Selank
Synthetic analog of a fragment of human tuftsin, studied in Russia for anxiolytic and nootropic effects.
Educational only — not medical advice. SmartPeptide does not prescribe, diagnose, or treat. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide, supplement, medication, or protocol.
What the research shows
Russian clinical work suggests anxiolytic effects without sedation. Some EEG and BDNF-related findings.
What's still experimental
Independent western replication is limited. Mechanisms beyond GABAergic modulation are speculative.
Anecdotal / community reports
Reports of acute anxiety relief and improved focus are common online; effect sizes vary.
Anecdotal reports are NOT scientific evidence. They reflect personal experience and may not generalize.
FDA approval status
Source: openFDA + DailyMed (NIH/NLM)Doses studied in research
No established dose rangeWhat published trials tested or FDA-approved labels specify. Reporting research facts — not a SmartPeptide recommendation.
This is the honest answer for peptides like BPC-157, IGF-1 LR3, MOTS-c, Epitalon and similar research compounds — robust human dose- ranging studies have not been published. Always work with a licensed clinician familiar with experimental peptides if you are considering any use.
FDA enforcement & recalls
Live · openFDA Drug Enforcement APIMechanism & targets
ChEMBL · UniProt · Open TargetsLive research
PubMed · ClinicalTrials.gov · Europe PMC · OpenAlexClinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)
- Double-blind, Randomized Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Brivaracetam in Adults With Partial Onset SeizuresCOMPLETEDNCT00464269 · PHASE3 · n=400 · 2007-09
- Neurofeedback Training for DyslexiaUNKNOWNNCT04989088 · NA · n=40 · 2021-10
- The Study on Effects of Acute Exposure to High Altitude Hypoxia on Cognitive Function in LowlandersCOMPLETEDNCT05411185 · N/A · n=43 · 2022-01-01
- Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Object RecognitionCOMPLETEDNCT01747200 · NA · n=13 · 2012-11-16
- The Effect of Balance Exercises on Cognitive FunctionCOMPLETEDNCT06151093 · NA · n=30 · 2023-09-08
Europe PMC — 80 additional records
Includes EU/UK studies and PubMed Central full-text articles. Often surfaces research weeks before PubMed indexes it.
- Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future PerspectivesRenke G, Chinellato L. · 2026Open access
- Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future DirectionsRahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA., et al. · 2026Open access
- "Brain doping" substances: prohibited or not in sports?Pokrywka A, Surała O, Grabowska K, et al. · 2025Open access· cited 4×
- Phenibutan—an Illegal Food Supplement With Psychotropic Effects and Health RisksBonnet U, Scherbaum N, Schaper A, et al. · 2024· cited 1×
Research volume (OpenAlex topic graph)
Human clinical evidence
Semantic Scholar · AI TLDRs · influence-rankedMost influential human studies
- Combined Action of Benzodiazepine Tranquiizers and the Peptide Anxiolytic Selank on BALB/с MiceJournal articleN. Kost, O. Sokolov, S. Zozulya · Нейрохимия / Neurochemical Journal · 2025
TLDR Animal experiments have shown that Selank enhances the anxiolytic effect and weakens the sedative and muscle relaxant effects of benzodiazepine tranquilizers.
- Combined Action of Benzodiazepine Tranquilizers and Peptide Anxiolytic Selank in BALB/с MiceJournal articleN. Kost, O. Sokolov, S. Zozulya · Neurochemical Journal · 2025
TLDR It has been shown in animal experiments that selank enhances the anxiolytic effect and decreases the sedative and myorelaxant action of benzodiazepine tranquilizers.
- POST-COVID SYNDROME, POSSIBILITIES FOR THERAPY OF ASTHENIC DISORDERS WITH SELANKJournal articleM. Pogodina, E. Nikiforova · Vrach · 2024
TLDR It can be argued that Selank demonstrates a good effect when used in patients with asthenia, which developed as a result of a previous COVID-19 viral infection, with concomitant depressive and anxiety symptoms.
- Role of Semax and Selank neuropeptides in modulating cell-mediated immunity in the setting of skin burn injuryJournal articleOpen accessA. K. Azhikova, M. Samotrueva, Lyudmila A. Andreeva · RUDN Journal of Medicine · 2024
TLDR Under the conditions of a skin burn wound with the use of neuropeptide compounds Semax and Selank, dysfunctional transformations of immunocompetent cells are restored, which confirms the complex effect of Semax and Selank on systemic disorders against the background of local stress, namely, the manifestation.
- Selank Peptide Causes Changes in Gene Expression in the Hippocampus of Rats in the Early Hours after Acute Restraint StressJournal articleI. Filippenkov, N. Glazova, E. Sebentsova · Nanobiotechnology Reports · 2024
TLDR In a model of acute restraint stress, high-throughput RNA sequencing is used to demonstrate that Selank is able to significantly alter gene expression in the rat hippocampus 2 h after stress exposure, without affecting genomic activity in the absence of such an impact.
Research funding & verification
NIH RePORTER · CrossRef DOI registryPublication landscape
CrossRef · DOI registry- Russian Foundation for Basic Research2 works
- Russian Science Foundation1 works
- Russian Academy of Sciences programs: “Molecular and Cellular Biology”, “Basic Sciences for Medicine”, “Mechanisms of Integration of Molecular Systems in the Implementation of the Physiological Functions”1 works
- Leading Scientific Schools1 works
Funder diversity is a credibility signal. Research concentrated in a single drug company's funding warrants more scrutiny than research funded across NIH, charities, and academic grants.
Preprints — cutting edge
bioRxiv · medRxiv · via Europe PMCKnown risks
Most data is from a single national research tradition; independent replication is limited.
Reported side effects
Reported as mild in available studies.
FDA adverse event reports (FAERS)
Updated quarterly by FDAWhat requires medical supervision
Not FDA-approved. Discuss with a clinician — especially if you take other anxiolytics or antidepressants.
Questions for your clinician
- What independent (non-Russian) human evidence exists?
- Could this interact with SSRIs/SNRIs/benzodiazepines?