Noopept

Key Benefits#

• Enhances memory formation and recall
• Improves learning speed and cognitive processing
• Neuroprotective via BDNF/NGF upregulation
• Anxiolytic at low-to-moderate doses
• Improves verbal fluency and information processing
• Antioxidant (reduces oxidative damage in neurons)
• May improve cognitive symptoms of mild cognitive impairment

Mechanism of Action#

Noopept is metabolized to cycloprolylglycine (CPG) in the body, which activates AMPA/NMDA glutamate receptors and enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) — the cellular basis of memory formation. It also upregulates BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and NGF (nerve growth factor), promoting neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. Noopept also modulates alpha brain wave activity, facilitates inter-hemispheric transfer, and has anxiolytic effects at moderate doses via stimulation of inhibitory GABA-A receptors.

Dosing Protocols#

Side Effects#

• Headaches (choline depletion — pair with choline source)
• Irritability or anxiety at high doses
• Overstimulation
• Rare: brain fog with chronic use
• Possible tolerance development

Contraindications#

Avoid with hypersensitivity to racetams. Use with caution in bipolar disorder (stimulatory effects). Not for pregnant/breastfeeding. Avoid high doses in epilepsy.

Storage#

Store powder at room temperature in airtight container away from moisture and light. Very stable compound. Solutions should be stored at 4°C.

Featured In Stacks#

1. 1.
   A Mini-Review on Unlocking Cognitive Enhancement: An Innovative Strategy for Optimal Brain Functions

   Vikal A, Maurya R, Patel BB, Patel P, Kumar M, Kurmi BD · Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry · 2025PubMed Verified

2. 2.
   The Occurrence of Illicit Smart Drugs or Nootropics in Europe and Australia and Their Associated Dangers: Results from a Market Surveillance Study by 12 Official Medicines Control Laboratories

   Vanhee C, Deconinck E, George M, Hansen A, Hackl A, Wollein U et al. · Journal of xenobiotics · 2025PubMed Verified

3. 3.
   Physicochemical and structural analysis of N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester (Noopept) - An active pharmaceutical ingredient with nootropic activity

   Araj SK, Szeleszczuk Ł, Gubica T, Zielińska-Pisklak M, Bethanis K, Christoforides E et al. · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis · 2025PubMed Verified

4. 4.
   Characterization and prebiotic potential of polysaccharides from Rosa roxburghii Tratt pomace by ultrasound-assisted extraction

   Chen ZH, Yuan XH, Tu TT, Wang L, Mao YH, Luo Y et al. · International journal of biological macromolecules · 2024PubMed Verified

5. 5.
   Effects of noopept on ocular, pancreatic and renal histopathology in streptozotocin induced prepubertal diabetic rats

   Gurbuz P, Duzova H, Taslidere AC, Gul CC · Biotechnic & histochemistry : official publication of the Biological Stain Commission · 2023PubMed Verified

6. 6.
   Intranasal Administration of Forskolin and Noopept Reverses Parkinsonian Pathology in PINK1 Knockout Rats

   Dagda RK, Dagda RY, Vazquez-Mayorga E, Martinez B, Gallahue A · International journal of molecular sciences · 2022PubMed Verified

7. 7.
   Effect of nootropic dipeptide noopept on CA1 pyramidal neurons involves α7AChRs on interneurons in hippocampal slices from rat

   Kondratenko RV, Povarov IS, Kolbaev SN, Derevyagin VI, Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA et al. · Neuroscience letters · 2022PubMed Verified

8. 8.
   Noopept Attenuates Diabetes-Mediated Neuropathic Pain and Oxidative Hippocampal Neurotoxicity via Inhibition of TRPV1 Channel in Rats

   Düzova H, Nazıroğlu M, Çiğ B, Gürbüz P, Akatlı AN · Molecular neurobiology · 2021PubMed Verified

9. 9.
   QbD-driven development of dissolving microneedle patch loaded with ultradeformable liposomes encapsulated Noopept: Exploring a patient friendly, once-daily option to manage dementia

   Srivastava PK, Thakkar HP · European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2021PubMed Verified

10. 10.
    Retraction notice to "Noopept; a nootropic dipeptide, modulates persistent inflammation by effecting spinal microglia dependent Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and pro-BDNF expression throughout apoptotic process" [Heliyon (2021) e06219]

    Taghizadeh M, Maghsoudi N, Manaheji H, Akparov V, Baniasadi M, Mohammadi M et al. · Heliyon · 2021PubMed Verified

11. 11.
    Noopept; a nootropic dipeptide, modulates persistent inflammation by effecting spinal microglia dependent Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and pro-BDNF expression throughout apoptotic process

    Taghizadeh M, Maghsoudi N, Manaheji H, Akparov V, Baniasadi M, Mohammadi M et al. · Heliyon · 2021PubMed Verified

