Best Nootropics for BDNF & Neuroplasticity (2026)

Dihexa is a synthetic peptide analogue of the angiotensin IV metabolite LVV-hemorphin-7, developed at Washington State University. It is considered one of the most potent cognitive enhancers ever tested in animal models — reportedly 7 orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF at…

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, MEHFPGP, 813 Da molecular weight) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the 1980s. The compound is derived from ACTH(4-10) — the 4-10 amino acid fragment of adrenocor…

This is a duplicate/alias entry. The full, maintained guide for this compound lives at NA-Semax (/compound/na-semax). See that page for mechanism, dosing, evidence, and safety.

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, 750 Da molecular weight) developed in the 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a synthetic analog of tuftsin — an immunomodulatory tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) that i…

P-21 (also written P021, or Peptide 021) is a synthetic peptidergic compound derived from the neurotrophic region of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), designed to activate neurogenic and BDNF-producing pathways in the adult brain without triggering the activation of the CNTF r…

NSI-189 is a novel synthetic compound developed by Neuralstem Inc. that stimulates neurogenesis in the human hippocampus. Phase 2 trials for major depressive disorder showed improvements in subjective cognitive function, depression scores, and positive affect despite not reachin…

TAK-653 is a novel positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of AMPA-type glutamate receptors developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It enhances glutamatergic neurotransmission without directly activating the receptor, offering a more controlled mechanism for cognitive enhancement and a…

PE-22-28 is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide (sequence PAGASRLLLLTGEIDLP derivative, commonly truncated to PE-22-28 as shorthand for "position 22-28" within the parent humanin-family sequence) that was designed as an analog of Humanin with specific interest in activity at gl…

Methylene blue (methylthioninium chloride) is a phenothiazine dye with a 150-year pharmacology record. It was the first fully synthetic drug ever used in medicine (Ehrlich, 1891 for malaria) and remains on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines as the first-line treatment for…

Lion's Mane (scientific name Hericium erinaceus; also known as yamabushitake in Japanese, houtou in Chinese, bearded tooth fungus, monkey head mushroom, and pom pom mushroom) is a white-to-cream coloured edible and medicinal mushroom in the tooth fungus family (Hericiaceae), cha…

Bacopa monnieri is a creeping, succulent-leaved aquatic perennial that grows in wetlands, bogs, and rice paddies across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and the southern United States. Known as "Brahmi" in Sanskrit — a name it shares somewhat confusin…

Sabroxy is a standardized Oroxylum indicum (Indian trumpet tree) bark extract - typically 10% oroxylin A - sold as a nootropic supplement ingredient. Preclinical work points to dopaminergic (dopamine-reuptake-inhibiting) and BDNF-boosting activity, and one small human trial repo…

Noopept is the common brand and research name for N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester (GVS-111; INN omberacetam), a small dipeptide nootropic developed in the 1990s at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences' Institute of Pharmacology under Tatiana Voronina and Rita Ostro…

Piracetam is the prototypical nootropic — the compound that inaugurated an entire class of cognitive enhancement drugs and gave the category its name. It was synthesized in 1964 by Romanian-born Belgian chemist Corneliu Giurgea at UCB Pharmaceuticals (Union Chimique Belge) as a…

Phenylpiracetam is a Russian-developed phenyl derivative of piracetam with a dramatically higher potency and stimulant profile. Approved in Russia as Phenotropil/Carphedon for cognitive impairment and stroke recovery. Banned by WADA as a performance-improving drug due to its sti…

Uridine monophosphate (UMP, also written 5'-UMP or uridine-5'-monophosphate) is the nucleotide form of uridine, consisting of the pyrimidine base uracil linked to a ribose sugar phosphorylated at the 5' position. It is one of the four building blocks of RNA (the others being ade…

Sulbutiamine (chemical name: isobutyryl thiamine disulfide; trade names include Arcalion, Enerion, Bisibutiamine) is a lipophilic synthetic derivative of vitamin B1 (thiamine), developed in Japan in the 1960s by Sankyo Company chemists who were seeking thiamine analogs with enha…

Alpha-GPC (chemical name L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine; pharmaceutical name choline alfoscerate) is a naturally occurring cholinergic compound that serves as a highly bioavailable precursor to both acetylcholine (the primary neurotransmitter of the cholinergic system, centra…

CDP-choline (cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine, pharmaceutical name citicoline) is a naturally occurring intracellular intermediate in the Kennedy pathway for phosphatidylcholine synthesis — the primary biochemical route by which all nucleated cells produce the dominant membrane phos…