Semax vs Selank
Semax is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5 for evidence; Selank is not FDA-approved and rated 3/5. They have a similar amount of human evidence. Both are used for cognitive & mood goals.
Often used together: Semax for drive and focus, Selank for calm — often paired.
| Compare |  SemaxRussian-developed nootropic peptide, approved there for stroke recovery. |  SelankCalming nootropic peptide built from the immune peptide tuftsin. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive & Mood | Cognitive & Mood |
| Evidence | 3/5Clinical use in Russia with small trials; little Western randomized data. | 3/5Small Russian clinical trials in generalized anxiety; limited Western data. |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved |
| WADA (sport) | Not prohibited | Not prohibited |
| Also known as | ACTH(4-7)-PGP | TP-7 analog, Tuftsin analog |
| How it works | Increases BDNF and NGF expression, modulates dopamine and serotonin signaling, and shows neuroprotective effects in ischemia models. | Modulates GABA signaling, enkephalin breakdown, and serotonin/BDNF expression; also influences cytokine balance. |
| Half-life | Short (minutes); effects last hours | Short; effects last hours |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Intranasal or subcutaneous | Intranasal or subcutaneous |
| Good once mixed | ~21 days in the fridge | ~21 days in the fridge |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest price per mg | $1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | $1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.93% (lot SMX0002) | 99.49% (lot SLK0001) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.