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Nootropics & cognitive

Selank

Russian-developed anxiolytic peptide, approved as a prescription drug in Russia for anxiety and mixed anxiety-depressive disorders. Used off-label elsewhere as a calming nasal-spray nootropic.

Approved in Russia Nootropics & cognitive

Reviewed 2026-09-12
Full name
Selank (a synthetic analog of the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin)
Also known as
Selank
Regulatory status
Approved prescription drug in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and mixed anxiety-depressive states. Not approved in the US, EU, or most other countries.
Variant note
Sometimes sold as 'Selank amidate' rather than the original Selank sequence. As with Semax's amidate variant, this is a stability-oriented modification with a thinner independent evidence base than the parent peptide, though community reports treat it as similar in effect.

Origin

Comes from the same Russian research tradition as Semax. Selank is a synthetic peptide based on tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory peptide, modified for stability and CNS activity.

Mechanism

Modulates GABAergic and serotonergic signalling, which drives its anxiolytic effect, without the sedation or dependence risk of benzodiazepines. Like Semax, it's been shown in animal studies to influence BDNF expression and carries mild immunomodulatory effects, a holdover from its tuftsin origin.

Research summary

Evidence

The Russian trials behind its drug approval studied generalized anxiety disorder and mixed anxiety-depression, generally reporting anxiolytic effects comparable to reference anxiolytics but with a better side-effect and dependence profile. As with Semax, this evidence comes from a research and regulatory tradition with less independent international replication than Western-standard trials.

Evidence tier: Approved in Russia — see the methodology note for how this is assessed.

Citations

Reported benefits

  • Reported reduction in anxiety and stress reactivity without the sedation typically associated with benzodiazepines
  • Reported improved focus under stress (calm-but-alert effect, distinct from a sedative)
  • Often used situationally (before a stressful event) rather than as a continuous daily regimen

Dosing protocols reported in the literature & community

These are protocols reported by compounding pharmacies, published trials, or self-experimentation communities — not a prescription. Start low, especially for anything new.

Reported dosing protocols
RouteReported protocol
Intranasal sprayCommonly reported doses are 250-750 mcg per dose, taken as needed for acute anxiety/stress, or once to twice daily for ongoing use; similar to Semax, some users cycle it rather than using continuously, though reported tolerance/desensitization concerns are generally described as less pronounced than with Semax.

Side effects

  • Generally reported as well tolerated
  • Nasal irritation from the spray formulation
  • Limited independent (non-Russian-trial) human safety data

Safety notes

Safety: Genuine drug-approval status in Russia counts for something, but the trial base behind it has less international independent replication than Western regulatory review typically demands. Treat it as more evidence-backed than a typical research chemical, less so than an FDA/EMA-approved medication.
Community & reddit notes (anecdotal — not clinical evidence)

Often paired with Semax: Selank for calm/anxiety, Semax for focus/motivation. Popular as a non-sedating alternative to benzodiazepines for situational anxiety, like before public speaking or other high-stress events.

Used in stacks

Community combinations that include Selank — see each stack page for the combination-specific rationale and evidence.

Mixing compatibility

Pulled from a community-charted mixing-compatibility reference (anecdotal, clinic-use, and community-reported signals) — not a safety guarantee. Verify independently before combining anything.

Used together in wellness-clinic protocols

Anecdotally combined (outside clinic protocols)

Reported as a combination to avoid