Protocol stack

Cognitive Enhancement Protocol — Advanced

Cognitiveadvanced 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off — cycling required$320–$480 AUD / month

This advanced protocol is designed for experienced users who have established their cognitive supplement foundation and want to add clinical-grade peptide support. Semax directly activates BDNF and NGF pathways — the two most important neurotropic factors for synaptic plasticity and cognitive resilience. Noopept modulates AMPA receptors for fast-acting cognitive enhancement and complements Semax's longer-term neuroplastic effects. Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 is added for GH axis optimisation: GH release during deep sleep drives the glymphatic clearance of metabolic waste from the brain — a process now understood to be fundamental to cognitive health and Alzheimer's prevention. This protocol requires an experienced prescribing practitioner and comprehensive baseline blood work before starting.

What's in this stack

1

300–600 mcg · Once daily

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Timing: Morning — intranasal spray preferred for rapid CNS delivery

Prescription required. Begin at 300 mcg for the first 2 weeks. Intranasal delivery achieves near-immediate CNS effect via olfactory nerve — preferred over subcutaneous for cognitive applications. Cycle: 3 weeks on, 1 week off within the 8-week protocol.

2

10–20 mg · Twice daily

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Timing: Morning and early afternoon — avoid late afternoon to prevent sleep disruption

Prescription required. Sublingual administration gives faster onset than oral. Begin at 10 mg twice daily. Pair with a choline source (Alpha-GPC 300 mg) to prevent headaches. Do not take after 3pm.

3

Alpha-GPC

300 mg · Twice daily

Timing: With each Noopept dose

Essential pairing with Noopept — Noopept increases acetylcholine receptor density; Alpha-GPC provides the substrate. Without this pairing, headaches are common. Available OTC in Australia.

4

NMN

1000 mg · Once daily

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Timing: Morning, before food

NAD+ is the primary energy currency for neuronal mitochondria. Advanced cognitive work is metabolically expensive — NMN at 1g/day ensures neuronal energy production is not rate-limiting. Available OTC.

5

Lion's Mane (full-spectrum extract)

1000 mg · Once daily

Timing: Morning with food

The NGF support layer — works synergistically with Semax's direct TrkB activation. At this dose level, ensure product is dual-extracted and standardised. Continue throughout the cycle.

6

Ipamorelin + CJC-1295

Prescription required

100–200 mcg each peptide · Once daily

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Timing: Before sleep — aligns GH pulse with deep sleep phase for maximum glymphatic clearance

Prescription required. The GH-cognition axis: deep-sleep GH pulses drive glymphatic brain waste clearance, synaptic repair, and memory consolidation. Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 amplifies this natural process. Add after the first 2 weeks once Semax and Noopept are established.

Step-by-step guide

1

Semax300–600 mcg Once daily

Prescription required

Morning — intranasal spray preferred for rapid CNS delivery

Prescription required. Begin at 300 mcg for the first 2 weeks. Intranasal delivery achieves near-immediate CNS effect via olfactory nerve — preferred over subcutaneous for cognitive applications. Cycle: 3 weeks on, 1 week off within the 8-week protocol.

2

Noopept10–20 mg Twice daily

Prescription required

Morning and early afternoon — avoid late afternoon to prevent sleep disruption

Prescription required. Sublingual administration gives faster onset than oral. Begin at 10 mg twice daily. Pair with a choline source (Alpha-GPC 300 mg) to prevent headaches. Do not take after 3pm.

3

Alpha-GPC300 mg Twice daily

With each Noopept dose

Essential pairing with Noopept — Noopept increases acetylcholine receptor density; Alpha-GPC provides the substrate. Without this pairing, headaches are common. Available OTC in Australia.

4

NMN1000 mg Once daily

Morning, before food

NAD+ is the primary energy currency for neuronal mitochondria. Advanced cognitive work is metabolically expensive — NMN at 1g/day ensures neuronal energy production is not rate-limiting. Available OTC.

5

Lion's Mane (full-spectrum extract)1000 mg Once daily

Morning with food

The NGF support layer — works synergistically with Semax's direct TrkB activation. At this dose level, ensure product is dual-extracted and standardised. Continue throughout the cycle.

6

Ipamorelin + CJC-1295100–200 mcg each peptide Once daily

Prescription required

Before sleep — aligns GH pulse with deep sleep phase for maximum glymphatic clearance

Prescription required. The GH-cognition axis: deep-sleep GH pulses drive glymphatic brain waste clearance, synaptic repair, and memory consolidation. Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 amplifies this natural process. Add after the first 2 weeks once Semax and Noopept are established.

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Your protocol timeline

See your titration schedule, expected results, and blood work dates mapped to real calendar dates.

Start
Dose change
Expected result
Blood work
Milestone
0

Protocol starts

16 Apr 2026

Begin nootropic stack. Start sleep optimisation protocol. Establish cognitive performance baseline.

Week 0 · Start
1

Adaptation

23 Apr 2026

Initial neurochemical adaptation phase. Some users notice subtle changes in focus and clarity.

Week 1 · Milestone
2

Sleep optimisation

30 Apr 2026

Sleep quality improvements support cognitive gains. REM and deep sleep percentages should be tracked.

Week 2 · Expected result
4

Cognitive gains

14 May 2026

Sustained focus, verbal fluency, and working memory improvements typically emerge by week 4.

Week 4 · Expected result
8

Protocol assessment

11 June 2026

Assess cognitive performance against baseline. Evaluate stack efficacy and consider adjustments.

Week 8 · Blood work

Timelines are general estimates. Your prescribing practitioner will personalise your schedule.

Supplements for this protocol

Core supplements that directly support your Cognitive Enhancement Protocol — Advanced.

Prescription required

All protocols listed on ProtocolHub require a prescription from an Australian AHPRA-registered medical practitioner. Do not attempt to self-prescribe or source peptides without medical supervision.

Get this protocol prescribed

Rx

Thrive Rx

Telehealth Clinic
4.8(312)

Australia's most thorough longevity and peptide clinic — blood panel first, protocol second.

$199–$599 AUD / month Australia-wide
AHPRA-registered clinicians
Comprehensive blood panel included in membership
Ongoing biomarker tracking every 6 months
Higher price point than GLP-1 only clinics
Requires full health assessment before any prescription
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AE

Alpha Edge Clinic

Telehealth Clinic
4.7(189)

Specialist peptide therapy and body optimisation — telehealth with compounding pharmacy integration.

$250–$500 AUD / month Australia-wide
Specialist peptide focus — not a generalist clinic
Blood testing partnership with Australian Clinical Labs
BPC-157, TB-500, GH secretagogues all available
Smaller patient base — less reviewed than Thrive Rx
Blood panel is an additional cost, not included
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