Benefits
- Anxiolytic without sedation — reduces anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms without causing drowsiness, cognitive impairment, or motor dysfunctionstrong
- No addiction or withdrawal potential — unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not produce tolerance, dependence, or rebound anxiety upon cessationstrong
- Nootropic and cognitive enhancement — improves memory consolidation, attention, and learning in clinical and preclinical studiesmoderate
- Immune modulation — enhances IL-6 expression and rebalances Th1/Th2 immune response, potentially beneficial for immune-compromised statesmoderate
- Enhances BDNF expression — upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor, supporting neuroplasticity and long-term brain healthpreliminary
Dosage Protocols
| Route | Dosage Range | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal spray | 250–500 mcg per nostril | 2–3× daily | Most common and convenient administration route. Each spray typically delivers 75–150 mcg. Approved route in Russia at 0.15% solution, 2–3 drops per nostril. |
| Subcutaneous injection | 250–500 mcg | 1× daily | Higher bioavailability than intranasal. Commonly used in research settings and by users who prefer precise dosing. |
| Sublingual (off-label) | 250–750 mcg | 1–2× daily | Some users administer reconstituted Selank sublingually. Absorption is less studied than intranasal or subcutaneous routes. |
Medical disclaimer
Dosage information is provided for educational reference only. Always follow your prescriber's instructions and consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.
Side Effects
- Nasal irritation — mild burning, dryness, or congestion when using intranasal administration routecommon
- Fatigue — mild tiredness reported by some users, typically during initial userare
- Headache — occasionally reported, generally mild and transientrare
- Altered taste or smell — temporary changes in olfactory perception with intranasal userare
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Comparisons
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Selank compare to benzodiazepines for anxiety?
Selank provides anxiolytic effects comparable to low-dose benzodiazepines in clinical studies but without the major downsides: no sedation, no cognitive impairment, no addiction potential, and no withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing GABA-A receptor activity, causing broad CNS depression. Selank instead modulates enkephalin, serotonin, and BDNF pathways, producing anti-anxiety effects while preserving or even enhancing cognitive function. The trade-off is that Selank may not be as potent for acute panic or severe anxiety as benzodiazepines.
Is intranasal or injectable Selank more effective?
Both routes are effective, but they have different profiles. Intranasal Selank is more convenient, non-invasive, and provides direct access to the brain via the olfactory pathway. It is the approved route in Russia. Subcutaneous injection provides higher and more predictable bioavailability. Many users prefer intranasal for daily anxiety management and subcutaneous for acute cognitive or immune support. The very short plasma half-life (~5 minutes) means that regardless of route, effects are mediated through downstream gene expression changes rather than sustained blood levels.
What is the history of Selank approval in Russia?
Selank was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology. It received approval from the Russian Ministry of Health as an anxiolytic and nootropic medication. It is available in Russia as a 0.15% nasal drop solution under medical supervision. It has not been submitted for FDA approval or EMA approval, and it is not a regulated pharmaceutical in the US or EU.
Can you stack Selank with Semax?
Yes, Selank and Semax are frequently combined ("stacked") as they have complementary mechanisms. Selank is primarily anxiolytic and immune-modulating (tuftsin analog), while Semax is primarily nootropic and neuroprotective (ACTH analog). Together, they may provide comprehensive cognitive enhancement with mood support. Both are approved medications in Russia and are commonly used together. A typical stack uses intranasal administration of both: Selank 250–500 mcg and Semax 200–600 mcg, each 2–3 times daily.
Does Selank show up on drug tests?
Selank is not tested for in standard drug panels (SAMHSA 5-panel, 10-panel, or 12-panel tests). It is not a controlled substance in the US, and it does not produce metabolites similar to any tested drug classes. It would not cause false positives for opioids despite increasing endogenous enkephalin levels, as drug tests detect exogenous opioid metabolites, not endogenous opioid peptides. However, athletes subject to WADA testing should be aware that peptide hormones may fall under prohibited substance categories.
References
Last updated: 2026-02-14