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Coluracetam

Coluracetam molecule structureColuracetam molecule structure
BCI-540, MKC-231Open in Piru
Psychoactive Class
NootropicStimulant (mild)
Chemical Class
Racetam

Coluracetam is a synthetic racetam compound classified as a nootropic with mild stimulant effects. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation originally developed and tested it for Alzheimer's disease. Compared with noopept, it is described as nearly twice as potent dose for dose and as emphasizing physical stimulation over cognitive stimulation. It is short acting.

Dosage & Duration

Log in Piru

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold1 mg
Light2-5 mg
Moderate5-10 mg
Strong10+ mg
Heavy20+ mg

Duration

Onset1-5 minutes
Total3-6 hours

Subjective Effects

Subjective Effects not written up yet

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
No reaction
No reaction
Mecke(ME)
No reaction
No reaction
Mandelin(MD)
No reaction
No reaction
Liebermann(LB)
No reaction
No reaction
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

MKC-231 enhances high-affinity choline uptake (HACU), described as the rate-limiting step of acetylcholine synthesis1. In AF64A-treated rats, orally administered MKC-231 (1-10 mg/kg) significantly improved learning deficits in the Morris water maze2 and produced long-lasting procognitive effects associated with altered choline-transporter regulation. It also reversed loss of choline acetyltransferase production in the medial septal nucleus of rats exposed to phencyclidine.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption & half-lifenot documented yetMetabolitesnone documented yet

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

DissociativesStimulants
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to many effects develops with prolonged, repeated use, requiring increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects.
Baseline Reset
In the absence of further consumption, tolerance may return to baseline in approximately 1–2 weeks.
Half Tolerance
After stopping use, tolerance may be reduced by half in approximately 3–7 days.
Cross Tolerance

Possible cross-tolerance with racetam nootropics, including aniracetam and piracetam

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Low

Chronic use is considered to have low abuse potential, and the substance does not appear capable of causing psychological dependence in some users.

Toxicity

Lethal Dosage

The exact toxic dosage in humans is unknown.

History & Culture

Coluracetam, also known by the development codes BCI-540 and formerly MKC-231, was initially developed and tested by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation as a candidate treatment for Alzheimer's disease. After it failed to reach clinical-trial endpoints, BrainCells Inc licensed it for investigation…

Legality

By Country

Prescription1
Australia flagAustraliaPrescription only

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: Coluracetam user thread (2013)
  2. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  3. PsychonautWiki
  4. TripSit Factsheets
  5. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. MKC-231, a choline uptake enhancer: (3) Mode of action of MKC-231 in the enhancement of high-affinity choline uptake. PubMed / Journal of Neural Transmission (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-008-0049-012
  2. Effect of the novel high affinity choline uptake enhancer 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-N-(2,3-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-b]quinolin-4-yl)acetoamide on deficits of water maze learning in rats. PubMed / Arzneimittelforschung (1996). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/87400801
  3. Safety and Effectiveness Study of BCI-540 Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder With Concomitant Anxiety. ClinicalTrials.gov (2008). https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT006212701
  4. Subsequent exposure to the choline uptake enhancer MKC-231 antagonizes phencyclidine-induced behavioral deficits and reduction in septal cholinergic neurons in rats. European Neuropsychopharmacology (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1746796012
  5. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026 — Federal Register record. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/latest/text1
  6. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/asmade/2026-05-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1

Further Reading

  1. Bessho et al. (1996) - Effect on water maze learning deficits
  2. Braintropic - Coluracetam Overview
  3. Murai et al. (1994) - MKC-231 ameliorates working memory deficits
  4. NootropicsExpert - Coluracetam Review
  5. Reddit: r/Nootropics – How do you dose Coluracetam? (2014)
  6. Reddit: r/Nootropics – Long-term tolerance report (2015)
  7. SelfDecode – Coluracetam interactions
  8. Shirayama et al. (2007) - MKC-231 antagonizes phencyclidine-induced deficits

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Step 2 · First-pass reviewPending

    Not yet reviewed: this article is pending editorial review by Lyrea.

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    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

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