CORT
Polypeptide extract from bovine (calf) brain cortex used in Russia for neurological conditions.
Regulatory status (as of Sept 2026)
Not FDA-approved; not a 503A bulk substance; bovine-derived biologic mixture.
See the FDA peptide regulatory tracker · Read our July 27, 2026 dispatch on the FDA PCAC peptide vote4 studies referenced · Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026 · Reviewed by The Peptide Dispatch Editorial Team · How we research & label content
Cortexin is approved as a medicine in some countries outside the US, but not by the FDA. Polypeptide extract from bovine (calf) brain cortex used in Russia for neurological conditions.
| Half-life | Not established in published research |
|---|---|
| How it's given in studies | Intramuscular injection |
| Research stage | Approved outside US |
| Dosing | Published research: 10 or 20 mg IM daily for 10 days in adults with post-COVID syndrome (observational program, n=979) details10 or 20 mg i.m. daily for 10 days in adults with post-COVID syndrome (observational program, n=979); 1-2 mg/kg in rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion modelCommunity-reportedCommunity-reported: 10 mg IM daily, intramuscular injection |
Published-research dosing is what was given in the cited studies (species and units as reported). Community-reported dosing is what users describe, not from clinical studies. Neither is a recommendation. Not medical advice.
Where each point comes from: Clinicalhuman trials and FDA labels Lab / animalrodent, cell and ex vivo studies Community-reporteduser experience and commonly used protocols, not from clinical studies
In plain terms: It is a mix of calf brain-cortex peptides thought to protect nerve cells, based on rat studies. Proposed mechanism, from rat studies: neuroprotective activity attributed to its mixture of bovine brain-cortex polypeptides. In a rat cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion model it modulated OPG/RANK/RANKL and TRPC1 expression (Guven 2026), and it was studied in rat models of developmental delay (Kurkin 2025).
How to read this: Each item below is an effect observed in research subjects in the cited studies — think of Dexter, our stand-in research subject. These are findings from the literature, not results you should expect, and not medical advice.
Community-reportedUsers have reported 10 mg IM daily (intramuscular injection). This is not a recommendation.
Community reports are anecdotal, vary widely in product quality and purity, and are not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider.
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| Peptide | Half-Life | Route | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortexin | No published PK data found | Intramuscular injection | Approved outside US |
| Cerebrolysin | No published PK data found | IV or IM injection | Approved outside US |
| Oxytocin | 3-5 minutes (but effects longer) | Intranasal | FDA-approved |
| Thymulin (Zn-FTS) | Unknown | Subcutaneous injection | Preclinical (animal) |
| VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) | ~2 minutes | Intranasal or subcutaneous | Phase 3 |
Values reflect figures reported in published research. Compare any peptides side-by-side →
This peptide belongs to the Research category. View All Research Peptides
Cognitive
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Dosing, half-life figures, and mechanism descriptions on this page are compiled from peer-reviewed published research, with the species and study type stated where reported. Figures labeled “Dosing used in published research” describe what was given in those studies and do not constitute dosing recommendations for any human use. Each cited paper is listed with DOI and PubMed links in the References section above. Found an error? Contact us.