Everything below concerns angiotensin IV. We keep the language plain, cite what the science says, and separate well-supported claims from open questions.
Updated 2026-06-22. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
The compound originated from work on angiotensin IV, a peptide fragment of the renin-angiotensin system. Researchers modified angiotensin IV-related structures to produce molecules with altered stability and activity. Dihexa emerged from that effort and was reported to promote dendritic spine growth in cultured neurons. Some studies link its effects to hepatocyte growth factor signaling and the c-Met receptor, while other work points to insulin-regulated aminopeptidase. The precise primary target remains a subject of investigation, and findings may depend on cell type, assay conditions, and species.
In animal research, dihexa has been administered through several routes, and reports describe improved performance on spatial learning and memory tasks in rodents. These results are frequently cited in discussions of nootropic compounds. However, species differences, small sample sizes, and varied testing protocols limit how far the findings can be generalized. No large randomized controlled trials in humans have established efficacy or long-term safety. Claims about human cognitive enhancement therefore remain speculative, and the compound is best described as an experimental laboratory substance rather than a proven therapeutic or supplement.
Most published work on dihexa consists of preclinical studies using cell cultures or rodents. Reports have described effects on synaptic connectivity and performance on cognitive tasks in some animal models. These findings are generally presented as preliminary and require independent replication. Study designs, doses, and outcome measures vary across experiments, which complicates direct comparison. No large controlled human trials have established efficacy or safety for any medical use. At present, the evidence base is limited.
Regulatory agencies have not approved dihexa as a prescription drug or supplement. In many countries it falls into a gray area when sold for laboratory research. Buyers may encounter products marketed for research use only, which are not intended for human consumption. Purity and identity can vary between suppliers and batches. Certificates of analysis and independent testing are often recommended for research materials. Documentation helps verify what a vial contains.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic peptide analog | Structural features include amino acid residues and a hexanoic acid group. |
| Common synonyms | PNB-0408; N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-aminohexanoic amide | Names vary by source and should be verified. |
| Origin | Angiotensin IV research | Developed as a modified analog in academic laboratories. |
| Primary research focus | Synaptic growth and cognition | Studied mainly in cultured neurons and rodent models. |
| Regulatory status | Not approved as a drug | No accepted human therapeutic or supplement status. |
Dihexa is a synthetic peptide that has been examined in laboratory and animal research. Its design is based on angiotensin IV, a naturally occurring peptide fragment produced in the body. The short name dihexa appears in scientific papers and online discussions, while the full chemical name describes a modified peptide chain. It is not a vitamin, mineral, or plant-derived compound. Suppliers typically present it as a research chemical rather than an approved medicine.
The full name often given is N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6)-aminohexanoic amide. This name indicates a chain containing tyrosine, isoleucine, and a six-carbon amino acid derivative. Databases list a CAS Registry Number and a molecular formula for the compound. The peptide is small compared with proteins, and its structure allows it to be studied in cell cultures and animal models. Exact identity depends on the supplier's synthesis and purification process. Minor impurities can remain after synthesis.
Chemically, dihexa belongs to a broader group of angiotensin IV analogs. Researchers have modified the natural peptide to alter stability, binding, or distribution. Such changes can affect how the molecule behaves in experiments. The parent peptide angiotensin IV is involved in various physiological processes, but the modified analog is not identical to it. Public summaries sometimes blur the distinction between the natural fragment and the synthetic research compound. This distinction matters when interpreting study results.
Dihexa is typically supplied as a lyophilized powder for laboratory research. Lyophilization removes water and improves stability during transport and storage. The solid is commonly stored at -20 °C or lower, desiccated, and protected from light. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles and exposure to moisture can degrade peptides, so aliquoting and sealed containers are standard practice in most laboratory settings. These handling measures apply to research-grade material and do not imply clinical suitability.
Purity and identity are usually assessed with reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and mass spectrometry. RP-HPLC separates components by hydrophobicity and can estimate peptide purity. Mass spectrometry confirms molecular mass and helps detect truncations or modifications. Some laboratories also use amino acid analysis or nuclear magnetic resonance for structural verification. A certificate of analysis from a supplier may list these results, but independent verification is often recommended for critical work.
Early laboratory work focused on its effects on synaptic connectivity and neuronal signaling. In cell and animal models, dihexa has been reported to promote the formation of new synapses, a process called synaptogenesis. These findings have generated interest in cognitive research, but the evidence base remains mostly preclinical. Human clinical trials with clear safety and efficacy endpoints are limited or absent in the public literature. Whether these effects translate to humans is an open question.
