At a glance
- Mechanism of action
- Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the endogenous tuftsin and acts primarily as an allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor - similar to benzodiazepines but without their typical side effects (amnesia, dependence). It additionally inhibits enkephalin breakdown and influences dopaminergic/serotonergic signalling. Semax (an ACTH 4-10 fragment) is thought to interact with melanocortin receptors (MC4/MC5), inhibit enkephalinases, and upregulate BDNF and NGF - thereby promoting neuroplasticity.
- Benefits & use
- Selank relieves anxiety and tension without sedation; Semax boosts concentration, learning and focus. Both usually as a nasal spray.
- Study status
- Level 3: approved in Russia for decades; Semax was placed on the Russian 'Vital & Essential Drugs' list in 2011 (including for stroke, optic nerve disease, and cognitive disorders). A 2024 European Journal of Pharmacology study (Inozemtseva et al.) provided one of the few post-2020 Western-indexed validations of Semax's antistress/antidepressant effects in an animal model. FDA/EMA do not currently recognise the Russian studies.
- Dosing note
- Vials 5-10 mg, usually as a nasal spray. No dosing instructions - information only.
Use in the injection calculator
Selank and Semax are neuro-peptides from the Moscow Institute of Molecular Genetics. Selank is anxiolytic without causing drowsiness; Semax is a nootropic. Both are approved as medicines in Russia (evidence level 3).
How do Selank and Semax work?
Selank is a fragment of the body's own tuftsin and gently modulates dopamine and serotonin via enkephalin breakdown. Semax is based on ACTH and mainly raises BDNF - a "fertiliser" for the brain that promotes neuroplasticity (new synapses). Both peptides act on the nervous system rather than on metabolism, which sets them apart from the GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in the Peptipedia library.
What are they used for?
Selank as an anxiolytic: it relieves anxiety and tension without sedating, clouding cognition or causing physical dependence. Semax as "brain doping": more concentration, learning capacity and focus. Both are usually given as a nasal spray. People interested in cognition often also explore mitochondrial energy peptides such as MOTS-c. Want to keep notes on what you try? Create a free account.
What does the evidence say?
In Russia they have been approved after clinical studies for decades; Semax is even used there for acute stroke. Western regulators (FDA/EMA) mostly do not recognise these studies, but also do not require their own approvals - commercial interest in Russian patents is low. For reconstitution and dosing maths, see the injection calculator and the FAQ.
Note: Educational information, not medical advice. Many of these substances are experimental and not approved for human use.
Sources
- Selank administration affects the expression of some genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission (PMC4757669)
- Semax - Wikipedia
- Novel Insights into the Protective Properties of ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) Peptide at the Transcriptome Level Following Cerebral Ischaemia-Reperfusion in Rats (MDPI Genes 2020)
- Inozemtseva et al. 2024 - Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of Semax and Melanotan II in chronic unpredictable stress (Eur J Pharmacol)
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (developer institute)