Cortexin vs Dihexa
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Cortexin
Cortexin is a polypeptide complex derived from pig brain cortex, used clinically in Russia and Eastern Europe for neurological conditions including stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive decline.
Full details →Dihexa
Dihexa is a nootropic peptide derived from angiotensin IV. It has shown remarkable cognitive-enhancing properties in animal studies, being described as potentially millions of times more potent than BDNF.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Cortexin | Dihexa |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 10 mg–20 mg | 5 mg–20 mg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 1–2 weeks | 4–12 weeks |
| Route | intramuscular | oral |
| Mechanism | Contains a mixture of neuropeptides and amino acids that support neuronal metabolism, provide neuroprotection, and enhance synaptic transmission. Specific mechanisms not fully characterized. | Acts as a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) potentiator by binding to its receptor c-Met. Promotes synaptogenesis, neuronal survival, and cognitive enhancement through this pathway. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical protocols: 10mg intramuscularly once daily for 10-20 days. May be repeated after 3-6 month interval. | Research dosing is highly variable due to extreme potency. Typical range: 10-40mg orally or sublingually. Start with lowest doses due to potency. |
| Administration | Intramuscular injection. Comes as lyophilized powder requiring reconstitution. Treatment given in courses rather than continuously. | Can be taken orally, sublingually, or intranasally. Extremely potent - careful dosing is essential. Best used cyclically. |
| Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated. May cause injection site reactions or mild allergic responses in sensitive individuals. | Limited human data. Reported effects include headache, temporary brain fog during adjustment, and potential mood changes. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Cortexin, Dihexa are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Cortexin:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
| Goal | Cortexin | Dihexa |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Performance | medium | medium |
Key Studies
Cortexin
- [Cortexin in the comprehensive therapy of alcoholic encephalopathy].
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 2026
- Cortexin modulates OPG/RANK/RANKL and TRPC1 expression in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Neurological research, 2026
- Neurotropic Effects of Cortexin on Models of Mental and Physical Developmental Delay.
Biomedicines, 2025
Dihexa
- AngIV-Analog Dihexa Rescues Cognitive Impairment and Recovers Memory in the APP/PS1 Mouse via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.
Brain sciences, 2021
- Stem cell, Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor and/or Dihexa to promote limb function recovery in a rat sciatic nerve damage-repair model: Experimental animal studies.
Annals of medicine and surgery (2012), 2021
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