Source comparison
Selank vs Semax: how do these two Russian peptides compare?
Because Selank and Semax are so often paired, a direct comparison helps clarify what Selank is and is not. Both are short synthetic peptides developed in the Russian scientific tradition, both are typically studied by intranasal delivery, and both are investig
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Because Selank and Semax are so often paired, a direct comparison helps clarify what Selank is and is not. Both are short synthetic peptides developed in the Russian scientific tradition, both are typically studied by intranasal delivery, and both are investigational outside Russia. But their structural origins and primary mechanisms differ.
- Parent molecule
- Tuftsin (immune tetrapeptide from IgG)
- ACTH(4–10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone
- Peptide family
- Glyproline / tuftsin analog
- Melanocortin (ACTH-derived)
- Sequence
- Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
- Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (heptapeptide analog)
- Primary emphasis
- Anxiolytic; neuroimmune modulation
- Neuroprotective; attention/memory support
- Proposed mechanisms
- GABAergic gene expression, monoamine turnover, enkephalinase inhibition, BDNF, cytokines
- Melanocortin signaling, BDNF/NGF neurotrophic upregulation
- HPA / cortisol effect
- Not a cortisol stimulant
- Does not stimulate cortisol despite ACTH origin
- Russian clinical use
- Generalized anxiety disorder, neurasthenia
- Ischemic stroke, cognitive disorders, optic nerve disease
- Regulatory status (US)
- Investigational; not FDA-approved
- A convenient way to hold the distinction: Selank leans “calming/anxiolytic and immune-tuning,” while Semax leans “neuroprotective and pro-attentional.” Head-to-head preclinical studies have examined the two together—for example, in rodent models of Parkinsonism—underscoring that they are complementary research tools rather than interchangeable ones.[11] For dosing-protocol context on the two commonly researched Selank vial sizes, see the Selank 10 mg vial dosage protocol and the Selank 5 mg vial dosage protocol.