Dihexa
The most potent synaptogenic compound discovered — 7 orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF in animal models.
Research facts
| Half-life | ~24h (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Route | Oral / Transdermal / SubQ |
| Typical dose | 1–10 mg/day (no established human dose) |
| Frequency | Once daily |
| Solvent | Various |
| pH | N/A |
| Stability | Stable at room temperature |
Mechanism of action
Dihexa is an orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant small peptide derived from angiotensin IV. It acts as a potent hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) potentiator — stabilising HGF and dramatically enhancing its binding to the Met receptor (c-Met). This drives synaptogenesis (new synapse formation) in the hippocampus and other brain regions. In rats, Dihexa was found to be ~7 orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF in promoting spine density and dendrite branching. It dramatically improved cognitive function in aged rodents. However, c-Met is also a proto-oncogene — Met amplification drives multiple cancers, raising significant theoretical cancer safety concerns.
Documented effects (research-model)
- Most potent known synaptogenic compound in animal models
- Cognitive improvement in aged rodent models
- Oral/transdermal bioavailability (unusual for a peptide)
- HGF/Met-mediated neuroplasticity amplification
Research protocols
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Cycle | Vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highly Experimental | 1–10 mg/day (no consensus) | Once daily | Short cycles (4 weeks max based on c-Met concerns) | Various |
Research context only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any protocol decision.
Synergies
No documented synergies in the current reference set.
Myths & misconceptions
Evidence gaps
- No human clinical trials.
- c-Met is a proto-oncogene — cancer safety not characterised.
- Optimal dose, dosing schedule, and cycle length completely unknown in humans.
Safety notes
EXTREME CAUTION: c-Met activation has carcinogenic potential. Absolutely contraindicated in personal or family history of cancer. No established safe dose in humans. This is among the most experimental and potentially high-risk compounds in this library despite its extraordinary preclinical profile.
Biomarkers to monitor
Primary-source citations
- PMID 23143601 — Dihexa: a potent pro-cognitive HGF potentiator derived from angiotensin IV (J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2013)
Frequently asked
What is Dihexa?
Dihexa (N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide — HGF Potentiator) is a research compound classified in our library as Tier D — Animal or in-vitro data only.. The most potent synaptogenic compound discovered — 7 orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF in animal models.
What is the evidence tier for Dihexa?
We classify Dihexa as Tier D: Animal or in-vitro data only. See our full peptide evidence tiers explainer for how we assign S/A/B/C/D.
What is the research dose of Dihexa?
For Dihexa, typical research dose is 1–10 mg/day (no established human dose), route is Oral / Transdermal / SubQ, half-life is ~24h (estimated). Protocols vary by research goal — see the protocols section on this page for standard and advanced dosing schedules. Research use only, not medical advice.
Is Dihexa safe?
EXTREME CAUTION: c-Met activation has carcinogenic potential. Absolutely contraindicated in personal or family history of cancer. Research context only — no compound on this site is approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly noted.