Picamilon: The Ultimate Guide To This Amazing Supplement
Picamilon is not as widely known as some other supplements. My hope is to change that with this article. Picamilon is a supplement that deserves your attention, and after learning about it, you may decide its potential benefits are worth the expense. Not to get too ahead of myself, but as this article will reveal, I am a pretty big fan.
Picamilon Molecule
Picamilon Is A “Smart Drug” And So Much More
Picamilon is a supplement with a whole range of benefits. I initially became interested in picamilon as a nootropic supplement, but upon further research, I discovered it does much more than provide cognitive benefits. Picamilon is truly a unique supplement due to it having so many positive effects that cover a wide spectrum. After learning about what picamilon can do and the results users were having, I could not believe it was not more well known. It has the ability to improve your cognitive performance, decrease anxiety and stress, and have a positive effect on your energy level. It really seems like a wonder drug. It does sound too good to be true, but user feedback certainly seems to back up its stated benefits, however (as you will learn more about below), your desired effects from picamilon are dose dependent, and not all users will have the same experience.
Picamilon is also known as nicotinoyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid. What that very complicated name specifies is that picamilon is a combination of niacin and GABA. The origin of picamilon goes back to the Soviet Union in 1969 when it was created by the All-Union Vitamins Scientific Research Institute.
Niacin is also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid. It is a vitamin that is found in a variety of foods, such as liver, fish, beef and chicken. Niacin deficiency is not very common in developed countries due to its sufficient presence in our diets. However, some people supplement with niacin due to its positive effect on cholesterol levels and condition of blood vessels. In the case of picamilon, niacin serves two very important roles:
- It is a potent vasodilator, and
- It has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (and take GABA along for the ride).
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in our central nervous system. So, if we can increase our levels of GABA in the brain, the result will be a “calming” effect on our nervous system. This can lead to a decrease in stress and anxiety. The problem is that supplementing exclusively with GABA is not very effective since it cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. While GABA can be produced in the brain by the conversion of glutamate, it is much more effective and efficient to directly transport it by a carrier that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. That is where the niacin in picamilon comes into play.
With picamilon, it is the synergy of niacin and GABA that produces its stellar results. When picamilon is taken as an oral supplement, it crosses over from the blood into the brain and is then broken down into niacin and GABA. These two substances can then work together in the brain to provide its wonderful spectrum of benefits.
Some Really Fantastic Reasons Picamilon Should Have Your Attention
The following is a list of benefits from taking picamilon that have been claimed by users, as well as academic research.
- Improved memory
- Increased focus and attention
- Ability to recall information faster
- Reduced impulsiveness
- Mental clarity and alertness
- Enhanced learning capacity
- Increased motivation and productivity
- Higher energy levels and endurance
- Decreased stress and anxiety
- Improved intelligence and logical reasoning
- Overall positive mood enhancement
- Anti-depressant effects
- Relief of migraine and other types of headaches
- Effective treatment of hangovers
Reading the list will make you wonder if picamilon has a “trade-off” or is just “too good to be true”. I know that is what I thought after my initial research. However, it seems that feedback is overwhelmingly positive and backs up the positive claims. The great thing is that picamilon is reasonably priced compared to other nootropics and supplements. Like most over-the-counter supplements, there are several sellers of picamilon competing for your business which tends to keep the price reasonable.
The Way Picamilon Works Its Magic
Now that you are aware of the reported benefits of supplementing with picamilon, let’s get into some details of how it works in your body.
As mentioned previously, picamilon has two components: niacin and GABA. When picamilon is ingested, it is eventually absorbed into the circulatory system (bloodstream) and is able to cross the blood-brain barrier due to the presence of niacin. Within brain tissue, hydrolysis occurs, and picamilon is then separated into niacin and GABA with the result being increased levels of both substances in the brain.
Niacin, besides being the carrier to get GABA across the blood-brain barrier, is a potent vasodilator. Vasodilation is widening of blood vessels and occurs by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls. This creates an environment in the brain resulting in increased blood flow and circulation. As a result, there is more effective delivery of important nutrients and counteracting of the effects of constricted blood vessels (vasoconstriction), such as migraine headaches. Also, with vasodilation and increased blood flow, detoxification of brain cells should occur to a greater degree since toxins should be able to be more effectively eliminated.
GABA is a neurotransmitter that works on receptor sites (GABA receptors) at inhibitory synapses in the brain which produces an anxiolytic response, or inhibition of anxiety. How GABA functions is pretty complex, but its actions result in countering stress and anxiety and acting as a mild tranquilizer.
Picamilon Effects: Mood Vs Cognitive Enhancement
The list above of the benefits of supplementing with picamilon is pretty fantastic to say the least, but they fall under two primary results:
- Mood Enhancement, and
- Cognitive Enhancement
One of these results may be of more importance to you, but based on many user testimonials, both will occur. The cognitive benefits are cumulative and will take several weeks to develop, but the mood effects will be felt quickly, and they should last several hours. At the lower daily dose ranges, picamilon has a mild tranand at the higher daily doses, it acts more as a stimulant.
If cognitive improvement is your primary goal, there are other supplements you may want to research that do not have the GABA component.
How To Start Supplementing With Picamilon
Picamilon usage has results that are dose dependent, so you need to determine which of its effects you are seeking. Also, not everyone will respond to picamilon precisely the same way for the same dose, so you will have to do some experimentation to determine the optimal dose for the effects you are seeking.
