Evidence supporting the use of: Piracetam
For the health condition: Memory and Brain Function
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Piracetam for Memory and Brain Function: Evidence Overview
Piracetam is one of the earliest and most well-known nootropic agents, first synthesized in the 1960s. Its primary use has been to support cognitive function, particularly memory, in both healthy individuals and those with various forms of cognitive impairment. The scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for memory enhancement is mixed and generally limited.
Clinical trials in the 1970s and 1980s explored Piracetam’s effects on cognitive function in elderly patients, patients with dementia, and individuals with cognitive deficits after stroke or trauma. Some early studies suggested mild improvements in memory and global cognitive function, but these effects were modest and not always statistically significant. Later meta-analyses, such as a 2002 Cochrane review, concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its use for dementia or cognitive impairment, noting methodological limitations and inconsistent results across studies.
In healthy subjects, evidence for memory enhancement is even weaker. Most studies fail to show significant benefits, and any improvements are typically minor. Piracetam’s mechanism is not fully understood, but it is hypothesized to modulate neuronal membrane fluidity and neurotransmission.
Despite widespread use in some countries, Piracetam is not approved by the US FDA for any indication, and major guidelines do not recommend it for memory or cognitive disorders. Overall, while there is scientific exploration and some positive findings, the quality and consistency of the evidence are low, resulting in a low evidence score (2/5).
Other ingredients used for Memory and Brain Function
2'-Fucosyllactoseacai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
beet
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
black currant
black garlic
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
broccoli
caprylic acid
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Chinese salvia root
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish protein
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginkgo biloba
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
green tea
guarana
guayusa
hesperetin
huperzine A
inositol
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tyrosine
lactobacillus reuteri
lecithin
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
maca
mackerel
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
perilla
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pollen
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
pumpkin
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rutin
saffron
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
threonic acid
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vinpocetine
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
jiaogulan
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
lotus seed
royal jelly
terpene lactones
purslane
yerba mate
biota seed
goji berry
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arachidonic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Alpha glyceryl
Andrographolide
Avocado
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Agarwood
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Acer Truncatum bunge
Aniracetam
anthocyanosides
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef liver
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Brahmi
Bacopa
Blue-Green Alage
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Carnosine
Catalpol
Chebulic acid
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cyanidin
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Catuaba
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Cytidine
cola nut
Canscora
Currant
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Dendrobium
Decursin
Decursinol
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Date
epicatechin
Egg
Ergothioneine
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Enokitake
Folic Acid
Flammulina velutipes
glucose
Glycine
Periwinkle
walnut
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Piracetam
Alzheimer's DiseaseAutism
Concentration (poor)
Confusion
Coordination
Dementia
Memory and Brain Function
Senility
Strokes