Comparison
Selank vs Semax
Side-by-side of Selank and Semax. 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.
Selank
Selank peptide benefits: tuftsin analog heptapeptide, intranasal anxiolytic and nootropic. Russian clinical data, dosing, half-life, safety.
Semax
Semax peptide benefits: nootropic ACTH(4-10) analog without corticotropic activity. Cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, intranasal dosing, Russian stroke.
Effects at a glance
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
Semax
- •Synthetic heptapeptide analog of ACTH(4-10) developed in Russia in the 1980s
- •Approved in Russia for ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and cerebrovascular disorders
- •Lacks the corticotropic activity of native ACTH due to the Pro-Gly-Pro stabilizing tail
- •Russian RCTs report improved cognitive recovery in acute ischemic stroke versus standard care
- •Modulates BDNF and NGF expression and dopaminergic signaling in preclinical models
- •Standard route is intranasal; not FDA approved; research-use-only outside Russia
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Selank | Semax |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | peptide |
| Also known as | TP-7, Tuftsin analog | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, ACTH(4-10) Pro-Gly-Pro analog |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily (intranasal) | 2-3x daily (intranasal) |
| Routes | intranasal, subcutaneous | intranasal |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Peak (hr) | 1 | 2 |
| Molecular weight | 751.85 | 813.94 |
| Molecular formula | C33H57N11O9 | C37H51N9O10S |
| Mechanism | 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. | Modulates BDNF and NGF expression in hippocampus and cortex, enhances dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling, and reduces oxidative stress markers in preclinical ischemia models. Lacks corticotropic activity of native ACTH. |
| Legal status | Approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market in most other jurisdictions | Approved in Russia for stroke and cognitive disorders; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market elsewhere |
| WADA status | unknown | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended; insufficient data | Not recommended; insufficient data |
| CAS | 129954-34-3 | 80714-61-0 |
| PubChem CID | 11765600 | 9811102 |
| Wikidata | Q4416793 | Q4413083 |
Safety profile
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)
Semax
Common side effects
- mild nasal irritation
- transient mild headache
- rare mild euphoria or activation
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- acute psychotic disorder
- severe hypertension (caution due to mild activating effect)
Interactions
- stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines): potential additive activation; monitor for overstimulation(minor)
- antipsychotics: theoretical antagonism via dopaminergic modulation(minor)
Which Should You Take?
Selank and Semax score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is anxiety reduction, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is mood, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is long-term neuroprotection, pick Semax.
- → If your priority is stroke recovery, pick Semax.
Default choice: either is defensible. Selank edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; Semax is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed 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 Selank and Semax?
Selank and Semax 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, Selank or Semax?
Selank half-life is 0.5 hours; Semax half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Selank with Semax?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper