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Selank

Tier 2 · Preclinical
Also known as TP-7

The strongest evidence present is Tier 1 human clinical work: an fMRI study in 52 healthy participants examining resting-state functional connectivity2, a comparator-controlled trial of 62 patients versus medazepam1, and a controlled trial of Selank plus phenazepam3. However, most mechanistic detail comes from Tier 2 animal, in vitro and small Russian studies, and much of the descriptive material comes from Tier 3 reference, vendor and practitioner sites. Long-term safety data is described as limited, and several specific figures (BDNF percentages, HAM-A reduction, FDA Category 2 status) rest on single Tier-3 sources.

Half-life
~0.04 h
Routes
Intranasal · Subcutaneous injection
Goals
cognitive · immune support
Cost / mg
Not recorded

How it works

Selank is a lab-made seven-amino-acid peptide built from tuftsin, a natural immune-signaling fragment of human antibody (IgG), with a short tail added to make it last longer in the body. Sources describe it as producing calming (anxiolytic), memory-supporting (nootropic) and immune-modulating effects. Rather than binding the same site as Valium-type drugs, animal studies report it fine-tunes the brain's main calming system (GABA) indirectly, nudges serotonin and dopamine activity, boosts growth factors like BDNF, and slows the breakdown of the body's own pain- and mood-regulating enkephalins. Reviews note its overall profile resembles low-dose tranquilizers but is reported without the amnesia, withdrawal or dependence that accompany benzodiazepines.

Overview

What Selank Is

Reference sites describe Selank (alias TP-7, CAS 129954-34-3) as a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, developed in the late 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences2, in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology according to one sports-medicine site(vendor claim). Reviews describe it as a synthetic analog of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, a fragment of the human IgG heavy chain discovered in 1970 whose documented activity is immune stimulation of phagocytic cells), extended at the C-terminus by a Pro-Gly-Pro tail to improve metabolic stability and prolong duration4,15. A vendor site notes that with three of its seven residues being proline, most internal bonds are resistant to common proteases(vendor claim). Sources agree the molecular weight is approximately 751.9 Da, though they disagree on the molecular formula (one source and14 give C33H57N11O9; one source gives C37H51N11O9).

Regulatory Status

Reference sites report Selank was registered by the Russian Federation Ministry of Health in 2009 and approved for medical use as an anxiolytic and nootropic drug indicated for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia in Russia and Ukraine, marketed as a 0.15% intranasal solution (brand name Selanc), typically in 14-day treatment courses16. A podcast states it was made over-the-counter in Russia in 201713. A vendor site and dosing guide state Selank is not approved by the FDA or any other Western regulator(vendor claim). One Tier-3 guide states that 'as of April 2026' Selank is classified as an FDA Category 2 bulk drug substance — this appears in only one source and carries a prospective date.

Clinical Evidence

  • A 2008 clinical study reported anxiolytic effects in patients with GAD and neurasthenia similar to medazepam, across 62 patients (30 Selank, 32 medazepam), and additionally reported antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects1. The study observed decreased tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin levels correlating with disease duration and symptom severity, and that Selank treatment increased this parameter, mostly in GAD patients1.
  • An fMRI study in 52 healthy participants (PMID:32342318) reported effects on whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity, notably between the right amygdala and fusiform, temporal and parahippocampal regions, assessed at 5 and 20 minutes post-injection2.
  • A controlled trial of 30 patients on phenazepam monotherapy versus 40 on Selank plus phenazepam reported that adding Selank decreased phenazepam side effects (attention/memory impairment, asthenia, sedation, sexual disturbances, emotional indifference, orthostatism), achieved phenazepam's positive HDRS effect earlier, and improved quality of life3.
  • A Tier-3 review cites Kozlovskaya et al. (2003) reporting a 62% reduction in HAM-A scores (p<0.01 vs placebo) with onset within 3-5 days and no sedation, cognitive impairment or withdrawal — this specific figure comes from a single Tier-3 source. A guide states Russian clinical data report anxiolytic activity in GAD with no sedation in the comparator-controlled trial.

Reviews note that clinical studies have shown similarity between Selank's spectrum of physiological effects and classical benzodiazepines such as diazepam and phenazepam4,9.

