Coluracetam: Usage, Dosage and Benefits

Racetams are a popular class of nootropics used to enhance cognitive functions and counter cognitive decline in seniors. Piracetam and Aniracetam are among the most popular racetam drugs. One of the lesser-known racetams is Coluractem, which has been around since the 1990s. It is not as well-studied as some of the other nootropics, but it is still linked to several brilliant cognitive-enhancing properties that may benefit both healthy adults and old people.

What is Coluracetam?

Coluracetam is a fat-soluble racetam drug developed in Japan in the 1990s for the treatment of Alzheimer's. In the last few years, the research on this drug has shifted to its anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects. In one of the trials which were carried out by Brain Cells Inc., Coluracetam was reported to be effective in treating major depressive disorder. Sadly, the full results from this trial were never published, and the company, Brain Cells Inc. shut down in 2014. There haven't been many follow up studies since then.

Today, Coluracetam is mostly used as a dietary supplement for boosting motivation, mood, memory, and learning ability. It's also believed that Coluracetam can reverse vision difficulties.

In some countries like the UK and Canada, you cannot buy the drug without a doctor's prescription. Some people still import it though under the name Coluracetam, BCI-540, or MKC-231.

Compared to other racetams, Coluracetam is very potent and fast-acting. You only need to take a small dosage of this drug to feel its effects, which set in a lot faster. Data shows that Coluracetam levels in the plasma increase significantly in just 30 minutes after ingestion.

How Does It Work?

Coluracetam increases the high-affinity choline transporter molecule (CHT1), which acts on the high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) system to boost choline uptake. By increasing the amount of choline being drawn into the neurons, effectively boosting the levels of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a key neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, and other brain functions. Scientists believe this is how it helps reverse the effects of cognitive decline that Alzheimer's disease is known for. However, both animal and human studies are seriously lacking, so we still don't know how effective and beneficial Coluractem really is.

It's also believed that it protects NMDA receptors against glutamate cytotoxicity. This should protect you against brain diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's, and traumatic brain injury.

Benefits

The following Coluracetam benefits have been observed in limited animal trials and anecdotal experiences:

• Improving Memory and Learning

In this study, scientists investigated the effects of Coluracetam on rats treated with a cholinergic neurotoxin AF64A. Basically, these rats had a nerve toxin that had seriously affected the choline uptake system. The rats were given 1 and 3mg per kg for several days. At the end of the study, the researchers noted a significant improvement in both learning and memory, which had been affected by the damaged choline uptake system. Interestingly, the effects were observed even after the treatment ended.

The results also suggested that the product may be beneficial in people with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's patients are known to have low acetylcholine levels, something that Coluracteam can fix by increasing choline uptake and the enzyme ChAT. The drug may also protect individuals who are at a predisposed risk of developing Alzheimer's.

From these studies, we can tell that Coluracetam could boost learning and memory in individuals with different conditions. Unfortunately, the scientific evidence is still not enough.

While it could be useful in people with Alzheimer's and nerve toxins, there is no evidence suggesting it could be just as helpful in healthy adults. Anecdotal experiences are also mixed. This puts serious questions on the Coluracetam's efficacy as a dietary supplement.

• Fighting Depression and Anxiety

In animal studies, Coluracetam had a bigger impact (20%) in treating anxiety as compared to the prescription drug Valium (Diazepam) (12%).

Another study also showed that Coluracetam could treat depression and anxiety in individuals who are resistant to other treatments. This study involved patients with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. They were given 240mg per day, which was split into three servings.

Coluracetam is a very promising drug for treating depression and anxiety, but we will advise you to consult a physician before using it for this purpose.

• Boosting Eyesight

MKC-231 may boost optical vividness, shape recognition, and color vision, but the scientific evidence on this subject is inconclusive.

Side Effects

Most of the studies involving Coluracetam did not report any severe side effects. However, from anecdotal reports, some people experience brain fog, nausea, low mood, and sleep disturbance. Racetams are known to cause headaches when used in high doses, so the same may also be witnessed by Coluracetam users.

You can minimize the risk of these adverse reactions by taking the drug in low dosages. You should also consult your physician before taking Coluracetam. This is especially vital for people who are already using other drugs.

Pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid Coluracetam.

Dosage

There is no official dosage for Coluracetam that's guaranteed to work for everyone. However, from anecdotal evidence, most people seem to enjoy the Coluracetam effects in dosages of between 5 to 20 mg administered orally.

Use lower dosages if you are taking the drug sublingually.

Can You Stack Coluracetam?

Yes, some people stack Coluracetam with other nootropics to intensify the results. In fact, it's believed that combining Coluracetam with choline supplement like Alpha GPC can increase the results and reduce the risk of headaches and other side effects. Some people also combine it with racetams.

It's advisable to speak with a doctor first before combining any nootropics.

Final Thoughts

Coluracetam is nowhere as popular as other racetams, and this is a big challenge because it means we do not have a lot of anecdotal evidence to rely on. Human and animal trials are also very limited. We cannot ignore the potential benefits of the drug, though. So, if you decide to join other people in using Coluracetam, we'll urge you to use the drug extra carefully to avoid unnecessary complications. It's also best to speak with a licensed physician before you start taking it for any purpose.