Nootropics come in all shapes and sizes. And since no two of them are exactly alike, it is only wise to compare them carefully so you can find that works best for you. Phenylpiracetam and Adrafinil are two of the world’s most popular energy boosters. Renowned for their energy-boosting and wakefulness-promoting effects, the two are commonly pitted against each other in debates. Which one of them is better? How different are they? Let’s explore. What Is Adrafinil? Adrafinil is an attention-boosting supplement and stimulant. It is used to increase exploratory behavior and alertness. It is also used to improve mental energy, motivation, performance, and focus. People who want a mental edge often go for Adrafinil especially since it is related to Modafinil. When someone consumes Adrafinil on an empty stomach, the effects typically kick in within 45 to 60 minutes i.e., onset time. One reason why it is a popular stimulant is that it has relatively few side effects for the most part. Also, it does not require prescription in most countries (it is, however, banned by WADA). The dosage of Adrafinil ranges from 200 to 1200mg per day. The typical dose for folks looking to improve wakefulness is 200 to 300mg in the morning and another 200 to 300mg in the afternoon. One should start off with a small dosage e.g., 30mg before gradually progressing to larger doses to minimize the risk of side effects. What Is Phenylpiracetam? Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic that is used to restore cognitive function of the brain. It is related to the legendary piracetam just that a phenyl group is added to it. The addition of the phenyl group improves phenylpiracetam’s ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Phenylpiracetam exhibits various mechanisms of action that can help relieve symptoms of cognitive deterioration. It also improves energy supply to the neurons along with restoring synaptic transmission among neurons. As a member of the racetam family, phenylpiracetam is characterized by low toxicity and absence of pronounced side effects. Similarities Back to the Adrafinil versus Phenylpiracetam debate, these two nootropics share a long list of similarities including: Adrafinil vs Phenylpiracetam: The Differences One of the key differences setting adrafinil and phenylpiracetam apart is that the latter is slower of the blocks compared to the former. Phenylpiracetam has a faster onset time than adrafinil. It takes 20 to 40 minutes for feel the effects of phenylpiracetam and 40 to 60 minutes to experience the effects of adrafinil. The reason for this is that adrafinil is a prodrug which has to be broken down into modafinil first once ingested. Another important difference to note is that adrafinil has the ability to cause insomnia especially when taken too close to bedtime. Phenylpiracetam is a lot more sleep-friendly (although ultimately different people respond differently). Adrafinil effects seem to last longer than phenylpiracetam’s. As such, the former is best recommended for people who looking for stimulatory benefits that last 6 to 8 hours. Adrafinil, on the other hand, lasts long sometimes well beyond 10 hours. As far as dosage is concerned, Phenylpiracetam is taken in dosages of 100 to 400mg daily while Adrafinil is taken is dosages of 200 to 600mg per day. 1200mg is the absolute high limit for adrafinil. Lastly, phenylpiracetam causes a crash for some people. To prevent headaches when taking phenylpiracetam people mix it with choline. No choline is, however, needed for adrafinil users. Which One’s More Potent? Both Adrafinil and Phenylpiracetam are potent stimulants. Depending on what’s available, either of them can do the trick in most cases. That said, phenylpiracetam is better at memory and fast onset while adrafinil is better at mental acumen and wakefulness promotion. ALSO READ Best Places to Buy Adrafinil Best Places to Buy Phenylpiracetam