Selank: Complete Guide — Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Research

What Is Selank?

Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide (seven amino acids) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is a modified analog of the naturally occurring immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), with the addition of a Pro-Gly-Pro sequence that enhances metabolic stability and adds neurotropic properties.

The full sequence: Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro

Selank is approved in Russia as an anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) medication, where it is marketed as a nasal spray for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and as a nootropic agent. It has been clinically used in Russia since the early 2000s, though it remains unapproved outside of Russia and a few CIS countries.

What makes Selank unusual among anxiolytics is its dual action: it reduces anxiety without sedation and simultaneously provides cognitive enhancement — a combination that is rare in pharmacology (benzodiazepines reduce anxiety but impair cognition; stimulants enhance cognition but increase anxiety).

How Does Selank Work? (Mechanism of Action)

GABAergic Modulation

Selank modulates the GABAergic system — the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the brain. Specifically:

• Allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors — Selank enhances GABA binding to GABA-A receptors, potentiating inhibitory signaling without directly activating the receptor (similar conceptually to benzodiazepines but through a different binding mechanism)
• No benzodiazepine binding site activity — this means Selank does not carry the addiction potential, tolerance development, or withdrawal effects associated with benzodiazepines
• Expression modulation — chronic Selank administration has been shown to alter the expression of genes encoding GABA-A receptor subunits in the hippocampus (Kasian et al., 2017)

Serotonergic Effects

Selank influences serotonin (5-HT) metabolism:

• Inhibits enkephalinase enzymes that degrade enkephalins (endogenous opioid peptides)
• This results in increased enkephalin levels, which modulate serotonergic neurotransmission
• The downstream effect is stabilized serotonin signaling, contributing to mood regulation and anxiolysis

BDNF and Neurotropic Effects

Selank has been shown to increase expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus — the brain region critical for learning, memory, and emotional regulation. BDNF is one of the most important molecules for neuroplasticity, synaptic strengthening, and neuronal survival (Inozemtseva et al., 2008).

Increased BDNF expression likely underlies both Selank’s cognitive-enhancing and anxiolytic properties.

Immunomodulatory Effects

As a tuftsin analog, Selank retains immunomodulatory properties:

• Enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity
• Modulates cytokine expression (IL-6, IFN-γ)
• May support immune function during stress (which typically suppresses immunity)

This immune-peptide crossover is relatively unique and adds to Selank’s appeal as a multi-functional peptide.

Gene Expression

Gene expression studies have revealed that Selank modulates the expression of 36+ genes related to:

• Inflammation regulation
• Neurotransmitter signaling
• Apoptosis
• Ion channel function
• Neuroprotection

This broad gene expression profile suggests a systems-level modulatory effect rather than a single-target pharmacological action.

Research & Evidence

Clinical Trials (Russia)

Multiple clinical studies have been conducted in Russia, though many are published in Russian-language journals with limited English translations:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: In a clinical trial of patients with GAD, Selank nasal spray (0.15% solution, 3 drops per nostril, 3x daily for 14 days) produced significant reductions in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) scores. The anxiolytic effect was comparable to medazepam (a benzodiazepine) but without sedation, cognitive impairment, or withdrawal effects (Zozulya et al., 2008).

Cognitive Performance: Studies in healthy volunteers showed Selank improved attention, short-term memory, and information processing speed. EEG analysis revealed increased alpha rhythm power (associated with relaxed alertness) and decreased theta activity (associated with drowsiness).

Anxiety with Cognitive Deficits: In patients with anxiety disorders accompanied by cognitive complaints, Selank simultaneously improved both anxiety scores and neuropsychological test performance — supporting its dual anxiolytic-nootropic profile.

Animal Studies

• Learning and Memory: Selank improved performance in various learning paradigms (passive avoidance, Morris water maze) in rodent studies. The effect persisted after drug cessation, suggesting lasting neuroplastic changes.
• Stress Response: In restraint stress models, Selank normalized stress hormone levels and prevented stress-induced behavioral deficits.
• Neuroprotection: Selank showed protective effects against neurotoxic insults in cellular and animal models.

Comparison to Semax

Semax is Selank’s “sister peptide” — also developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences, but from the ACTH/MSH peptide family rather than tuftsin. While both are nootropic:

Property	Selank	Semax
Parent peptide	Tuftsin	ACTH (4-10)
Primary effect	Anxiolytic + nootropic	Stimulating + nootropic
Energy level	Calming	Activating
Anxiety	Reduces	May increase in sensitive individuals
Best for	Anxiety with cognitive needs	Focus, motivation, energy
Mechanism	GABAergic, serotonergic	Dopaminergic, BDNF

Many nootropic users alternate or combine them based on situational needs.

