Selank
A Russian-approved tuftsin-derived heptapeptide that delivers anxiolysis without the sedation, tolerance, or dependence of benzodiazepines.
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences by adding a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail to the natural immune tetrapeptide tuftsin. It is registered as a prescription intranasal medicine in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and adaptation disorders, and is distinguished from classical anxiolytics by producing calm without sedation, cognitive dulling, tolerance, or withdrawal. It works through multi-system neurochemical modulation — GABAergic, serotonergic, enkephalinergic, and BDNF pathways — and retains tuftsin's immunomodulatory activity. Russian clinical evidence is genuine but has not been replicated in Western-standard blinded trials, and it has no FDA approval.
Class
Synthetic heptapeptide (tuftsin analog with C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension)
Half-life
Plasma half-life is very short (~2-10 minutes across sources); functional anxiolytic and nootropic effects outlast plasma exposure, lasting 4-8 hours per dose with chronic effects accumulating over weeks.
Routes
Intranasal (standard), Subcutaneous (research / off-label), Intramuscular (research)
Category
Cognitive & Nootropic
Researched benefits
What it's studied for
Anxiolysis without sedation
Selank reduces anxiety with efficacy that Russian comparison trials found comparable to the benzodiazepine medazepam, but without the sedation, motor impairment, or cognitive dulling of benzodiazepines. This distinctive profile is the basis for its Russian regulatory approval and its strongest evidence tier.
No tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal
Across 15-20+ years of Russian clinical and post-marketing use, Selank has not produced the tolerance, physical dependence, or withdrawal syndromes typical of GABA-modulating anxiolytics. Its indirect, multi-pathway mechanism (rather than direct GABA-A agonism) is the proposed reason.
BDNF upregulation and cognitive support
Selank raises expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, supporting synaptic plasticity, memory consolidation, and neuroprotection. Cognitive effects are modest — better described as cognition-preserving with mild enhancement than as a strong nootropic.
Stress-response attenuation
By modulating GABAergic tone, cortisol reactivity, and cytokine responses, Selank blunts stress-related arousal and improves performance and stress tolerance under anxious conditions.
Enkephalin / mood support
Selank appears to inhibit enkephalinase enzymes, slowing breakdown of endogenous enkephalins and potentiating opioid-system signaling. This is proposed to contribute to the sense of well-being users report, without dependence or respiratory depression.
Immune modulation
Inheriting activity from its tuftsin parent, Selank influences macrophage and NK-cell activity, IL-6 regulation, and Th1/Th2 balance. This immunomodulatory arm is preclinical and small-trial in scope but is a genuinely novel feature of the molecule.
Mechanism
How it works
Selank does not act through a single high-affinity receptor. Extensive screening has failed to identify a dedicated Selank receptor, so researchers propose it works through parallel low-affinity effects and modulation of enzyme activity (peptidases, kinases) rather than classical receptor signaling. The empirical result is coordinated modulation of several neurotransmitter systems at once — described in the Russian literature as an 'anxiolytic + nootropic' profile.
The GABAergic arm is central to its anxiolysis. Selank increases GABAergic tone in the hypothalamus and limbic structures — but, unlike benzodiazepines, not by binding GABA-A directly. Instead it appears to increase presynaptic GABA release, modulate GABA-A subunit expression over time, and enhance GABAergic signaling indirectly through kinase cascades. This allosteric, indirect action is the mechanistic case for why tolerance and dependence look different from benzodiazepines.
Beyond GABA, Selank modulates serotonin turnover and tryptophan uptake, potentiates enkephalin-dependent opioid pathways by inhibiting enkephalinase, and raises BDNF expression to drive its slower, cumulative nootropic and neuroprotective effects. It also retains tuftsin's immunomodulatory activity — affecting cytokines, lymphocyte activation, and inflammatory markers — which may feed back on mood and cognition via neuroinflammation and gut-brain pathways.
Delivered intranasally as a 0.15% solution, Selank reaches the CNS directly via olfactory and trigeminal pathways, bypassing the blood-brain barrier and GI peptidases. Acute effects begin within 15-30 minutes and peak at 30-60 minutes; although the intact peptide is cleared from plasma within 1-2 hours, gene-expression and neurotransmitter changes give the compound a long functional tail, with 'trait' anxiolysis emerging over 4-8 weeks of regular use and no accumulation or tachyphylaxis at therapeutic doses.
Dosing protocols
Dosing & administration
Dosing reflects protocols reported in research and community literature for educational purposes. It is not medical advice or a recommendation. Most peptides here are not approved for human use.
