Selank
Cognitive
In short
- A synthetic heptapeptide based on tuftsin, an endogenous immunomodulatory peptide, with a stabilising Pro-Gly-Pro tail.
- Registered in Russia as an anxiolytic; not approved in the US, EU, or UK.
- Described as anxiolytic without the sedation, cognitive impairment, or dependence associated with benzodiazepines.
- Plasma half-life is roughly 7-10 minutes; reported effects outlast that considerably.
- As with Semax, the clinical evidence is Russian and unreplicated independently.
Structure
How it works
Selank is a synthetic analogue of tuftsin, a tetrapeptide fragment of immunoglobulin G with immunomodulatory activity. The added Pro-Gly-Pro tail slows enzymatic degradation.
Proposed mechanisms include modulation of GABA-A receptor expression, effects on serotonergic and noradrenergic systems, upregulation of BDNF, and influence on enkephalin-degrading enzymes. The GABAergic modulation is described as indirect — it does not bind the benzodiazepine site, which is the usual explanation for anxiolysis without sedation or dependence.
What the research shows
Russian clinical studies report anxiolytic effects in generalised anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, in some cases compared favourably against benzodiazepines for tolerability.
Animal work supports anxiolytic and nootropic effects, plus effects on immune parameters consistent with the tuftsin origin.
No independent Western replication exists, and no regulatory body outside Russia has evaluated it.
Dosing in the literature
Figures below are quoted from published studies, with the species or population they were measured in. They are records of what was studied, not recommendations.
| Studied in | Amount | Route | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human — Russian clinical use, anxiety indications | 0.15% intranasal solution; daily amounts in the low-milligram range | intranasal | PubMed |
| Human — comparative studies against benzodiazepines | See source for administered schedules | intranasal | PubMed |
Commonly reported ranges
These are amounts people report using. They are not from any study, have not been evaluated for safety, and are reproduced here only because they circulate widely and are better seen alongside the evidence than instead of it.
| Reported by | Amount | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Commonly reported | 250–750 µg daily, divided | intranasal |
Intranasal is the studied route. Injected use has no supporting data, and route equivalence should not be assumed for a peptide selected specifically for nose-to-brain delivery.
Handling and storage
The Russian product is a nasal solution. Research-market Selank is typically lyophilised powder for reconstitution and intranasal use.
Courses of one to two weeks are the pattern in the clinical literature, rather than continuous use.
Side effects
Reported as well tolerated, with nasal irritation the most common complaint. The absence of sedation, withdrawal, and dependence relative to benzodiazepines is the most frequently cited advantage in the Russian literature.
Independent long-term safety data does not exist. Community reports occasionally mention fatigue or transient low mood.
Combinations
Commonly paired with Semax, the two being complementary products of the same programme. No study has evaluated the combination.
No formal interaction data exists with conventional anxiolytics or antidepressants.
Research status
Developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow alongside Semax, and registered in Russia. Published work covers anxiolytic mechanisms, GABAergic modulation, and BDNF.
The same limitation applies: the clinical base is Russian, largely untranslated, and unreplicated.
Legal status
A registered medicine in Russia and some neighbouring countries. Not approved in the US, EU, UK, Canada, or Australia. Sold for research use only in Western markets.
WADA status
Not specifically named on the Prohibited List. Falls under WADA class S0, which prohibits any pharmacological substance not currently approved by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use. Treat it as prohibited in sport.
Conclusion
Selank is the anxiolytic counterpart to Semax and shares its profile exactly: genuine registration somewhere, genuine published mechanism, and no evidence base an outside reviewer can independently verify.
The claim that it provides anxiolysis without dependence is mechanistically plausible and clinically unproven outside Russia.
Sources
Track your own Selank protocol
Peppers logs your doses, models your levels from this half-life, tracks your vials and tells you when you will run out. Free on iPhone.
Reference and educational information only. Not medical advice. Nothing here diagnoses, treats, or prescribes, and nothing here is a recommendation to use any compound. The compounds described are research chemicals and are not approved for human consumption. Legal and anti-doping status change — the review date above is when these claims were last checked. Talk to a qualified clinician about anything you intend to take.