You may have heard of piracetam, which is a type of nootropic, but be curious about what it is, how it works and what it’s used for.

Let’s start by explaining nootropics in more detail though. Nootropics describes supplements and compounds that are designed to improve our cognitive function. Some nootropics occur naturally – like caffeine and ginseng – while others are synthetic. Piracetam falls into the synthetic category.

It is one of the best-known nootropics and has long been used to control epilepsy and as a treatment for vertigo. But it has many other benefits, as we’ll explore.

How can a piracetam IV be used?

Piracetam is a cognitive enhancer that has been shown to improve memory and brain function. This means it can enhance learning and understanding in a range of settings. It has been found to have benefits for those with dyslexia in particular.

In fact, one study found that dyslexic children who received piracetam demonstrated “significant improvements” in their reading ability compared to the dyslexic children in the placebo group. It is also used to support those with ADHD/ADD and depression.

Piracetam has also been found to improve your ability to recall information, making you sharper and giving you an edge in situations such as exams.

Having a piracetam IV is therefore a popular choice among students or others who are sitting exams and want to boost their performance using a substance that works with their brain and body. Taking piracetam via an IV ensures that the nootropic works quickly.

The alternative is to take piracetam in an oral supplement, but this takes longer to work and can often be less effective as oral supplements need to pass through the digestive system. By contrast, a piracetam IV goes straight into your blood stream, allowing it to get to work more quickly.

Because of its ability to improve memory and learning, piracetam is also highly effective for recovery following a stroke because it encourages neuron regeneration in the brain. Researchers have found that piracetam is particularly effective in treating aphasia – a language disorder that can occur following a stroke.

How does piracetam work?

Piracetam mimics the body’s GABA neurotransmitter – it is essentially a synthetic version of this neurotransmitter. This means it improves blood flow to the brain and increases the amount of oxygen in the blood flowing to the brain. All of which helps to improve your cognitive function.

It also has neuroprotective and anticonvulsant properties, hence its use in the management of epilepsy. It also improves the brain’s neuroplasticity, which is its ability to create new neural connections as well as to strengthen existing ones.

Creating new neural connections is often known as “rewiring” because it speaks to the brain’s ability to make adaptive and structural changes to itself. This also explains why a piracetam IV is so useful ahead of exams, because it strengthens neural connections and helps you forge new pathways in the brain as you learn new skills or information.

Research has also found that piracetam is generally well-tolerated, which means it can be used by many people safely.