Cognitive Protocol
DihexaComplete Dosing & Administration Guide
Angiotensin IV-derived oligopeptide that potentiates hepatocyte growth factor to drive synaptogenesis and cognitive enhancement with extraordinary potency
Dose Range
5-20mg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Oral (capsule/tablet)
Cycle Length
4-6 weeks
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Starting Dose
5-10 mg once daily
Start at the lower end to assess individual tolerance. Due to dihexa's exceptionally long half-life (~12 days), steady-state concentrations will build over several weeks. Oral or sublingual administration. Given the potency of this compound, conservative initial dosing is strongly recommended. Monitor for headaches, mood changes, or sleep disturbances.
Standard Dose
10-15 mg once daily
The commonly reported research dosage range. Oral tablets or capsules are the most practical administration method since dihexa is confirmed to be orally active and BBB-permeable. Take in the morning to align with natural cognitive activity patterns. Due to the long half-life, some users cycle 5 days on / 2 days off or use intermittent protocols.
Advanced Dose
15-20 mg once daily
Higher doses should be used with caution given limited human safety data and theoretical oncogenic concerns from sustained c-Met activation. In animal studies, doses of 1.44-2.88 mg/kg were used in APP/PS1 mice. The long half-life means accumulation is significant at higher doses. Regular breaks between cycles are strongly recommended at this tier.
Timing
Best time to take
Take Dihexa at the same time each day for consistent blood levels. Morning dosing with breakfast is often preferred, but follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions.
With food?
Dihexa can typically be taken with or without food. Taking it with a light meal may help reduce any GI discomfort. Avoid taking with grapefruit juice or high-fat meals unless specifically directed.
If stacking
Dihexa should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You have been at the starting dose for 2+ weeks with good tolerance and want enhanced cognitive effects
- +You are not experiencing noticeable cognitive improvements at the current dose after 3-4 weeks
- +You are an experienced nootropic user with established tolerance to neurotropic compounds
Decrease if
- -You experience persistent headaches or sleep disturbances
- -You notice excessive emotional sensitivity or mood instability
- -You want to maintain cognitive benefits while minimizing c-Met pathway activation
Signs of right dose
- ✓Improved ease of learning new information and skills
- ✓Enhanced memory recall — both short-term and long-term
- ✓Better verbal fluency and word retrieval
- ✓Vivid but not disruptive dreams (indicating hippocampal engagement)
- ✓Stable mood with improved cognitive performance under stress
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Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Dihexa in its prescribed form
- •Clean, dry storage container
- •Measuring device if applicable (oral syringe, measuring cup)
- •Calendar or reminder app for dosing schedule
Injection
Route
Dihexa is administered Oral (capsule/tablet)—no injection required
Best sites
- •Not applicable—this is not an injectable formulation
Technique
- 1.Follow the specific administration instructions for your Dihexa formulation
- 2.Take or apply as directed by your healthcare provider
- 3.Store properly between uses according to package instructions
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
Dihexa has demonstrated a favorable safety profile in published animal studies, with no reported tumorigenic effects or organ toxicity at cognitive-enhancing doses. However, the compound has not undergone formal human clinical trials, and long-term safety data does not exist. The primary theoretical safety concern is sustained activation of the HGF/c-Met proto-oncogenic pathway, which could theoretically promote tumor initiation or growth. The extremely long half-life (~12 days) raises additional concerns about compound accumulation with chronic daily dosing. Anecdotal reports from the nootropics community generally describe good tolerability at doses of 5-20 mg daily, with headaches and vivid dreams as the most commonly reported effects.
All efficacy and safety data comes from preclinical animal studies and anecdotal user reports. No peer-reviewed human trial data exists. The compound is designated as a research chemical and is not approved for human therapeutic use by any regulatory agency. Individuals considering use should weigh the strong preclinical cognitive enhancement evidence against the complete absence of controlled human safety data and the theoretical oncogenic concerns.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Headache
Mild to moderate headaches are commonly reported, likely related to increased neural growth factor signaling and cerebral blood flow changes associated with HGF/c-Met activation. Most common during the first week of use.
