PinnyPeptide

Selank vs Semax

Side-by-side comparison: effects, dosing ranges, side effects, regulatory status, and reconstitution.

Peptide A

Selank

Cognitive

Russian-approved anxiolytic peptide derived from tuftsin with nootropic and immunomodulatory properties.

Peptide B

Semax

Cognitive

Neuroprotective ACTH analog with nootropic and neurotrophic properties.

Typical vial

5 mg

Typical dose

250-500 mcg

Half-life

~15-30 minutes (extended biological effect due to downstream signaling)

FDA status

Not FDA approved for human use.

Typical vial

5 mg

Typical dose

200-600 mcg

Half-life

~2-3 minutes (very rapid degradation; biological effects last hours due to downstream gene expression changes)

FDA status

Not FDA approved for human use. Approved in Russia for strok…

Selank effects

  • Reduces anxiety without sedation or cognitive impairment
  • Enhances memory consolidation and learning
  • Modulates serotonin, dopamine, and GABA neurotransmitter systems
  • Provides immunomodulatory effects through cytokine balance regulation
  • Increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression

Semax effects

  • Upregulates BDNF and NGF expression for neuroprotection
  • Enhances memory formation, learning, and attention
  • Promotes neuronal survival after ischemic injury
  • Modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission
  • Supports optic nerve health and visual function

Selank side effects

  • Mild nasal irritation (intranasal administration)
  • Fatigue during initial use (transient)
  • Occasional lightheadedness

Semax side effects

  • Mild nasal irritation with intranasal administration
  • Occasional headache
  • Rare anecdotal reports of hair thinning at high doses
  • Mild dizziness in sensitive individuals

Selank dosing ranges

Anxiolytic and cognitive enhancement (intranasal)

250-500 mcg · Two to three times daily · 2-4 weeks

Subcutaneous injection

250-500 mcg · Once daily · 2-4 weeks

Semax dosing ranges

Cognitive enhancement

200-600 mcg · Once or twice daily (intranasal) · 10-20 days per course

Neuroprotection / stroke recovery

600-1200 mcg · Two to three times daily (intranasal) · 10-14 days

Full Selank guide → Full Semax guide →

Selank vs Semax — common questions

What is the difference between Selank and Semax?

Selank: Russian-approved anxiolytic peptide derived from tuftsin with nootropic and immunomodulatory properties. Typical dose 250-500 mcg. Semax: Neuroprotective ACTH analog with nootropic and neurotrophic properties. Typical dose 200-600 mcg. Both fall under the Cognitive category.

Can you stack Selank and Semax?

Stacking Selank with Semax is a protocol-design question best raised with a clinician — it depends on your goal, current bloodwork, and whether both peptides target overlapping mechanisms. Both peptides should be tracked independently with separate injection sites and timing. PinnyPeptide supports multi-peptide stacks with automatic injection site rotation.

Which is dosed more frequently, Selank or Semax?

Selank is typically dosed: Two to three times daily for Anxiolytic and cognitive enhancement (intranasal); Once daily for Subcutaneous injection. Semax is typically dosed: Once or twice daily (intranasal) for Cognitive enhancement; Two to three times daily (intranasal) for Neuroprotection / stroke recovery.

Are Selank and Semax FDA approved?

Selank: Not FDA approved for human use. Semax: Not FDA approved for human use. Approved in Russia for stroke recovery, cognitive impairment, and optic nerve disease.

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