Research chemicalAnxiolyticNootropicGABAergicNiacin-GABA conjugate

Picamilon

Also known as Pikamilon · Nicotinoyl-GABA · N-nicotinoyl-GABA

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20261 sources0 comments

A Soviet-developed conjugate of niacin and GABA designed to carry GABA across the blood-brain barrier, used for anxiety and cerebrovascular conditions. The FDA has ruled it is not a lawful dietary ingredient.

01 Overview

Picamilon is a molecule made by joining niacin (vitamin B3) to GABA, developed in the USSR to deliver GABA into the brain, where GABA itself does not readily penetrate. It has been used in Russia for anxiety, depression, migraine and cerebrovascular disorders.

Human data outside the Russian-language literature is sparse. In 2015 the US FDA determined picamilon is not a dietary ingredient and had it removed from the US supplement market, though it remains available as a research chemical.

02 Mechanism

Crosses the blood-brain barrier and is hydrolysed to GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) plus niacin (a vasodilator), combining anxiolytic and cerebrovascular effects.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Common	50–200 mg/day	Oral	Russian clinical use ranged roughly 50-300 mg/day.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Anxiolytic / calming effectReported for anxiety; controlled Western data is lacking.		Anecdotal
Mild cerebral vasodilationNiacin moiety may increase cerebral blood flow.		Preclinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence	Countermeasures
Niacin flushingWarmth, flushing or itching from the niacin component.	Mild	Uncommon	Anecdotal
Low blood pressure / lightheadednessVasodilation can cause mild hypotension.	Mild	Uncommon	Anecdotal

06 Legal status

Registered medicine

Used clinically in Russia. · as of Jan 2026

United States

Not a lawful dietary ingredient (FDA 2015)

Removed from supplements; sold as research chemical. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

FDA determination on picamilon as an unlawful dietary ingredient (2015)US FDA

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.