Reconstitution
Selank is almost always sold as a pre-made 0.15% intranasal spray (3 mL bottle containing ~4.5 mg; 1.5 mg/mL), so no user reconstitution is required — each 50 mcL actuation delivers ~75 mcg and a bottle yields ~60 sprays. For subcutaneous use (off-label), a typical reconstitution is 5 mg lyophilized Selank in 2 mL bacteriostatic water = 2.5 mg/mL, where 1 insulin-syringe unit (0.01 mL) = 25 mcg (100 mcg = 4 units, 300 mcg = 12 units). Home-compounded nasal sprays should use sterile 0.9% saline rather than bacteriostatic water, as benzyl alcohol irritates nasal mucosa.
Beginner
- Dose
- 150 mcg (1 spray per nostril), starting Day 1 with a single 75 mcg test spray
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Timing
- Morning
- Duration
- Week 1 orientation, then reassess
- Route
- Intranasal
Establish responsiveness and tolerability before increasing. Expect mild-to-moderate anxiolysis, not a benzodiazepine-level effect.
Standard / Intermediate
- Dose
- 300 mcg (2 sprays per nostril), up to 300-600 mcg/day if a second dose is added
- Frequency
- 1-2 times daily
- Timing
- Morning, with an optional afternoon dose for daytime anxiety
- Duration
- 2-4 week courses with 1-2 week breaks
- Route
- Intranasal
Best for chronic generalized anxiety. Regular daily dosing builds cumulative BDNF/gene-expression effects over 4-8 weeks.
Higher-need / Advanced
- Dose
- 300-450 mcg per dose, up to 900 mcg/day divided
- Frequency
- 2-3 times daily (300 mcg x3 for the top of the range)
- Timing
- Morning, midday, and early afternoon; avoid over-dosing
- Duration
- 2-4 week courses under supervision; Sunday/weekly breaks and periodic 1-2 week off-cycles
- Route
- Intranasal
Reserved for partial responders after a full 300 mcg trial. Developing fatigue on high doses can indicate over-dosing rather than under-dosing.
PRN (situational)
- Dose
- 150-300 mcg
- Frequency
- As needed
- Timing
- 30-60 minutes before an anticipated anxiety-provoking event
- Duration
- Intermittent; no schedule required
- Route
- Intranasal
Useful for public speaking, social events, travel, or medical appointments. Can be used intermittently without concern for dependence.
- Dosing is flat (not weight-based). All standard doses are micrograms delivered intranasally via the 0.15% solution (75 mcg per spray).
- Technique matters: blow nose gently first, tilt head slightly forward (not back), angle the spray toward the outer nostril wall away from the septum, inhale gently while spraying, and avoid blowing the nose for 10-15 minutes after.
- Acute effects begin in 15-30 minutes and last 4-8 hours; chronic 'trait' anxiolysis accumulates over 2-8 weeks of consistent use, so sporadic dosing gives only the acute effect.
- No taper is needed on discontinuation — Selank can be stopped abruptly without withdrawal and restarted at the previous effective dose. It does not accumulate with chronic use.
- Use the minimum effective dose, take periodic breaks, and pair with non-pharmacological approaches (CBT, sleep, exercise). Selank is an adjunct, not a replacement for care in severe anxiety, panic, or PTSD.
- Store refrigerated (2-8°C) for maximum shelf life; unopened refrigerated product keeps ~12-24 months, opened refrigerated ~60-120 days. Discard if the solution becomes cloudy, discolored, precipitated, or develops an unusual odor.
Evidence
Research & clinical studies (5)
Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank
In 70 patients with anxiety-spectrum disorders, adding intranasal Selank to phenazepam accelerated the anxiolytic response, reduced benzodiazepine-related adverse effects (memory/attention impairment and sedation), and improved quality-of-life scores, supporting Selank as a cognitive-sparing anxiolytic adjunct.
PMID 26356395Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia
In 62 patients, intranasal Selank produced anxiolytic effects comparable to medazepam in generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, with additional antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects not seen with the benzodiazepine, alongside normalization of leu-enkephalin degradation activity.
PMID 18454096Anxiolytic effects of Selank comparable to benzodiazepines without sedation or dependence
Preclinical work cited as evidence that Selank produces benzodiazepine-comparable anxiolytic effects without the sedation or dependence liability of classical GABA-A anxiolytics.
PMID 18577768GABA-A positive allosteric modulation through a non-benzodiazepine mechanism
Study cited for Selank's positive allosteric modulation of GABAergic signaling via a mechanism distinct from direct benzodiazepine receptor binding.
PMID 22561332Immunomodulation through IL-6 regulation and Th1/Th2 balance
Research cited for Selank's tuftsin-derived immunomodulatory activity, including regulation of IL-6 and shifting of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance.
