Research compounds
PACAP
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, ADCYAP1
PACAP is a neuropeptide of the VIP/secretin family with roles in stress response, circadian regulation and — most prominently — migraine. Antibodies targeting it are in late-stage clinical trials.
Also known as: ADCYAP1, PACAP-38, PACAP-27
- Status
- PACAP is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results.
- Half-life
- Approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
- How it's taken
- Not used therapeutically; research administration only
- Mechanism
- Cognitive / mood
How PACAP works
PACAP exists as 38- and 27-amino-acid forms and signals through PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. PAC1 is the selective PACAP receptor; the VPAC receptors are shared with VIP. Infusing PACAP-38 into people reliably triggers migraine attacks in migraine sufferers, which established it as a causal mediator rather than an association.
What research has looked at
- PACAP infusion induces migraine in susceptible people, which is unusually direct evidence of causal involvement — the same class of evidence that validated CGRP.
- A monoclonal antibody against PACAP has reported positive Phase 2 results in migraine prevention, including in patients who did not respond to CGRP-targeted therapy.
- It has documented roles in circadian entrainment and in the stress response, with genetic variants associated with PTSD in women.
- It is neuroprotective in a range of injury models.
Evidence level: Human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- As with bradykinin and substance P, the therapeutic direction is blocking PACAP rather than administering it — infusing it causes migraine and flushing. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- PACAP infusion causes marked vasodilation, flushing and tachycardia.
- No PACAP-based product has been approved; the antibodies remain investigational.
- It does not meaningfully cross the blood-brain barrier, so peripheral administration cannot reproduce the central effects that make it interesting.
Sources
- PubMed research on PACAP-38 migraine provocation antibody trial · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for PACAP · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for PACAP · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
PACAP FAQ
What is PACAP?
PACAP is a neuropeptide of the VIP/secretin family with roles in stress response, circadian regulation and — most prominently — migraine. Antibodies targeting it are in late-stage clinical trials.
How does PACAP work?
PACAP exists as 38- and 27-amino-acid forms and signals through PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. PAC1 is the selective PACAP receptor; the VPAC receptors are shared with VIP. Infusing PACAP-38 into people reliably triggers migraine attacks in migraine sufferers, which established it as a causal mediator rather than an association.
Is PACAP FDA approved?
No. PACAP is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: human trials. Published clinical trials in people report results.
What is the half-life of PACAP?
Reported half-life: Approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
How is PACAP taken?
Not used therapeutically; research administration only.
What side effects have been reported with PACAP?
Reported in the sources: As with bradykinin and substance P, the therapeutic direction is blocking PACAP rather than administering it — infusing it causes migraine and flushing. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; PACAP infusion causes marked vasodilation, flushing and tachycardia; No PACAP-based product has been approved; the antibodies remain investigational; It does not meaningfully cross the blood-brain barrier, so peripheral administration cannot reproduce the central effects that make it interesting.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.