The short-term effects of picamilon (lasting roughly 4-6 hours) are experienced relatively quickly– usually between 30 minutes to one hour after taking a dose. Typical picamilon dosages range from 150 to 300 milligrams daily taken in three equal doses throughout the day.
- For the lower dosage of 50 milligrams three times a day, users report picamilon acting as a mild tranqulizer and anxiety reducer.
- At the higher range of 100 miligrams three times a day, users report picamilon acting as a stimulant that provides increased energy levels and endurance.
The great news is that whatever daily dose you decide to take, cognitive benefits will occur over time. It may take several weeks for these benefits to be evident, but based on user feedback, mental enhancement will occur. Just be patient, and give it some time to work its magic.
There seems to be some evidence that cycling picamilon may be a good idea. The reason for this is that you may develop a tolerance to it over time. Also, the longer it is taken, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms can be once its use is stopped. An example of a rebound effect after stopping long-term use of picamilon would be increased anxiety for a few days. Having something herbal (valerian, kava, etc.) on hand to curb these effects would be a good idea. It would seem the tolerance effects would be related to its anxiety-reducing and stimulant properties. Since cognitive benefits occur with long term use, some personal experimentation would be needed to determine the ideal cycle length of “on time” and “off time” to get the most out of supplementing with picamilon.
One manufacturer (Serious Nutrition Solutions) that sells picamilon recommends taking it in a five-day on and two-day off pattern, and taking two weeks off after four weeks of usage.
To assess your own reaction to picamilon, I would recommend starting with 50 milligrams once a day and build the dose from there to the level needed for your desired outcome.
More On The Russian Connection
In the United States, picamilon is readily available online and is legal to purchase as a dietary supplement. However, in Russia, it is a prescription drug used by physicians for the treatment of a variety of illnesses. So, in addition to the numerous benefits of picamilon listed above, there are some specific medical conditions that are successfully treated with picamilon.
Prescription Picamilon From Russia By Nootropic dude (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
To me, the fact that picamilon is classified as a prescription drug in Russia, validates it as an effective supplement. Picamilon achieving this status indicates that it is safe and can result in the benefits for which it was developed. The mechanism of action for picamilon described above that results in its many positive effects is also what enables it to be used by Russian physicians as a successful medical treatment.
Physicians in Russia prescribe picamilon to patients for the following conditions (from Wikipedia):
- Cerebral blood flow problems (ischemic stroke and chronic insufficiency)
- Vasoneurosis (blood vessel disorders due to nervous system dysfunction)
- Asthenia (physical weakness and loss of strength)
- Depression
- Senile psychosis
- Acute alcohol intoxication
- During abstinence from alcohol
- Migraine headaches
- Craniocerebral trauma
- Bacterial or viral infections of the nervous system
- Primary open-angle glaucoma
Picamilon Safety And Side Effects
Research indicates that picamilon has an excellent safety profile and very low toxicity. User reviews are very reassuring that picamilon is well tolerated with little or no ill effects. The fact that picamilon is such a safe supplement with all of its positive effects surely puts it in a class of its own. In my opinion, the fact that picamilon is classified as a prescription drug in Russia and is used by physicians for a variety of medical conditions provides some assurance of its safety.
However, it is important with any supplement or pharmaceutical to be aware of any potential side effects, however rare or minor they may be. In very isolated cases, picamilon has caused allergic reactions and skin rashes. Some potential minor side effects are: tingling and/or flushing of the skin, headaches, nausea, dizziness and a decrease in blood pressure. Picamilon should also not be taken if there is presence of kidney disease or risk factors associated with stroke.
Supplementing with picamilon is contraindicated when using medications for mood disorders, such as benzodiazepines. Interestingly, some users report that picamilon works better for improving their mood than some prescribed medications. However, always consult with your physician before supplementing with picamilon. Pregnant and nursing women should always seek guidance of a physician. Using picamilon for its mood-enhancing benefits can be very effective, but using it in place of standard medical treatment for serious conditions can have severe consequences.
As discussed previously, the effects of picamilon are dose dependent. However, when initially using picamilon, always start with a relatively low dose to see how you react. Only move on to the stage of experimenting with different dosages to find the best dosage for the effects you are seeking after experiencing how picamilon affects you.
Combining Picamilon With Other Supplements
Based on user feedback, combining picamilon with other nootropics or supplements can have very positive benefits. It really depends on your goals and your budget. If you are a first-time user of picamilon, it is recommended that you thoroughly see how you respond to it before combining it with other supplements or drugs.
If your goals are cognitive enhancement, there are other nootropics you could take with picamilon to create a powerful combination. Stacking supplements can get pretty tricky, so a methodical approach is essential. The best advice I could recommend is to take thorough notes of your experimentation to see what combinations and dosages produce the best results for your desired goals. Researching stacks of others is a great starting point, but always remember that due to the multitude of variables involved, there is not one precise combination and dosage that is right for everyone. It takes a little patience, but taking the time to find your optimal solution for your situation is worth it in the end.
Is Picamilon A Supplement You Should Consider?
In my opinion… Yes! Very few supplements have the numerous positive benefits, safety profile and relatively low cost that picamilon has. At the very least, if you have any interest in picamilon’s reported benefits, it is something worth trying to see if you have the positive results other users are experiencing.
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