Selank
A lab-made peptide based on a natural immune-signaling peptide. Developed in Russia to help with anxiety and mental sharpness. Works like anti-anxiety medications without the drowsiness or addiction risk, while also supporting brain health and immune function.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is based on the naturally occurring immune-modulating peptide tuftsin (a fragment of immunoglobulin G), with an added Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide that enhances its stability and adds anxiolytic properties. Selank is approved in Russia as a prescription anxiolytic and nootropic medication.
Selank's anxiolytic mechanism involves modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission — it enhances the activity of GABA, the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, producing a calming effect without sedation or the addiction potential associated with benzodiazepines. It also influences serotonin and dopamine metabolism, and has been shown to affect the expression of BDNF, contributing to its cognitive-enhancing properties alongside its anti-anxiety effects.
Selank is administered intranasally at 200-400 mcg per dose, typically 2-3 times daily. It is often cycled 2-4 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off. Users commonly report reduced anxiety, improved focus, and better stress resilience without the cognitive impairment or drowsiness associated with traditional anxiolytics. Its dual action as both an anxiolytic and an immune modulator makes it unique among peptides in this category.
Dosage
Intranasal: 200-400 mcg 2-3x daily. Subcutaneous: 250-500 mcg daily
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Administration
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Effects
Anxiolytic
Benzodiazepine-like anti-anxiety without sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction.
Cognitive Enhancement
BDNF upregulation promotes memory formation and synaptic plasticity.
Immune Modulation
Tuftsin core enhances macrophage activity and modulates cytokine production.
Mechanism of Action
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide based on the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro extension at the C-terminus that dramatically increases its resistance to aminopeptidase degradation. Developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, it was designed to combine the immune-enhancing effects of tuftsin with anxiolytic and nootropic properties.
The anxiolytic mechanism involves modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission. Selank acts as an allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in anxiety-related brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. This produces a benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic effect without the sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction potential associated with benzodiazepines — because Selank modulates rather than directly activates the receptor. Additionally, Selank stabilizes enkephalins (endogenous opioid pentapeptides) by inhibiting enkephalin-degrading enzymes (aminopeptidases and enkephalinase/neprilysin), prolonging their mood-regulating and anxiolytic signaling.
The nootropic effects are mediated through neurotrophic factor upregulation. Selank increases expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, promoting dendritic branching, synaptic plasticity, and long-term potentiation — the cellular mechanisms underlying memory formation and cognitive flexibility. It also modulates serotonergic (5-HT) metabolism, altering the balance between serotonin and its metabolite 5-HIAA in key brain regions. The immunomodulatory component derives from the tuftsin core: tuftsin naturally activates monocytes and macrophages through specific receptors, enhancing phagocytic activity and modulating IL-6, TNF-α, and other cytokine production. This immune regulation occurs at sub-anxiolytic doses, suggesting it is an independent pharmacological effect. The combined anxiolytic, cognitive-enhancing, and immunomodulatory profile is unique among available peptides.
Regulatory Status
Approved in Russia as an anxiolytic and nootropic. Not FDA approved. Available through peptide suppliers and some compounding pharmacies internationally.
Risks & Safety
Common
mild tiredness, brief sleepiness, nasal irritation (when used as nose spray).
Serious
most safety data comes from Russian studies with limited Western validation, no long-term data on effects on brain receptors.
Rare
allergic reactions, anxiety spikes when first starting.
Compare Selank With
Research Papers
7Published: December 31, 2025
AI Summary
A broad review explains how various therapeutic peptides—including selank—support tissue repair, inflammation control, and nerve recovery in musculoskeletal care. While animal studies look promising, human clinical trials are still lacking.
Published: April 28, 2025
AI Summary
Thymogen and its variants helped protect rat livers from hydrazine damage by reducing oxidative stress and aiding liver cell repair. A version with D-alanine at the C-terminus worked best at lower doses; higher doses did not improve results.
