Fasoracetam: Reviews, Benefits, Side Effects (2023 UPDATED)

Fasoracetam is one of the best overall cognitive enhancers in the world and easily one of the most effective nootropics for treating ADHD symptoms such as lack of focus and mental fatigue.

While not as popular as the more famous racetams – Piracetam, Pramiracetam, and Oxiracetam – Fasoracetam is becoming more widely used. We’re seeing a lot more people talking about the nootropic on forums and biohacking blogs. Sadly, there is still not very much information out there about Fasoracetam.

In this article, we’re going to go through the benefits, uses, side effects and reviews for Fasoracetam. You will hopefully learn everything you need to know about Fasoracetam and how to use it as a cognitive enhancer. If you have experience using Fasoracetam to improve mental performance or to treat ADHD, please share your review in the comments.

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Fasoracetam’s Benefits and Uses

There is very little publicly available research about fasoracetam.

It is however becoming more popular in the nootropic community. Many users report benefits.

May improve memory and general cognition

Fasoracetam was effective in preventing or reducing artificially induced amnesia, forgetfulness and memory loss during animal testing.

Although there are no data available on similar experiments on humans, many users claim they notice a significant memory improvement. [14] [15]

Fasoracetam, like other racetam nootropics increases the amount acetylcholine.

May help with anxiety and depression

Fasoracetam can improve mood, decrease anxiety and lift depression. It acts on glutamate (17)

Fasoracetam works by simultaneously increasing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and suppressing excess glutamate production to produce an excitatory neurotransmitter. Users describe a non-jittery, smooth feeling of calmness, relaxation, and improved mood.

Although there are not many studies that show fasoracetam has an effect on mood, anxiety or depression in humans (or any other publicly available data), many users report feeling calmer, more relaxed, and less anxious.

This claim is also supported by animal testing. Subjects given fasoracetam under stressful conditions were less likely to learn helplessness or other anxious or depressed behaviors.

Possible ADHD Treatment

One of the few human studies that are publicly available on fasoracetam suggests it could be a treatment for ADHD. [20]

This study involved 30 adolescents aged 12-17 years old. It tested whether fasoracetam was effective in treating ADHD in those with a specific mutation within the glutamatergic gene system. This mutation is associated strongly with ADHD and is found in a large percentage of ADHD-afflicted adolescents.

Subjects who received fasoracetam for five weeks showed significant improvement in clinical measures throughout the trial. Post-trial testing showed that ADHD symptoms were still reduced. However, none of the participants developed dependence or tolerance. This makes Fasoracetam potentially a good substitute for Adderall in certain cases.

You may be able to stop withdrawal from other drugs

Many users report that fasoracetam has helped them during withdrawal from GABA-related CNS depressants gabapentin,[21] phenibut,[22] and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid). [23]

Important to remember that no research has been done on the safety or efficacy of this use.

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How Fasoracetam Works

The exact mechanism of action of Fasoracetam is not fully understood. It is thought to regulate the production and release glutamate, GABA and acetylcholine – three of the most important neurotransmitters in the brain.

Glutamate System Balance Restored

Fasoracetam modifies at least some brain glutamate receptors, an essential excitatory neurotransmitter that is critical for all aspects brain function.

Glutamate imbalances can be associated with a variety of mental and physical disorders such as depressive disorder, ADHD and schizophrenia.

Fasoracetam is a particular type of glutamate receptor, the metabotropic glutamate receivers or mGluRs (HTMO_ [24] ), which play many roles in the body but are most involved in memory, learning, anxiety, and learning.

The eight mGluRs are known to work together to maintain a delicate equilibrium. Two of them increase neural excitation, while the other six reduce the risk of neurotoxicity through lessening the amount of neural excitation.

Fasoracetam was shown to be effective in restoring the function of two inhibitory mGluRs in animal studies.

Fasoracetam can also modulate all metabotropic glutamate-receptors, which could restore balance to the whole glutamate system. This may be why fasoracetam could benefit people with ADHD. ADHD is often associated with low levels of glutamate.

