Cognitive Peptides

Cerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived neurotrophic peptide mixture approved in 40+ countries for stroke and dementia recovery. A 14-RCT meta-analysis (N=2,884) confirmed neurological improvement. Not FDA-approved; sourcing genuine EBEWE ampoules from international vendors is the primary practical challenge for most buyers.

Semax triples hippocampal BDNF in rodent models and is approved for stroke recovery in Russia. Short 10 to 20 day intranasal or subcutaneous cycles produce focus and memory benefits that persist weeks after stopping. No RCTs in healthy adults exist.

Selank is a tuftsin-based anxiolytic peptide backed by a 192-patient GAD trial showing benzodiazepine-comparable results. It reduces anxiety without sedation, boosts BDNF, and pairs well with Semax. All clinical data is from Russian institutions. No Western trials have been run.

Omberacetam (Noopept) is a Russian-approved dipeptide nootropic, about 1,000x more potent than piracetam by weight. It upregulates BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus. All clinical trials are Russian; no independent Western replication yet. Oral dosing at 10 to 30 mg daily.

Bromantane upregulates dopamine synthesis enzymes for calm, crash-free motivation. Approved in Russia for neurasthenia (728-patient trial, 90.8% improvement). Not FDA-approved; banned by WADA. Oral dosing at 50 to 100 mg daily, cycled 4 weeks on with a mandatory 2-week break.

FGL peptide targets FGFR1 signaling for neuroprotection and memory. Strong rodent data on hippocampal plasticity across 34 PubMed papers, but only 24 humans have ever received it (intranasal, Phase I only). Community SC dosing sits far below all studied doses.

Cyclic glycine-proline (cGP) is your body's built-in IGF-1 regulator. At just 154 Da, this oral cyclic dipeptide crosses the blood-brain barrier and may support neuroprotection, memory, and blood pressure. Research is preclinical; no placebo-controlled human RCTs exist for this compound yet.

P21 is a CNTF-derived tetrapeptide that tripled hippocampal neurogenesis and cut tau hyperphosphorylation by 50 to 60% in Alzheimer's mouse models. Strictly preclinical. No human trials. Community reports favor intranasal dosing at 500 mcg to 1 mg daily for subtle memory support over 4 to 6 week cycles.

Beta-endorphin is the body's most powerful endogenous analgesic, 18 to 33 times stronger than morphine at the mu-opioid receptor. Studied clinically via IV and intrathecal routes in the 1980s, it remains research-only today. No subcutaneous protocol has been validated in humans.

MIF-1 (melanostatin, PLG) is an endogenous tripeptide that allosterically modulates dopamine D2 and D4 receptors. One small double-blind trial showed an 89% antidepressant responder rate, but no replication exists. Used in short 5 to 7 day subcutaneous courses for anhedonia.

Cortexin is a bovine/porcine cortex-derived neuropeptide bioregulator approved in Russia since 1999 for stroke and TBI recovery. A 189-patient multicenter RCT (PMID 29652367) confirmed neurological improvement. Effects are delayed, peaking 1 to 4 weeks after the 10-day IM course ends.

DNSP-11 is a GDNF-derived 11-amino-acid peptide that doubled dopamine levels in rat substantia nigra from a single injection. Intranasal delivery confirmed brain penetration within 30 minutes. Zero human trials exist; all data comes from rodent and primate studies at one academic lab.

NA-Selank Amidate extends native Selank's anxiolytic and nootropic effects from minutes to hours through dual peptide stabilization. Approved in Russia under the parent formulation for GAD. No direct clinical trials exist for this specific modification. Research peptide only, not FDA approved.

NA-Semax Amidate delivers 3 to 5 times the potency of standard Semax per microgram, with cognitive effects lasting weeks after short 10 to 20 day intranasal cycles. All human dosing comes from community consensus; no clinical trials exist for the modified form.

Cortagen is a Khavinson tetrapeptide bioregulator targeting cortical tissue and epigenetic remodeling. Rat studies showed 27% faster nerve regeneration, but zero human RCTs exist. Oral capsule format at 10 to 20 mg per day. Niche community interest, strong theoretical basis, thin clinical evidence.

Dihexa (PNB-0408) activates the HGF/c-Met pathway to promote synaptogenesis in animal models. No human trials exist. Two founding papers were retracted in 2025 for data fabrication. Community dosing runs 5 to 20 mg daily oral. Strictly experimental and unverified.

PE-22-28 blocks TREK-1 potassium channels with 300-fold greater potency than its parent compound spadin. Rodent studies show antidepressant-like effects within four days and a functional duration around 23 hours. No human trial data exists; all dosing is community-derived at this time.

Cerluten is a bovine brain-derived polypeptide bioregulator taken orally for cognitive support. One 48-patient study showed memory and sleep improvements. Community reports are sparse, effects are subtle, and all published data comes from the developer's own institute in St. Petersburg.

Pinealon (EDR) is a three-amino-acid bioregulator targeting the pineal gland's melatonin and serotonin pathways. Preclinical data from the Khavinson group shows neuroprotective gene modulation. No human trials exist, but community users report circadian rhythm correction over short 10 to 20 day cycles.