Preclinical Evidence

Animal studies report pronounced anxiolytic activity and neuropsychotropic, antidepressant and antistress effects that relieve aggression and fear reactions, plus nootropic action on memory and learning and marked immunomodulatory activity4. In an elevated plus maze and unpredictable chronic mild stress model, rat studies reported Selank's anxiolytic effect comparable to classical benzodiazepines, with individual Selank most effective against course-induced elevated anxiety and a diazepam-plus-Selank combination most effective under chronic mild stress10,15. A rat study reported a single 0.3 mg/kg IP injection reduced the total morphine withdrawal index by 39.6% (comparable but slightly inferior to diazepam 2 mg/kg at 49.3%)5. Foot-shock and social-stress rat studies reported hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, including reductions in IL-1β and IL-6 and restoration of the hepatocyte nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, with maximum stress-limiting effect at 300 μg/kg6,7. A review of tuftsin analogues notes tuftsin derivatives show anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-viral activity and are used in vaccines11.

Caveats

As the sources themselves note, most mechanistic evidence comes from rat models, in vitro systems and small Russian clinical studies rather than large human trials; the largest cited human trial had 62 patients and the fMRI study 52 healthy participants, and long-term safety data is described as limited. A vendor site highlights that the Western research vial is sold as an injectable, whereas the approved Russian product and all published evidence use the intranasal route(vendor claim).

What the research shows

138 findings extracted from the 19 sources cited below, strongest evidence first within each group. Every one links to the source it came from.

What human studies found

Based on 3 human trial findings, 10 human study findings, 19 animal findings, 1 in vitro finding and 1 expert opinion finding.

  • human trialSelank combined with phenazepam decreased the level of undesirable side-effects of phenazepam including attention and memory impairment, asthenia, sedation, increase in sleep duration, sexual disturbances, emotional indifference and orthostatism during the course of treatment and after tranquilizer withdrawal3

  • human trialThe positive effect of phenazepam was achieved earlier in the optimization of treatment with selank on HDRS3

  • human trialCombined treatment with selank and phenazepam had a positive impact on quality-of-life compared to phenazepam monotherapy3

  • human studySelank showed anxiolytic effects in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia, with effects similar to medazepam1

  • human studySelank had antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects in addition to anxiolytic effects1

  • human studyClinical studies have shown the similarity of the spectrum of physiological effects of Selank and classical benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and phenazepam, suggesting a similar basis of their mechanism of action4

  • human studyClinical studies have shown the similarity of the spectrum of physiological effects of Selank and classical benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and phenazepam4

  • human studyClinical studies have shown the similarity of the spectrum of physiological effects of Selank and classical benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and phenazepam4

Show 26 more findings

  • human studyClinical studies have shown that Selank had an anxiolytic effect comparable to that of classical benzodiazepine drugs9

  • human studyThirty-two documents concern activity of tuftsin in the human organism11

  • human studySelank has anxiolytic effects comparable in Russian trials to medazepam14

  • human studySelank has cognitive-supportive nootropic activity14

  • human studySelank has measurable immunomodulation14

  • animalSingle intraperitoneal injection of Selank in an anxiolytic dose of 0.3 mg/kg reduced the total index of morphine withdrawal syndrome by 39.6%5

  • animalSelank significantly attenuated convulsive reactions, ptosis, and posture disorders in morphine-dependent rats5

  • animalSelank 0.3 mg/kg 9-fold increased the tactile sensitivity threshold in morphine-dependent rats5

  • animalSelank was slightly inferior to diazepam in a dose of 2 mg/kg by pharmacological activity in reducing morphine withdrawal syndrome5

  • animalIn animals exposed to social stress, there was a statistically significant increase in the level of IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β16

  • animalUnder stress conditions, there was a tendency to decrease the concentration of IL-4 and increase the level of TNF-α but these indicators were not statistically significant6

  • animalSelank reduces the concentration of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as TGF-β1, practically reaching control values under social stress conditions6

  • animalInjection of Selank in all doses reduced the intensity of stress-induced degenerative changes7

  • animalAdministration of Selank in doses of 300 and 1000 μg/kg restored the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio in hepatocytes7

  • animalThe anxiolytic effect of Selank is comparable to that of classical benzodiazepine drugs10

  • animalAdministration of a course of test substances changed anxiety indicators toward their deterioration, but changes after Selank administration were less pronounced10

  • animalIn conditions of chronic stress, anxiety indicator values after simultaneous use of diazepam and Selank did not differ from values observed before chronic stress exposure10

  • animalTuftsin derivatives show anti-tumor activity11

  • animalTuftsin derivatives show anti-inflammatory activity11

  • animalTuftsin derivatives show antimicrobial activity11

  • animalTuftsin derivatives show anti-viral activity11

  • animalSelank monotherapy reduced experimentally elevated anxiety scores in rat unpredictable chronic mild stress paradigm15

  • animalDiazepam–Selank combination was more effective than either compound alone in chronic mild stress model in rats15

  • animalSelank normalized pathologically elevated BDNF in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex while improving cognitive endpoints in ethanol-induced memory impairment model15

  • in vitroHeptapeptide Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) exhibits prolonged anti-anxiety and nootropic effects8

  • expert opinionSelank compares favorably to benzodiazepines in head-to-head human studies13

How it works

Based on 3 human trial findings, 3 human study findings, 33 animal findings, 11 in vitro findings, 13 expert opinion findings and 9 theoretical findings.