Management: Usually resolves within a few days as the brain adapts. Standard OTC analgesics may help. If persistent, reduce dose. Ensure adequate hydration.
Vivid dreams or altered sleep patterns
Enhanced hippocampal activity from new synapse formation may manifest as vivid, intense, or unusual dreams. Some users report more memorable dream content or changes in sleep architecture.
Management: Generally not harmful and may indicate active neuroplasticity. If sleep quality is impaired, take dose in the morning rather than evening. Reduce dose if sleep disruption is significant.
Emotional sensitivity
Increased emotional responsiveness or mood fluctuations may occur as hippocampal connectivity changes. This can manifest as heightened empathy, emotional memories, or temporary mood swings.
Management: Usually transient and normalizes within 1-2 weeks. Practice stress management techniques. If mood changes are severe or persistent, discontinue use.
Mild fatigue during adjustment
Initial fatigue or brain fog may occur during the first few days as the brain undergoes structural remodeling. Energy demands of synaptogenesis can temporarily compete with normal cognitive processing.
Management: Typically resolves within the first week. Ensure adequate sleep, nutrition, and hydration during the adjustment period.
Less Common
- •Gastrointestinal discomfort
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Persistent severe headaches that do not resolve with dose reduction
- ×Significant mood instability or personality changes
- ×Any suspicious lumps, unexplained weight loss, or other potential cancer symptoms
- ×Completion of planned cycle duration (4-6 weeks recommended maximum)
- ×Adverse interaction with other medications or supplements
Dihexa is a research compound with no FDA approval and limited human safety data. All use is at the individual's own risk. The long half-life (~12 days) means effects persist for weeks after discontinuation. Consult a healthcare provider before using any research peptide, and report any concerning symptoms immediately.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Both enhance cognitive function through different growth factor pathways — Semax via BDNF upregulation, dihexa via HGF/c-Met. Theoretical synergy for cognitive enhancement but combined growth factor stimulation should be approached cautiously.
- ✓Selank provides anxiolytic and mild cognitive benefits through GABAergic modulation, complementing dihexa's synaptogenic mechanism. No overlapping pathways suggest safe combination.
- ✓BPC-157 promotes tissue healing through growth factor modulation including VEGF and FGF. While mechanism differs from dihexa, combining multiple growth factor stimulants warrants caution regarding oncogenic risk.
With medications
- !ACE inhibitors / ARBs - Dihexa is derived from the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensin IV). ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may alter the balance of RAS peptides and potentially interact with dihexa's mechanism. Use with caution and monitor blood pressure.
- ✓Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine) - Theoretical complementary mechanisms — cholinesterase inhibitors increase acetylcholine while dihexa builds new synapses. No known direct interactions, but combined cognitive enhancement should be medically supervised.
- !Immunosuppressants - c-Met signaling plays roles in immune function and tissue repair. Immunosuppressive therapy may alter the downstream effects of HGF/c-Met activation by dihexa.
With supplements
- ✓Alpha-GPC / Citicoline - Provides choline substrate for acetylcholine synthesis at the new synaptic connections formed by dihexa. Highly recommended complementary supplement to support new synapse function.
- ✓Lion's Mane mushroom - Stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF), complementing dihexa's HGF potentiation. Dual growth factor support may enhance overall neuroplasticity. Safe to combine.
- ✓Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA) - DHA is a critical structural component of neuronal membranes and new dendritic spines. Supplementation provides building blocks for the new synaptic structures dihexa promotes.
- ✓Racetams (piracetam, aniracetam) - Racetams modulate glutamate receptors and enhance synaptic plasticity through different mechanisms. Complementary to dihexa's structural synaptogenesis. Safe to combine with adequate choline support.
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