Comparison
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Selank
Side-by-side of Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) 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.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Omega 3 fish oil profile: EPA/DHA marine fatty acids, 2-4 g/day cuts triglycerides 20-30%, REDUCE-IT showed 25% cardiovascular risk reduction on icosapent eth.
Selank
Selank peptide benefits: tuftsin analog heptapeptide, intranasal anxiolytic and nootropic. Russian clinical data, dosing, half-life, safety.
Effects at a glance
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
- •Reduces fasting triglycerides 20-50% at 2-4 g/day in hypertriglyceridemic patients
- •REDUCE-IT showed 25% relative risk reduction in major CV events at 4 g/day icosapent ethyl
- •Modest antidepressant effect (SMD ~0.40) for EPA-dominant formulations at 1-2 g/day
- •Atrial fibrillation incidence rises ~30-50% at 4 g/day; relevant for older patients with pre-existing CV disease
- •Tissue omega-3 index (RBC EPA + DHA) target ~8%; Western baseline typically 4-5%
- •Triglyceride and re-esterified triglyceride forms absorb ~70% better than ethyl esters in fasted state
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 | Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | supplement | peptide |
| Also known as | fish oil, EPA, DHA, marine omega-3 | TP-7, Tuftsin analog |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 48 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 2000 | 0.4 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times daily with food | 2-3x daily (intranasal) |
| Routes | oral | intranasal, subcutaneous |
| Onset (hr) | 4 | 0.25 |
| Peak (hr) | 12 | 1 |
| Molecular weight | 302.45 | 751.85 |
| Molecular formula | C20H30O2 (EPA); C22H32O2 (DHA) | C33H57N11O9 |
| Mechanism | Substitutes arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids, shifting eicosanoid production toward less-inflammatory 3-series prostaglandins and 5-series leukotrienes. Activates PPAR-alpha to lower hepatic VLDL/triglyceride synthesis. DHA modulates synaptic membrane fluidity and neuronal function. | 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; prescription forms (icosapent ethyl, omega-3 acid ethyl esters) for severe hypertriglyceridemia | 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 | Recommended at 200 to 600 mg DHA/day for fetal development | Not recommended; insufficient data |
| CAS | 10417-94-4 | 129954-34-3 |
| PubChem CID | 446284 | 11765600 |
| Wikidata | Q207688 | Q4416793 |
Safety profile
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Common side effects
- fishy aftertaste
- eructation (fish burps)
- mild dyspepsia
- loose stools at high doses
Contraindications
- fish allergy (use algal omega-3 alternative)
- active bleeding disorders
- scheduled surgery (discontinue 5-7 days prior)
Interactions
- warfarin and DOACs: additive antiplatelet effect at 2+ g/day; meaningful bleeding risk(moderate)
- aspirin and antiplatelet agents: additive bleeding risk at high doses(moderate)
- statins: complementary cardiovascular effects; no pharmacokinetic interaction(minor)
- antiarrhythmics: high-dose omega-3 increases AF risk; relevant in pre-existing arrhythmia(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?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Selank is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is cardiovascular health, pick Omega-3 (EPA/DHA).
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Omega-3 (EPA/DHA).
- → If your priority is anxiety reduction, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is mood, pick Selank.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Omega-3 (EPA/DHA). Lower friction to source, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, 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 Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and Selank?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and Selank differ in category (supplement vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) or Selank?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) half-life is 48 hours; Selank half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) with Selank?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper