Cognitive Performance
Research compounds studied for BDNF upregulation, anxiety reduction, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Primarily intranasal peptides with fast onset.
Most researched for Cognitive Performance
Semax
The most accessible and well-documented cognitive peptide in this category. Developed at the Russian Institute of Molecular Genetics and approved pharmaceutically in Russia. Research shows BDNF and NGF upregulation, dopaminergic activity enhancement, and neuroprotective effects. Fast onset via intranasal administration with a strong research base behind it.
N-Acetyl Selank
aka NA Selank
How it works: Same mechanism as Selank (GABAergic modulation, BDNF elevation, IL-6 regulation) with enhanced BBB penetration via N-acetylation
Enhanced anxiolytic effect; cognitive support; mood stabilization
Dosage range
200-500 mcg, 1–2×/day
Administration
Intranasal / SubQ
Timing
Morning or as needed for anxiety; afternoon OK (non-stimulant)
Cycle length
4–8 weeks cyclical
Cerebrolysin
aka FPF-1070
How it works: Contains multiple neurotrophic factors and fragments that cross BBB; acts on TrkB (BDNF pathway), TrkA (NGF), CNTFR; promotes neuronal survival, synaptogenesis, neuroplasticity; antioxidant
Cognitive enhancement; neuroprotection; recovery from stroke/TBI; Alzheimer's support
Dosage range
5-30 mL, Once daily (IM/IV) ×10–20 day course
Administration
IM (most practical); IV (clinical hospital)
Timing
Once daily (morning or afternoon)
Cycle length
10–20 day intensive cycles; 2–4×/year
Semax
aka ACTH(4-7)-PGP
How it works: Increases BDNF and NGF expression in the brain, enhancing neural plasticity and dopaminergic tone.
Cognitive enhancement; focus; memory; neuroprotection; stroke recovery (Russia)
Dosage range
250-1000 mcg, 1–3×/day
Administration
Intranasal (most common) / SubQ
Timing
Morning and/or midday (stimulant-like)
Cycle length
4–8 wks on; break; or 10-day Russian intensive
Selank
aka TP-7, TP-7, Selanc
How it works: Modulates anxiety via GABA and serotonin systems while preserving cognitive sharpness.
Anxiety reduction; cognitive enhancement; mood stabilization
Dosage range
250-750 mcg, 1–3×/day
Administration
Intranasal (most common) / SubQ
Timing
Morning and/or midday; can use afternoon (non-stimulant)
Cycle length
4–8 wks cyclical; or 10-day Russian intensive
N-Acetyl Semax
aka NA Semax, Semax Acetate (N-terminal)
How it works: Modified Semax with enhanced potency - acetylation and amidation increase blood-brain barrier penetration and duration.
Enhanced cognitive performance; focus; memory; neuroprotection vs standard Semax
Dosage range
200-600 mcg, 1–2×/day
Administration
Intranasal / SubQ
Timing
Morning; avoid late day
Cycle length
4–8 weeks cyclical
Cortexin
aka brain polypeptide extract
How it works: Multiple neuroprotective and neurotrophic fragments from cortical tissue; antioxidant; anti-excitotoxic; promotes BDNF/NGF; Russian-approved for stroke/TBI
Cognitive enhancement; neuroprotection; stroke recovery; TBI rehabilitation
Dosage range
10-20 mg, Once daily ×10 day course
Administration
IM
Timing
Morning
Cycle length
10 days; 2–4×/year
Semax Amidate
aka C-terminal amide Semax
How it works: Same as Semax (BDNF/NGF upregulation; dopaminergic/serotonergic) but C-terminal amide increases metabolic stability → longer half-life in vivo; typically more potent per mcg
Enhanced cognitive performance; focus; memory; neuroprotection vs standard Semax
Dosage range
200-600 mcg, 1–2×/day
Administration
Intranasal / SubQ
Timing
Morning; avoid late day
Cycle length
4–8 wks cyclical
Selank Amidate
aka C-terminal amide Selank
How it works: Same as Selank (GABAergic + BDNF + enkephalin-degrading enzyme inhibition) but C-terminal amide increases metabolic stability
Enhanced anxiolytic effect; cognitive support; mood stabilization
Dosage range
200-500 mcg, 1–2×/day
Administration
Intranasal / SubQ
Timing
Any time (non-stimulant)
Cycle length
4–8 wks cyclical
Dihexa
aka PNB-0408, N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-aminohexanoic amide
How it works: Activates HGF/c-Met signaling to form new synaptic connections, potentially enhancing learning and memory.
