Fasoracetam
Fasoracetam
Fasoracetam is a synthetic racetam nootropic originally developed by Nippon Shinyaku for vascular dementia treatment and later investigated for ADHD, particularly in adolescents with glutamatergic gene variants. It is used off-label to enhance cognition, reduce anxiety, and potentially restore sensitivity to other nootropics like racetams following tolerance buildup.
Mechanism of Action
Fasoracetam acts primarily by upregulating metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR2 and mGluR3), which modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission and reduces excitotoxic signaling. It also enhances cholinergic activity by increasing choline uptake in cortical neurons and facilitating acetylcholine synthesis, while simultaneously potentiating GABA-B receptor function, which may contribute to its anxiolytic effects.
Evidence by Health Goal(3 goals)
Dosing Protocols
Morning and early afternoon, with or without food
Cycle: 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off
Start at 10mg twice daily and titrate upward based on response. Higher doses up to 100mg have been used in clinical ADHD trials but may increase side effect risk. Cycling is recommended to prevent tolerance.
Morning and early afternoon, hold under tongue for 60-90 seconds
Cycle: 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off
Sublingual administration may improve bioavailability and allow lower effective doses. Fasoracetam powder can be bitter; use sparingly and consider flavoring agents.
Safety & Side Effects
Fasoracetam has a relatively favorable safety profile based on clinical trials in adolescents and adults, with no serious adverse events reported at therapeutic doses; however, long-term safety data in humans remains limited. It is not a scheduled substance in most countries but exists in a legal gray area as an unregistered investigational compound, and quality control varies significantly among research chemical vendors.
Possible Side Effects
- !Fatigue and sedation, particularly at higher doses
- !Headache, likely related to cholinergic modulation
- !Gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea and upset stomach
- !Cognitive fog or mental sluggishness in sensitive individuals
- !Irritability or mood changes upon discontinuation
- !Decreased motivation at supra-therapeutic doses
- !Insomnia if taken too late in the day
Interactions
- -May potentiate effects of other GABA-B agonists such as baclofen — use with caution and reduce doses
- -Cholinergic activity may be additive with other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., huperzine A, donepezil), increasing risk of cholinergic excess
- -May theoretically reduce efficacy of GABA-B antagonists used clinically
- -Concurrent use with stimulants (amphetamines, methylphenidate) for ADHD may have unpredictable interactions; monitor closely
- -May restore or enhance sensitivity to other racetams (aniracetam, piracetam) after tolerance — reassess racetam dosing when co-administering
Cost & Where to Buy
Sold primarily as a research chemical powder from nootropic vendors. Price varies significantly based on purity, vendor quality, and quantity purchased. Bulk purchases reduce cost considerably.
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