Comparison
Berberine vs Selank
Side-by-side of Berberine and Selank. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
Berberine
Berberine supplement guide: 1500 mg/day lowers fasting glucose and HbA1c, AMPK activation, metformin parity in RCTs, dihydroberberine absorption.
Selank
Selank peptide benefits: tuftsin analog heptapeptide, intranasal anxiolytic and nootropic. Russian clinical data, dosing, half-life, safety.
Effects at a glance
Berberine
- •Lowers HbA1c by ~0.7% versus placebo at 1500 mg/day across 27-trial meta-analysis (Lan 2015)
- •Roughly comparable to metformin on fasting glucose and HbA1c in small head-to-head RCTs (Yin 2008)
- •Reduces LDL cholesterol 10-20% and triglycerides 15-25% via PCSK9 inhibition
- •Activates AMPK, the cellular energy sensor that drives insulin-independent glucose uptake
- •Oral bioavailability under 1%; dihydroberberine is the higher-absorption alternative at lower doses
- •GI side effects affect 10-30% at 1500 mg/day; split dosing with meals reduces incidence
Selank
- •Synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin developed in Russia in the 1990s
- •Approved in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and asthenic conditions
- •Russian RCTs report anxiolytic effects comparable to medazepam without sedation or dependence
- •Modulates GABAergic and serotonergic signaling and BDNF expression in preclinical models
- •Most commonly administered intranasally; subcutaneous use is anecdotal
- •No Western-validated trials; not FDA approved; research-use-only outside Russia
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Berberine | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | natural | peptide |
| Also known as | berberine HCl, berberine hydrochloride | TP-7, Tuftsin analog |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 3 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 1500 | 0.4 |
| Dosing frequency | 3x daily with meals | 2-3x daily (intranasal) |
| Routes | oral | intranasal, subcutaneous |
| Onset (hr) | 2 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 3 | 1 |
| Molecular weight | 336.36 | 751.85 |
| Molecular formula | C20H18NO4+ | C33H57N11O9 |
| Mechanism | Activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), suppressing hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis while increasing peripheral glucose uptake. Inhibits PCSK9 transcription, modulates bile acid signaling, and shifts gut microbiome composition. | Modulates GABAergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic signaling. Increases BDNF expression in hippocampal neurons in preclinical models. Modulates enkephalin levels and immune cytokine signaling via tuftsin-like activity. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement (US, EU, UK, Canada); Rx in some Asian jurisdictions | Approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market in most other jurisdictions |
| WADA status | allowed | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia |
| Pregnancy | Contraindicated (kernicterus risk in neonates) | Not recommended; insufficient data |
| CAS | 2086-83-1 | 129954-34-3 |
| PubChem CID | 2353 | 11765600 |
| Wikidata | Q411435 | Q4416793 |
Safety profile
Berberine
Common side effects
- constipation
- diarrhea
- abdominal cramping
- flatulence
- nausea
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- neonatal jaundice
- severe liver disease
Interactions
- metformin: additive HbA1c reduction; additive GI side effects(moderate)
- insulin or sulfonylureas: additive hypoglycemia risk; dose adjustment may be required(major)
- statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin): CYP3A4 inhibition raises statin plasma levels(moderate)
- cyclosporine: raises cyclosporine levels through CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition(major)
- calcium channel blockers (amlodipine): elevated plasma levels via CYP3A4 inhibition(moderate)
Selank
Common side effects
- mild nasal irritation (intranasal)
- transient drowsiness (uncommon)
- mild headache
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- severe psychiatric disorder (insufficient data)
Interactions
- benzodiazepines: additive anxiolytic effect; potential for over-sedation when stacked(moderate)
- SSRIs: no documented adverse interaction; co-administration described in Russian protocols(minor)
Which Should You Take?
Berberine comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. Selank is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick Berberine.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Berberine.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is anxiety reduction, pick Selank.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Berberine is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Berberine. Lower friction to source, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Selank only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between Berberine and Selank?
Berberine and Selank differ in category (natural vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Berberine or Selank?
Berberine half-life is 3 hours; Selank half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Berberine with Selank?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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