Peptide Tuesday: Semax & Selank: The Russian Nootropic Duo That Actually Works (And Won't Fry Your Brain)
A Deep Dive into Two of the Most Studied Peptides for Cognitive Function, Anxiety, and Immune Balance
While the rest of the world is crushing Adderall like Tic Tacs and pretending that the inevitable crash is just part of "hustle culture," Russia has been quietly developing something completely different. Meet Semax and Selank—two peptides that offer cognitive enhancement without turning you into a jittery, paranoid mess who can't sleep for three days.
These aren't your typical nootropics. They don't jack you up, burn you out, or leave you wondering if your heart is going to explode during your 3 PM meeting. Instead, they gently nudge your brain toward better function with virtually no crash, no addiction potential, and a surprisingly broad range of benefits that go way beyond just "thinking faster."
Developed as part of Russia's state-funded research into non-toxic performance enhancers (because apparently, they were thinking ahead while we were still convincing ourselves that energy drinks counted as breakfast), these peptides have been flying under the radar in the West. But maybe it's time we paid attention.
The Origin Story (Because Everyone Has One)
Semax: The Brain Booster
Back in the 1980s-90s, scientists at the Russian Institute of Molecular Genetics were tasked with creating something that could help stroke patients recover cognitive function. What they came up with was Semax—a synthetic peptide derived from a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), but with a crucial difference: they removed the parts that trigger cortisol release.
So you get all the brain-boosting benefits without your stress hormones going haywire. It's like getting the good parts of stress response without actually being stressed—which, let's be honest, is exactly what most of us need.
Semax has been used in Russia for:
Stroke rehabilitation
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Cognitive decline
ADHD and depression
General cognitive enhancement for people who want to think better
It's actually on Russia's Essential Drugs List and has undergone extensive clinical trials throughout Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, we're over here debating whether coffee counts as a nootropic.
Selank: The Chill Pill That Actually Works
Selank came along a bit later, developed by Moscow's Institute of Immunology. It's a synthetic version of tuftsin, a natural immune-modulating peptide your body already makes. The goal was to create something that could reduce anxiety while also supporting immune function—because apparently, the Russians understood the mind-body connection before it became a wellness buzzword.
Where Semax wakes up your brain, Selank calms it down—but not in a "I just took a Xanax and can barely remember my own name" way. It's more like having a really good day where stress just doesn't seem to stick.
Russian doctors use Selank for:
Generalized anxiety disorder
Stress-induced cognitive decline
Immune system dysfunction
Depression and fatigue
Helping people get off alcohol and opioids
How They Actually Work (The Nerdy Stuff)
Semax is basically like giving your brain a tune-up:
Cranks up BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) in your hippocampus—think of it as Miracle-Gro for your neurons
Fine-tunes your dopamine and serotonin systems without hijacking them
Improves blood flow to your brain and enhances neuroplasticity
Boosts antioxidant activity in brain tissue
Optimizes AMPA and NMDA receptor activity (the pathways your brain uses for learning and memory)
Selank works more like a diplomatic negotiator for your nervous system:
Modulates GABA-A receptors similar to benzodiazepines, but without the sedation or risk of becoming dependent
Reduces anxiety and stress while keeping your mind sharp
Balances immune activity and dials down inflammatory cytokines
May increase serotonin metabolism and keep your mood stable when life gets chaotic
What They Actually Do for You
Semax Benefits:
Improved focus and mental clarity (without the coffee jitters)
Better memory retention and learning capacity
Support during recovery from brain injury or surgery
Increased productivity and alertness that doesn't feel forced
Long-term cognitive support as you age
Selank Benefits:
Reduces anxiety without making you feel like you're underwater
Builds resilience when stress tries to derail your entire day
Balances immune response (particularly useful for long COVID, autoimmune conditions)
Improves sleep quality by quieting the anxious mental chatter
Can help when tapering off stimulants, alcohol, or benzos
The really interesting part? Many people use them together. Semax for focus, Selank for calm—like having a really good day where your brain works well and stress doesn't get in the way.
