# Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/noopept
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-19
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Adaptogen
**Also Known As:** N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, GVS-111, Omberacetam, Noopeptide, Ноопепт, Russian cognitive enhancer

## Overview

Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester) is a synthetic dipeptide-derived [nootropic](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) originally developed in Russia that acts primarily as an ampakine-like compound, modulating AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors to enhance synaptic plasticity. Its key bioactive mechanism involves upregulating NGF and BDNF expression in hippocampal and cortical tissue, with most supporting evidence coming from rodent and in vitro studies rather than large human clinical trials.

## Health Benefits

• May increase acetylcholine signaling in the brain (mechanism identified in preclinical research only)
• Could boost expression of [nerve growth factor](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (based on molecular studies, no human trials)
• Potentially modulates [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) via BDNF pathways (shown in rat model study PMC7895721)
• May influence neuroprotective pathways through HIF-1 modulation (molecular docking studies only)
• Designed for nootropic effects similar to piracetam (theoretical basis, no human clinical evidence provided)

## Mechanism of Action

Noopept modulates AMPA-type glutamate receptors and potentiates NMDA receptor activity, enhancing [long-term potentiation](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) (LTP) in hippocampal neurons, which underlies synaptic strengthening and memory consolidation. It also upregulates the transcription of BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, neurotrophins critical for neuronal survival, synaptic growth, and cholinergic neurotransmission. Additionally, Noopept increases alpha/beta1 oscillatory brain activity and may inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, indirectly elevating acetylcholine availability at muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

## Clinical Summary

Preclinical rodent studies have demonstrated Noopept's ability to reverse scopolamine-induced amnesia and improve spatial memory in maze tasks at doses of 0.1–10 mg/kg. A small Russian open-label trial involving approximately 53 patients with mild cognitive impairment reported subjective improvements in memory and attention over 56 days at 10–30 mg/day oral doses, but the study lacked a placebo control and blinding. No large-scale, double-blind, randomized controlled trials in healthy human populations have been published as of current literature, making efficacy claims in humans preliminary at best. The overall evidence base is substantially weaker than for more established [nootropic](/ingredients/condition/cognitive)s, and independent replication outside Russian research institutions remains sparse.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"protein": "Not applicable", "fiber": "Not applicable", "carbohydrates": "Not applicable", "fats": "Not applicable"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamins": "Not applicable", "minerals": "Not applicable"}, "bioactive_compounds": {"N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester": "Exact concentration not specified; typically administered in doses ranging from 10-30 mg per day in research settings"}, "bioavailability_notes": "Noopept is a synthetic compound and does not have a traditional nutritional profile. Its bioavailability is influenced by factors such as administration route and individual metabolic differences. It is rapidly absorbed and crosses the blood-brain barrier, but specific absorption rates and bioavailability percentages are not well-documented in human studies."}

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available from human trials. The compound is supplied as a synthetic powder with no standardization information provided in the research. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Noopept is generally reported as well-tolerated at doses of 10–30 mg/day in short-term use, with commonly noted side effects including headache, irritability, sleep disturbances, and elevated [blood pressure](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) in sensitive individuals. Due to its modulation of glutamatergic pathways, combining Noopept with other glutamate-enhancing agents or stimulants such as racetams, caffeine, or amphetamine-class drugs may increase risk of overstimulation or excitotoxicity. Noopept may potentiate psychostimulant effects and should be used cautiously alongside SSRIs, MAOIs, or other CNS-active medications due to theoretical serotonergic and [dopamine](/ingredients/condition/mood)rgic interactions. Safety data for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals is entirely absent, making use contraindicated in these populations; individuals with hypertension, anxiety disorders, or a history of psychosis should also avoid use without medical supervision.

## Scientific Research

The available research on Noopept is limited to preclinical studies, with no human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses identified in the research dossier. One notable study (PMC7895721) examined Noopept's modulation of [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) via [BDNF](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) in a rat model, showing effects on spinal microglia, but this remains preclinical evidence only.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Noopept has no traditional or historical use in medicine systems as it is a modern synthetic compound developed in the late 20th century at the State Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology in Russia.

## Synergistic Combinations

Piracetam, Alpha-GPC, Lion's Mane, Phosphatidylserine, Rhodiola

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the recommended dosage of Noopept?

The most commonly studied and used oral dose of Noopept ranges from 10 to 30 mg per day, typically split into two doses taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort. Some users report sublingual administration at lower doses (5–10 mg) for faster onset due to bypassing first-pass hepatic metabolism, though no clinical trials have directly compared these routes in humans.

### How long does it take for Noopept to work?

Noopept has a reported onset of subjective cognitive effects within 15–60 minutes of oral ingestion due to its high lipophilicity and rapid blood-brain barrier penetration. However, its proposed neurotrophin-mediated benefits, specifically the upregulation of BDNF and NGF, are hypothesized to require several weeks of consistent use to produce measurable structural changes in synaptic density, based on rodent study timelines of 14–28 days.

### Is Noopept the same as a racetam?

Noopept is structurally related to the racetam family and is sometimes marketed alongside them, but it is technically a dipeptide conjugate of phenylacetic acid and prolylglycine, not a true racetam. It shares some mechanistic overlap with racetams such as piracetam, including AMPA receptor modulation and cholinergic potentiation, but is estimated to be approximately 1,000 times more potent by weight, meaning effective doses are measured in milligrams rather than grams.

### Does Noopept increase BDNF levels in humans?

BDNF upregulation by Noopept has been demonstrated in hippocampal tissue of rats and in cell culture studies, where oral dosing at 0.5 mg/kg produced measurable increases in BDNF and NGF mRNA expression within 28 days. No peer-reviewed human trials have directly measured serum or cerebrospinal BDNF levels following Noopept supplementation, so the extrapolation of this benefit to humans remains speculative and unconfirmed.

### Is Noopept legal to buy in the United States?

Noopept is not approved by the FDA as a drug or dietary supplement ingredient and is not classified as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, placing it in a legal gray area in the United States. It is currently sold as a research chemical or unregulated compound, meaning it lacks FDA oversight for purity, labeling accuracy, or safety, and its sale for human consumption technically violates federal food and drug law despite being widely available online.

### What does research show about Noopept's effects on nerve growth factor (NGF) in humans?

Most evidence for Noopept's effects on NGF comes from molecular and animal studies rather than human clinical trials. While preclinical research suggests Noopept may upregulate NGF expression through molecular pathways, direct evidence of NGF increases in human subjects remains limited. Human studies would be needed to confirm whether these laboratory findings translate to meaningful NGF elevation in people taking the supplement.

### Is Noopept safe to take with common medications or prescription drugs?

Limited human pharmacokinetic data exists on Noopept interactions with common medications, making it difficult to definitively rule out interactions. Because Noopept may influence acetylcholine signaling and neuroprotective pathways, caution is warranted when combining it with cholinergic medications or drugs affecting neuroinflammation. Consulting a healthcare provider before combining Noopept with prescription medications is strongly recommended to assess individual risk.

### Who is most likely to benefit from Noopept supplementation based on available evidence?

Evidence suggests potential benefits may be greatest for individuals seeking cognitive support, though most data comes from animal models and limited human studies rather than large randomized trials. People interested in neuroprotection or cognitive enhancement represent the primary target population, but realistic expectations about efficacy should be set given the modest human evidence base. Older adults or those with neurodegenerative concerns represent a secondary group of interest, though dedicated human research in these populations remains scarce.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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