What it is
Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester) is a dipeptide-derived nootropic, meaning a compound studied for effects on memory and thinking. It was developed in Russia, where it is approved as a medication. It is taken by mouth and is studied for memory, neuroprotection and mild anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects.
Most of the clinical evidence is Russian, and Western trial data is limited. In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under cognitive.
How it's thought to work
Noopept is metabolized in part to cycloprolylglycine, an endogenous neuropeptide. Research describes upregulation of BDNF and NGF (nerve growth factor) expression in the hippocampus, plus antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, supporting memory consolidation. A rat study found that the compound itself was not detectable in brain tissue an hour after injection, while cyclo-prolylglycine levels rose.
What the research says
Russian clinical studies report cognitive benefits in mild cognitive impairment and post-stroke recovery. One open study followed 60 stroke patients and reported improved cognitive test scores compared with controls, and an EEG study in patients with post-traumatic or vascular cognitive disturbance reported changes typical of nootropic drugs. Western trial data is limited, and noopept is not FDA-approved.
Reported side effects
Reported effects of Noopept include headache, irritability, disrupted sleep, and occasional brain fog on discontinuation. Long-term Western safety data is limited.
Form
Noopept is taken by mouth as tablets, capsules or powder, so it is not reconstituted.
Important notes
Noopept is approved as a medication in Russia and is not FDA-approved. It is sold elsewhere as a research chemical.
Sources
- [Noopept in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in patients with stroke].. Amelin AV et al. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 2011. Human trial
- [Clinical and electroencephalographic characteristic of noopept in patients with mild cognitive impairment of posttraumatic and vascular origin].. Bochkarev VK et al. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 2008. Human trial
- The major metabolite of dipeptide piracetam analogue GVS-111 in rat brain and its similarity to endogenous neuropeptide cyclo-L-prolylglycine.. Gudasheva TA et al. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 1997. Preclinical
- Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus.. Ostrovskaya RU et al. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2008. Preclinical
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is Noopept?
A dipeptide-derived nootropic developed in Russia, where it is approved as a medication. It is not FDA-approved.
How is Noopept thought to work?
It is metabolized in part to cycloprolylglycine, and research describes increased BDNF and NGF expression in the hippocampus along with antioxidant and neuroprotective effects.
What does the research on Noopept say?
Russian clinical studies report cognitive benefits in mild cognitive impairment and post-stroke recovery; Western trial data is limited.
What are the reported side effects of Noopept?
Reported effects include headache, irritability, disrupted sleep and occasional brain fog on discontinuation; long-term Western safety data is limited.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Noopept — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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