---
title: "NSI-189: Dosage, Side Effects & Prices | BodyHackGuide"
url: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/nsi-189
description: "NSI-189: dosing protocols, mechanism & side effects, 15 PubMed results. Compare 1 current vendor prices."
lang: en
---

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# NSI-189

Nootropics: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/wiki#cat-nootropics

Status

Phase 2,, not approved for human use

Evidence

Human phase 2, endpoint missed, graded on the Neuroplasticity Peptides bench (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/stack/neuroplasticity-peptides)

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 primary endpoints.

Reviewed 2 October 2026

01 Overview

## What NSI-189 is

It has a dedicated following in the biohacking community for its reported hippocampal neurogenesis, emotional blunting reversal, and unique cognitive profile unlike any other nootropic.

### How it works

NSI-189 stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human hippocampal neural stem cells through a mechanism distinct from BDNF or classical antidepressants. Rodent studies show a 20% increase in hippocampal volume after 6 weeks of treatment. It is not a receptor agonist or reuptake inhibitor — its precise molecular target remains uncharacterized, which is unusual for a Phase 2 compound. It appears to improve synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus specifically, an area critical for pattern separation and emotional memory processing.

### Studied for

- Major depressive disorder
- Cognitive impairment
- PTSD
- Alzheimer's disease
- Neurogenesis

### Benefits listed

- Increased hippocampal neurogenesis
- Antidepressant effects
- Enhanced synaptic plasticity
- Improved cognitive function

Show 2 more Show less

- Long-lasting mood improvement
- Potential PTSD treatment

02 Research

Free with email

## What the research shows

### Graded on a research bench

Reference pages that put NSI-189 next to the compounds people pair it with: roles, evidence, overlap and conflicts. No dosing. Research use only.

- Neuroplasticity Peptides Human phase 2, endpoint missed human data on 4 of 7 compounds on the bench: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/stack/neuroplasticity-peptides

### Unlock the research summary

Enter your email to keep reading. It is free, and it opens these sections on every compound page in this browser.

- A summary of the key research
- Safety and side effects
- A link to the PubMed results

You also get the free peptide cheat sheet by email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Have an account? Sign in (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/auth)

03 Safety

## NSI-189 side effects and interactions

### Side effects

Low risk

Stop use if

- Active psychosis — hippocampal neurogenesis changes may worsen
- Bipolar disorder (monitor closely)

#### Common

- Transient cognitive changes during initial use (cognitive shifting)
- Anxiety in first weeks
- Sleep changes
- Emotional blunting (initial phase)

#### Less common

- Depersonalization (rare)
- Increased dream intensity

### Who should not use it

Contraindications

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Active mania or bipolar disorder (limited data). Concurrent SSRI use requires medical supervision.

### Interactions

5 pairings in our record: 1 with a caution and 4 noted as compatible or synergistic. Compatible and synergistic are notes from the record, not safety findings.

- SSRIs
  Caution
  Both affect serotonergic pathways — requires careful dose titration and monitoring
- Semax
  Synergistic
  NSI-189 neurogenesis + Semax BDNF — complementary brain enhancement
- Selank
  Compatible
  NSI-189 for mood + Selank for anxiety — well-rounded mental health support
- Lion's Mane
  Synergistic
  Both promote neurogenesis through different mechanisms
- Noopept
  Compatible
  Cognitive enhancement through different neurotrophic pathways

This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.

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04 Dosing

Free with email

## NSI-189 dosage and protocols

### Unlock the dosing protocols

- Dose, route, how often and how long
- A titration schedule
- Reconstitution and handling notes
- Stacking notes

05 Prices

## NSI-189 prices

1 listing from 1 vendor, opening in the Featured order.

Pack prices

$84.99

Lowest per mg

Not listed

Vendors

1

Listings

1 (capsule)

Prices as the vendors list them, last recorded 5 September 2026.

Form

Sort

| Vendor | Product | Price | Buy |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Image: Disguised Alpha logo (https://disguisedalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/disguised-logo-3x.webp) Disguised Alpha: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendors/disguised-alpha | NSI-189 Capsules 20 mg capsule, capsules (20 mg) In stock | $84.99 No mg count | Buy NSI-189 Capsules 20 mg at Disguised Alpha: https://disguisedalpha.com/product/nsi-189/?coupon=reddit |

Vendors selling NSI-189(1: trust score, certificates, payment, shipping)

- Disguised Alpha (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendors/disguised-alpha)1 listing, from $84.99
  Trust Score 50/100 (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendor-trust-scorecard), 0 of 36 certificate records read, pays by card, crypto, bank transfer, ships to the US, the EU, the UK

Every supplier above is graded 0 to 100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and active listings. Methodology published, no pay-to-rank. How we score these vendors (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendors/scorecard)

Review NSI-189

### Sign in to leave a review

Reviews on BodyHackGuide are tied to verified user accounts and moderated before publishing. Sign in (free, no spam) to share your experience with NSI-189.

