PACAP-38 vs Arginine Vasopressin
Head-to-head comparison of PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)) and Arginine Vasopressin (8-Arginine Vasopressin) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
Research Score
| Property | PACAP-38 | Arginine Vasopressin |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive Enhancement | Cognitive Enhancement |
| Full Name | Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38) | 8-Arginine Vasopressin |
| Molecular Weight | 4534 Da | 1084.23 Da |
| Half-Life | minutes | 10-20 minutes |
| Amino Acids | 38 aa | 9 |
| Typical Dose | 10-100 µg preclinical range | 10-40 IU intranasal research range |
| Route | Intranasal | Intranasal/Subcutaneous |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 650 | 100 |
| Research Status | Pre-clinical | Clinical |
PACAP-38 Benefits
- ✓synaptic plasticity
- ✓BDNF upregulation
- ✓neuroprotection
- ✓memory consolidation
Arginine Vasopressin Benefits
- ✓memory consolidation
- ✓recall support
- ✓arousal-linked learning
- ✓social cognition
PACAP-38 Dosing
0.1-1 nmol ICV in rodents|10-100 µg intranasal in preclinical studies|single-dose or short repeated protocols
Arginine Vasopressin Dosing
intranasal research dosing|10-40 IU per dose in studies|single or repeated administration
PACAP-38 Side Effects
- ⚠headache-like effects
- ⚠flushing
- ⚠hypotension
Arginine Vasopressin Side Effects
- ⚠blood pressure elevation
- ⚠headache
- ⚠hyponatremia
Research Overview
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.
Arginine Vasopressin
Animal and human studies indicate vasopressin can modulate hippocampal and limbic circuits involved in learning and memory. The effect size is context dependent, and results vary by dose, route, and baseline cognitive state.
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