Published: May 22, 2025
AI Summary
Adding alanyl-glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids to post-surgery nutrition in gastroduodenal perforation patients improved protein levels, lowered inflammation markers, shortened hospital stays, and reduced complications. The combination outperformed standard nutrition alone.
Published: January 31, 2025
AI Summary
Five peptides from black bone chicken were identified as umami enhancers, with HE-10 and TP-7 showing the strongest effect. They appear to boost umami by forming mineral chelates and binding to specific taste receptor sites.
Published: October 1, 2022
AI Summary
Selank reduced withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent rats by nearly 40%, easing convulsions, ptosis, and posture problems while raising the tactile sensitivity threshold. Its effects were comparable to diazepam but slightly weaker.
Published: June 1, 2022
AI Summary
Bacillus strains isolated from termite guts improved fermented soybean meal by raising protein content, boosting antioxidant activity, and reducing antinutritional compounds. The resulting product had better amino acid composition and fewer indigestible materials.
Published: August 30, 2021
AI Summary
A review of GABA-related sedatives—including flunitrazepam, GHB, phenibut, and selank—notes that selank and phenibut are poorly studied Russian compounds sold in the US as supplements. Poison control calls for phenibut have risen sharply, and abuse of these agents can cause serious withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Selank?
A lab-made peptide based on a natural immune-signaling peptide. Developed in Russia to help with anxiety and mental sharpness. Works like anti-anxiety medications without the drowsiness or addiction risk, while also supporting brain health and immune function.
What is Selank used for?
A lab-made peptide based on a natural immune-signaling peptide. Developed in Russia to help with anxiety and mental sharpness. Works like anti-anxiety medications without the drowsiness or addiction risk, while also supporting brain health and immune function.
What is the dosage for Selank?
Intranasal: 200-400 mcg per dose, two or three times daily. Subcutaneous: 250-500 mcg once daily. Often cycled 2-4 weeks on, 1-2 weeks off.
What are the side effects of Selank?
Common: mild tiredness, brief sleepiness, nasal irritation (when used as nose spray). Serious: most safety data comes from Russian studies with limited Western validation, no long-term data on effects on brain receptors. Rare: allergic reactions, anxiety spikes when first starting.
How does Selank work?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide based on the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro extension at the C-terminus that dramatically increases its resistance to aminopeptidase degradation. Developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, it was designed to combine the immune-enhancing effects of tuftsin with anxiolytic and nootropic properties. The anxiolytic mechanism involves modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission. Selank acts as an allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA in anxiety-related brain regions including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. This produces a benzodiazepine-like anxiolytic effect without the sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction potential associated with benzodiazepines — because Selank modulates rather than directly activates the receptor. Additionally, Selank stabilizes enkephalins (endogenous opioid pentapeptides) by inhibiting enkephalin-degrading enzymes (aminopeptidases and enkephalinase/neprilysin), prolonging their mood-regulating and anxiolytic signaling. The nootropic effects are mediated through neurotrophic factor upregulation. Selank increases expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, promoting dendritic branching, synaptic plasticity, and long-term potentiation — the cellular mechanisms underlying memory formation and cognitive flexibility. It also modulates serotonergic (5-HT) metabolism, altering the balance between serotonin and its metabolite 5-HIAA in key brain regions. The immunomodulatory component derives from the tuftsin core: tuftsin naturally activates monocytes and macrophages through specific receptors, enhancing phagocytic activity and modulating IL-6, TNF-α, and other cytokine production. This immune regulation occurs at sub-anxiolytic doses, suggesting it is an independent pharmacological effect. The combined anxiolytic, cognitive-enhancing, and immunomodulatory profile is unique among available peptides.
How is Selank administered?
Selank is administered via intranasal spray or subcutaneous injection.
What is the half-life of Selank?
The half-life of Selank is 2-3 minutes (rapidly metabolized, but CNS effects persist for hours).
Is Selank legal?
Approved in Russia as an anxiolytic and nootropic. Not FDA approved. Available through peptide suppliers and some compounding pharmacies internationally.
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