Noopept vs PACAP-38

Head-to-head comparison of Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester) and PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.

Research Score

PropertyNoopeptPACAP-38
CategoryCognitive EnhancementCognitive Enhancement
Full NameN-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl esterPituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)
Molecular Weight318.37 Da4534 Da
Half-Life20-30 minutesminutes
Amino AcidsN/A38 aa
Typical Dose10-30 mg/day10-100 µg preclinical range
RouteOralIntranasal
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count60650
Research StatusClinicalPre-clinical

Noopept Benefits

  • memory recall
  • learning efficiency
  • attention support
  • neurotrophic signaling

PACAP-38 Benefits

  • synaptic plasticity
  • BDNF upregulation
  • neuroprotection
  • memory consolidation

Noopept Dosing

oral research use|10-30 mg per day in human studies|divided or single daily dosing

PACAP-38 Dosing

0.1-1 nmol ICV in rodents|10-100 µg intranasal in preclinical studies|single-dose or short repeated protocols

Noopept Side Effects

  • headache
  • irritability
  • sleep disturbance

PACAP-38 Side Effects

  • headache-like effects
  • flushing
  • hypotension

Research Overview

Noopept

Noopept has been reported to increase NGF/BDNF-related signaling and improve performance in tasks involving learning and recall. Evidence includes preclinical studies and small human studies, but the overall literature is still modest compared with mainstream cognitive drugs.

PACAP-38

PACAP-38 is one of the most studied endogenous neuropeptides for protecting neurons from ischemic and excitotoxic damage. Preclinical literature also links it to hippocampal plasticity and learning-related signaling, including increased BDNF expression.

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Common Stacking Partners

Noopept stacks with:

gpedavunetidedesmopressin

PACAP-38 stacks with:

citicolinealpha-gpcomega-3
peptide-derivednootropicmemoryneurotrophicbdnfsynaptic-plasticityneuroprotection