In plain English
Cortexin is a mix of small peptides taken from the brain cortex of young calves or pigs. It is a registered medicine in Russia, used to support memory, concentration and recovery after brain injury, and it belongs to the bioregulator tradition led by Vladimir Khavinson.
What it's used for
- Recovery after stroke or head injury
- Memory and concentration
- Mental fatigue
Benefits
In human studies from Russia, cortexin improved recovery after stroke and brain injury and helped attention and memory in several trials. Users report clearer thinking and better focus.
How it works
In simple terms: bioregulators are thought to act like tiny instructions that switch on healthy, tissue-specific genes.
Peptides this small may enter cells and the nucleus, where they are thought to bind DNA and influence the activity of genes linked to the brain cortex’s normal function and repair. As a peptide complex from the cortex, it is also thought to act like natural nerve growth factors.
Development history
- 1990s: Developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, part of a family of short peptides designed from organ extracts.
- 1999: Registered as a medicine in Russia.
Typical protocols
Clinical doses come from Russian use; users report similar ranges.
| Use | Dose | Frequency | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard course | 10 mg | Daily | 10 days |
Cycling
Short courses repeated two or three times a year, the usual pattern for bioregulators.
Administration options
Intramuscular injection.
Reconstitution and dosing calculator
Comes as 5 mg or 10 mg vials of powder, mixed with 1–2 mL of water, saline or a local anesthetic solution as directed.
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This tool does arithmetic only. It does not choose a dose or confirm that any substance is right for you. Double-check every result against your syringe and your clinician’s instructions.
Side effects and safety
- Users report it is generally well tolerated; injection-site redness is the most common complaint.
- Very little safety data in people outside Russian studies.
- Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Common stacks
Semax or Selank: nasal brain peptides.
Storage
Powder: refrigerate or freeze. After mixing: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within about 3 weeks.
Compare with
- Cerebrolysin: a similar brain-derived peptide mix, given in larger volumes.
- Pinealon: a synthetic three-amino-acid brain bioregulator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a bioregulator?
A very short peptide, often just two to four amino acids, developed in Russia to support a specific organ.
Why short courses?
Bioregulators are thought to have effects that last well beyond the course, so they are taken in brief cycles a few times a year.
References
- Khavinson VKh, et al. Peptide regulation of gene expression: a systematic review. Molecules. 2021;26(22):7053.