Nootropic & Cognitive · Compound

Vinpocetine

Provisional Moderate Scorealkaloid

Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia

Published March 18, 2026Last updated March 18, 2026Methodology · Editorial policy · Report an error

Evidence review status: unreviewed

Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.

Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION

Provisional Summary

Vinpocetine is a semi-synthetic alkaloid derived from the periwinkle plant that enhances cerebral blood flow and cognitive function. It works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase-1 and blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, improving oxygen delivery to brain tissue.

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Screened PMID Records

Reported Benefits

Pending

Synergy Review

At a Glance

CategoryNootropic & Cognitive

GroupCompound

Public Score StatusProvisional Moderate

Primary Keywordvinpocetine benefits

Vinpocetine close-up macro showing natural texture and detail — rich in cerebral vasodilator, nootropic, neuroprotective

Vinpocetine — botanical close-up

Reported Benefits (Provisional)

Enhances cerebral blood flow by increasing vasodilation, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain cells. - Supports cognitive function and memory by boosting acetylcholine levels, essential for learning and recall. - Provides neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, preserving brain health. - Improves mental clarity by optimizing glucose uptake, ensuring a steady energy supply to the brain. - Reduces brain fog by enhancing neurotransmitter balance, promoting clear thinking. - Boosts mood and alertness by modulating dopamine levels, enhancing motivation. - Promotes synaptic plasticity, facilitating learning and memory through new neural connections.

Origin & History

Natural habitat

Vinpocetine is a synthetic derivative of the alkaloid vincamine, which is extracted from the periwinkle plant, Vinca minor. It is produced through a chemical process that modifies vincamine to enhance its bioavailability and efficacy.

“Vinpocetine was first synthesized in the late 1960s in Hungary and has since been used in Europe for cognitive support. It has gained popularity in the United States as a dietary supplement for memory enhancement.”Traditional Medicine

Research Narrative (Provisional)

Vinpocetine has been studied in various clinical trials, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies, showing potential benefits in cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection. However, more large-scale studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Preparation & Dosage

Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.

Nutritional Profile

- Synthetic compound, not naturally occurring in foods. - Primarily used in supplement form. - Typically available in 5 mg to 10 mg doses.

Reported Mechanism (Provisional)

Mechanism of Action

Vinpocetine inhibits cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase-1, increasing cGMP levels and promoting vasodilation in cerebral blood vessels. It blocks voltage-gated sodium channels and modulates calcium influx, reducing neuronal excitotoxicity. Additionally, it enhances glucose uptake and ATP synthesis in brain cells while inhibiting adenosine reuptake.

Clinical Narrative (Provisional)

Human studies show vinpocetine (10-40mg daily) improves cognitive performance in elderly adults with mild cognitive impairment, with effect sizes of 0.3-0.7 in memory tests. A systematic review of 19 trials found modest improvements in cerebral blood flow velocity measured by transcranial Doppler. However, most studies are small-scale (30-100 participants) and short-term (2-16 weeks). Evidence quality remains moderate due to methodological limitations in older trials.

Also Known As

ethyl apovincaminateCavintonRGH-4405vincamine derivativeperiwinkle extract derivativeVinca minor alkaloidcerebral vasodilator

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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