ModerateCaution
Resveratrol
Resveratrol affects cell-signaling pathways and may confound attempts to interpret an unapproved c-Met-active compound.
Recommendation: Avoid experimental longevity or nootropic stacks involving dihexa.
Dihexa
Peptide ·Insufficient evidence ·Reviewed May 2026
Dihexa is an angiotensin IV-derived peptidomimetic that potentiates hepatocyte growth factor signaling at c-Met in preclinical studies. It is not FDA-approved and has no adequate published human safety or efficacy trials. Because HGF/c-Met signaling is relevant to cancer biology, self-use is medically inappropriate.
What it's good for
What to watch for
- Unknown human toxicity
- Headache or agitation if CNS-active
- Theoretical tumor-growth concern
- Active cancer or prior cancer without oncology clearance1
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
The bottom line
Evidence rating insufficient. Most-documented uses: preclinical synaptogenesis research, hgf/c-met signaling tool compound, animal memory-model effects. 3 sources indexed (2010–2014), with 3 interaction records on file.
The science
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Dihexa binds hepatocyte growth factor and appears to facilitate HGF-dependent c-Met activation, hippocampal spinogenesis, synaptogenesis, and memory effects in animal models. The same pathway supports cell growth, motility, and repair, and dysregulated c-Met signaling is implicated in malignancy. Preclinical potency does not establish safe nootropic dosing.2
Class
Preclinical HGF/c-Met synaptogenic peptidomimetic
Found in food
None as a dietary supplement
Low-status signs
No recognized dietary deficiency state exists for this peptide
Dosing
Dosing & protocol.
Common range
No FDA-approved human dose; no human dose established
Recommended form
Not recommended for human use; laboratory research reagent only
Peptides are generally not reliably orally bioavailable unless a specific studied oral formulation is used. Human use of research-grade products is not appropriate.
Forms
Forms & what to buy.
Ranked by evidence and value.
Laboratory Research Reagent Recommended
Intended for controlled laboratory work, not human administration. Not for human use.
Compounded or Research Peptide Product
Human identity, purity, sterility, and dose may be uncertain unless legally prescribed and regulated. Injection or intranasal use adds infection and dosing risks.
Cost
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Laboratory Research Reagent.
BudgetBest value
$60 /mo
$2.00 per dose
Mid
$180 /mo
$6.00 per dose
Premium
$450 /mo
$15.00 per dose
Research-market pricing is not a dosing recommendation; human use is not FDA-approved unless specifically stated. Updated 2026-06-04.
Goals
Goal-based dosing.
Relevant Clinical Research
Dose: Protocol-specific only
Timing: Study protocol only
Not a supplement protocol.
Wellness or Anti-Aging Use
Dose: No FDA-approved dose
Timing: Not applicable
Human safety and efficacy are not established.
Mechanistic Research
Dose: Laboratory-specific concentration
Timing: Laboratory protocol only
Not for human administration.
Why people use it
Symptoms it's matched to.
Where this appears in the symptom-to-supplement map, ranked by relevance.
Memory problems
4% relevance
Animal synaptogenesis findings do not prove human cognitive benefit.3
CognitiveInsufficient evidenceAvoid
Evaluate neurologic, sleep, medication, and mood causes.
Brain fog
3% relevance
No human trials support self-treatment.
CognitiveInsufficient evidenceAvoid
High pathway risk relative to evidence.
Cognitive decline
3% relevance
Preclinical HGF/c-Met data are not dementia treatment evidence.
NeurologicInsufficient evidenceAvoid
Use medical evaluation for cognitive decline.
Safety
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Unknown human toxicity
- Headache or agitation if CNS-active
- Theoretical tumor-growth concern
- Unknown cardiovascular effects
- Product mislabeling risk
Contraindications
- Active cancer or prior cancer without oncology clearance1
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Any unsupervised human use
- Bipolar disorder, psychosis, or severe neurologic disease without specialist care
- Research-grade products for human use
Interactions
Interaction records.
ModerateCaution
Quercetin
Quercetin has kinase and inflammatory signaling effects that complicate safety interpretation with dihexa.
Recommendation: Avoid combining unapproved cell-signaling agents.
ModerateCaution
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort can alter mood and drug metabolism, complicating neuropsychiatric monitoring.
Recommendation: Avoid combining with CNS-active research peptides.
Sources
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
1- 1Targeting the HGF/Met signalling pathway in cancerNeeds sourceNo linkCecchi F et al. · European Journal of Cancer · 2010
HGF/Met pathway is important in cancer biology
Mechanistic & preclinical
2- 2The procognitive and synaptogenic effects of angiotensin IV-derived peptides are dependent on activation of the hepatocyte growth factor/c-met systemNeeds sourceNo linkMcCoy AT et al. · Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2014
Dihexa potentiated HGF/c-Met signaling
- 3Facilitation of hippocampal synaptogenesis and spatial memory by C-terminal truncated Nle1-angiotensin IV analogsNeeds sourceNo linkBenoist CC et al. · Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2011
Angiotensin IV analogs improved memory models
Keep exploring
Deep dives & adjacent profiles.
This page is educational. Do not start, stop, or change a supplement or medication based on it without checking with a qualified healthcare professional.
Use this with your stack
Dihexa in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.