SelankNootropic
Anxiolytic peptide studied for calm focus.
- Status
- Research / not approved
- Developer
- Institute of Molecular Genetics & Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology (Russia)
- Receptors / target
- Synthetic analog of the tetrapeptide tuftsin; modulates GABAergic and serotonergic/monoamine systems and inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes; reported effects on BDNF/cytokines
- FDA-approved?
- NO
- Prescription available?
- NO
- Studied for
- anxiety / anxiolysiscognition & focusGABAergic & serotonergic modulationimmune modulation
Overview
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed in Russia as an analog of the immune-active tetrapeptide tuftsin, with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail added to slow enzymatic breakdown. It is registered and used clinically only in Russia as an intranasal anxiolytic for generalized anxiety disorder and asthenic conditions, and is not approved or evaluated by the FDA or EMA. In the US/EU it exists only as a research-use-only chemical. Nothing here is a dosing or treatment recommendation.
Mechanism
Selank's anxiolytic action is attributed to several overlapping, still-incompletely-characterized mechanisms rather than one receptor. Human ex-vivo work shows it inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes (raising endogenous enkephalin tone), and rodent studies show it shifts expression of GABA-system genes, consistent with benzodiazepine-like GABAergic modulation. Additional preclinical data implicate serotonergic/monoaminergic signaling and changes in BDNF and immune cytokines.
Clinical evidence
Human evidence is limited to small, mostly Russian-language studies and is low-grade by Western standards. The most-cited study compared 30 patients on intranasal Selank with 32 on the benzodiazepine medazepam in GAD/neurasthenia, reporting comparable anxiolytic efficacy plus antiasthenic effects; an earlier human study supported the enkephalinase-inhibition mechanism. There are no large, blinded, placebo-controlled multicenter RCTs, no independent non-Russian replication, and no long-term outcome data, so efficacy claims should be treated as preliminary. The remaining evidence is animal work.
Safety profile
Short-term Russian use reports good tolerability with mild, transient effects (e.g., nasal irritation) and, unlike benzodiazepines, no reported sedation, tolerance or dependence. However, rigorous safety data are sparse: there are no large or long-duration safety trials and no independent toxicology outside Russia, and US regulators have flagged impurity/immunogenicity concerns for compounded peptides generally. Because it is research-use-only and unregulated in the US/EU, product identity and purity are not guaranteed. Research use only.
- Same day (acute)
Intranasal Selank is used acutely for anxiety in Russian practice; effects are reported within hours of dosing.
- Weeks
Small Russian studies ran over weeks for generalized anxiety, but there is no large independent Western trial data.
Reported in published literature and user reports. Not a complete list, and not medical advice.
- Nasal irritation (intranasal)
- Mild drowsiness or fatigue
- Generally well tolerated; limited Western data
If severe or unexpected symptoms occur, contact a qualified medical professional. PEPTIDES·INDEX does not provide medical advice.
- No formal human contraindication data exist; short-term Russian use is not a substitute for characterized safety.
- Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding — no reproductive safety data.
- Research-use-only material is unregulated in the US/EU; identity and purity are not guaranteed.
- No documented human drug interactionsInteraction profile uncharacterized in humans (research use only)
Compare
- vs Semax
The companion Russian peptide from the same developers, commonly stacked with Selank; Semax is positioned as nootropic where Selank is positioned as anxiolytic.
- vs Selank / Semax
A combined Selank + Semax product offering both compounds together.
FAQ
Does Selank work for anxiety?
Evidence is limited and low-grade by Western standards. The most-cited study (30 patients vs 32 on the benzodiazepine medazepam) reported comparable anxiolytic effect, but there are no large blinded placebo-controlled multicenter RCTs and no independent non-Russian replication. Treat efficacy claims as preliminary.
Is Selank FDA-approved?
No. Selank is registered and used clinically only in Russia and is not approved or evaluated by the FDA or EMA. In the US/EU it exists only as a research-use-only chemical.
Is Selank addictive like a benzodiazepine?
Russian reports describe no sedation, tolerance or dependence with short-term use, but rigorous long-duration safety data and independent toxicology outside Russia are lacking, so this cannot be confirmed by Western standards.
How is Selank administered?
In Russian clinical use it is given intranasally as drops or a spray (commonly a 0.15% solution), because the peptide is rapidly degraded by peptidases and would not survive oral dosing. Reported effects are described within hours of intranasal use; there is no Western-validated route or dose.
How is Selank different from Semax?
Both are short Russian peptides from the same developers and are frequently stacked. Selank is a tuftsin analog positioned as an anxiolytic (linked to GABAergic and enkephalin-system effects), while Semax is an ACTH(4-10) analog positioned as a nootropic/neuroprotective agent. Neither has large independent Western trials.
Are there different forms of Selank?
Yes. Modified research-chemical variants exist, including N-acetyl Selank and amidated forms (e.g., N-acetyl Selank amidate), marketed as more stable. These have even less published study than standard Selank, so any improved-potency or longer-duration claims are unverified.
Similar compounds
Starting references for the library summary. These are not dosing instructions or medical advice.
For research-use educational context only. Not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any health decision.