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Cognitive & Mood
Russian-developed nootropic peptide, approved there for stroke recovery.
Cognitive & Mood
A small angiotensin-derived compound with striking rat memory data and no human trials.
Semax is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; Dihexa is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5. Semax has more human evidence behind it. Dihexa is banned in sport by WADA; Semax is not. Both are used for cognitive & mood goals.
| Compare | Semax Russian-developed nootropic peptide, approved there for stroke recovery. | Dihexa A small angiotensin-derived compound with striking rat memory data and no human trials. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive & Mood | Cognitive & Mood |
| Evidence | 3/5Clinical use in Russia with small trials; little Western randomized data. | 2/5Animal and cell data from one main research group. No published human trials. A related HGF-boosting drug from the same lineage (fosgonimeton) missed its main goal in a Phase 2/3 Alzheimer's trial. |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved |
| WADA (sport) | Not on the Prohibited List | Banned |
| Also known as | ACTH(4-7)-PGP | PNB-0408, N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-aminohexanoic amide |
| How it works | Increases BDNF and NGF expression, modulates dopamine and serotonin signaling, and shows neuroprotective effects in ischemia models. | Binds hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and strengthens its signal through the c-Met receptor, promoting new synapses and dendritic spines. HGF/c-Met is also a well-known cancer-growth pathway. |
| Half-life | Short (minutes); effects last hours | Not established in humans |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Intranasal or subcutaneous | Oral or transdermal (most common); some inject |
| Good once mixed | ~21 days in the fridge | ~14 days in the fridge |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | $3.60 (10 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.93% (lot SMX0002) | 99.54% (lot DHX0001) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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Semax is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; Dihexa is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5. Semax has more human evidence behind it. Dihexa is banned in sport by WADA; Semax is not. Both are used for cognitive & mood goals.
Semax: Not FDA-approved. Dihexa: Not FDA-approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
Semax is rated 3 out of 5: Clinical use in Russia with small trials; little Western randomized data. Dihexa is rated 2 out of 5: Animal and cell data from one main research group. No published human trials. A related HGF-boosting drug from the same lineage (fosgonimeton) missed its main goal in a Phase 2/3 Alzheimer's trial. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
Semax is not named on the WADA list, though the general rule on non-approved substances (S0) can still apply. Dihexa is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class.