PACAP-38 vs Noopept

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

Research Score

PropertyPACAP-38Noopept
CategoryCognitive EnhancementCognitive Enhancement
Full NamePituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester
Molecular Weight4534 Da318.37 Da
Half-Lifeminutes20-30 minutes
Amino Acids38 aaN/A
Typical Dose10-100 µg preclinical range10-30 mg/day
RouteIntranasalOral
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count65060
Research StatusPre-clinicalClinical

PACAP-38 Benefits

  • synaptic plasticity
  • BDNF upregulation
  • neuroprotection
  • memory consolidation

Noopept Benefits

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

PACAP-38 Dosing

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

Noopept Dosing

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

PACAP-38 Side Effects

  • headache-like effects
  • flushing
  • hypotension

Noopept Side Effects

  • headache
  • irritability
  • sleep disturbance

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.

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.

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Common Stacking Partners

PACAP-38 stacks with:

citicolinealpha-gpcomega-3

Noopept stacks with:

gpedavunetidedesmopressin
neurotrophicbdnfsynaptic-plasticityneuroprotectionpeptide-derivednootropicmemory