Benefits (Based on Research)

• Anxiolysis without sedation — reduces anxiety while maintaining mental clarity
• Cognitive enhancement — improved memory, attention, and processing speed
• No addiction potential — unlike benzodiazepines, no tolerance or withdrawal
• BDNF upregulation — supports long-term neuroplasticity
• Immune support — tuftsin-derived immunomodulatory effects
• Stress resilience — normalizes stress hormone responses
• Mood stabilization — serotonin system modulation

Dosage Protocols

⚠️ Disclaimer: Selank is approved in Russia but not in the US, EU, or most other markets. The following represents clinical dosing from Russian literature and community protocols. This is not medical advice.

Intranasal (Most Common, Clinically Validated)

• Formulation: 0.15% Selank nasal spray
• Dose: 2–3 drops per nostril, 3 times daily
• Approximate dose per administration: 200–400 mcg
• Daily total: ~1,000–2,000 mcg (1–2 mg)
• Duration: 14–21 day courses, with breaks between courses
• Note: Nasal administration provides direct access to the brain via olfactory and trigeminal pathways

Subcutaneous Injection (Community Protocol)

• Dose: 250–500 mcg per injection
• Frequency: 1–2 times daily
• Duration: 14–21 days
• Reconstitution: Standard bacteriostatic water

Sublingual

• Some users report efficacy with sublingual administration (holding solution under the tongue), though this route has less clinical validation than intranasal.

Cycling

• The Russian clinical protocol recommends courses of 14–21 days followed by breaks
• Community protocols typically follow 3 weeks on, 1–2 weeks off
• The break period may help maintain receptor sensitivity, though tolerance is not a well-documented issue with Selank

Side Effects & Safety

Clinical Side Effect Profile

Selank has an exceptionally mild side effect profile in clinical use:

• Nasal irritation — with intranasal use, mild and transient
• Allergic reactions — rare, typically mild
• Minimal sedation — despite anxiolytic effects, sedation is rare at standard doses

What Makes Selank Unique (Safety Advantages)

• No dependence or withdrawal — unlike benzodiazepines
• No cognitive impairment — enhances cognition rather than impairing it
• No rebound anxiety — discontinuation does not produce anxiety worse than baseline
• No significant drug interactions documented — though research is limited
• No hormonal effects — does not affect cortisol, testosterone, estrogen, or thyroid hormones at standard doses

Limitations

• Most clinical data comes from Russian studies, which may have different methodological standards
• Long-term safety data (>6 months continuous use) is limited
• Drug interaction studies are sparse

Stacking Options

• Selank + Semax: The Russian nootropic stack. Selank for anxiety reduction and calm focus; Semax for motivation and energy. Used together, they provide a balanced cognitive enhancement profile.
• Selank + DSIP: For anxiety with sleep issues. Selank handles daytime anxiety; DSIP supports sleep architecture.
• Selank + Noopept: A popular nootropic stack combining the peptide anxiolytic with the cognitive enhancer Noopept (which is also of Russian origin).

Legal Status

Russia

Approved as an anti-anxiety medication. Available as a nasal spray by prescription.

United States

Not FDA-approved. Available as a research chemical. Not a controlled substance.

European Union

Not approved. Available as a research chemical in most EU countries.

WADA

Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Selank addictive? No. Unlike benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, etc.), Selank does not produce dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. This is because it modulates GABA signaling through a different mechanism than benzodiazepines — it doesn’t directly bind the benzodiazepine binding site.

How fast does Selank work? Intranasal Selank typically produces noticeable anxiety reduction within 5–15 minutes. Cognitive effects may take several days of consistent use to become apparent, as they likely depend on BDNF-mediated neuroplastic changes.

Can I use Selank with antidepressants? There is limited data on drug interactions. In Russian clinical practice, Selank has been used alongside various medications, but formal interaction studies are lacking. Consult a healthcare provider before combining with any psychiatric medication.

Selank vs. L-theanine — how do they compare? Both are non-sedating anxiolytics. L-theanine is milder, widely available, and well-studied as a supplement. Selank is more potent, has nootropic effects, but is less accessible and less studied outside Russia. L-theanine is a reasonable starting point; Selank is for those seeking stronger anxiolytic effects.

Does intranasal Selank reach the brain directly? Yes. Intranasal delivery bypasses the blood-brain barrier through olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways, providing direct access to the central nervous system. This is why intranasal is the preferred administration route — it achieves higher brain concentrations than systemic injection at equivalent doses.

References

1. Zozulya AA, et al. “The inhibitory effect of Selank on enkephalin-degrading enzymes as a possible mechanism of its anxiolytic activity.” Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008;145(4):462-5. PubMed
2. Kasian A, et al. “Selank administration affects the expression of some genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission.” Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:668. PubMed
3. Inozemtseva LS, et al. “Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus.” Dokl Biol Sci. 2008;421:241-3. PubMed
4. Kozlovskii II, Danchev ND. “The anxiolytic effect of selank and its interactions with diazepam.” Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2003;33(3):255-8.
5. Seredenin SB, et al. “Anxiolytic and nootropic effect of selank.” Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2009;72(4):8-12.

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