Skip to content

Picamilon

Synonyms: picamilon, nicotinoyl-GABA

What is Picamilon?

Picamilon, which is also known as Pikamilon or nicotinoyl-GABA, is a widely used dietary supplement made by combining niacin (vitamin B3) with GABA or gamma aminobutyric acid. Developed in the Soviet Union in the 1960s, this supplement is most commonly used as a nootropic due to its positive effects on mood and mental performance, but is also used as a circulatory supplement.

Where does Picamilon come from?

Picamilon is a synthetic compound that does not occur in nature. Its two components, niacin and GABA, however, occur naturally in food or are produced by our bodies.

Benefits of Picamilon

Picamilon is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and is hydrolyzed to niacin and GABA in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that reduces the excitation of the nervous system. In other words, GABA can help reduce and calm agitation and anxiety. For this reason, GABA is often used by people who have trouble falling asleep. However, Picamilon also has vasodilating properties and can help to increase blood flow in the body. This is primarily due to the niacin component of the compound.

Benefits of Picamilon for bodybuilders

This ingredient is mainly found in pre-workout products thanks to its three main properties. As Picamilon acts as a circulatory stimulant, it can help to increase the pump and blood flow to working muscles. This can result in increased oxygen transport to the muscles and support performance, as well as accelerate the removal of metabolic waste products that promote muscle fatigue. Picamilon can also support mood and concentration and reduce inner restlessness. This can improve performance during training and competitions. Being calmer and less agitated can help an athlete focus better on their exercises and achieve better exercise form for better muscle growth.

Picamilon side effects, safety and disadvantages

Since there is very little research conducted with Picamilon, there are no extensive studies on the side effects of this compound. When Picamilon is used in appropriate dosages of less than 500 mg per day, it is extremely safe and harmless and should not have any unwanted side effects.

Picamilon is a weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), but is definitely not in the same league as other monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as antidepressants. As Picamilon contains niacin, high doses can cause reddening of the skin and, in rare cases, skin rashes. However, the amounts contained in supplements are usually much lower than the amounts that could cause unwanted side effects.

Picamilon recommended dosage and timing of intake

There are no official dosage recommendations for Picamilon, but most supplements contain between 50 and 100 mg Picamilon per serving. In terms of timing, Picamilon supplements should be taken before training, which is why this ingredient is often found in pre-workout products. As a mono-preparation, Picamilon should be taken before going to bed in order to benefit from its calming and anxiety-relieving properties.

Picamilon supplements

Picamilon is most commonly found in fat burners and pre-workout supplements, but can also be found in selected amino acid supplements and sleep support products. Picamilon is also available as a mono-preparation.

Combinations of Picamilon with other supplements

Picamilon combines well with most other supplement ingredients, but works particularly well with ingredients from pre-workout products, fat burners and pump boosters. This includes stimulants such as caffeine and bitter orange extract, metabolism boosters such as green tea extract and acetyl L-carnitine, as well as circulation-enhancing compounds such as citrulline. However, Picamilon can also be combined with most other supplements.

References

  1. Toyama K, Zhao X, Kuranuki S, Oguri Y, Kashiwa Kato E, Yoshitake Y, Nakamura T. 'The effect of fast eating on the thermic effect of food in young Japanese women.' Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2015 Jan 22:1-8.