Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Ginkgo Biloba | NSI-189 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Nootropics | Nootropics |
| Standard Dose | 120-240 mg/day of standardized extract (24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones) divided into 2-3 doses | 40 mg once daily (for educational context — investigational compound, not approved for any indication) |
| Timing | With or without food. Split into 2-3 doses throughout the day. Effects may take 4-6 weeks to manifest. | Once daily, time of day not definitively established from clinical data. With or without food. |
| Cycle Duration | Ongoing; no cycling required. Clinical trials typically run 22-26 weeks. | Phase 2 trial used 12-week treatment duration. Long-term safety data unavailable. |
| Evidence Level | strong_human | moderate_human |
Standardized extract (EGb 761) contains flavonoid glycosides (24%) and terpene lactones (6% — ginkgolides A/B/C and bilobalide) that act through multiple pathways: potent free radical scavenging and inhibition of membrane lipid peroxidation; antagonism of platelet-activating factor (PAF) via ginkgolides; enhancement of cerebral blood flow through nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation and reduced blood viscosity; and increased prefrontal dopamine and acetylcholine release via acylated flavonol glycosides. Bilobalide provides direct neuroprotection against excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction.
120-240 mg/day of standardized extract (24% flavone glycosides, 6% terpene lactones) divided into 2-3 doses
With or without food. Split into 2-3 doses throughout the day. Effects may take 4-6 weeks to manifest.
Ongoing; no cycling required. Clinical trials typically run 22-26 weeks.
Benzylpiperizine-aminopyridine compound that stimulates neurogenesis of human hippocampus-derived neural stem cells in vitro and increases hippocampal volume in vivo. Mechanism is independent of serotonin or norepinephrine reuptake inhibition — fundamentally distinct from traditional antidepressants. Activates the TrkB receptor (BDNF receptor) and downstream Akt/PI3K signaling pathways to promote synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation, and neuronal survival. Enhances BDNF expression in hippocampal subregions critical for memory consolidation and mood regulation. Originally developed as ALTO-100 (Alto Neuroscience) for treatment-resistant depression with cognitive impairment.
40 mg once daily (for educational context — investigational compound, not approved for any indication)
Once daily, time of day not definitively established from clinical data. With or without food.
Phase 2 trial used 12-week treatment duration. Long-term safety data unavailable.
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