Compound profile

Selank

Anxiolytic peptide

A synthetic analog of the immune peptide tuftsin, registered as an anxiolytic in Russia and studied for anxiety, with mostly small trials and preclinical data.

Reviewed for accuracy · Last reviewed July 7, 2026
ClassTuftsin analog (anxiolytic)
RouteIntranasal
Regulatory statusRegistered in Russia; not FDA-approved
StorageRefrigerated once mixed

Overview

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from tuftsin, an endogenous immunomodulatory peptide, with an added stabilizing tail. It was developed in Russia and has been registered there since 2009 as an anxiolytic for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia. It has no FDA or EMA approval and is treated as a research compound in the West. Like Semax, it is typically given intranasally.

Its proposed anti-anxiety mechanism involves the GABA system, though cell studies suggest it modulates GABA signaling indirectly rather than acting as a direct agonist. The main human evidence is a small Russian comparative trial in which Selank performed broadly comparably to the benzodiazepine medazepam. Everything else is preclinical, so its effects should be read as preliminary rather than well established.

Dosing

Selank is dosed intranasally by the specific Russian product where it is registered, so there is no single Western dosing guideline. Community figures are extrapolation rather than validated regimens.

Read the full Selank dosage guide →

Side effects

Human safety data is limited to small Russian studies. As an intranasal peptide the effect most often mentioned is mild nasal irritation, and its broader adverse-effect profile is not well characterized.

Read the full Selank side effects guide →

Storage

Keep the unmixed peptide refrigerated and away from light, and store any reconstituted intranasal solution refrigerated. See the full storage & safety guide for handling and disposal basics.

FAQ

Is Selank approved anywhere?It has been registered as an anxiolytic in Russia since 2009, for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, but it is not approved by the FDA or EMA. In Western markets it is a research compound.
Does Selank work like a benzodiazepine?One small Russian trial found it broadly comparable to the benzodiazepine medazepam for anxiety, but its mechanism appears to modulate GABA signaling indirectly rather than acting as a direct agonist, and the human evidence is limited.
How is Selank taken?It is typically given intranasally as drops or a spray rather than by injection, which is why an injection-unit calculator does not apply to it.

References

  1. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurastheniaZhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 2008 · PMID 18454096
  2. GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 CellsFrontiers in Pharmacology · 2017 · PMID 28293190 · DOI 10.3389/fphar.2017.00089
  3. Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in RatsBulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine · 2022 · PMID 36322304 · DOI 10.1007/s10517-022-05624-x
  4. Development of Peptide Biopharmaceuticals in RussiaPharmaceutics · 2022 · PMID 35456550 · DOI 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040716
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This page is an independent educational reference and is not medical advice, and does not indicate any approval status for any use. Talk to a doctor before starting any compound.