Cognitive, Mood and Sleep Peptides: Monographs

Nootropic and neuropeptide compounds are mostly studied outside the US, and much of the human literature is small or uncontrolled.

Nootropic and neuropeptide compounds are mostly studied outside the US, and much of the human literature is small or uncontrolled.

Peptides covered in this chapter

Dihexa, Fraternine, PE-22-28, Pinealon, Selank, Semax, Vilon, VIP 6mg

Dihexa

Dosing

• Standard Dosage Range: Dihexa dosing typically ranges from 10 mg to 50 mg daily, depending on the form and therapeutic goal.
• Administration Method: Dihexa is commonly administered orally or topically, with oral forms being more prevalent due to ease of use.
• Typical Cycle Length: Many protocols suggest a cycle length of 4 to 12 weeks, with adjustments based on individual response and clinical guidance.
• Regulatory Status: Dihexa is currently classified as a research peptide and is not FDA-approved for clinical use. It is primarily studied for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 20 mg, 50 mg, 15 mg, 30 mg, 10 mg · Routes mentioned: oral, topical

Fraternine

Dosing

• Standard Dosage Range : Fraternine is typically used in research settings with dosing adjustments based on specific study protocols.
• Administration Method : Commonly administered via injection; specific routes depend on research design.
• Typical Cycle Length : Varies by study; often includes short-term cycles with precise monitoring.
• Regulatory Status : Fraternine is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.

Common side effects

• Fraternine is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.
• Common side effects include mild injection site reactions and transient headache.
• Serious side effects are rare but may include severe allergic reactions.

Cost and access

• Fraternine costs $800-$2,500 per month through research programs, with no insurance coverage due to its research-only status
• Initial consultation fees range from $200-$500 at specialized clinics offering experimental peptide access
• Required baseline lab work adds $300-$800 to first-month costs, with quarterly monitoring labs costing $150-$400

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 1 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.1 mg · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral · Price points: $800, $200, $2,500, $150

PE-22-28

Dosing

• PE-22-28 is a research-only peptide derived from PACAP 1-38, not FDA-approved for therapeutic use
• Research protocols typically use doses ranging from 0.1-10 mg/kg in preclinical studies
• The peptide demonstrates TREK-1 channel inhibition with IC50 values around 10-50 nM in laboratory studies
• Subcutaneous administration appears most common in research settings, with 27-30 gauge needles recommended

Common side effects

• PE-22-28 is not FDA-approved and remains available for research purposes only, with limited human safety data
• Preclinical studies suggest potential cardiovascular effects due to PAC1 receptor activation and cAMP elevation
• The peptide’s 17-amino acid sequence (molecular weight 1,966.2 Da) may trigger immune responses in sensitive individuals

Cost and access

• PE-22-28 costs $150-$400 per month for research purposes only, as it lacks FDA approval for clinical use
• This peptide is available exclusively through research chemical suppliers, not clinical compounding pharmacies
• Insurance does not cover PE-22-28 since it has no FDA-approved indications

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 0.1-10 mg/kg, 1-2 mg/kg, 10-15 mg/kg, 0.5-5 mg, 1-5 mg/kg · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous · Price points: $150, $300, $800, $400

Pinealon

Regulatory status

• Pinealon is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.
• It cannot be compounded by 503A or 503B pharmacies due to its Category 2 designation.
• No specific DOJ prosecutions or FDA warning letters have been issued for Pinealon.

Dosing

• Pinealon is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.
• Standard dosing ranges vary by administration route; subcutaneous injections are common.
• Typical cycle length is 4-8 weeks, with variations based on therapeutic goals.
• Medical supervision is crucial to tailor dosing to individual needs and minimize risks.

Common side effects

• Pinealon is not FDA-approved and remains available for research purposes only, with limited human safety data
• Preclinical studies show dose-dependent effects on cellular viability, with protective effects saturating at concentrations above 10 μM
• The tripeptide demonstrates neuroprotective properties through ERK 1/2 pathway modulation and ROS reduction in cerebellar granule cells

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 0.1–0.3 mg, 200 mcg, 20 mg, 10 mg, 0.1–0.2 mg · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, oral, sublingual

Selank

Dosing

• Standard Dosage Range : Selank is typically administered in doses ranging from 250 mcg to 3 mg, depending on the form and therapeutic goal.
• Administration Method : Commonly administered intranasally due to its ease and effectiveness, though subcutaneous and intramuscular routes are also used.
• Typical Cycle Length : Selank is often used in cycles of 2 to 4 weeks, with some protocols extending to 6 weeks.
• Regulatory Status : Selank is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.

Common side effects

• Selank is not FDA-approved and remains available only for research purposes, with limited human safety data compared to approved anxiolytics
• Animal studies report mild side effects including transient sedation (15-20% incidence), injection site reactions, and dose-dependent behavioral changes
• The peptide’s 6-hour half-life and GABAergic mechanism suggest potential for withdrawal symptoms, though this has not been systematically studied in humans

Cost and access

• Research-only status : Selank is not FDA-approved for human use, limiting access to research institutions and IRB-approved studies
• Research supply costs : Laboratory-grade Selank typically ranges from $150-$400 per 5mg vial from licensed research suppliers
• No insurance coverage : Since Selank lacks FDA approval, health insurance plans do not cover costs for research or off-label use

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 250 mcg, 1 mg, 500 mcg, 3 mg, 0.3 mg · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, intramuscular, nasal · Price points: $500, $200, $150, $300

Semax

Regulatory status

• Semax is not FDA-approved for any clinical indication in the United States. Its regulatory designation is research-only, which places it in a fundamentally different legal category than prescription drugs or compounded medications.
• Compounding pharmacies cannot legally dispense Semax to patients under current FDA guidance. It does not appear on the FDA’s 503A or 503B bulk drug substance lists as an approved compoundable substance.
• “Research use only” is not a legal pathway to personal use. Purchasing Semax labeled as a research chemical does not protect you from regulatory or legal consequences.

