Pinealon vs AICAR
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
- Summary
- Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation, designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exert neuroprotective, neurogenic, and anti-aging effects by regulating pineal gland and brain cell function.
- AICAR is a cell-permeable AMP analog that activates AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) — the master metabolic switch that triggers fat burning, mitochondrial biogenesis, and adaptations normally only achieved through exercise. It has been called the 'exercise in a pill' compound.
- Half-Life
- Short (peptides rapidly degraded), but epigenetic/gene regulatory effects persist
- ~2–3 hours
- Admin Route
- SubQ, Oral, Intranasal
- SubQ, IV
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 5–10 mg (oral) or 50–100 mcg (SC)
- 25–50 mg
- Frequency
- Once daily for 10 days
- 3–5 times per week
- Key Benefits
- Neuroprotection against oxidative stress and hypoxia
- Promotes neuronal regeneration and repair
- Improves memory and cognitive function
- Enhances sleep quality via melatonin regulation
- Anti-aging effects on brain cells
- May slow cognitive decline in neurodegeneration
- Improves cerebrovascular circulation
- Reduces neuroinflammation
- AMPK activation mimics aerobic exercise adaptations
- Increased fat oxidation and endurance
- Mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1alpha)
- Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Potential cardiac protection during ischemia
- Synergistic with actual exercise training
- Reduces hepatic glucose production
- Side Effects
- Excellent safety profile in clinical use
- Rare: mild drowsiness
- Transient mild headache at initiation
- Injection site reaction (SC)
- Hypoglycemia risk
- Lactic acidosis at high doses (animal data)
- Injection site irritation
- Stacks With
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