GABA Regulations Upregulated

Fasoracetam is known to increase the activity of GABA receptors. [27]

Glutamate, which is also the precursor of GABA, is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter that is associated with learning. It has calming effects, helps reduce anxiety, promote sleep, and helps to reduce anxiety.

Fasoracetam can reduce anxiety and depression by increasing GABA and modulating glutamate receptors.

This combination action was found to be key in rat studies.

Acetylcholine is becoming more readily available

Fasoracetam is a cholinergic and significantly increases the uptake of Choline in the cortex. [29]

The brain uses the extra choline to make more acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is most closely associated with learning, memory and overall cognition.

This cholinergic action is common in piracetam and aniracetam as well as other members of the racetam nootropic family. It can lead to significant improvements in almost all aspects of cognition.

The increased demand for choline can lead to a decrease in supply. This could cause headaches, brain fog and mood problems. Supplemental choline can often be used to counter these side effects.

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Is Fasoracetam Legal?

The FDA only approved its use in clinical trials for humans until recent years.

It is still in phase 2 and 3, so you will need to wait until Fasoracetam becomes legal and is available for purchase.

If you are still interested in buying Fasoracetam there are no restrictions. You can also buy it in the USA at popular nootropic sellers.

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Dosage and Half Life

There are not yet any guidelines for the optimal dose of Fasoracetam because no extensive human studies have been done.

The dosage can also vary depending on the intended use and the method of intake.

The clinical trials with ADHD patients involved 100, 200 and 400mg doses administered twice daily.

Users report that 20 mg per day, divided into two doses, worked well for them. It is important to begin low, then increase your dosage until you get the best results.

The supplement is very bioavailable with approximately 79%-97% being absorbed after oral administration. Its half-life time is between 4 and 6 hours.

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Fasoracetam Side Effects

Fasoracetam is not thought to have any serious side effect risks.

Studies have been done on Fasoracetam using human participants. None of these peer reviewed studies mention any notable adverse effects, long-term health risks or participant drop-outs due to side effects.

Some users have reported experiencing mild side effects from Fasoracetam use. These side effects include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Jitters
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Brain fog

These side effects of Fasoracetam are rare and are generally mild when they do occur. If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking fasoracetam and they should dissipate. Talk to your doctor if side effects persist.

Fasoracetam addiction & Fasoracetam withdrawal

Racetam users almost universally report rapidly acquiring a tolerance for the lower doses of their chosen drug, be it aniracetam, oxiracetam, or fasoracetam.

This can easily lead to using higher and higher doses of fasoracetam, which will increase the chances – and the severity – of side effects exponentially. Eventually, if your tolerance increases enough to the point where you need very large qauntities to feel any effects, you are highly likely to overdose, which is known to cause severe abdominal discomfort and a range of cognitive impairments owing to disruptions in neurotransmission and potential neuron damage.

People also routinely experience withdrawal symptoms when “coming down” from drugs like fasoracetam. Racetam withdrawals routinely involve:

• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Slurred speech
• Disrupted sleep

These withdrawal symptoms can prompt a user to take more fasoracetam, which can eventually become a dependency or addiction. These concerns are by no means limited or particularly pressing with racetams, but they are completely absent when using natural nootropics.

Long-term heath concerns with fasoracetam

As is always the case with drug abuse, long-term use of fasoracetam poses lasting, long-term health risks.

Fasoracetam is a glutamate receptor agonist. It has a significant effect on glutamate levels and glutamate receptor activity. This can put severe strain on your neurons, particularly on the postsynaptic neurons on which fasoracetam primarily acts.

If you are using fasoracetam with any frequency, then the chance of you experiencing synapse damage is high.

You may cause damage to your synapses resulting in permanent GABA inhibition. This would result in chronic anxiety, insomnia, depression, and a drastically increased risk of seizures. You could also easily see synapse damage which effective results in upward modulation of glutamate, which would again increase your risk of seizures several-fold and potentially disrupt cognitive functioning.

You do not want to mess with glutamate pathways for prolonged periods of time, particularly with a drug as understudied as fasoracetam.

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Stacking Fasoracetam

I do not recommend stacking fasoracetam with any other substances, medication or nootropic agents.

