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Classes

Nootropic & neuro

Peptides studied for cognition, anxiety, sleep and neuroprotection.

7 compounds in this class. 0 approved by the FDA for at least one indication. 3 have no published human trial data.

Guides in this class

All 7 nootropic & neuro compared

CompoundEvidenceReported rangeHalf-lifeStatus
Cerebrolysin
A porcine brain-derived peptide preparation used clinically across Europe and Asia for dementia and stroke.
 Clinical trials 5-30 g Not established (mixture) Research only
Dihexa
An angiotensin IV derivative reported in animal work to be dramatically more potent than BDNF at promoting synaptogenesis.
 Animal models only 8-45 mg ~10-12 hours Research only
DSIP
A nonapeptide isolated from rabbit brain during sleep induction, with inconsistent human results despite the name.
 Preliminary human 100-300 mcg ~7-15 minutes Research only
N-Acetyl Semax Amidate
An acetylated and amidated Semax variant marketed as more potent and longer lasting. The potency claims are not from published human work.
 Anecdotal only 100-300 mcg ~1-2 hours Research only
P21
A neurotrophic peptide mimetic studied for neurogenesis and tau pathology in Alzheimer models.
 Animal models only 500 mcg - 1 mg Not established Research only
Selank
A synthetic tuftsin analog developed in Russia as an anxiolytic without sedation or dependence.
 Preliminary human 250-750 mcg ~30 minutes (intranasal) Research only
Semax
A heptapeptide ACTH fragment analog used in Russia for stroke and cognitive indications, with no corticotropic activity.
 Preliminary human 300-900 mcg ~30 minutes (intranasal) Research only

Head-to-head comparisons

Cerebrolysin vs SemaxCerebrolysin vs DihexaDihexa vs SemaxDSIP vs SelankDSIP vs IpamorelinDSIP vs EpitalonN-Acetyl Semax Amidate vs SemaxN-Acetyl Semax Amidate vs SelankSelank vs Semax

Nootropic & neuro: common questions

What are nootropic & neuro?

Peptides studied for cognition, anxiety, sleep and neuroprotection. This class has 7 compounds in our directory.

Which nootropic & neuro are FDA approved?

None of the 7 compounds in this class is FDA approved for any indication.

Which nootropic & neuro have the strongest evidence?

By evidence level and number of human studies: Cerebrolysin (clinical trials, ~40 human studies); Semax (preliminary human, ~8 human studies); DSIP (preliminary human, ~7 human studies).

Can compounding pharmacies make these?

Cerebrolysin, Dihexa, DSIP, N-Acetyl Semax Amidate, Selank, Semax are not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so there is no routine legal path to compound them. Material sold online is labelled for research use only. Status checked against FDA lists in October 2026.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2 and withdrawn nominations) ↗ · content current as of April 22, 2026; checked October 18, 2026
  2. FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A ↗ · how the 503A categories work
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs ↗ · status of products sold "for research use only"
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · peptide hormones and growth factors, class S2
  5. PubMed (National Library of Medicine) ↗ · source of every literature reference on this site

Published literature

  1. Cook AM, Michas M, Robbins B. Update on Neuroprotection after Traumatic Brain Injury.CNS Drugs 2025.PubMed 40087248 · doi:10.1007/s40263-025-01173-9
  2. Cui S, Chen N, Yang M, et al.. Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019.PubMed 31710397 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008900.pub3
  3. Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T, Hoyle CH. Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020.PubMed 32662068 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007026.pub6
  4. Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T, Vernay L. Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017.PubMed 28430363 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007026.pub5
  5. Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T, Vernay L. Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016.PubMed 27918088 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007026.pub4
  6. Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T. Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke.Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015.PubMed 26083192 · doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007026.pub3
  7. Masserini F, Gendarini C, Baso G, et al.. Therapeutic strategies in vascular cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Alzheimers Dement 2025.PubMed 41198594 · doi:10.1002/alz.70840
  8. Bogolepova AN. [Cognitive impairment in post-traumatic stress disorder].Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2024.PubMed 38884432 · doi:10.17116/jnevro202412405169
  9. Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
  10. Wright JW, Harding JW. The Brain Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Receptor System: A New Target for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.J Alzheimers Dis 2015.PubMed 25649658 · doi:10.3233/JAD-142814
  11. Ho JK, Nation DA. Cognitive benefits of angiotensin IV and angiotensin-(1-7): A systematic review of experimental studies.Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018.PubMed 29733881 · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.05.005
  12. Wright JW, Kawas LH, Harding JW. The development of small molecule angiotensin IV analogs to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.Prog Neurobiol 2015.PubMed 25455861 · doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.11.004
  13. Pollard BJ, Pomfrett CJ. Delta sleep-inducing peptide.Eur J Anaesthesiol 2001.PubMed 11437870 · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2346.2001.00917.x
  14. Steiger A, Holsboer F. Neuropeptides and human sleep.Sleep 1997.PubMed 9456470

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.