Semax
Heptapeptide analog of ACTH(4-10) studied in Russia for cognitive and neuroprotective effects after stroke.
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 post-stroke and cognitive-performance studies; some BDNF/neurotrophic mechanism work.
What's still experimental
Limited western replication. Cognitive-enhancement claims in healthy adults need larger trials.
Anecdotal / community reports
Focus and clarity reports are common; outcomes depend on dose, formulation, and individual factors.
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 · OpenAlexRecent PubMed studies
- Multi-Layer Magnetic Shields Based on Fe-Based Nanocrystalline and Co-Based Amorphous Ribbons.Liang Y, Liu B, Ma H, et al. · Materials (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 May 11
- Digitally Guided Hybrid Maxillary Expansion with Supragingival Mandibular Miniplates for Class III Correction in Late Adolescents: A Pilot Clinical Study.Arcos I, Walter A, Marc T, et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · 2026 Apr 17
- ReviewTherapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging.Mavrych V, Shypilova I, Bolgova O, et al. · Frontiers in aging · 2026
- ReviewTherapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA, et al. · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026 Jan 1
- [Effect of a combined physiotherapeutic approach on changes in functional parameters after endovitreal surgery of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with a favorable anatomical outcome].Sheludchenko VM, Matyushchenko AG, Alharki L, et al. · Vestnik oftalmologii · 2026
- ReviewModulation of neuropathological pathways by bioactive peptides and proteins/polypeptides: Targeting oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases.Giri S, Chandra P · Neuropeptides · 2025 Dec
Europe PMC — 325 additional records
Includes EU/UK studies and PubMed Central full-text articles. Often surfaces research weeks before PubMed indexes it.
- SIRT1/AMPK/PGC1α pathway in ischemic stroke: Elucidating neuroprotective strategies (Review)Abbasi IN, Amin N, Xu Q, et al. · 2026Open access
- Molecular regulation of PGC-1α: from protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications to pharmacological modulationRios WQ, Silva CM, Ferreira R, et al. · 2026Open access
- Multi-Layer Magnetic Shields Based on Fe-Based Nanocrystalline and Co-Based Amorphous RibbonsLiang Y, Liu B, Ma H, et al. · 2026Open access
- Measuring the Time-Scale-Dependent Information Flow Between Maternal and Fetal Heartbeats During the Third Trimester: Impact of Fetal Sex and Maternal Chronic StressGarnier NB, Molinet MS, Antonelli MC, et al. · 2026Open access
Research volume (OpenAlex topic graph)
Human clinical evidence
Semantic Scholar · AI TLDRs · influence-rankedMost influential human studies
- Semax, a Copper Chelator Peptide, Decreases the Cu(II)-Catalyzed ROS Production and Cytotoxicity of aβ by Metal Ion Stripping and Redox SilencingJournal articleM. Tomasello, Maria Carmela Di Rosa, I. Naletova · Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications · 2025
TLDR The results indicate that Semax is able to extract Cu(II) from Cu(II)-aβ species as well as to influence the redox cycling of the Cu(II)-aβ complex and decrease the level of associated ROS production.
- The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer’s DiseaseJournal articleA. Radchenko, E. Kuzubova, A. Apostol · Acta Naturae · 2025
TLDR Histological examination showed that these peptides reduced the number of amyloid inclusions in the cortex and hippocampus of the animals’ brains, demonstrating the high potential of Semax and its derivatives when used to develop therapeutic and corrective strategies for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Semax peptide targets the μ opioid receptor gene Oprm1 to promote deubiquitination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female miceJournal articleRongjie Liu, Yituo Chen, Haosheng Huang · British Journal of Pharmacology · 2025
TLDR Semax, a synthetic heptapeptide, comprising the ACTH (4–7) fragment and a C‐terminal Pro–Gly–Pro tripeptide, exhibits neuroprotective properties and improves cognitive function.
- The Effect of Peptide Semax, an ACTH(4-10) Analogue, on Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Rat Brain NeuronsJournal articleS. N. Kolbaev, I. N. Sharonova, V. Skrebitsky, et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2025
TLDR Application of Semax significantly increased the frequency of spontaneous [Ca2+]i fluctuations in the pyramidal layer cells of the hippocampal CA1 field, but had no significant effect on proton-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i in cerebellar granule cells.
- THE ADAPTOGENIC EFFECT OF SEMAX IN WISTAR RATS DURING SHORT-TERM PHYSICAL EXERTIONJournal articleOpen accessV. N. Korobova, A. O. Vorvul, I. Bobyntsev · Avicenna Bulletin · 2025
TLDR The study on the effects of Semax on HRV in Wistar rats demonstrated that it has an adaptogenic, or "optimizing", effect on HRV at a dose of 450 μg/kg body weight during physical activity.
Research funding & verification
NIH RePORTER · CrossRef DOI registryPublication landscape
CrossRef · DOI registry- Russian Foundation for Basic Research5 works
- Russian Science Foundation4 works
- Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography1 works
- MIUR FIRB_MERIT1 works
- MIUR1 works
- Innovation and Technology Fund1 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 PMCPreprints have NOT been peer-reviewed. They are early research shared by authors before formal validation. Treat findings as preliminary.
- PreprintEffect of ACTH4-10Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 on anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) expression in acute spinal cord injury models (male Sprague Dawley rats)Asadullah A, Bajamal AH, Parenrengi MA, et al. · 2025-09-22
- PreprintEffect of ACTH4-10Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 on anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) expression in acute spinal cord injury models (male Sprague Dawley rats)Asadullah A, Bajamal AH, Parenrengi MA, et al. · 2023-02-20
- Preprint
Known risks
Mostly Russian-source data; not approved by FDA.
Reported side effects
Limited safety data in Western populations.
FDA adverse event reports (FAERS)
Updated quarterly by FDA- US1
Most-reported reactions
- Dyspnoea1
- Electrocardiogram Qt Prolonged1
- Eye Pain1
- Product Advertising Issue1
- Somnolence1
Counts from FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports — they show what was reported, not whether the drug caused the event. Many reports lack confirmation. FAERS docs
What requires medical supervision
Not FDA-approved. Limited western safety data.
Questions for your clinician
- Is there independent (non-Russian) replication?
- What baseline cognitive testing would we do to track effect?