What Noopept is
N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester (GVS-111), synthesized at the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in 1996. Structurally derived from cycloprolylglycine, an endogenous dipeptide. Approved as prescription nootropic in Russia. Available as supplement elsewhere.
Mechanism, in plain English
Rapidly absorbed orally and metabolized to cycloprolylglycine. Proposed mechanisms: (1) modulation of AMPA/NMDA glutamate receptors enhancing long-term potentiation, (2) increased BDNF and NGF in hippocampus, (3) antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects, (4) enhanced acetylcholine signaling. Effective dose (10-30mg) is ~1000x lower than piracetam.
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Animal studies show improved memory in maze and avoidance models. Small Russian clinical trials report improved cognition in mild cognitive impairment. Major limitation: almost all human data from Russian journals with small samples and methodologies that don't meet Western RCT standards.
FDA status
Not FDA-approved. Prescription in Russia. Unregulated supplement in many countries.
Common synonyms
Noopept, GVS-111, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester
Safety and adverse-event landscape
Well-tolerated at 10-30mg. Headache, irritability, insomnia at high doses. No serious adverse events. Long-term data limited.
Frequently asked questions
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