06 Chemistry

## Chemistry and structure

Molecular formula

C22H30N4O

Molecular mass

366.5 g/mol

CAS number

1270138-40-3

IUPAC name

benzyl N-[2-(piperazin-1-yl)pyrimidin-5-yl]carbamate

View on PubChem (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/50922681)

07 Related

## Related to NSI-189

### In the same category

- 9-Me-BC (9-Methyl-β-carboline)Preclinical 9-Methyl--carboline (9-Me-BC) is a synthetic -carboline alkaloid that has drawn nootropic-community interest for a preclinical property that is genuinely unusual among -carbolines: in rodent and cell-culture studies it appears to stimulate the dopaminergic phenotype - raising tyrosine hydroxylase, the number of differentiated dopamine neurons and dopamine content - while also showing neuroprotective, neurorestorative and anti-inflammatory effects, plus in-vitro MAO-A/MAO-B inhibition [PMID:17913302, PMID:20374418, PMID:32285253].: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/9-mbc
- AniracetamApproved Aniracetam is a pyrrolidinone in the racetam family, developed by Hoffmann-La Roche under the code Ro 13-5057.: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/aniracetam
- Bemethyl (bemitil)Approved Bemethyl, known in the Russian literature as bemitil and sold in the region under names including Metaprot, Bemactor and Antihot, is 2-ethylthiobenzimidazole, normally handled as the hydrobromide salt.: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/bemethyl
- BPAPPreclinical BPAP, or (-)-BPAP, is a synthetic benzofuran compound, (R)-(-)-1-(benzofuran-2-yl)-2-propylaminopentane, developed by Joseph Knoll's group at Semmelweis University in Budapest with Fujimoto Pharmaceutical Corporation of Osaka as a potential successor to selegiline (deprenyl).: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/bpap
- BromantaneRussia Approved Bromantane is an atypical psychostimulant and anxiolytic developed in the 1980s at the Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, originally created as an adaptogen for Soviet military and elite athletic use and later approved in Russia for the treatment of neurasthenic and asthenic disorders under the trade name Ladasten.: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/bromantane
- CaffeineApproved Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is a natural methylxanthine alkaloid found in the seeds, fruits, leaves, and bark of over 60 plant species — most notably Coffea (coffee), Camellia sinensis (tea), Theobroma cacao (cacao), Paullinia cupana (guaraná), Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate), and Cola acuminata (kola nut).: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/caffeine

All compounds (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/wiki)

### Compare NSI-189

- Alternatives to NSI-189: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/alternatives-to/nsi-189

### Research tools

- Peptide Calculator Reconstitution and syringe units: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/tools/reconstitution
- Reconstitution Guide How to mix, step by step: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/guides/how-to-reconstitute-peptides
- Nasal Spray Calc mL per actuation: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/tools/intranasal
- Half-Life Visualizer Decay curves: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/tools/halflife

All articles (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/blog)

08 Questions

## Frequently asked questions

What is NSI-189 used for in research?

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 primary endpoints. It has a dedicated following in the biohacking community for its reported hippocampal neurogenesis, emotional blunting reversal, and unique cognitive profile unlike any other nootropic.

What forms does NSI-189 come in?

NSI-189 is available in capsule form.

How do I compare NSI-189 vendors?

Compare prices, payment methods, shipping, and COA scores across 1 vendor.

How many vendors sell NSI-189, and what does it cost per mg?

1 of the vendors BodyHackGuide tracks list NSI-189 (1 listing). The lowest listed price BodyHackGuide has recorded for NSI-189 is $84.99. No NSI-189 listing recorded as in stock carries a milligram count, so BodyHackGuide states no price per milligram for NSI-189.

Which vendors have third-party COAs for NSI-189 on file at BodyHackGuide?

BodyHackGuide holds 1 third-party certificate record for NSI-189, from Disguised Alpha. No editor has read any of BodyHackGuide's 1 certificate record for NSI-189. The laboratory named on BodyHackGuide's NSI-189 certificate record is Freedom Diagnostics Testing, and the test date on it is 7 August 2026. Each vendor page on BodyHackGuide shows how many certificate records BodyHackGuide holds for that vendor and links to each record that has its own page.

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