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Pick up to three peptides to see how their mechanisms, studied uses and evidence levels differ. Rows where the entries disagree are marked with a blue edge.
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Comparison
Neuropeptide Y
Cognitive & neuro
Evidence level
Limited evidence
Approval status
Investigational
Mechanism of action
- 1.Acts on Y1, Y2 and Y5 receptors, which differ in where and how they inhibit or excite neurons.
- 2.Y2 receptors presynaptically reduce glutamate and noradrenaline release.
- 3.Y1 signalling in the amygdala reduces anxiety-like behaviour in animals.
- 4.Shifts the stress response and can blunt noradrenergic outflow.
- 5.At higher concentrations it constricts blood vessels.
Studied for
- Stress resilience and PTSD (small intranasal trials)
- Appetite and obesity, using receptor blockers
- Seizure models and neuroprotection
- Memory and anxiety in animal studies
Reported effects
- Animal studies show reduced anxiety-like behaviour and protection in stress models
- Human intranasal data are preliminary, from very small samples
- No established cognitive benefit in people
Side effects
- Possible rise in blood pressure at higher doses
- Headache
- Nasal irritation
- Unknown long-term effects
Research protocol
Research context only - investigational. The intranasal stress studies used single low-microgram doses with hormone and symptom measures over hours, while rodent work used central administration in picomole to nanomole amounts. No repeated-dose human protocol has been established.
Research context only
Evidence justification
A handful of very small human intranasal studies exist, but the evidence for cognitive or anxiety benefit is preliminary and largely animal-based.