Phenylpiracetam

evidence score

nootropic

Gray Market

204 studies

PhenotropilCarphedonphenyl-piracetam+1 more

Phenylpiracetam is a phenyl-substituted derivative of piracetam developed in Russia in the 1980s. The phenyl group addition increases CNS penetration and adds stimulant properties not present in piracetam. Used in Russia for asthenic conditions, cognitive impairment post-stroke, and as a cold-tolerance adaptogen. WADA-prohibited (stimulant). Effects include increased alertness, focus, cold tolerance, psychomotor speed, and motivation — described as "clean stimulation" without piracetam's subtle cognitive improvements. Tolerance develops rapidly (2–3 days); requires cycling (2–3x/week maximum). No rigorous human clinical trials. Sold as unscheduled gray-market nootropic.

Evidence

Moderate evidence

Safety

Unknown safety profile

Clinical Status

No formal trials

Research Sync

Feb 19, 2026

Dosing

Typical

100 mg

50 mgRange200 mg

Frequency1–2 times per week maximum (tolerance management)

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Pharmacology

Half-life3–5 hours

Onset30–60 minutes (acute stimulant effects)

Duration4–6 hours per dose

Routes

oral

Evidence Score

Level B — Moderate

204 studies indexed

Scoring Factors

Volume(40%)~46/100

Quality(30%)~40/100

Sample Size(10%)~100/100

Consistency(10%)~100/100

Replication(5%)~100/100

Recency(5%)~100/100

Scores estimated from study counts. Exact breakdown computed after research sync.

Evidence Levels

AScore ≥75 with at least 1 meta-analysis and 3+ RCTs

BScore ≥50 with at least 1 RCT or meta-analysis

CScore ≥25 — observational or animal evidence only

DScore <25 — very limited or preclinical data

Plain-English Snapshot

Phenylpiracetam is currently categorized as a nootropic compound.

Evidence is moderate (68/100): promising signal from 204 indexed studies, but context and population still matter.

Safety scoring is incomplete. Start conservatively and monitor carefully.

Core mechanism

Phenyl-substituted piracetam; enhances dopamine and norepinephrine activity; increases NMDA/AMPA receptor density; stimulant and cognitive-enhancing properties

Practical Context

Strongest current signals

Level D: The OPASS program, a participation-focused strategy training intervention, effectively enhanced productivity and social participation in stroke survivors with cognitive impairments and further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects.
Level D: While tDCS confers greater benefits in promoting local motor plasticity and global cognitive gains, tACS achieves functionally equivalent improvements in network-dependent tasks such as dual-task performance and mood regulation.
Level D: The findings suggest alpha7nAChR is essential for modulating inflammation and promoting neurorepair after stroke, and is associated with impaired cognitive recovery.