Selank Research Information
Synthetic Tuftsin Analogue
For Anxiety & Cognitive Research
⚠️ Important: This information is for educational and research purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before use.
📑 Contents
🔬 What is Selank?
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It has garnered significant interest for its pronounced anxiolytic and nootropic (cognitive-enhancing) effects without the sedative, amnestic, and addictive properties associated with traditional anxiolytics like benzodiazepines.
Selank is approved for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) in Russia and has been studied for its complex effects on nerve cells, with one of its possible molecular mechanisms associated with allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system. Selank is available in pen and freeze-dried vial formulations for research purposes.
⚡ How Selank Works
Selank works through multiple mechanisms to support anxiety reduction and cognitive function:
GABA Modulation
Functions as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission
BDNF Upregulation
Increases BDNF expression in the hippocampus, enhancing synaptic plasticity and cognitive function
Enkephalin Inhibition
Inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes (IC50 ~15-20 µM), prolonging endogenous enkephalin action
Selank also modulates monoamine neurotransmitter levels including serotonin and dopamine, and influences the expression of genes involved in neurotransmission. Clinical studies have shown similarity of the spectrum of physiological effects of Selank and classical benzodiazepines, suggesting a similar basis of their mechanism of action.
📋 Research Applications
Anxiety Disorders
Approved for GAD treatment in Russia; studied for non-sedating anxiolytic effects
Cognitive Enhancement
Studied for nootropic effects and memory improvement
Post-COVID Recovery
Effective in treating asthenia and cognitive deficits post-COVID infection
Neuroprotection
Investigating neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties
📊 Clinical Studies
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Study (2012)
- 20 patients aged 24–52 with GAD received Selank at 2,700 µg/day intranasally
- 40% were rapid responders – Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) reduced from 20.3 to 7.0 at Day 3 (p<0.01)
- 60% responded gradually – clinically significant changes achieved at Day 14
- Rapid responders showed obvious EEG changes after a single 900 µg dose
Post-COVID Asthenia Study (2024)
- 64 patients with post-COVID asthenia and decreased performance
- Selank (nasal drops, 1.5 mg, 2-3 drops 4 times daily for 30 days) showed good effect
- Relief of anxiety and depressive symptoms was observed
Gene Expression Studies (Frontiers in Pharmacology)
- Selank (300 µg/kg) altered expression of 45 genes involved in neurotransmission in rat frontal cortex
- Positive correlation between changes in gene expression after Selank and GABA administration
- Selank modulates GABA-A receptor subunits, dopamine receptors, serotonin receptors, and transporters
BDNF Upregulation (Benchchem Technical Guide)
- Intranasal Selank (250-500 µg/kg) increased BDNF mRNA at 3 hours and BDNF protein at 24 hours in rat hippocampus
- IC50 for Leu-enkephalin hydrolysis: ~15-20 µM in human serum
💉 Interactive Dosing Guide
Select your vial size and dose to see the corresponding volume, clicks, dosing frequency, and how many doses per vial:
🖊️ Step 1: Select Your Vial Size
💊 Step 2: Select Your Dose
Common research protocols: 250-750 µg per day. Clinical protocol: 900 µg/day (300 µg 3x daily) for 10-14 days.
Vial Size
5mg Vial
Selected Dose
0.3 mg
Doses per Vial
16.6 doses
Pen Clicks
18 clicks
Volume
0.18 mL
Protocol Level
Level 2 (Standard)
Recommended Schedule
3 times daily - Clinical Protocol
⚠️ Do not change your dose unless advised by a qualified professional.
📋 Protocol Level Summary
Based on research protocols: 0.1-0.75 mg per dose. Clinical protocol: 0.3 mg 3 times daily (0.9 mg/day).
| Protocol Level | Target Dose | Frequency | 5mg Clicks | 10mg Clicks | Who It\'s For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (Starting) | 0.1-0.25 mg | 1-3x daily | 6-15 clicks | 3-7.5 clicks | New users, first 10-day cycle |
| Level 2 (Standard) | 0.3 mg | 3x daily | 18 clicks | 9 clicks | Clinical protocol |
| Level 3 (Advanced) | 0.5 mg | 2-3x daily | 30 clicks | 15 clicks | If more response needed |
| Level 4 (Maximum) | 0.75 mg | 2-3x daily | 45 clicks | 22.5 clicks | Higher dose research |
⚠️ Do not change your dose unless advised by a qualified professional.
💉 Vial Users (Insulin Syringe)
Add 3mL of bacteriostatic water to your freeze-dried vial and mix gently. After reconstitution, use the table below to draw your dose:
Vial Size
5mg vial with 3mL bac water
| Dose | Frequency | Units on Syringe | Volume (mL) | Protocol Level |
|---|
⚠️ Always use a new sterile needle and syringe for each injection.
⚠️ Safety & Precautions
Selank has shown a favorable safety profile with no sedative, amnestic, or addictive properties associated with traditional anxiolytics like benzodiazepines. Studies have shown no negative side effects or risk of addiction.
- Injection site reactions: Mild redness or tenderness at injection site
- No sedation: Non-sedating anxiolytic effect
- No withdrawal: No addiction potential
- Well-tolerated: No significant adverse events reported in clinical studies
Important Safety Considerations:
- Selank is not FDA-approved in the United States
- Approved in Russia for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Intranasal route has about 60-70% absorption
- Do not use if allergic to Selank or any ingredients
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding
⚠️ Warning: Selank is an investigational peptide in most countries. If you experience severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, or signs of anaphylaxis, seek immediate medical help.
📚 References
- Selank Peptide: A Deep Dive into its Mechanism of Action in the Central Nervous System. Benchchem. November 2025.
- Pogodina M, Nikiforova E. Post-COVID syndrome, possibilities for therapy of asthenic disorders with Selank. Vrach. 2024;5:65-72.
- Selank Complete Guide: Benefits, Dosing, Side Effects & Research. TrimRX. May 2026.
- Selank - Cosmetic Dermatologist Dr. Jason Emer. August 2025.
- Syunyakov T, Teleshova ES, Neznamov GG, Bochkarev VK. P-1114 - Rapid and slow response during treatment of generalized anxiety disorder with peptide anxiolytic selank. European Psychiatry. 2012;27:1.
- Selank vs. Semax: What's the Difference? Revolution Health & Wellness. May 2025.
- Volkova A, et al. Selank and GABA affect the expression of genes involved in neurotransmission. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2016.
This information is for educational and research purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional.
Last updated: July 2026