Pinealon

Developed at Khavinson's St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Despite its name, the developers describe it as derived from Cortexin, a calf and pig brain-cortex extract, not the pineal gland. It is a different molecule from Epithalon.

All proposed mechanisms come from cells, rodents or computer modeling, mostly by the developers. In stressed rat neurons and other cells it reduced reactive oxygen species and cell death. It is proposed to bind DNA and gene promoters (mostly computational predictions), lowered a cell-death enzyme in rat brain after low oxygen, and increased serotonin synthesis in cultured neurons.

Rat and cell studies report protection against oxidative stress, better maze learning after low oxygen, and preserved neuron structure in Alzheimer's-model mouse cells. A few small Russian human reports (older adults with brain syndromes, truck drivers under stress, brain-injury patients) are described without proper methods, controls or statistics. None has been replicated independently. Whether a tripeptide reaches the brain intact is unknown.

Human side effects have not been characterized, and no human safety data have been published. One human report found a pro-oxidant effect and lower blood progenitor cells. A theoretical interaction with serotonergic drugs is possible given the claimed serotonin effect.

Not FDA-approved and no drug approval found in any country. Not nominated or listed in any FDA compounding category, so not lawfully compoundable. Not named on the 2026 WADA List but falls under S0, prohibited at all times.