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approvedCognitive & Neuro

Noopept

Also known as: GVS-111, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, Omberacetam, Ноопепт

Noopept is a synthetic dipeptide-derived nootropic developed at the Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology in Russia. It is a prodrug that is rapidly metabolized to the endogenous neuropeptide cycloprolylglycine, which modulates AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors and increases BDNF and NGF expression. Approved in Russia as a nootropic for cognitive disorders, Noopept demonstrates activity at doses approximately 1,000 times lower than piracetam in animal models, making it one of the most potent racetam-adjacent compounds ever synthesized.

3 cited references·5 researched benefits

Quick Answer

Noopept (GVS-111) is a synthetic dipeptide-derived nootropic approved in Russia for cognitive impairment. It acts as a prodrug for cycloprolylglycine, modulating AMPA and NMDA receptors while upregulating BDNF and NGF expression. Clinical studies show improvements in memory, attention, and emotional stability in patients with mild cognitive disorders. It is active at milligram doses, roughly 1,000 times more potent by weight than piracetam.

Key Facts

Mechanism
Noopept is rapidly absorbed and hydrolyzed in the body to cycloprolylglycine (CPG), an endogenous dipeptide that modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission. CPG acts as a positive modulator of AMPA receptors (enhancing fast excitatory signaling) and modulates NMDA receptors (supporting long-term potentiation and memory consolidation). Noopept and its metabolites also increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus and cortex, promoting neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. Additional mechanisms include antioxidant activity, inhibition of calcium-mediated neurotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory effects in the CNS. The compound crosses the blood-brain barrier rapidly, with peak brain concentrations achieved within minutes of oral administration.
Research Status
approved
Half-Life
~5–10 minutes (parent compound); active metabolite cycloprolylglycine has a longer duration of action
Molecular Formula
C₁₇H₂₂N₂O₄
Primary Use
Cognitive & Neuro
Table of Contents

Benefits

  • Enhanced memory and learning — improves memory consolidation and retrieval in clinical studies involving patients with mild cognitive disorders, with effects on both short-term and long-term memorystrong
  • Neuroprotective properties — protects neurons from oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, and calcium overload in preclinical models of neurodegenerationmoderate
  • Increased BDNF and NGF expression — upregulates neurotrophic factor production in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, supporting neuroplasticity and long-term brain healthmoderate
  • Anxiolytic effects — reduces anxiety in clinical studies without sedation, potentially through modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission and stress-response pathwaysmoderate
  • Ultra-low effective dose — active at 10–30 mg daily compared to grams required for piracetam, reducing pill burden and potential gastrointestinal side effectsstrong

Dosage Protocols

RouteDosage RangeFrequencyNotes
Oral (sublingual)10–30 mg daily1–3 times daily (divided doses)Sublingual administration bypasses first-pass metabolism and may improve bioavailability. Standard approved dose in Russia is 10 mg twice daily. Cycle for 1.5–3 months with breaks.
Oral (capsule/tablet)10–30 mg daily1–2 times dailyApproved formulation in Russia. Take with meals. The very short half-life of the parent compound means effects are mediated through downstream metabolite actions and gene expression changes.
Intranasal10–30 mg daily1–3 times dailySome users prefer intranasal administration for faster onset. Dissolve in a small volume of water. Not an officially approved route but commonly used in nootropic communities.

Medical disclaimer

Dosage information is provided for educational reference only. Always follow your prescriber's instructions and consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.

Side Effects

  • Headache — the most commonly reported side effect, potentially related to increased cholinergic demand; often mitigated by co-supplementation with a choline sourcecommon
  • Irritability or mood changes — some users report increased irritability, restlessness, or emotional lability, particularly at higher dosesrare
  • Insomnia — stimulatory effects may interfere with sleep if taken too late in the dayrare
  • Elevated blood pressure — rare reports of mild blood pressure increases; individuals with hypertension should monitor closelyrare

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Noopept compare to piracetam?
Noopept is structurally related to piracetam but is not technically a racetam — it is a dipeptide prodrug for cycloprolylglycine. It is effective at doses roughly 1,000 times lower than piracetam (10–30 mg vs. 2,400–4,800 mg), and it has a broader mechanism of action that includes BDNF/NGF upregulation in addition to glutamate receptor modulation. Both compounds enhance memory and learning, but Noopept additionally shows anxiolytic and neuroprotective properties not clearly established for piracetam. The key trade-off is that Noopept has a much shorter half-life, requiring multiple daily doses or sublingual administration for sustained effects.
Is Noopept legal in the United States?
Noopept is not FDA-approved and is not a scheduled or controlled substance in the United States. It exists in a regulatory gray area — it is sold as a research compound or dietary supplement ingredient by various vendors. It is approved as a prescription nootropic medication in Russia. Users should be aware that the regulatory status varies by country: it is prescription-only in Russia, unregulated in the US, and may be restricted in some European countries.
Does Noopept increase BDNF and NGF levels?
Yes, multiple preclinical studies have demonstrated that Noopept increases the expression of both brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. A key 2008 study (Ostrovskaya et al.) showed that chronic Noopept administration in rats produced significant increases in both mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and NGF. This neurotrophic mechanism is considered one of the primary ways Noopept supports long-term cognitive function and neuroprotection, distinguishing it from older nootropics that primarily modulate neurotransmitter receptors.
What is the recommended cycle length for Noopept?
The standard recommended cycle in Russia is 1.5 to 3 months of daily use followed by a break of at least 1 month. This cycling approach is recommended to prevent tolerance development and to allow the neuroplastic changes induced by Noopept (via BDNF/NGF upregulation) to consolidate. Some users report diminishing effects after 2–3 weeks of continuous use, suggesting that shorter cycles with breaks may be more effective for some individuals. There is no clinical evidence of withdrawal effects upon cessation.

References

  1. 1
    Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus(2008)PubMed ↗
  2. 2
    Proline-containing dipeptide GVS-111 retains nootropic activity after oral administration(2002)PubMed ↗
  3. 3
    The nootropic and neuroprotective proline-containing dipeptide Noopept restores spatial memory and increases immunoreactivity to amyloid in an Alzheimer's disease model(2007)PubMed ↗

Latest Research

Last updated: 2026-02-19