Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsPinealon

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited

BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED12/36 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

Pinealon

Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2014

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2014

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cortagen

Pinealon

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014

Pathway

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014

Downstream effect

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

Pinealon

Animal model dose (rat)

Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)

Multiple injections over study period.

—

Avian model dose (chicken)

40-day injection courseKuznik 2008

Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.

—

Human peripheral nerve study

Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)

Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.

—

Evidence basis

Animal mechanistic studies

Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

Standard dose

—

5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014

Frequency

—

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

—

2.5 mg / day

Duration

—

10-day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

No specific time

Half-life

—

Hours

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cortagen

Pinealon

Antioxidant suppression

Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007

Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.

—

Immune/hemostasis effects

No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008

Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.

—

Human safety data

No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context

Limited detail in available abstracts.

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Pinealon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Pinealon

·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

Pinealon

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen preferred.

3. Timing

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

Daily during cycle, any time.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Cortagen

— no documented stacks

Pinealon

+ Epitalon

Moderate

View Epitalon →

Pinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.

Pinealon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
Epitalon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
Primary benefit: Neuroprotection + telomere preservation

Khavinson 2014 Khavinson 2003