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 is a **synthetic cyclic dipeptide** — Cyclo(L-prolyl-glycine) — derived from the Selank/Semax C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro motif. It was isolated and characterized by the Institute of Molecular Genetics at the Russian Academy of Sciences as a metabolic fragment of [Selank](/compou…

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 reaching…

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 an…

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](/compound/humanin) with specific intere…

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 …

**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 …

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 confusing…

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 r…

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 …

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 c…

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 stim…

**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 other…

**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 …

**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 sys…

**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 me…