Tianeptine sodium vs PACAP-38

Head-to-head comparison of Tianeptine sodium (Tianeptine sodium) and PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.

Research Score

PropertyTianeptine sodiumPACAP-38
CategoryCognitive EnhancementCognitive Enhancement
Full NameTianeptine sodiumPituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)
Molecular Weight458.94 Da4534 Da
Half-LifeAbout 2.5 hoursminutes
Amino AcidsN/A38 aa
Typical Dose12.5 mg 3 times daily10-100 µg preclinical range
RouteOralIntranasal
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count280650
Research StatusClinicalPre-clinical

Tianeptine sodium Benefits

  • mood improvement
  • anxiety reduction
  • cognitive clarity
  • stress adaptation

PACAP-38 Benefits

  • synaptic plasticity
  • BDNF upregulation
  • neuroprotection
  • memory consolidation

Tianeptine sodium Dosing

12.5 mg oral 3x/day|25 mg/day oral|clinical antidepressant dosing

PACAP-38 Dosing

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

Tianeptine sodium Side Effects

  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • dependence risk

PACAP-38 Side Effects

  • headache-like effects
  • flushing
  • hypotension

Research Overview

Tianeptine sodium

Clinical studies support tianeptine as an antidepressant with a distinctive glutamatergic and neuroplasticity-related profile. Some evidence suggests cognitive benefits in mood-impaired populations, likely secondary to improved stress handling and affect.

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

Tianeptine sodium stacks with:

BromantanePRL-8-53

PACAP-38 stacks with:

citicolinealpha-gpcomega-3
antidepressantanxiolyticmoodneurotrophicbdnfsynaptic-plasticityneuroprotection