Semax vs Selank

Semax

A Russian-developed heptapeptide based on a fragment of ACTH(4-10). Used intranasally as a focus and neuroprotection tool — registered in Russia, almost unknown in Western clinical practice.

Best for

Best if you want sharper focus, frustration tolerance, and motivation under stress. Time-limited dosing windows (morning only).

Selank

A Russian tuftsin-derived heptapeptide used intranasally for anxiety without sedation. Approved domestically as an anxiolytic; the Western evidence base is thin but the user reports are consistent.

Best for

Best if anxiolysis without sedation is the goal — performance anxiety, social settings, public speaking. Less stimulant, more even-keel.

Semax

Approved in Russia for stroke recovery, transient ischaemic attack, and cognitive impairment based on domestic trials, mostly from the Institute of Molecular Genetics and affiliated groups (Myasoedov, Levitskaya, and colleagues). The Western peer-reviewed literature includes a handful of small studies and reviews, but no Phase 3 trials outside the Russian registration pathway. Treat the focus and mood evidence as limited-human; treat the neuroprotection story as preclinical-leaning with clinical signal.

Selank

Domestic Russian approval for generalised anxiety disorder, supported by the Institute of Molecular Genetics group (Zozulia, Kost, and colleagues) plus published comparisons to medazepam. The Western literature is small — a handful of pharmacology papers and one or two open-label observational reports. There is no large randomised Western trial against an SSRI or benzodiazepine. The evidence floor is honest user reports plus the Russian registration dossier.