12. 12.
    Cognitive Enhancer Noopept Activates Transcription Factor HIF-1

    Zainullina LF, Ivanova TV, Sadovnikov SV, Vakhitova YV, Seredenin SB · Doklady. Biochemistry and biophysics · 2020PubMed Verified

13. 13.
    The scoop on brain health dietary supplement products containing huperzine A

    Crawford C, Wang YH, Avula B, Bae JY, Khan IA, Deuster PA · Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) · 2020PubMed Verified

14. 14.
    Neuroprotective Dipeptide Noopept Prevents DNA Damage in Mice with Modeled Prediabetes

    Ostrovskaya RU, Yagubova SS, Zhanataev AK, Anisina EA, Gudasheva TA, Durnev AD · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019PubMed Verified

15. 15.
    MANAGEMENT OF AMNESTIC AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS AFTER KETAMINE ANESTHESIA

    Belenichev I, Burlaka B, Puzyrenko A, Ryzhenko O, Kurochkin M, Yusuf J · Georgian medical news · 2019PubMed Verified

16. 16.
    Effects of noopept on cognitive functions and pubertal process in rats with diabetes

    Gürbüz P, Düzova H, Yildiz A, Çakan P, Kaya GB, Bağ HGG et al. · Life sciences · 2019PubMed Verified

17. 17.
    Drug with Neuroprotective Properties Noopept Does Not Stimulate Cell Proliferation

    Zainullina LF, Ivanova TV, Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA, Vakhitova YV, Seredenin SB · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019PubMed Verified

18. 18.
    Novel Technologies for Dipeptide Drugs Design and their Implantation

    Gudasheva TA, Ostrovskaya RU, Seredenin SB · Current pharmaceutical design · 2018ReviewPubMed Verified

19. 19.
    Effect of Noopept on Dynamics of Intracellular Calcium in Neurons of Cultured Rat Hippocampal Slices

    Kolbaev SN, Aleksandrova OP, Sharonova IN, Skrebitsky VG · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2018PubMed Verified

20. 20.
    Dipeptide Piracetam Analogue Noopept Improves Viability of Hippocampal HT-22 Neurons in the Glutamate Toxicity Model

    Antipova TA, Nikolaev SV, Ostrovskaya PU, Gudasheva TA, Seredenin SB · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2016PubMed Verified

21. 21.
    Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Action of Substituted Pro-Gly Dipeptide Noopept

    Vakhitova YV, Sadovnikov SV, Borisevich SS, Ostrovskaya RU, A Gudasheva T, Seredenin SB · Acta naturae · 2016PubMed Verified

22. 22.
    Neuroprotective Effects of Peptides during Ischemic Preconditioning

    Zarubina IV, Shabanov PD · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2016PubMed Verified

23. 23.
    Nootropic dipeptide noopept enhances inhibitory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus

    Povarov IS, Kondratenko RV, Derevyagin VI, Ostrovskaya RU, Skrebitskii VG · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2015PubMed Verified

24. 24.
    Neuroprotective effect of novel cognitive enhancer noopept on AD-related cellular model involves the attenuation of apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation

    Ostrovskaya RU, Vakhitova YV, Kuzmina USh, Salimgareeva MKh, Zainullina LF, Gudasheva TA et al. · Journal of biomedical science · 2014PubMed Verified

25. 25.
    Noopept normalizes parameters of the incretin system in rats with experimental diabetes

    Ostrovskaya RU, Zolotov NN, Ozerova IV, Ivanova EA, Kapitsa IG, Taraban KV et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2014PubMed Verified

26. 26.
    Comparative activity of proline-containing dipeptide noopept and inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 sitagliptin in a rat model of developing diabetes

    Ostrovskaya RU, Ozerova IV, Gudascheva TA, Kapitsa IG, Ivanova EA, Voronina TA et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2014PubMed Verified

27. 27.
    Efficiency of noopept in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

    Ostrovskaya RU, Ozerova IV, Gudascheva TA, Kapitsa IG, Ivanova EA, Voronina TA et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2013PubMed Verified

28. 28.
    Neuroprotective and nootropic drug noopept rescues α-synuclein amyloid cytotoxicity

    Jia X, Gharibyan AL, Öhman A, Liu Y, Olofsson A, Morozova-Roche LA · Journal of molecular biology · 2011PubMed Verified

29. 29.
    Effects of nootropics on the EEG in conscious rats and their modification by glutamatergic inhibitors

    Vorobyov V, Kaptsov V, Kovalev G, Sengpiel F · Brain research bulletin · 2011PubMed Verified

30. 30.
    Novel nootropic dipeptide Noopept increases inhibitory synaptic transmission in CA1 pyramidal cells

    Kondratenko RV, Derevyagin VI, Skrebitsky VG · Neuroscience letters · 2010PubMed Verified