How to Actually Use Them (The Part You Came For)
Both peptides come in nasal spray and injectable forms. The nasal sprays are great for acute situations, while injectables provide more sustained, systemic effects.
Format Options
Nasal Spray: Fast-acting, brain-targeted effects. Perfect for "I need to focus right now" moments.
Injectable (SubQ or IM): Slower onset but longer-lasting effects. Better for chronic issues or when you need systemic support.
Semax Dosing
Nasal:
250–1000 mcg per spray
Use 1–3 times daily, typically morning and/or early afternoon
Skip the evening doses unless you enjoy staring at the ceiling at 2 AM
Injectable (SubQ or IM):
300–1000 mcg per dose
Common approach: 500 mcg once or twice daily, 5 days per week for 2–4 weeks
Cycle it: 2–4 weeks on, 1–2 weeks off to reassess
Selank Dosing
Nasal:
250–1000 mcg per spray
Use 1–3 times daily based on how much life is trying to stress you out
Can be used morning, afternoon, or evening as needed
Injectable (SubQ or IM):
250–1000 mcg per dose
Once or twice daily depending on how anxious or immune-compromised you're feeling
Typical cycles: 10–14 days for acute anxiety, or 4–6 weeks for longer-term mood and immune support
Protocol Reality Check
Nasal sprays are perfect for situational use—high-stress presentations, brain fog days, study sessions, or when your ADHD medication isn't cutting it.
Injectables make more sense for persistent issues: chronic anxiety, autoimmune flares, or when you're doing serious neurorehabilitation work.
Both are extremely well-tolerated and don't require complex tapering protocols, but taking breaks every few weeks is smart—if only to remember what baseline feels like.
Safety Profile (The Boring But Important Part)
These peptides have been through extensive human trials in Russia and are considered extremely safe. No addiction potential, low toxicity, and side effects are rare and mild.
Semax potential issues:
Mild overstimulation if you're sensitive or dose too high
Occasional headaches at higher doses
Minor nasal irritation with spray form
Selank potential issues:
Rare sedation in very sensitive users
Possible nasal congestion or irritation
No known withdrawal or rebound effects
Basically, the worst thing that's likely to happen is you might feel slightly more alert or calm than usual. The horror.
Who Should Consider These?
People with ADHD or executive dysfunction who can't tolerate stimulants or are tired of the crash
Anyone recovering from TBI, concussion, or brain surgery
Those dealing with chronic anxiety, social anxiety, or stress who don't want to feel sedated
Adults struggling with burnout, brain fog, or age-related cognitive decline
People trying to get off benzodiazepines, SSRIs, or alcohol who need support during the transition
Anyone seeking immune support combined with mood regulation (Selank is particularly good for this)
Where to Find Them (The Practical Stuff)
Research peptide vendors (look for third-party COA testing—don't be the person who injects mystery powder)
International sources from Russia or Eastern Europe often carry nasal sprays
Some U.S. compounding pharmacies offer prescription versions if you can find a progressive doctor
They're not FDA-approved in the U.S., but they've been used safely in clinical settings for decades elsewhere. Sometimes the rest of the world figures things out first.
Scientific Sources
Semax and Selank have decades of clinical research behind them and effects that are both noticeable and sustainable. They're not going to turn you into Bradley Cooper from "Limitless," but they might help you feel like the best version of yourself—which, honestly, is probably what you actually need.
Connect
GLP-1 Skool Group: https://www.skool.com/glp1realtalk
Biohacking Skool Group: https://www.skool.com/biohacking-playground/
GLP-1 FB Group: http://glp1facebook.com/
Biohacking FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/peptideplayground/
Very timely posting for myself. Thank you.
I know people who could greatly benefit from these! Convincing them to take them is another matter.