1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, Draganon, Ampamet · Evidence-based safety and harm-reduction overview.
| Also known as | 1-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, Draganon, Ampamet |
| Category | Nootropic |
| year_developed | 1970s |
| solubility | Fat-soluble (lipophilic) |
| primary_mechanism_studied | AMPA receptor modulation |
| US legal status | Aniracetam is not FDA-approved as a drug in the United States and is not a lawful dietary supplement ingredient. It is generally sold in a gray market labeled as a research chemical not for human consumption. It has been used as a prescription medicine in some other countries. |
Aniracetam is a fat-soluble racetam derivative developed in the 1970s. It is structurally related to piracetam but is lipophilic, which affects how it is absorbed and metabolized. The addition of a methoxybenzoyl moiety distinguishes it from the parent piracetam structure.
Aniracetam is thought to enhance AMPA-type glutamate receptor function in laboratory studies, potentially affecting synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation. Its fat-soluble nature allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier more readily than the water-soluble piracetam. The functional relevance of AMPA modulation in human cognition remains speculative.
Aniracetam was developed in the 1970s as an attempt to create a more potent or brain-penetrating racetam derivative. It was marketed in some countries as a cognitive enhancer and has been used in clinical research in Japan and Europe. Its mechanism of action on AMPA receptors distinguished it from the parent piracetam.
Research suggests aniracetam acts on AMPA-type glutamate receptors in laboratory studies, and some older clinical studies report effects on cognition and mood in specific patient groups. Human evidence is limited, much of it dated or industry-linked, and high-quality trials in healthy adults are lacking. Recent independent research on aniracetam is sparse compared to the earlier literature.
In clinical studies, aniracetam has been administered at oral doses ranging from approximately 1.5 to 4 grams daily divided across multiple doses. Trial durations have typically ranged from several weeks to a few months. Animal studies have used varying dose scales without direct human conversion.
This is general research/context information, not medical advice or a recommended protocol.
Aniracetam has been examined in older literature combined with choline sources or other compounds, but modern evidence for synergistic combinations is absent. Stacking is presented for informational purposes only.
If you are going to research a compound, verifying identity and purity is the single most protective step. Independent analytical testing and sterile-handling supplies reduce risk.
Compare testing optionsAniracetam is fat-soluble rather than water-soluble and has a different metabolic profile. Both are racetams, and neither is FDA-approved or a lawful US supplement.
We do not give dosing advice. Any use of an unapproved compound should be reviewed with a licensed clinician familiar with your medical history.
No. Human evidence is limited and often dated or low quality, and rigorous trials in healthy adults are lacking.
Laboratory studies suggest it may modulate AMPA-type glutamate receptors, but the functional relevance in humans and whether this translates to cognitive effects remain unclear.
Aniracetam is rapidly metabolized by the liver into metabolites. Its fat-soluble nature also means it can distribute into fatty tissues.
Medical & legal disclaimer. This site is for informational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. The compounds discussed are largely not approved by the FDA for human use and many are sold strictly as research chemicals 'not for human consumption.' Nothing here is an endorsement to purchase, possess, or use any substance. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified physician and follow the law where you live.
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never changes the safety information we publish.