31. 31.
    Noopept reduces the postischemic functional and metabolic disorders in the brain of rats with different sensitivity to hypoxia

    Zarubina IV, Shabanov PD · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2009PubMed Verified

32. 32.
    Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus

    Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA, Zaplina AP, Vahitova JV, Salimgareeva MH, Jamidanov RS et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2008PubMed Verified

33. 33.
    Comparative studies of Noopept and piracetam in the treatment of patients with mild cognitive disorders in organic brain diseases of vascular and traumatic origin

    Neznamov GG, Teleshova ES · Neuroscience and behavioral physiology · 2009PubMed Verified

34. 34.
    Noopept efficiency in experimental Alzheimer disease (cognitive deficiency caused by beta-amyloid25-35 injection into Meynert basal nuclei of rats)

    Ostrovskaya RU, Belnik AP, Storozheva ZI · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2008PubMed Verified

35. 35.
    Original nootropic drug noopept prevents memory deficit in rats with muscarinic and nicotinic receptor blockade

    Radionova KS, Belnik AP, Ostrovskaya RU · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2008PubMed Verified

36. 36.
    Genotype-dependent characteristics of behavior in mice in cognitive tests. The effects of Noopept

    Bel'nik AP, Ostrovskaya RU, Poletaeva II · Neuroscience and behavioral physiology · 2009PubMed Verified

37. 37.
    Immunopharmacological properties of noopept

    Kovalenko LP, Shipaeva EV, Alekseeva SV, Pronin AV, Durnev AD, Gudasheva TA et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2007PubMed Verified

38. 38.
    Dipeptide preparation Noopept prevents scopolamine-induced deficit of spatial memory in BALB/c mice

    Belnik AP, Ostrovskaya RU, Poletaeva II · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2007PubMed Verified

39. 39.
    Studies of long-term noopept and afobazol treatment in rats with learned helplessness neurosis

    Uyanaev AA, Fisenko VP · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2006PubMed Verified

40. 40.
    The nootropic and neuroprotective proline-containing dipeptide noopept restores spatial memory and increases immunoreactivity to amyloid in an Alzheimer's disease model

    Ostrovskaya RU, Gruden MA, Bobkova NA, Sewell RD, Gudasheva TA, Samokhin AN et al. · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) · 2007PubMed Verified

41. 41.
    Early postnatal effects of noopept and piracetam on declarative and procedural memory of adult male and female rats

    Trofimov SS, Voronina TA, Guzevatykh LS · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2005PubMed Verified

42. 42.
    Relationship between changes in rat behavior and integral biochemical indexes determined by laser correlation spectroscopy after photothrombosis of the prefrontal cortex

    Romanova GA, Shakova FM, Kovaleva OI, Pivovarov VV, Khlebnikova NN, Karganov MY · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2004PubMed Verified

43. 43.
    Effect of noopept and afobazole on the development of neurosis of learned helplessness in rats

    Uyanaev AA, Fisenko VP, Khitrov NK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2003PubMed Verified

44. 44.
    Cyclopropyl glycine and proline-containing preparation noopept evoke two types of membrane potential responses in synaptoneurosomes

    Lutsenko VK, Vukolova MN, Gudasheva TA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2003PubMed Verified

45. 45.
    GVS-111 prevents oxidative damage and apoptosis in normal and Down's syndrome human cortical neurons

    Pelsman A, Hoyo-Vadillo C, Gudasheva TA, Seredenin SB, Ostrovskaya RU, Busciglio J · International journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience · 2003PubMed Verified

46. 46.
    Impairment of learning and memory after photothrombosis of the prefrontal cortex in rat brain: effects of Noopept

    Romanova GA, Shakova FM, Gudasheva TA, Ostrovskaya RU · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified

47. 47.
    Selective suppression of the slow-inactivating potassium currents by nootropics in molluscan neurons

    Bukanova JV, Solntseva EI, Skrebitsky VG · The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology · 2002PubMed Verified

48. 48.
    Proline-containing dipeptide GVS-111 retains nootropic activity after oral administration

    Ostrovskaya RU, Mirsoev TK, Romanova GA, Gudasheva TA, Kravchenko EV, Trofimov CC et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified

49. 49.
    Neuroprotective properties of nootropic dipeptide GVS-111 in in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation, glutamate toxicity and oxidative stress

    Andreeva NA, Stel'mashuk EV, Isaev NK, Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA, Viktorov IV · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2000PubMed Verified

50. 50.
    Antiamnesic effect of acyl-prolyl-containing dipeptide (GVS-111) in compression-induced damage to frontal cortex

    Romanova GA, Mirzoev TK, Barskov IV, Victorov IV, Gudasheva TA, Ostrovskaya RU · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2000PubMed Verified