Aniracetam is a drug of the “racetam” chemical classification that was initially developed in the 1970s by pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. Chemically, aniracetam is synthesized via reaction of 2-pyrrolidone with anisoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine; hence it is sometimes referred to as “N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone.” When administered to humans and animals, aniracetam functions via allosterically …
Invega (Paliperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic approved in 2006 for the treatment of schizophrenia. Several years later in 2009, a longer-acting format of the medication called “Invega Sustenna” was also approved. Invega Sustenna is an injectable form of the drug that is administered every 4 weeks and is thought to be advantageous it mitigates risk …
Fanapt (Iloperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic that was approved by the FDA on May 6, 2009 for the treatment of schizophrenia. The drug is thought to have been synthesized in the 1990s, during which its rights were sold from Hoechst Marion Roussel Inc. to Titan Pharmaceuticals, and eventually to Vanda Pharmaceuticals. It functions as an …
Saphris (Asenapine) is a drug that was approved by the FDA in 2007 for the treatment of schizophrenia and the manic phases of bipolar disorder. It functions by acting primarily on 5-HT2A serotonergic receptors and D2 dopaminergic receptors as an antagonist. It also elicits effects on a variety of other serotonergic receptors (5HT2B, 5HT2C, 5HT6, …
Perhaps you’ve heard of the fictional story “Flowers for Algernon” about a laboratory mouse named Algernon. The mouse undergoes a nootropic-esque surgical procedure that dramatically amplifies his intelligence. The experiment is deemed so successful, that scientists decide to test the procedure in a human character named Charlie Gordon. Prior to the artificial enhancement of Charlie’s …
Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that was discovered in 1846 by Justus von Liebig, a German chemist. The word “tyrosine” is derived from the Greek term “tyros” – meaning “cheese.” L-Tyrosine is commonly taken in the form of a dietary supplement to facilitate catecholamine synthesis. Upon ingestion of L-tyrosine, the body metabolizes it into …
L-Theanine is a non-essential amino acid derived primarily from the plant Camellia sinensis. It was discovered as a green tea constituent circa 1950, and can also be found within other types of tea including black tea and white tea. The levorotatory “L” (left-handed) enantiomer is more popular than the dextrorotatory “D” enantiomer and better understood. …