Cerebrolysin — the cost is insane. Is it worth it?

C
Joined 2026
23 posts
1/1/2026 · 424 views

Cerebrolysin is a porcine-brain-derived neuropeptide preparation used in Europe for stroke, TBI, and dementia. In those indications the evidence is... okay. Not great, not nothing. Effect sizes are modest.

The community uses it for nootropic purposes at IM doses for 10-20 day cycles. A single cycle costs hundreds of dollars.

Anyone run full cycles and think it was worth the money compared to, say, running semax on/off for six months for the same cost?

4 Replies

N
Joined 2026
18 posts
1/2/2026

Did one 20-day cycle. Mild subjective lift during, nothing persistent after. For the cost I'd rather have six months of semax intermittent.

T
Joined 2025
58 posts
theoreticRegular
1/3/2026

The clinical use case is post-stroke/TBI. For someone with actual neural injury, the risk-reward is different. For a healthy brain chasing nootropic effects, it's probably overkill and under-powered for what it costs.

Longevity
  • Epithalon · 10 mg · 10d on / 80d off · sub-Q
  • MOTS-c · 5 mg · 2x/wk · sub-Q
  • 5-Amino-1MQ · 150 mg · daily · oral
P
Joined 2026
23 posts
1/6/2026

Agree with noots_noop. The cycle feels meaningful in the moment, washes out fast after. Not sustainable economically and the sustained benefit hasn't shown up for me.

D
Joined 2025
119 posts
dr_doubtRegular
1/10/2026

If you have a TBI history, talk to a neurologist about it, not the forum. Outside that indication it's an expensive lottery ticket.

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