Dosing

• Standard Dosage Range : Semax is typically administered in microgram doses, with specific ranges depending on the delivery form.
• Administration Methods : Commonly used forms include intranasal and subcutaneous injections, each with distinct bioavailability.
• Typical Cycle Length : Users often follow cycles of 2 to 4 weeks, with potential breaks to assess efficacy and side effects.
• Regulatory Status : Semax is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 300-600 mcg, 100-500 mcg, 500 mcg, 300 mcg, 157 250 mcg · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, nasal, intramuscular

Vilon

Dosing

• Standard Dosage Range: Vilon is typically administered in the range of 5-10 mg per week, depending on the form and therapeutic goal.
• Administration Method: Primarily administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly; oral forms are less common due to lower bioavailability.
• Typical Cycle Length: Treatment cycles generally last 4-6 weeks, with adjustments based on clinical response.
• Regulatory Status: Vilon is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.

Common side effects

• Vilon (Lys-Glu) is not FDA-approved and remains available for research purposes only, with limited human safety data from controlled clinical trials
• Most documented adverse events come from preclinical animal studies, with injection site reactions reported in approximately 15-20% of research subjects
• Gastrointestinal effects including nausea occur in roughly 8-12% of animal studies involving subcutaneous administration

Cost and access

• Vilon is currently available only for research purposes, with typical research-grade vials costing $150-$400 per 10mg depending on supplier and purity grade
• The peptide lacks FDA approval for therapeutic use, meaning no insurance coverage exists and HSA/FSA eligibility is limited to qualified research applications
• Research institutions typically pay $2,000-$5,000 annually for Vilon studies, including peptide costs, storage requirements, and analytical verification

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 5-10 mg, 5 mg/week, 10-20 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg/week · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous · Price points: $150, $2,500, $300, $400

VIP 6mg

Dosing

• VIP 6mg is primarily used for neuroendocrine signaling, inflammatory regulation, and vascular homeostasis.
• The standard dosage range for VIP 6mg varies by administration route, typically between 100-400 mcg per injection.
• VIP 6mg is administered subcutaneously or intranasally, with subcutaneous being the most common due to higher bioavailability.
• VIP 6mg is not FDA-approved and is available for research purposes only.

Common side effects

• VIP 6mg is available for research purposes only and is not FDA-approved for clinical use
• Common side effects in preclinical studies include injection site reactions (15-25% incidence), transient hypotension (10-18% incidence), and gastrointestinal disturbances (8-12% incidence)
• Serious adverse events are rare but may include severe hypotensive episodes requiring medical intervention

Cost and access

• VIP 6mg costs $150-$400 per month for research-grade peptide from licensed suppliers, with significant price variation based on purity and supplier
• Research consultation fees range from $200-$500 initially, with follow-up visits costing $100-$200 per session
• Insurance does not cover VIP 6mg as it lacks FDA approval and is available for research purposes only

Data points extracted from source articles: Reported dose figures: 6mg, 100-400 mcg, 200-600 mcg, 200-400 mcg, 300-500 mcg · Routes mentioned: subcutaneous, intravenous, oral · Price points: $400, $200, $800, $150

This article is part of the Peptide Therapy Complete Guide

• Chapter 1. What Is Peptide Therapy? A Plain-English Foundation
• Chapter 2. How Peptides Work: Mechanisms of Action by Class
• Chapter 3. Is Peptide Therapy Safe? Side Effects, Interactions and Long-Term Data
• Chapter 4. The Legal and Regulatory Landscape for Peptides in the United States
• Chapter 5. FDA Compounding Decisions and the 2026 Peptide Rulemaking
• Chapter 6. Dosing Principles: How Peptide Protocols Are Actually Built
• Chapter 7. Side Effects Across Peptides: Patterns, Routes and Management
• Chapter 8. What Results to Expect, and When
• Chapter 9. Cost, Insurance and Access: What Peptide Therapy Actually Costs
• Chapter 10. Reconstitution, Administration and Handling
• Chapter 11. How to Choose a Peptide Therapy Clinic
• Chapter 12. Telehealth Peptide Therapy: How Remote Access Works
• Chapter 13. Clinical Protocols and Stacks
• Chapter 14. Weight Loss and Metabolic Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 15. Growth Hormone and Performance Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 16. Tissue Repair and Healing Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 17. Longevity and Anti-Aging Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 18. Cognitive, Mood and Sleep Peptides: Monographs (you are here)
• Chapter 19. Skin, Hair and Aesthetic Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 20. Sexual Health and Hormone Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 21. Immune and Inflammatory Peptides: Monographs
• Chapter 22. Industry, Market and Research Developments

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