NSI-189.
Neurogenesis compound. Grows new brain cells. An investigational synthetic compound studied for its effect on mood and memory scores. It came out of drug development rather than the supplement world.
Reviewed March 2026
- Category
- Nootropic
- Also filed under
- DepressionNeurogenesisCognition
What NSI-189 is, and what it does.
- Does it work
- It suits people who follow experimental compounds closely and are comfortable that the human record is a small set of short trials rather than a settled standard.
- How much to take
- Start at 20mg a day. 20 to 40mg daily is the band on record, and those amounts come from study protocols rather than from any food or nutrient standard.
- Time to feel it
- The published trials tracked mood and cognitive scores across four to six weeks of daily dosing, so any change lands on those scales rather than in the first days.
- The first dose
- Day one is uneventful. What was measured in trials were scores on mood and memory scales after weeks of dosing, so nothing on day one is the expected picture.
- With regular use
- Most effects take 2-8 weeks. Be patient.
- How well tolerated
- Generally well tolerated. Check with your doctor if on medications.
- How it feels
- Some report improved spatial memory and mood over weeks.
- The overlooked benefit
- It came out of a drug development programme, not the supplement world, and it remains an investigational compound, so no monograph or standard sits behind what you buy.
20 to 40mg a day is where NSI-189 works.
Source: Fava et al., Mol Psychiatry, 2016; Phase 2 clinical trial
The proof, claim by claim.
These words describe the research, not the molecule's worth. Research strength is how much work stands behind one claim, and it is never a product score.
Based on 3 human trials.
- mood rating scale scores in adultsRandomised trial
- cognitive test performance in adultsRandomised trial
- hippocampal neurogenesisAnimal study
- hippocampal volume on imagingRandomised trial
Questions people ask about NSI-189.
- When should I take it?
- Timing matters less than consistency. Pick a time that works for you and take it daily.
- Can I take it with other supplements?
- Usually fine. The main thing to watch is not doubling up on the same ingredient from different products. If you're on prescription meds, check with your pharmacist first.
- Any side effects to watch for?
- Most people tolerate it well at recommended doses. GI upset is the most common complaint with any supplement. Start with a lower dose and work up. If something feels off, stop and reassess.
- Who benefits most from this?
- Honestly, most people would benefit more from the basics. But if you've got a specific reason to try it, the risk is generally low.
No pairing data for NSI-189 yet.
Nothing on file for NSI-189, either from a combination trial or from settled biochemistry. When either lands, it appears here with its source.
Stitching two separate single-ingredient studies into a pairing is the one thing this engine will not do. When a study of the combination itself holds up at source, it lands here with its citation.
No invented synergy. Where actives were studied on their own rather than together, the record shows each on its own evidence, never a combined effect no trial measured.
Research strength. Research strength says how much work stands behind the combination. It is never a product score.
Independent record. Every finding is cited to a named trial, dated, and never written by the brand.
21 pairings are live across the library today. Checked 9 August 2026.
Nothing specific on file for NSI-189. Match the label to the daily amount above, and tell your doctor what you take.
Not medical advice. Show the label to your pharmacist.Getting NSI-189 from food.
The whole-food sources on file. A supplement closes the gap, it does not replace dinner.
A gram-for-gram figure (how much of each you would eat to match a dose) will appear here once it is sourced and reviewed. This page will not print a number it cannot cite.
The studies, linked.
4 sources behind our NSI-189 verdict: peer-reviewed studies and registered clinical trials. Every one links straight to PubMed, the journal, or ClinicalTrials.gov. Read them yourself.
- Clinical trialA Phase 1, Randomized, Subject Single Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Single-Dose Escalation Study Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics (PK) of NSI-189 Phosphate in Healthy SubjectsClinicalTrials.gov ↗PHASE1 · 35 participants · Completed
- Clinical trialA Phase 1B, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multiple-Dose Escalation Study Evaluating the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics (PK), and Pharmacodynamic (PD) Effect of NSI-189 Phosphate in Depression Patient SubjectsClinicalTrials.gov ↗PHASE1 · 26 participants · Completed
- Clinical trialA Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study of NSI-189, a Neurogenic Compound Among Out-Patients With Major Depressive DisorderClinicalTrials.gov ↗220 participants · Unknown
- Clinical trialA Phase 2, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of NSI-189, a Neurogenic Compound Among Out-Patients With Major Depressive DisorderClinicalTrials.gov ↗PHASE2 · 220 participants · Unknown
Evidence surfaced via Semantic Scholar (Allen Institute for AI) and ClinicalTrials.gov. Ranked by study type and citation weight, not cherry-picked.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.