Dihexa
N-Hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) Aminohexanoic Amide
Seven orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF
Dihexa is a small peptide analog of angiotensin IV that crosses the blood-brain barrier and dramatically enhances cognitive function in animal models.
Admin routes
Oral, Subcutaneous, Intranasal
Popularity
Niche
Side effects
Monitor closely
AU vendors
0 rated
✓Key benefits
📈What to expect
Subtle cognitive enhancement; improved focus
Enhanced memory formation and recall
Improved learning speed and cognitive processing
Sustained nootropic effects; synaptic connectivity enhancement
Based on community reports and published research. Individual results vary significantly.
💊Dosing protocols
Cognitive enhancement
10–20 mg
Once daily (oral)
4–8 weeks
Sublingual/intranasal
5–10 mg
Once daily
4–6 weeks
Dosing information is sourced from published research and community protocols. This is not a recommendation. Consult a healthcare professional.
Research status|Preclinical - limited to animal studies
Overview
Dihexa is a modified hexapeptide derived from angiotensin IV research at Washington State University. It is orally active, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and has been shown to be approximately 10 million times more potent than BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) at promoting synaptic connectivity in animal models. It was originally investigated for Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.
⚙️How it works
Binds to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor (c-Met), enhancing HGF/c-Met signalling in the brain. This promotes dendritic spine formation, synaptogenesis, and neural connectivity. Unlike BDNF, which cannot cross the blood-brain barrier when administered systemically, dihexa achieves brain penetration orally. The result is enhanced learning, memory formation, and cognitive processing in animal studies.
⚡Side effects
📅Research history
Developed at Washington State University by Drs. Harding and Wright
Published as '10 million times more potent than BDNF' in JPET
Further procognitive effects confirmed in rodent models
Adopted in nootropic community despite limited human data
The BDNF comparison
The '10 million times more potent than BDNF' figure refers specifically to dihexa's ability to promote synaptic connectivity and dendritic spinogenesis in vitro - not overall cognitive effect. BDNF and dihexa work through completely different mechanisms (BDNF via TrkB receptors, dihexa via HGF/c-Met). The comparison illustrates dihexa's remarkable potency at its specific target, but should not be interpreted as 'dihexa is 10 million times better for your brain.'
References
- [1]McCoy AT, et al. 'Evaluation of metabolically stabilized angiotensin IV analogs as procognitive/antidementia agents.' Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2013.
- [2]Benoist CC, et al. 'Dihexa acts as a procognitive agent in rodents.' Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
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Open CalculatorDisclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. The dosing protocols listed are sourced from published research and community reports and do not constitute a recommendation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide. Australian regulations classify many peptides as Schedule 4 (prescription-only) substances. Check current TGA guidelines before purchasing.