowly and escalate dosages until the desired result is achieved.

Sublingual

Noopept is also commonly ingested sublingually, which means under the tongue. The powder form of noopept is placed under the tongue, where it dissolves.

This method is very effective for those who like a quicker onset. The fast onset happens because this method allows the noopept to bypass metabolic and digestive processes.

This method is not for everybody, and some users avoid it because they dislike the taste. 

If you are using powder, be sure to purchase an accurate scale to measure out the correct amount before use. The dosage for this method is around 50 percent of the oral dosage.

This means you should start with a dose of 2 to 5 mg and increase as needed up to 20 mg an amount up to three times per day.

Intranasal

This method is the insufflation of noopept powder compound or solution so that the user will snort the material into their nasal cavity.

It is not the easiest method of ingestion and certainly requires more preparation and time.

However, it contributes to more powerful experiences because it has faster action in the brain as it dissolves in the membranes within the nose.

This method also uses much less of the noopept material than the other methods. 

We do not recommend this method to newcomers, and the dosage is significantly less than even the sublingual method of ingestion.

We recommend starting with 1 mg and increasing up to 5 mg three times per day. 

How Long Does Noopept Take To Work?

Noopept is known for working fast when compared with other nootropic supplements.

Evidence shows that the whole experience presents itself in the bloodstream within the first 30 minutes of an oral dose, depending on the individual.

A sublingual or intranasal dose is even faster acting.

Noopept is metabolized into cycloprolylglycine, which handles many of the beneficial nootropic features. This results in longer-lasting experiences.

Most of the evidence on humans suggests noopept keeps its effectiveness for 4 hours after oral usage.

The fast onset and relatively lengthy effects indeed contribute to the popularity of this high-quality nootropic.

What Is The Half-life?

Noopept has a short half-life of 16 minutes in rats and somewhere between 30 to 60 minutes in human subjects.

This is a measurement of how long the body takes to metabolize the substance. When the half-life is reached, half of the dose is still active in the bloodstream.

However, even though it may correlate with the length of the results, it is not the only indicator.

Does Noopept Have Side Effects?

While there does not seem to be much risk when humans use it at normal doses, there are a few side effects to be aware of.

The most common negative issues that people report having are irritability and headaches. The side effects may present themselves during the onset and dissipate after an hour, but they are relatively consistent. 

The reported side effects include:

• Irritability
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Nausea

To avoid these negative issues, it is best to start with a low dose and work your way up. You should also avoid taking noopept too late in the day to prevent insomnia.

Pregnant and nursing women and those who have high blood pressure should avoid noopept altogether.

While there are not any known drug interactions, there has not been a study done on any individual cases for the risks of mixing noopept with other drugs or medications.

Therefore, be careful with taking other racetams or medication to avoid a negative interaction. Be especially cautious with compounds that have mechanisms that promote central nervous system activity.

If you find that you have many side effects, decrease the dosage to avoid any unnecessary health risks. If you still experience a side effect with a lower dose, you might stop consumption until speaking with a doctor.

Conclusion

Noopept can be beneficial for various reasons and can be effective for improving cognitive function, memory, performance, and brain health.

It passes through the blood-brain barrier quickly with a low dose, and the effect is usually felt quickly. 

The use of noopept is safe as long as you take recommended doses. It is also best to start small, no matter the reason that you are taking it.

Noopept offers better anti-anxiety and neuroprotective abilities than other nootropics, like piracetam, which contributes to its rising popularity.

FAQs

Is noopept a stimulant?

Many of those interested in noopept wonder if it is a stimulant. This is likely because some stimulants, such as Adderall or Ritalin, are also known as nootropics.

Even Modafinil is more stimulating, which is why it is sometimes considered a prescription drug of abuse.

Conversely, the difference lies because noopept is not a stimulant. It can, however, cause sleeplessness in some people, especially with high dosages.

In addition, it may be helpful to use a noopept stack that also contains stimulants such as caffeine to provide an extra boost to your energy level.

Does noopept increase dopamine?

Noopept increases dopamine by stimulating the receptors.

This action method may be one reason for the beneficial effects on well-being, anxiety, and cognitive disorders.

For those looking for a dopamine boost, we recommend a noopept stack along with l-theanine or another compound that acts on the dopamine receptors.

Can you take noopept every day?

A lot of consumers take noopept every day, but there are some things to consider.

The first is tolerance and the increase in the dosage. With higher tolerance come higher amounts which may cause increased side effect risks.

To avoid this, it is best to cycle the consumption of noopept. We recommend taking 2 days off for every 5 consecutive days of use.