Cognitive peptides

18 peptides tagged cognitive. Each page carries the dosing reference, mechanism, evidence grade and references.

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  • 9-Me-BC

    9-Methyl-beta-carboline, a small-molecule alkaloid shown in rodent studies to promote dopamine neuron survival and improve learning and memory.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Adamax

    Adamantane-modified analog of the ACTH(4-7) peptide Semax, intended for greater lipophilicity and brain uptake; almost no published research exists.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • Cerebrolysin

    Porcine brain-derived mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids with neurotrophic activity; trialled in humans for stroke and dementia.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Cortagen

    Khavinson-series synthetic tetrapeptide (AEDP) designed from the brain extract Cortexin; studied in rats for sciatic nerve regeneration and in rodent brain for antioxidant effects.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Dihexa

    Angiotensin IV-derived peptide analog; rodent studies report memory rescue in some models, but the founding papers for its HGF/c-Met mechanism were retracted in 2025.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • FGL-S

    Peptide mimetic of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) defined in patent filings; one published study tested it in rats and monkeys, and the memory literature belongs to its parent FGL.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • Methylene Blue

    Phenothiazine redox dye (not a peptide) that can act as an alternative electron carrier in mitochondria; low oral doses studied in humans for memory and cerebral metabolism.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • N-Acetyl Selank Amidate

    Acetylated, amidated analog of Selank, a tuftsin-derived heptapeptide; Russian research on the parent peptide reports anxiolytic and mild nootropic effects without sedation.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • N-Acetyl Semax Amidate

    Acetylated, amidated analog of Semax, a synthetic ACTH(4-10) fragment; research on the parent peptide reports BDNF/NGF upregulation and neuroprotection in stroke models.

    Evidence: Anecdotal

  • Noopept

    Omberacetam, a synthetic dipeptide prodrug of cycloprolylglycine; Russian human and animal studies report memory benefits linked to BDNF and NGF upregulation.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Orexin A

    Hypothalamic neuropeptide (hypocretin-1) acting at OX1R and OX2R to promote wakefulness and arousal; intranasal delivery studied in sleep-deprived primates and narcolepsy models.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Oxytocin

    Posterior-pituitary nonapeptide hormone; IV or IM oxytocin (Pitocin and generics) is approved by the FDA for labor induction and postpartum bleeding. Intranasal social-behavior results are mixed.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • P21 (P021)

    P021, a CNTF-derived peptide (Ac-DGGL plus an adamantylated glycine, amide) that improved memory and neurogenesis in mouse and rat models of Alzheimer's disease and aging, given in the diet.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • PE-22-28

    Truncated analog of the natriuretic-peptide-derived peptide spadin that blocks the TREK-1 potassium channel; studied in rodents for rapid antidepressant and neurogenic effects.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • PHDP5

    Dodecapeptide from the dynamin 1 pleckstrin homology domain that blocks microtubule-dynamin binding; intranasal dosing rescued memory in Alzheimer-model mice. No human data.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Pinealon

    Khavinson-series synthetic tripeptide (EDR) from the brain drug Cortexin; protected neurons from oxidative stress in vitro and in rats, and preserved dendritic spines in Alzheimer model mice.

    Evidence: Preclinical

  • Selank

    Tuftsin-derived synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia; small human trials report anxiolytic and mild nootropic effects without sedation or dependence.

    Evidence: Clinical

  • Semax

    Synthetic ACTH(4-10) fragment (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed in Russia; studied intranasally for attention, memory, and BDNF-linked neuroprotection.

    Evidence: Clinical

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