Fasoracetam
A racetam-class compound acting on glutamate metabotropic receptors and the cholinergic system, more recently investigated as a candidate treatment for ADHD. Human data are limited to early clinical trials; general nootropic use rests on anecdote.
01 Overview
Fasoracetam was originally developed in Japan for dementia and later revived as an investigational agent for ADHD, particularly in patients with certain glutamate-receptor gene variants. It has progressed through early-phase clinical trials but is not an approved medicine.
Outside of trials it is sold as an unregulated nootropic. Its distinctive proposed mechanism involves upregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors, and it is often described by users as having a subtle anxiolytic and cognitive quality, though controlled evidence in healthy adults is essentially absent.
02 Mechanism
Upregulates metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) and enhances cholinergic and GABA-B signalling; the mGluR action underlies its ADHD investigation.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 20–100 mg/day | Oral | Trial and anecdotal doses vary widely; often split across the day. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possible ADHD symptom benefitEarly trials explored benefit in ADHD, especially with specific glutamate-receptor genotypes; results are preliminary. | Under investigation | Clinical | |
| Mild anxiolytic / cognitive effectUser reports of calm focus; not established in healthy adults. | Small, uncertain | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HeadacheOccasional headache reported by users. | Mild | Uncommon | Anecdotal | |
| Fatigue / GI upsetMild tiredness or stomach upset in some users. | Mild | Uncommon | Anecdotal |