It is particularly important that you do not stack fasoracetam with prescription medications; the way fasoracetam interacts with glutamate, acetylcholine, and other choline systems means it has the potential to negatively interact with many medications, especially psychiatric drugs.

You need to talk to your regular doctor before taking fasoracetam in any circumstances, but it is particularly important that you get medical advice before stacking fasoracetam with other drugs.

Fasoracetam and Oxiracetam

A Fasoracetam and Oxiracetam stack is one of the more common stacks used by nootropic experimenters. We receive frequent questions from people asking how to best stack Fasoracetam with other racetams, Oxiracetam being the most popular choice.

However, taking a stack of Fasoracetam and Oxracetam is incredibly dangerous, counter-productive, and ultimately a waste of time. These two racetams have very similar effects on the brain. Taking them both at the same time will make side effects more likely without giving any extra benefits.

Fasoracetam and Coluracetam

Another popular choice among heavy nootropics users is a Fasoracetam Coluracetam stack. Like a stack of Fasoracetam and Oxiracetam, a Fasoracetam/Coluracetam stack is not a good way to approach cognitive enhancement. These racetsm have very similar effects, so stacking them would serve no rela purpose other than to make side effects much more likely.

To keep side effect risks to a minimum, it is best to stick to natural nootropic stacks. If you do intend to use synthetic study drugs like Fasoracetam, then use them in isolation and in as small a dose as possible.

Fasoracetam and Alpha GPC

L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, or Alpha GPC is a cholinergic compound, thus providing choline for the synthesis of Acetycholine, an essential neurotransmitter found in the brain.

Alpha GPC is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and can both optimally raise the levels Acetylcholine in no time.

Fasoracetam has also been shown to increase Acetylcholine. This means you will experience an increase in memory, cognition and learning ability.

Fasoracetam and Citicoline

CDP Choline, also known as Citicoline or Phosphatidylcholine, is a chemical that naturally occurs in the body. The body’s levels of Phosphatidylcholine are increased by Citicoline.

It provides the ingredient, choline, to ensure that Acetylcholine levels remain optimal, just like the name implies.

The supplement appears to be a memory booster, improve cognition, and help in better focus and concentration.

Combining CDP Choline and Fasoracetam will bring you more benefits. You’ll notice a greater ability to focus, memory, retention power, and overall memory.

Fasoracetam and Phenibut

Phenibut can be very effective in relieving anxiety, stress, and depression. Due to the GABA(B) antagonist property, users can quickly build up tolerance.

Fasoracetam’s antagonistic effects on GABA (B) receptors may reduce tolerance to GABA (B) agonists. These include Phenibut, alcohol, and Baclofen. This supplement could even counter Phenibut overdose.

Combining both of these nootropics will result in the greatest effects on anxiety, depression, and other symptoms, with very few or none adverse effects.

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My Review of Fasoracetam: Editor’s Experience

All-in-all, I think Fasoracetam is a great nootropic for helping to control ADHD symptoms with minimal side effect risks. While I don’t typically struggle with focus first thing in the morning, I did notice that taking Fasoracetam with breakfast did make me much more mentally sharp and alert throughout the first half of the day. It seemed to significantly increase my motivation and improve my ability to concentrate on my work.

Overall, I’d say Fasoracetam is a great nootropic for productivity because of the way it increases both motivation and mental energy. I didn’t experience any side effects myself when using Fasoracetam. I took it every other day for 2 weeks and my experience was generally positive.

That said, for day-to-day cognitive enhancement and brain function support, I do think there are better options than fasoracetam. A comprehensive, natural nootropic stack can be much more effective for improving cognitive function across a wider range of measures than fasoracetam, and there will be fewer long-term effects to worry about.

Using a natural nootropic stack also allows you much more flexibility when it comes to stacking. For example, I found I had to pretty much abandon caffeine use while on fasoracetam as the effects were made too intense.

We recommend checking out some of our best rated nootropics as potential alternatives to fasoracetam. While the smart drug is generally safe, it has a narrow range of benefits and does not support long-term brain health. As such, it is a substandard choice as a daily nootropic.

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