Selank vs Semax
Two Russian nasal peptides often used together: Selank for calm, Semax for focus. Both are approved in Russia, not in the US, and their trials are small and mostly published in Russian.
- Selank
- Approved drug1–3× daily
- Semax
- Approved drug2–4× daily
- Head-to-head trials
- None published
The short answer
Selank is a seven-amino-acid peptide built from tuftsin, a short immune peptide, plus a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail. Semax is built the same way from a fragment of ACTH, a pituitary hormone. Both are given as nasal drops.
Russia registers Selank for anxiety and Semax for cognitive, circulation and stroke uses. Their clinical studies are small, mostly in Russian journals, and the abstracts often lack full numbers. Neither is approved in the US. In July 2026 FDA’s advisory committee voted 8 to 5 to recommend Semax for pharmacy compounding; Selank wasn’t on the agenda.
At a glance
| Field | SelankTP-7, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro | SemaxACTH(4–7)-Pro-Gly-Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Approved drug | Approved drug |
| Class | Anxiolytic peptide (tuftsin analog) | Nootropic peptide (ACTH fragment analog) |
| Approval | Approved in Russia as 0.15% nasal drops for anxiety; not approved in the US. | Approved in Russia as 0.1% and 1% nasal drops; not approved in the US. |
| Sport (WADA 2026) | Not banned in sport | Not banned in sport |
| Common dose | ~300 mcg, 1–3× daily | 200–300 mcg, 2–4× daily |
| Frequency | 1–3× daily | 2–4× daily |
| Cycle | 2 weeks on, 2 off | 2 weeks on, 1 off |
| Route | Intranasal (label); injection (community) | Intranasal (label); injection (community) |
| Half-life | a few minutes Label | – |
| Typical draw | 12 units5 mg with 2 mL, 300 mcg | 12 units5 mg with 2 mL, 300 mcg |
| Vial sizes or form | 5, 10 mg | 5, 10 mg |
| Human studies | 3 listedLargest: 70 people (2015) | 4 listedLargest: 187 people (2005) |
| Main cautions |
|
|
| Open Selank | Open Semax |
Doses shown are what labels, trials or community reports reference, not recommendations. Each compound’s page has the full detail and sources.
Key differences
Built from
Selank: tuftsin (TKPR) plus PGP. Semax: ACTH(4–7) (MEHF) plus PGP.
Main use
TrialSelank: anxiety; in one Russian trial it eased anxiety about as much as the benzodiazepine medazepam. Semax: stroke recovery and cognition; Russian studies report faster recovery after stroke.
Label doses
LabelSelank 0.15%: 2 drops per nostril 3 times a day for 14 days, roughly 300 mcg a dose. Semax 0.1%: 2–3 drops per nostril (200–300 mcg), 2–4 times a day; the 1% drops are for stroke in hospital.
Who shouldn’t use them
LabelSemax’s label rules out acute psychosis, anxiety disorders, seizure history, pregnancy, breastfeeding and children under 7. Selank’s rules out pregnancy, breastfeeding and anyone under 18.
Timing
CommunitySemax is usually taken in the first half of the day, and users report overstimulation later. Selank is used for calm, 1–3 times a day.
In sport
Neither is banned: neither is named on the 2026 list, and both are approved in Russia, so WADA’s S0 rule doesn’t apply.
Head-to-head studies
Taking them together
Their pages list them as a common pairing. That reflects community practice, not trials.
The most common pairing: Selank for calm, Semax for focus. Both are Russian nasal peptides; never studied together.
Open them in the stack check for sport status and one combined tracking checklist.
Questions
What is the difference between Selank and Semax?
Selank is a seven-amino-acid peptide built from tuftsin, a short immune peptide, plus a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail. Semax is built the same way from a fragment of ACTH, a pituitary hormone. Both are given as nasal drops.
Can Selank and Semax be taken together?
No overlap is documented. They’re a common pairing in community practice: the most common pairing: Selank for calm, Semax for focus. Both are Russian nasal peptides; never studied together.
Which has more evidence in people, Selank or Semax?
Selank is approved outside the US; its page lists 3 key human studies. Semax is approved outside the US; its page lists 4 key human studies. They haven’t been compared directly in a published trial.
Are Selank and Semax banned in sport?
Selank and Semax aren’t banned. This follows the WADA 2026 Prohibited List; athletes should confirm with their anti-doping organization.
Sources
- Selank 0.15% official instructions (medi.ru, in Russian)
- Semax 0.1% instructions (Peptogen, in Russian)
- Zozulia et al., Selank vs medazepam (Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2008) PMID 18454096
- Gusev et al., Semax after ischemic stroke (Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2018) PMID 29798983
- FDA advisory committee backs 6 peptides for compounding (AJMC, July 2026)