Cognitive enhancement; memory; learning; neuroplasticity; potential Alzheimer's application
Dosage range
4-20 mg, Once daily
Administration
Oral / SubQ
Timing
Morning
Cycle length
2–4 weeks on; 4+ weeks off (limited human data requires caution)
PE-22-28
aka Spadin analog, Spadin C-terminal fragment, TREK-1 blocker
How it works: Blocks TREK-1 (TRAAK-related K+ leak channel) → increased serotonergic and noradrenergic tone → antidepressant effect; mechanism similar to SSRIs but via ion channel modulation; BDNF elevation (via TrkB)
Antidepressant effects; treatment-resistant depression; cognitive enhancement
Dosage range
50-200 mcg, Once or twice daily
Administration
SubQ / Intranasal
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
FGL
aka NCAM FG Loop Peptide, NCAM FG loop
How it works: Mimics NCAM FG loop; activates FGFR; promotes neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, LTP; neuroprotective in ischemia models
Synaptic plasticity; cognitive improvement; Alzheimer's adjunct (research)
Dosage range
2-8 mg, Once daily
Administration
SubQ / Intranasal
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 wks cyclical
Humanin G
aka HNG, HNG, Gly14-Humanin
How it works: Agonist of tripartite receptor (gp130/WSX-1/IL-6Rα); activates STAT3 and PI3K/Akt; anti-apoptotic; neuroprotective esp. Alzheimer's models; 1000× more potent than Humanin due to Gly14
Neuroprotection; Alzheimer's; metabolic cytoprotection; anti-aging
Dosage range
0.2-2 mg, Once daily or every other day
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
Klotho
aka alpha-Klotho, alpha-Klotho, KL1 fragment
How it works: Co-receptor for FGF23; shed ectodomain circulates as hormone; anti-aging via Wnt pathway inhibition; neuroprotective; single injection improved cognition in primates (Dubal 2022)
Cognitive enhancement; anti-aging; renal protection; cognitive protection in aging
Dosage range
Administration
IV (clinical research)
Timing
Research only
Cycle length
Research only
Humanin
aka Oral / Nasal, Oral/Nasal Humanin, HN intranasal
How it works: Intranasal: direct delivery to olfactory nerve → CNS; bypasses BBB; Oral: small peptide may partially survive GI digestion; limited data on either alternative route vs SubQ
CNS neuroprotection via intranasal route (direct nose-to-brain delivery); systemic metabolic effects via oral (debated bioavailability)
Dosage range
1-3 mg, Daily (intranasal) or every other day (oral)
Administration
Intranasal / Oral
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks cyclical
Pinealon
aka EDR, Glu-Asp-Arg
How it works: Binds DNA regions in brain/retinal cells; stimulates neuroprotective gene expression; anti-apoptotic; antioxidant in neural tissue; Khavinson bioregulator targeting brain involution
Cognitive aging protection; neuroprotection; sleep/circadian modulation
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10 day course
Administration
SC / Intranasal
Timing
AM preferred
Cycle length
10 days; 2× per year
Example stacks
Cognitive - Beginner
Semax intranasally is the most accessible and well-studied starting point. Fast-acting, easy to dose, well-tolerated. Short cycles prevent tolerance.
- • Take in the morning - stimulating effect impacts sleep if taken late
- • Use a clean dropper, tilt head back slightly
- • Cycle 2-4 weeks on, 2 weeks off
Cognitive - Intermediate
Semax drives cognitive performance while Selank addresses anxiety-driven cognitive impairment. Together they produce a focused-but-calm state.
- • Alternate nostrils or allow 5 minutes between each
- • Selank is especially effective on high-stress days
- • Use before cognitively demanding tasks
Community outcome data
Collected from users researching this goal. Not a clinical database - for general reference only.
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