About Selank
Selank is a synthetic analog of tuftsin developed in Russia for anxiolytic research. Studied for effects on BDNF, GABAergic transmission, and anxiety models. Limited Western clinical data.
Cognition
Selank
Heptapeptide Anxiolytic
A synthetic heptapeptide studied for anxiolytic and cognitive effects.
Early humanResearch use only
Where to buy
Vendor offerings
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Best $/mg
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Evidence level
Early human studies
A synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia as an anxiolytic analog of the immune peptide tuftsin. Approved for clinical anxiety use in Russia; almost no Western trials. Reported to modulate BDNF, GABA, and enkephalin systems.
Mechanism
Modulates GABAergic tone and BDNF expression.
Researched benefits
Anxiolytic without sedation
Russian clinical studies in generalized anxiety disorder report symptom reduction comparable to medazepam (a benzodiazepine) without sedation, motor impairment, or withdrawal at study termination. Sample sizes are small and methodology limits translation.
BDNF elevation
Rodent studies report increased BDNF expression in hippocampus after intranasal Selank. This is the proposed substrate for cognitive and mood effects.
Enkephalinase inhibition
Selank inhibits the degradation of endogenous enkephalins, prolonging their action. This is part of the proposed anxiolytic mechanism and overlaps with the body's intrinsic stress-buffering system.
GABAergic modulation
Preclinical work shows changes in GABA-A subunit expression and binding after Selank exposure, possibly explaining the benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic profile without classic benzodiazepine receptor binding.
Risks & cautions
- moderate
Limited Western clinical data
Nearly all published clinical work is in Russian-language journals from a small set of research groups. No regulatory review, no independent replication of efficacy claims, and limited long-term safety data.
- moderate
Drug interaction unknowns
Theoretical additive effects with other GABAergic or opioid-modulating agents (benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, opioids) have not been studied.
- low
Pediatric use claims unverified
Russian-language sources describe pediatric anxiolytic use, but quality of evidence does not support extrapolation.
- low
Mild local effects
Intranasal administration can produce transient nasal irritation or rhinorrhea.
Dosing
250–500 mcg intranasal, 1–3 times daily, often in 2–4 week courses.
- Conservative
- 250 mcg × 1/day intranasal
- Standard
- 300 mcg × 2/day intranasal
- Aggressive
- 500 mcg × 3/day intranasal
Vial sizes
5mg
Half-life
~30 minutes
Route
intranasal
Intranasal route bypasses first-pass metabolism. Effective plasma half-life is ~30 minutes but downstream neurochemical effects last longer. Cycling (e.g., 2 weeks on, 1 week off) is common in protocol literature though not formally supported.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — no safety data
- Concurrent benzodiazepine or opioid use without supervision (theoretical additive effects)
- Known hypersensitivity to peptide therapies
In depth
Background
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) was synthesized at the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology in Moscow, as part of a program to develop a stable analog of tuftsin — a tetrapeptide fragment of the IgG heavy chain with immunostimulatory activity. Selank extends tuftsin's structure with three additional residues that confer metabolic stability and shift activity toward the central nervous system.
It is registered in Russia under the brand Selank for anxiety disorders. It is not approved or reviewed in the U.S. or EU.
Mechanism in depth
Selank's mechanism is multimodal and not fully established, but proposed actions include:
- Inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes — Selank slows the breakdown of endogenous enkephalins, prolonging their anxiolytic and mood-modulating activity.
- GABAergic modulation — preclinical work suggests changes in GABA-A receptor subunit composition and altered chloride flux, without direct benzodiazepine-site binding.
- BDNF and gene expression — intranasal Selank in rats increases BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus and modulates expression of genes related to neuroplasticity and inflammation.
- Monoamine effects — modest changes in serotonin and dopamine metabolism reported in rodents.
The cleaner anxiolytic profile (no sedation, no addiction signal in animal studies) is the most clinically interesting attribute if the Russian data translates.
Human evidence
Limited and methodologically constrained:
- Zozulya 2008 reported on a multicenter Russian trial comparing Selank to medazepam in GAD; both groups improved on anxiety rating scales, with Selank lacking the sedative and amnestic side effects of medazepam.
- Several smaller Russian studies in neurasthenia, asthenia, and adjustment disorders report symptomatic improvement.
- No Western randomized controlled trials. No independent replication of the GAD study.
Sample sizes, blinding quality, and outcome measures vary. Treat the human evidence base as suggestive, not definitive.
Animal evidence
More substantial than the human data. Replicated rodent findings include:
- Anxiolytic activity in elevated plus maze, open field, and conflict test paradigms
- BDNF elevation in hippocampus after intranasal dosing
- Anti-aggression effects in some models
- Possible cognitive enhancement (passive avoidance, water maze) but with mixed results
Stack synergy
- Semax — another Russian heptapeptide (from ACTH 4-7) often combined for cognitive and mood support. Frequently sold and stacked together. Minimal published interaction data.
- Noopept / racetams — common cognitive stacks, but no formal interaction studies.
- SSRIs / benzodiazepines — theoretical interactions via serotonergic and GABAergic pathways. Add with supervision if at all.
- Avoid stacking with high-dose opioids given the enkephalinase inhibition.
Open questions
- Does the Russian GAD efficacy data replicate in Western patient populations with modern trial methodology?
- What is the actual receptor or enzyme target driving the anxiolytic effect? Several candidate mechanisms are proposed but none are definitively the primary site.
- What is the long-term safety profile beyond 4–6 weeks?
- Is intranasal absorption consistent enough across users for predictable dosing, given variability in nasal mucosa?
References
- 1.Zozulya A.A. et al. — Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2008)
- 2.Kolik L.G. et al. — Selank peptide affects anxiety behaviors and BDNF expression in rat hippocampus (animal pharmacology literature)
- 3.Inozemtseva L.S. et al. — Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo (Dokl Biol Sci, 2008)