  • human trialSelank affects whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity in healthy participants2

  • human trialSelank produces effects on functional connectivity between the right amygdala and regions in fusiform, inferior and middle temporal as well as parahippocampal gyri in the right hemisphere2

  • human trialSelank has specific effects on functional connectivity between the right amygdala and the right temporal cortex2

  • human studyPatients with GAD and neurasthenia had decreased levels of tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin1

  • human studyDecreased tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin was correlated with disease duration, severity of symptoms related to anxiety and asthenia and autonomic disorders1

  • human studyTreatment with selank increased tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin parameter, mostly in patients with GAD1

  • animalSelank administration resulted in significant changes in the expression of 45 genes 1 hour after administration in the frontal cortex of rats4

  • animalThree hours after Selank administration, 22 genes changed their expression in the frontal cortex of rats4

Show 64 more findings

  • animalOne of Selank's possible molecular mechanisms is associated with allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system4

  • animalSelank caused changes in the expression of genes involved in neurotransmission including major subunit of the GABA receptor, transporters, ion channels, dopamine, and serotonin receptors4

  • animalSelank and GABA affect the expression of genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission4

  • animalSelank administration causes significant changes in the expression of genes involved in neurotransmission in rat frontal cortex4

  • animalExpression changes were observed in 45 genes 1 hour after Selank administration at 300 μg/kg in rats4

  • animalSelank and GABA showed significant changes in the expression of 45 genes 1 h after administration in the frontal cortex of rats4

  • animalThree hours after Selank or GABA administration, 22 genes changed their expression in rat frontal cortex4

  • animalPositive correlation was found between the changes in genes expression within 1 h after administration of Selank or GABA in rats4

  • animalSelank is characterized by complex effects on nerve cells, with one possible molecular mechanism associated with allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system4

  • animalStressful effects can enhance production of IL-1β, IL-6 and other cytokines6

  • animalSelank causes a decrease in the concentration of IL-1β and IL-6 under stress conditions6

  • animalSelank restores the level of IL-4 under stress conditions6

  • animalSelank suppresses the production of TGF-β1 and TNF-α under stress conditions6

  • animalChronic foot-shock stress induced hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes, an increase of the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio due to an increase in the area of nuclei and reduction of the cytoplasm area, the appearance of focal necroses, and lymphohistiocyte infiltration7

  • animalThe basis of the mechanism of action of Selank and benzodiazepines may be similar10

  • animalSynthetic tuftsin analogue Selank and its fragments cause alterations in the expression of genes involved in inflammation in mouse spleen12

  • animalSelank causes a significant 3-fold decrease in C3 mRNA level 30 minutes after intraperitoneal injection12

  • animalGly-Pro (short fragment of Selank) causes similar 3-fold decrease in C3 mRNA level as Selank12

  • animalSelank injection produces wave-like alteration in Casp1 mRNA level12

  • animalSelank and Gly-Pro cause significant alteration in Il2rg gene mRNA level at early time points12

  • animalSelank and its fragment cause almost equal reduction in Xcr1 mRNA level 90 minutes after administration12

  • animalSelank and Gly-Pro influence expression of genes that mediate different types of immune responses to maintain immune system balance12

  • animalGly-Pro dipeptide contributes actively to the final effect of Selank12

  • animalElectrophysiological studies show enhanced inhibitory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal neurons after Selank exposure, blocked by bicuculline but insensitive to flumazenil14

  • animalRodent studies report increased 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) to serotonin ratios in the hypothalamus and striatum, suggesting accelerated serotonin turnover14

  • animalSingle intranasal doses of Selank produce measurable upregulation of BDNF and NGF messenger RNA in the hippocampus within hours14

  • animalSelank produces differential expression of hundreds of genes involved in neuronal plasticity and inflammation14

  • animalSelank inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes, prolonging the half-life of endogenous enkephalins14

  • animalIntraperitoneal Selank administration in BALB/c mice altered the expression of multiple genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission in frontal cortex tissue15