PMID 19028002Combinations
Stacking & blends
Selank + Semax (Calm Focus)
Cognitive enhancement with reduced anxiety
The flagship Russian neuropeptide pairing: Semax (an ACTH(4-10) analog) drives BDNF, dopamine, and alertness, while Selank supplies anxiolysis and counterbalances any stimulant-like overshoot. Typical use runs Semax first thing on waking, then Selank ~30 minutes later, with no Semax past early afternoon.
DSIP + Selank (Sleep & Anxiety Relief)
Better sleep plus daytime stress reduction
DSIP is proposed to increase slow-wave delta sleep and normalize circadian patterns, while Selank lowers daytime anxiety and cortisol reactivity that block sleep onset — targeting both sleep quality and the psychological barriers to it. Evidence for this combination is preclinical.
Nootropic adjuncts
Broaden cognitive support around a calm baseline
Community and interaction data flag Selank as synergistic with Noopept and compatible with Dihexa and phenylpiracetam, layering additional cognitive activity on top of Selank's anxiolytic, cognition-preserving base. Isolate Selank's effect first before stacking.
Safety
Side effects & considerations
Commonly reported effects
Contraindications & cautions
- Pregnancy and lactation (insufficient safety data)
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Selank or excipients
- Active psychosis or severe psychiatric emergencies (require specialist management)
- Untreated medical conditions that can masquerade as anxiety (thyrotoxicosis, pheochromocytoma, arrhythmia)
- Caution with MAOIs (theoretical serotonin-syndrome concern) and with stacking multiple high-dose serotonergic agents
- Caution in nasal pathology (chronic rhinitis, deviated septum, polyps) that may impair absorption; pediatric use generally avoided in Western practice
Selank has one of the most favorable safety profiles in the anxiolytic space, with no serious adverse events reported over 15-20+ years of Russian post-marketing surveillance and no evidence of physical dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. It does not impair driving or reaction time at therapeutic doses in most users. The main caveats are thin Western long-term data, individual variability in response (some users get no benefit or feel over-stimulated), and variable quality from research-chemical suppliers — favor sources with third-party COAs.
FAQ
Selank — common questions
What is Selank?
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences by adding a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail to the natural immune peptide tuftsin. It is a registered prescription intranasal medicine in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and adaptation disorders.
How does Selank differ from benzodiazepines?
In Russian comparison trials, Selank matched the anxiolytic efficacy of the benzodiazepine medazepam but without sedation, cognitive impairment, tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal. It modulates GABA indirectly (plus serotonin, enkephalin, and BDNF pathways) rather than binding GABA-A directly, which is the proposed reason for the different profile. Benzodiazepines remain stronger for severe acute anxiety or panic.
Is Selank addictive?
No. Over 15-20+ years of Russian clinical use, no dependence, tolerance, withdrawal, or abuse patterns have been identified. It can be stopped abruptly without taper and restarted at the previous effective dose without escalation. Western-standard long-term data remains limited.
How is Selank dosed?
The standard form is a 0.15% intranasal spray delivering ~75 mcg per spray. A common approach is 150 mcg each morning for the first week, then 300 mcg (2 sprays per nostril) daily, with an optional afternoon dose; higher-need protocols go up to 900 mcg/day divided. For situational anxiety, 150-300 mcg is taken 30-60 minutes before an event. Courses typically run 2-4 weeks with 1-2 week breaks.
How quickly does Selank work?
Acute anxiolytic effects begin within 15-30 minutes of intranasal dosing, peak at 30-60 minutes, and last 4-8 hours. A separate chronic effect (BDNF elevation, gene-expression changes) accumulates over 2-8 weeks of regular use, producing a sustained 'trait' reduction in baseline anxiety.
Does Selank enhance cognition?
Modestly. It produces improvements in attention, psychomotor speed, and working memory beyond what anxiolysis alone explains, largely via BDNF and multi-neurotransmitter effects, but it is better described as cognition-preserving with mild enhancement than a strong nootropic. It is frequently stacked with Semax for stronger cognitive activation.
Can Selank be combined with antidepressants?
Generally yes. It has no known dangerous interaction with SSRIs or SNRIs and can be useful as a fast-acting adjunct during the SSRI onset period or for residual anxiety. A theoretical serotonin-syndrome concern exists only at very high combined doses; MAOIs are best avoided. Consult a prescribing clinician when combining psychiatric medications.
Is Selank legal and FDA-approved?
Selank is an approved prescription drug in Russia but is not approved by the FDA, EMA, or other Western regulators. In most non-Russian jurisdictions it is sold only as a research chemical for laboratory use and is not approved for human consumption. It is unscheduled in the US and was removed from the FDA's Category 2 bulk substances list in September 2024.
