Noopept

Quick Facts

Full Name: N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester
Aliases: GVS-111, Omberacetam
Category: Cognitive Enhancement / Neuroprotection / Nootropic
Type: Dipeptide derivative (synthetic analog of endogenous cycloprolylglycine)
Molecular Weight: 318.37 Da
Administration: Oral / Intranasal / Sublingual
Typical Dose: 10–30 mg/day
Frequency: 1–3x daily; cycle 4–8 weeks
Half-Life: ~30–60 minutes (metabolite cycloprolylglycine active longer)
Status: Prescription in Russia; Research Only elsewhere
WADA Status: Not listed

What It Does

Noopept is one of the most widely used cognitive-enhancing peptide derivatives. Structurally related to the racetam family but significantly more potent, it is a prodrug for the endogenous neuropeptide cycloprolylglycine. It robustly upregulates BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus and cortex, enhances memory consolidation and retrieval, and provides neuroprotection against glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. Oral bioavailability with rapid BBB penetration makes it uniquely accessible.

Mechanism of Action

Prodrug hydrolysis: Metabolized to cycloprolylglycine (endogenous neuroprotective dipeptide) + phenylacetic acid; cycloprolylglycine mediates primary CNS effects
BDNF upregulation: Significant increase in hippocampal BDNF mRNA and protein → synaptic plasticity and memory enhancement
NGF upregulation: Nerve Growth Factor increase in hippocampus and cortex → neuroprotection and cholinergic function support
AMPA receptor modulation: Positive allosteric modulation → enhanced glutamatergic transmission for learning
Neuroprotection: Anti-excitotoxic (reduces glutamate toxicity), anti-oxidant (reduces lipid peroxidation), anti-apoptotic
Alpha-wave EEG enhancement: Increases alpha-band activity → improved focused relaxed attention

Dosing Protocols

Standard Protocol

Dose: 10–30 mg orally (or intranasally at lower doses)
Frequency: 1–2x daily
Duration: 4–8 week cycles; mandatory off-cycles
Cycling: 4–8 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off (prevents tolerance)
Note: Sublingual or intranasal at 5–10 mg gives faster onset and enhanced CNS delivery
Source: The Peptides Bible, Peptides Made Easy

Intranasal Protocol

5–10 mg dissolved in sterile saline; nasal atomizer
Faster onset; bypasses first-pass metabolism

Stacks Well With

Pinealon – neuroprotective synergy (EDR + NGF/BDNF upregulation)
FGL – fibroblast growth loop peptide; neural regeneration complement
Semax – BDNF + NGF dual upregulation stack
Selank – anxiolytic to balance Noopept stimulation
Dihexa – HGF + BDNF multi-pathway cognitive stack

Use Cases

Cognitive Enhancement (memory, learning, focus, processing speed)
Neuroprotection (neurodegeneration prevention, TBI recovery)
Anxiety (mild anxiolytic at some doses)
Age-Related Cognitive Decline
Study and Performance enhancement

Contraindications & Safety

Active malignancy — BDNF/NGF upregulation; theoretical concern in some cancers
Psychiatric medications — glutamate/AMPA modulation; caution with antiepileptics, antidepressants
Stimulatory side effects — irritability, headache, brain fog if overused (choline depletion)
Add choline source (Alpha-GPC, CDP-choline) to prevent headaches from cholinergic demand
Common side effects: Headache (choline depletion), irritability, insomnia if taken late

Storage

Powder: -20°C for long-term storage; room temperature for weeks
Oral capsules: Room temperature; 1–2 year shelf life; away from moisture and light
Intranasal solution: 2–8°C; use within 2 weeks

PubMed Research

Research links will be added after PubMed search

Sources

The Peptides Bible – Cognitive peptides section
Peptides Made Easy – Nootropic protocols
Peptide Protocols Master Bible – Dosing and stacking

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