Cognitive Research

Selank

Not FDA approvedBrain, mood & sleepImmune & gut
6.9/10

BioHarmony verdict

Worth trying

Selank is a synthetic tuftsin-derived heptapeptide studied as a non-sedating anxiolytic. Human evidence is positive but geographically narrow: a corrected Russian RCT in 62 patients found similar anxiolytic effects to medazepam (Zozulia 2008), while Western replication and FDA approval are absent.

Read full report

What is Selank?

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide built from the immune peptide tuftsin plus a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. In practice, people use Selank as an intranasal anti-anxiety peptide, especially when they want calm without the sedation, amnesia, or dependence profile associated with benzodiazepines.

From the BioHarmony report, reviewed 2026-09-08.

How it is thought to work

GABA-A modulation, enkephalinase inhibition, serotonin and monoamine modulation, BDNF signaling, tuftsin-class immunomodulation

Safety watch-outs

  • Paradoxical anxiety or agitation
  • Nasal irritation or infection symptoms

Full risk profile in the BioHarmony report.

Dosing as published

No approved-label or study protocol is recorded for Selank yet.

More reported protocols

Members

Members can compare additional reported doses, schedules, and preparation notes.

Educator coverage (4)

Attributed viewpoints, separate from primary research.

Trust & sourcing

US approvalNot FDA approved
CompoundingWithdrawn from Category 2 nomination; eligibility is not established
Last checked2026-07-13
Next review2026-10-11

FDA identifies potential immunogenicity and peptide-impurity risks for compounded selank acetate and says human safety information is insufficient.

Primary sources

  1. 7.1/10SemaxStrong recommendRecoveryNot FDA approvedSemax is a Russian-developed ACTH 4-7 + PGP heptapeptide with the strongest human signal in post-stroke recovery, including a 110-patient Gusev et al.
  2. 6.7/10Epitalon (Epithalon)Worth tryingBrain & sleepNot FDA approvedEpitalon is a synthetic AEDG tetrapeptide with in vitro telomerase and telomere data, animal lifespan signals, and Russian pineal-peptide melatonin studies.
  3. 6.4/10PinealonWorth tryingBrain & sleepNot FDA approvedPinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg, or EDR) is a synthetic Khavinson tripeptide marketed for neuroprotection and cognition.
  4. 6.3/10CerebrolysinWorth tryingRecoveryNot FDA approvedCerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived peptide mixture given by IV or IM infusion.

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