Dihexa vs Setmelanotide
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
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 →Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide (Imcivree) is an FDA-approved MC4R agonist for chronic weight management in patients with obesity due to specific genetic conditions (POMC, PCSK1, or LEPR deficiency).
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Dihexa | Setmelanotide |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | 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. | Selective agonist of melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) in the hypothalamus, restoring the satiety signaling pathway that is disrupted in certain genetic obesity syndromes. |
| Typical Dosage | Research dosing is highly variable due to extreme potency. Typical range: 10-40mg orally or sublingually. Start with lowest doses due to potency. | Adults: Start 2mg daily, titrate based on tolerability up to 3mg daily. Pediatrics (6+): Weight-based dosing starting at 1mg daily. |
| Administration | Can be taken orally, sublingually, or intranasally. Extremely potent - careful dosing is essential. Best used cyclically. | Subcutaneous injection once daily. Requires genetic testing to confirm eligible mutations before prescribing. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Reported effects include headache, temporary brain fog during adjustment, and potential mood changes. | Injection site reactions, skin hyperpigmentation, spontaneous penile erections, depression, and suicidal ideation (boxed warning). GI effects less common than GLP-1s. |
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