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Cognitive / Longevity

Cognitive & Longevity Peptides

Cognitive and longevity compounds span nootropic, neuroprotective, mitochondrial, and aging-research molecules. Some are neuropeptides, others are coenzymes or small molecules grouped here for their research context. Human pharmacokinetic data is thinner in this class than elsewhere, so several entries are marked emerging rather than verified.

20 compounds

Selank
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Selank

A synthetic analog of the immunopeptide tuftsin, extended for stability, studied for anxiety-related and immunomodulatory effects. Reported mechanisms include modulation of GABAergic signaling, monoamines, and cytokines.

Half-life · A few minutes in plasma (rapidly degraded); intranasal or IVResearch only
Semax
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Semax

A synthetic heptapeptide analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment, studied as a neuroprotective and nootropic compound. Reported mechanisms include upregulation of neurotrophins (BDNF and NGF) and interaction with melanocortin and enkephalin systems.

Half-life · Minutes in plasma (~2-5 min); intranasal or subcutaneousResearch only
Epithalon
Cognitive / Longevity

Epithalon

Epitalon · AEDG

A synthetic pineal tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) derived from the peptide complex epithalamin, studied in aging and longevity research for reported effects on telomerase activity and melatonin/circadian regulation. Preclinical / investigational.

Half-life · Not established (no published human PK); expected short for a linear tetrapeptideResearch only
DSIP
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

DSIP

Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide

An endogenous nonapeptide first isolated for its association with delta-wave (slow-wave) sleep, studied for sleep modulation and neuroendocrine/stress effects. Its precise mechanism remains incompletely characterized.

Half-life · ShortResearch only
NAD+
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

NAD+

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

A ubiquitous redox coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism and a substrate for enzymes such as sirtuins and PARPs; it is a coenzyme, not a peptide. Studied in aging, metabolic, and neurological research; cellular levels reportedly decline with age.

Half-life · Intracellular turnover ~1-4 h (compartment-dependent); a single plasma half-life is not well definedResearch only
5-Amino-1MQ
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

5-Amino-1MQ

5A1MQ

A small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), studied in preclinical metabolic research; by inhibiting NNMT it is reported to raise intracellular NAD+ and shift adipocyte metabolism toward oxidation. Not a peptide.

Half-life · ~3.8 h IV and ~6.9 h oral in rat; no published human PKResearch only
SS-31
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

SS-31

Elamipretide

A mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that selectively binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, studied for effects on mitochondrial cristae structure, ATP production, and oxidative stress. Evaluated in multiple clinical trials.

Half-life · ~2 hInvestigational
IGF-1 LR3
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

IGF-1 LR3

Long R3 IGF-1

A synthetic long-acting analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 with reduced binding to IGF-binding proteins, used as a research reagent. It acts as an IGF-1 receptor agonist, activating anabolic PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling. Not approved for human use.

Half-life · ~20-30 h reported (subcutaneous); some sources cite longerResearch only
Dihexa
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Dihexa

N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide · PNB-0408

A small-molecule angiotensin IV analog studied in preclinical models for hepatocyte growth factor / c-Met signalling and synapse formation. Preclinical only, with no registered human trials.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
Spadin
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Spadin

Sortilin propeptide fragment

A peptide derived from the sortilin propeptide, studied in preclinical models as a TREK-1 potassium channel blocker in the context of mood regulation. Preclinical only.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
Noopept
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Noopept

Omberacetam · GVS-111 · N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester

A synthetic dipeptide studied in laboratory models for neuroprotective and cognitive endpoints. Not approved in the United States.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceNot FDA approved
Humanin
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Humanin

HN · Mitochondrial-derived peptide

A mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA, studied in laboratory models for cytoprotective and apoptosis-related signalling. Research reference only.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
Pinealon
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Pinealon

Glu-Asp-Arg · EDR peptide

A short synthetic tripeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator series, studied in cell and animal models for effects on cell viability and oxidative stress. Research reference only, and the published work sits largely in a single research tradition.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
Livagen
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Livagen

Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala · KEDA peptide

A short synthetic tetrapeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator series, studied for chromatin activation in lymphocytes and for digestive enzyme activity in animal models. Research reference only.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
Vilon
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Vilon

Lys-Glu · KE peptide

A synthetic dipeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator series, studied in animal models for effects on proliferative and inflammatory pathways. Research reference only.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
SLU-PP-332
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

SLU-PP-332

Pan-ERR agonist

A synthetic pan-estrogen-related-receptor agonist studied in animal models for effects on fatty acid metabolism, sometimes described in press coverage as an exercise mimetic. Preclinical only, with no registered human trials.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only
N-Acetyl Semax
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

N-Acetyl Semax

N-Acetyl Semax Amidate · NA-Semax

An acetylated analog of Semax, itself a short fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone with the hormonal activity removed. Studied largely in Russian literature for effects on the central nervous system. Not approved outside its country of origin.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceNot FDA approved
N-Acetyl Selank
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

N-Acetyl Selank

N-Acetyl Selank Amidate · NA-Selank

An acetylated analog of Selank, which is itself a synthetic analog of the immune peptide tuftsin. Studied largely in Russian literature as an anxiolytic candidate. Not approved outside its country of origin.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceNot FDA approved
Cerebrolysin
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

Cerebrolysin

FPF-1070

A preparation of low molecular weight peptides and amino acids derived from porcine brain tissue, studied in stroke and dementia trials and the subject of a Cochrane review. Marketed in some countries; not FDA approved.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceNot FDA approved
FOXO4-DRI
Cognitive / LongevityVerified

FOXO4-DRI

FOXO4 D-retro-inverso peptide

A synthetic D-retro-inverso peptide built on the FOXO4 sequence, designed to interfere with the interaction between FOXO4 and p53 inside senescent cells. Studied in animal models in the senescence literature. Not approved for human use.

Half-life · Not established in a public sourceResearch only

Educational reference only, compiled from public sources. Not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or a dosing recommendation, and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds listed are research materials not approved for human use. Consult a qualified professional.