The proposed mechanism involves interaction with the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) system and its receptor, c-Met. Dihexa is described in some studies as an HGF mimetic, meaning it may mimic or enhance HGF-mediated signaling. Activation of c-Met can influence cell growth, survival, and cytoskeletal remodeling, pathways that intersect with synaptic plasticity. However, the precise binding targets and downstream events for dihexa are not fully established, and alternative mechanisms have been suggested.
=== Other pursuits === In November 2023, the first issue of Holy Roller, a comic written by Samberg, Rick Remender, Joe Trohman and illustrated by Roland Boschi, was released and published by Image Comics. It is about a pro bowler who is forced to quit his dream job and return to his hometown, which he soon discovers has been overrun by Neo-Nazis, leading him to become a trick bowling ball-wielding Jewish superhero. Samberg co-hosts The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast alongside Schaffer, Taccone and Seth Meyers, which discusses the Lonely Island's SNL Digital Shorts.
== Further reading == Abelshauser, Werner; von Hippel, Wolfgang; Johnson, Jeffrey Allan; Stokes, Raymond G. (2003). German Industry and Global Enterprise. BASF: The History of a Company. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-82726-3. Beer, John J. The Emergence of the German Dye Industry (1959).
From the late 1950s through the late 1970s, ant farms were popular educational children's toys in the United States. Some later commercial versions use transparent gel instead of soil, allowing greater visibility at the cost of stressing the ants with unnatural light.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The reference values vary across studies, ranging from > 25 cm/s to > 35 cm/s. Values above 35 cm/s indicate the absence of arterial disease, values below 25 cm/s indicate arterial insufficiency, and values of 25–35 cm/s are indeterminate because they are less specific (see image below). The data obtained should be correlated with the degree of erection observed. If the peak systolic velocities are normal, the final diastolic velocities should be evaluated, those above 5 cm/s being associated with venogenic ED.
Melamine had been widely sold, including over the Internet, for around 10,000 yuan ($1,500) a tonne. The ministry also aimed to shrink the number of melamine producers by setting minimum production levels and strengthening controls on ingredients and waste.
=== Discontinued === 1-Amino-5-bromouracil (ABU) – undefined mechanism of action [60] ABT-418 – nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [61] ABT-436 – vasopressin V1B receptor antagonist [62] Adipiplon (NG-273) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine [63] Alnespirone (S-20499) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [64] Alosetron (GR-68755; GR-68755C; Lotronex) – serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist [65] Alpidem (Ananxyl; S-800342-001; SL-800342) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/imidazopyridine [66] Alprazolam lingual spray – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine [67] AN-788 (IP-2018; NSD788) – serotonin–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SDRI) [68] AP-521 – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist [69] Aprepitant (Emend; L-754030; MK-0869; MK-869; ONO-7436) – neurokinin NK1 receptor antagonist [70] AVN-211 (CD-008-0173) – serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonist [71] AVN-397 – undefined mechanism of action [72] AZD-2327 – δ-opioid receptor (DOR) agonist [73] AZD-8129 (AR-A000002; AR-A2XX; AR-A2) – serotonin 5-HT1B receptor antagonist [74] Befloxatone (MD-370503) – reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA) [75] Blarcamesine (AE-37; ANA001; ANAVEX 2-73) – sigma σ1 receptor agonist, muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptor agonist, and ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor agonist [76] Bretazenil (RO-166028) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine [77] Brofaromine (Brofaremine; CGP-11305A; Consonar; Consonev) – reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA) and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) [78] Buspirone transdermal (BuSpar Patch) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist and other actions [79] CGS-12066 – serotonin 5-HT1B receptor partial agonist and other actions [80] Coluracetam (BCI-540; MKC-231) – ionotropic glutamate AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator, choline uptake and acetylcholine synthesis enhancer, and racetam [81] DAA-1097 – translocator protein (TSPO) agonist [82] Devazepide (Devacade; L-364718; MK-329) – Cholecystokinin A (CCKA) receptor antagonist [83] Dipraglurant (ADX-48621; mGluR5-NAM) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor negative allosteric modulator [84] Eglumetad (eglumegad; LY-354740) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptor agonist [85] Emapunil (AC-5216; XBD173) – translocator protein (TSPO) agonist [86] Emicerfont (GW-876008; GW876008) – corticotropin releasing factor CRF1 receptor antagonist [87] Enciprazine (D-3112; WY-48624) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist and α1-adrenergic receptor ligand [88] Eplivanserin (Ciltyri; Sliwens; SR-46349; SR-46349B; SR-46615A) – serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist [89] Eptapirone (F-11440) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [90] Esprolol ((S)-ACC-9369) – beta blocker (β-adrenergic receptor antagonist) (amoxolol prodrug) [91] Flesinoxan (DU-29373) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [92] Gabapentin (CI-945; Gabapen; GOE-3450; Neurontin) – gabapentinoid (α2δ subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channel ligand) [93] Girisopam (EGIS-5810; GYKI-51189) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine [94] GT-2203 – histamine H3 receptor agonist [95] Guanfacine (Guanfacine Carrier Wave project; SPD-554) – α2-adrenergic receptor agonist [96] Ipsapirone (BAY-Q-7821; TVX-Q-7821) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist [97] Isamoltane (CGP-361A) – beta blocker (β-adrenergic receptor antagonist) and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor antagonist [98] Itasetron (DAU-6215; U-98079) – serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist [99] ITI-333 – serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, α1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist, and μ-opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonist [100] JNJ-19567470 (CRA-5626; R-317573) – corticotropin releasing factor CRF1 receptor antagonist [101] Levetiracetam (Keppra; L-059; SIB-S1; UCB-059; UCB-22059; UCB-L059) – synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) ligand [102] Lorazepam intranasal – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine [103] Mavoglurant (AFQ-056; STP-7) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor antagonist [104] Midazolam intranasal (ITI-111; midazolam nasal spray; Nayzilam; USL-261) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine [105] MK-0777 (L-830982; TPA-023) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/triazolopyridazine [106] NBI-34041 (SB-723620) – corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) inhibitor [107] Nerisopam (EGIS-6775; GYKI-52322) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and benzodiazepine [108] Nivasorexant (ACT-539313; SORA) – orexin OX1 receptor antagonist [109] NS-11821 (NS11821) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine [110] Orvepitant (GW-823296; GW823296X) – neurokinin NK1 receptor antagonist [111] Osanetant (ACER-801; SR-142801; SR-142806) – neurokinin NK3 receptor antagonist [112] Panadiplon (FD-10571; FG-10571; NNC-140571; U-78875) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/pyrazolopyrimidine [113] Pazinaclone (A-77000; DN-2327) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/cyclopyrrolone [114] Pozanicline (A-87089.0; ABT-089) – nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist [115] Psilocybin (CYB-001; INT0052/2020) – non-selective serotonin receptor agonist and psychedelic hallucinogen [116] Research programme: depression and anxiety therapies - Roche/Vernalis – undefined mechanism of action [117] Research programme: GPCR modulators - Nxera Pharma – various actions [118] Research programme: monoamine oxidase A inhibitors - CeNeRx BioPharma – monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitors [119] Ritanserin (R-55667) – serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist and other actions [120] Robalzotan (AZD-7371; NAD-299) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor antagonist [121] RS-127445 (MT-500) – serotonin 5-HT2B receptor antagonist [122] SAX-187 (WAY-181187) – serotonin 5-HT6 receptor agonist [123] Sergolexole (LY-281067) – serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist [124] Siramesine (LU-28179) – sigma σ2 receptor agonist [125] SKL-PSY (FZ-016) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [126] SSR-241586 (SSR241586) – neurokinin NK2 and NK3 receptor antagonist [127] SUN-8399 – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [128] Suriclone (RP-31264) – GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and nonbenzodiazepine/cyclopyrrolone [129] Talaglumetad (LY-544344) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptor agonist (eglumetad prodrug) [130] Tiagabine (A-70569; CEP-6671; Gabitril; NO-050328; NO-328) – GABA transporter 1 (GAT-1) blocker and GABA reuptake inhibitor Troriluzole (BHV-4157; Dazluma; FC-4157; trigriluzole) – various actions (riluzole prodrug) [131] Vestipitant (GW-597599) – neurokinin NK1 receptor antagonist [132] Zabaglurant (TMP-301; TMP301; Heptares 25; HTL-0014242; HTL14242) – metabotropic glutamate mGlu5 receptor negative allosteric modulator [133] Zalospirone (WY-47846) – serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist [134]
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Dihexa is a synthetic peptide-like compound studied primarily in preclinical models. It is often classified as an angiotensin IV analog and has been investigated for effects on neuronal connectivity. It is not an approved drug or dietary supplement.
The exact mechanism is uncertain. Some research proposes activation of hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met signaling, while other evidence implicates insulin-regulated aminopeptidase. Multiple pathways may contribute, depending on the experimental system.
Published large-scale human trials are lacking. Most available data come from cell cultures and animal studies. As a result, human safety, appropriate dosing, and clinical effectiveness are not established.
Published human trials are lacking. Most evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies. Therefore, human benefits and risks are not established.