Comparison
Hexarelin vs Selank
Side-by-side of Hexarelin 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.
Hexarelin
Hexarelin peptide is a ghrelin-receptor hexapeptide. Largest acute GH pulse in the GHRP class, highest cortisol and prolactin lift, CD36 cardioprotective sign.
Selank
Selank peptide benefits: tuftsin analog heptapeptide, intranasal anxiolytic and nootropic. Russian clinical data, dosing, half-life, safety.
Effects at a glance
Hexarelin
- •Synthetic hexapeptide GHS-R1a agonist; produces the largest acute GH pulse of the synthetic GHRP class
- •Independent CD36 signaling produces cardioprotective effects in rodent ischemia models, GH-independent
- •Pronounced tachyphylaxis: GH response attenuates over 2 to 4 weeks of daily dosing
- •More cortisol and prolactin elevation than GHRP-2 or ipamorelin
- •Anecdotal protocols use 100 to 200 mcg subcutaneously 1 to 2 times daily for 2 to 4 week pulses
- •Banned by WADA under S2; advanced through phase 2 trials but never reached registration
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 | Hexarelin | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | peptide |
| Also known as | Examorelin, EP-23905, His-D-2-methyl-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 | TP-7, Tuftsin analog |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 1 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Dosing frequency | 1-2x daily | 2-3x daily (intranasal) |
| Routes | subcutaneous, intranasal, intravenous | intranasal, subcutaneous |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 0.5 | 1 |
| Molecular weight | 887.04 | 751.85 |
| Molecular formula | C47H58N12O6 | C33H57N11O9 |
| Mechanism | Hexapeptide agonist of GHS-R1a producing acute GH release with cortisol and prolactin co-elevation. Independent CD36 binding produces GH-independent cardioprotective signaling in preclinical models. | 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 | Not FDA approved; advanced through phase 2 trials in EU but never registered; research-use-only grey market; banned by WADA | Approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market in most other jurisdictions |
| WADA status | banned | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled (research chemical) | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Not recommended; insufficient data |
| CAS | 140703-51-1 | 129954-34-3 |
| PubChem CID | 3037387 | 11765600 |
| Wikidata | Q5743550 | Q4416793 |
Safety profile
Hexarelin
Common side effects
- water retention
- vivid dreams
- head pressure or flushing
- transient lethargy
- tingling at injection site
- moderate hunger
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- active malignancy
- history of pituitary tumor
- uncontrolled diabetes
- prolactin-sensitive states
Interactions
- CJC-1295: synergistic GH release; accelerates tachyphylaxis if used continuously(minor)
- sermorelin: additive GH release via parallel GHRH and ghrelin pathways(minor)
- insulin: sustained GH can blunt insulin sensitivity over weeks(moderate)
- corticosteroids: amplify cortisol load; blunt GH response(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?
Hexarelin comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, research-only / gray-market sourcing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. Selank is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is growth-hormone axis, pick Hexarelin.
- → If your priority is post-training recovery, pick Hexarelin.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is anxiety reduction, pick Selank.
Default choice: Hexarelin. Wider use case, 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 Hexarelin and Selank?
Hexarelin and Selank differ in category (peptide vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Hexarelin or Selank?
Hexarelin half-life is 1 hours; Selank half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Hexarelin 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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