Comparison
Selank vs Testosterone
Side-by-side of Selank and Testosterone. 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.
Testosterone
Testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadism: TRAVERSE 2023 cardiovascular data, cypionate dosing, body composition gains, Schedule III status.
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
Testosterone
- •Primary androgen; FDA approved for hypogonadism with confirmed deficiency and symptoms
- •Testosterone Trials (2016) showed sexual function and bone density improvements in older hypogonadal men
- •TRAVERSE 2023 (n=5,246) found non-inferiority on MACE versus placebo, with higher AF and PE rates
- •Schedule III controlled substance in US; WADA banned in sport
- •Aromatizes to estradiol; converts to DHT via 5-alpha reductase; both metabolites matter clinically
- •Erythrocytosis (HCT above 54%) affects 5 to 25% of users and is the most common dose-limiting effect
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Selank | Testosterone |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | hormone |
| Also known as | TP-7, Tuftsin analog | TRT, testosterone replacement therapy, testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate, Androgel, Testim |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 192 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.4 | 150 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily (intranasal) | weekly to twice-weekly (cypionate/enanthate IM or SC); daily (topical, oral); every 3 to 6 months (pellet) |
| Routes | intranasal, subcutaneous | intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical, buccal, subcutaneous (pellet), oral |
| Onset (hr) | 0.25 | 24 |
| Peak (hr) | 1 | 72 |
| Molecular weight | 751.85 | 288.42 |
| Molecular formula | C33H57N11O9 | C19H28O2 |
| 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. | Androgen receptor agonist driving anabolic gene transcription in muscle, bone, brain, and androgen-sensitive tissue. Aromatized to estradiol and 5-alpha-reduced to DHT, both with distinct downstream effects. |
| Legal status | Approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market in most other jurisdictions | Schedule III controlled substance (US); WADA banned |
| WADA status | unknown | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia | Schedule III |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended; insufficient data | Category X; contraindicated in pregnancy (virilizing effect on female fetus) |
| CAS | 129954-34-3 | 58-22-0 |
| PubChem CID | 11765600 | 6013 |
| Wikidata | Q4416793 | Q150726 |
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)
Testosterone
Common side effects
- erythrocytosis
- acne
- oily skin
- fluid retention
- increased body hair
- fertility suppression
- injection-site reactions
Contraindications
- active prostate cancer
- active breast cancer
- untreated severe sleep apnea
- untreated severe BPH
- uncontrolled heart failure
- polycythemia at baseline
Interactions
- warfarin: may potentiate anticoagulant effect; monitor INR(moderate)
- insulin: may improve insulin sensitivity; monitor glucose in diabetics(moderate)
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride): blocks DHT conversion; reduces some androgen effects(moderate)
- aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole): lowers estradiol; risk of over-suppression(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Testosterone comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, controlled substance, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Selank is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is anxiety reduction, pick Selank.
- → If your priority is hormonal optimization, pick Testosterone.
- → If your priority is sexual function, pick Testosterone.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Testosterone is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Testosterone. Wider use case, 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 Selank and Testosterone?
Selank and Testosterone differ in category (peptide vs hormone), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Selank or Testosterone?
Selank half-life is 0.5 hours; Testosterone half-life is 192 hours.
Can you stack Selank with Testosterone?
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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