  • animalSelank restored serotonin metabolism in the brainstem within 30 minutes of administration in rats pretreated with PCPA15

  • animalIntranasal Selank elevated BDNF mRNA in rat hippocampus at 3 hours post-administration and BDNF protein at 24 hours15

  • in vitroSelank affects the [3H]GABA binding as a positive allosteric modulator8

  • in vitroThe joint action of Selank and some of benzodiazepines regulates activity of [3H]GABA binding in specific manner, which is not cumulative and differs from either substance individually8

  • in vitroSelank is able to block the modulatory activity of Diazepam and Olanzapine, the location of their and peptide binding sites apparently not the same, but potentially may partially overlaps8

  • in vitroSelank anti-anxiety molecular mechanisms can be associated with subtype selective concentration-dependent allosteric modulation of GABA receptors8

  • in vitroSelank has no direct effect on the mRNA levels of the GABAergic system genes in neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells9

  • in vitroThe combined effect of GABA and Selank led to nearly complete suppression of changes in expression of genes in which mRNA levels changed under the effect of GABA9

  • in vitroWhen Selank was used in conjunction with olanzapine, the expression alterations of more genes were observed compared with olanzapine alone9

  • in vitroSelank may enhance the effect of olanzapine on the expression of the genes studied9

  • in vitroTuftsin fragment is biologically active on macrophages and neutrophils14

  • in vitroHuman leukocyte cultures exposed to Selank show cytokine shifts including induction of type I and type II interferons14

  • in vitroSelank in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells modulated expression of GABAergic-pathway genes, with effects most pronounced on GABA receptor subunit transcripts15

  • expert opinionSelank has nootropic and anxiolytic effects acting on brain cells1

  • expert opinionSelank has significant antiviral effects1

  • expert opinionSelank is a synthetic analogue of a short fragment of the human immunoglobulin G heavy chain1

  • expert opinionSelank is a synthetic analog of the endogenous tuftsin molecule (the short Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg fragment of the human immunoglobulin G heavy chain), which was elongated at the C terminus via the addition of three natural L-amino acids (Pro-Gly-Pro) to improve its metabolic stability and yield a relatively longer duration4

  • expert opinionTuftsin (TKPA) is an immunomodulator designed to regulate the immune response of the organism against infections of varying etiology11

  • expert opinionSelank is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from Tuftsin13

  • expert opinionSelank modulates GABA, glutamate, opioid, and monoamine systems to reduce anxiety13

  • expert opinionSelank has immunomodulatory and Tuftsin-derived properties13

  • expert opinionSelank has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral mechanisms13

  • expert opinionSelank has reported effects on GABAergic neurotransmission, monoamine turnover, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression15

  • expert opinionSelank was designed as a synthetic analog of tuftsin, the endogenous tetrapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg15

  • expert opinionSelank is described as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptor function15

  • expert opinionSelank is a neuroactive peptide that enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor and HGF/c-Met pathways critical to neuroplasticity16

  • theoreticalSelank can enhance the inhibitory effect of GABA by allosteric modulation of GABA receptors9

  • theoreticalThe molecular mechanism of the effect of Selank may be related to its ability to affect the performance of the GABAergic system9

  • theoreticalSelank may affect the interaction of GABA with GABA receptors9

  • theoreticalTuftsin can serve as carriers of biologically active substances11

  • theoreticalSelank sequence is Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP), extending the natural tetrapeptide Tuftsin with a stabilising Pro-Gly-Pro tail14

  • theoreticalThe Pro-Gly-Pro tail in Selank shielding it from peptidase degradation14

  • theoreticalThe Pro-Gly-Pro tail improves blood-brain-barrier permeability14

  • theoreticalSelank does not bind the benzodiazepine site on the GABA-A receptor but acts as a positive allosteric modulator through a distinct site14

  • theoreticalSelank produces GABAergic tone without the classical benzodiazepine profile of sedation, amnesia, and tolerance14

Dosing

Based on 2 animal findings and 3 expert opinion findings.

  • animalSelank was injected intraperitoneally in doses of 100, 300 and 1000 μg/kg 15 min before each stress session7

  • animalThe maximum stress-limiting effect was attained after administration of 300 μg/kg Selank7

  • expert opinionIntranasal and subcutaneous are the available forms of Selank13

  • expert opinionCycling strategies are important for Selank to maximize benefit and minimize risk13

  • expert opinionSelank is delivered intranasally rather than orally14

How the body handles it

Based on 1 expert opinion finding and 1 theoretical finding.

  • expert opinionThe Pro-Gly-Pro tail extends biological half-life and supports activity after intranasal administration15

  • theoreticalTuftsin on its own has a plasma half-life measured in seconds14

Safety and side effects

Based on 1 human study finding and 5 expert opinion findings.

  • human studyThe effect of Selank is similar to that of tranquilizers at low doses, but is not accompanied by the unwanted side effects of benzodiazepine tranquilizers such as amnesia, withdrawal, and dependence4

  • expert opinionSelank likely avoids tolerance and dependence unlike benzodiazepines13

  • expert opinionInjectable Selank is not FDA-approved for human use13

  • expert opinionThe intranasal form of Selank is approved in Russia but not the US or EU13

  • expert opinionLong-term safety data for Selank is limited13

  • expert opinionSelank is not approved for human use in the European Union or the United States14

What people use it for

Based on 2 human trial findings, 7 animal findings, 4 expert opinion findings and 1 theoretical finding.

  • human trialSelank is an anxiolytic peptide2

  • human trialSelank is effective as add-on therapy to benzodiazepine tranquilizers in treatment of anxiety-spectrum disorders3

  • animalSelank has pronounced anxiolytic activity and acts as a stable neuropsychotropic, antidepressant, and antistress drug that relieves aggression and fear reaction in different animal species4

  • animalSelank has nootropic action, which positively influences the formation of memory and learning processes4

  • animalSelank has marked immunomodulatory activity4

  • animalSelank, like diazepam, weakens the aversive signs of morphine withdrawal in rats with opiate dependence5

  • animalSelank glyprolin neuropeptide drug has stress-protective activity6

  • animalIndividual administration of Selank was most effective in reducing elevated anxiety induced by administration of a course of test substances10

Show 6 more findings

  • animalCombination of diazepam with Selank was most effective in reducing anxiety in unpredictable chronic mild stress conditions10

  • expert opinionTuftsin-based peptides are contained in vaccines11

  • expert opinionSelank has cognitive performance, memory, and nootropic effects13

  • expert opinionSelank provides benefits for depression, adjustment disorder, pain, stroke recovery, and gut health13

  • expert opinionIn Russia Selank is registered as Selank 0.15 percent nasal drops for generalised anxiety disorder and neurasthenia14

  • theoreticalTuftsin can be used to prepare fusion proteins in the treatment of cancer11

Other findings

Based on 4 expert opinion findings and 1 theoretical finding.

  • expert opinionSelank has been approved in Russia since 2009 and made over-the-counter in 201713

  • expert opinionSelank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in the 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences14

  • expert opinionSelank is supplied as a lyophilised white powder in 10 mg glass vials at ≥99 percent purity by HPLC14

  • expert opinionSelank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences15

  • theoreticalSelank has molecular formula C33H57N11O9 with molecular weight 751.90 g/mol and CAS registry number 129954-34-314

Points of contention

Where the evidence is unsettled, thin, or says less than the popular claim — worth knowing before you draw conclusions.

Limited evidence

Most mechanistic evidence is from animal, in vitro and small Russian studies, not large human trials

Reference sites and reviews note the research was conducted in rat models, in vitro systems, and small Russian clinical studies; the largest cited human trial had 62 patients and the fMRI study 52 healthy participants. Long-term safety data is described as limited.

Contested

Reported clearance/half-life figures vary across sources

Tier-2/3 sites give a plasma half-life of approximately 2-3 minutes with complete clearance within 10 minutes (Selank: Research Evidence & Safety Profile | PeptideInsight, Selank Peptide | Calm & Cognitive Support), while other sources describe the parent peptide half-life only as 'several minutes' or 'measured in seconds' for tuftsin (Selank (TP-7) - Clinical Monograph | Anxiolytic Nootropic Peptide Guide | PeptidePrescriber, Selank Dosing Guide: Intranasal Research Protocols, Selank Peptide: Anxiolytic Nootropic From Tuftsin). Biological effects are variously reported to persist 3-6 hours.

Other

Route sold to Western researchers differs from all published evidence

A vendor site notes the Russian approved product is an intranasal 0.15% nasal spray/drops, matching all published Russian studies, whereas the vial sold for research in the West is an injectable — a route not covered by the published evidence.

Single source

FDA Category 2 classification reported by only one source with a future date

Only one tier-3 guide states that 'as of April 2026' selank is classified as an FDA Category 2 bulk drug substance; no other source corroborates this and the date is prospective.

Single source

Specific BDNF and HAM-A percentages come from single tier-3 sources

The 30-40% BDNF mRNA increase (citing a 2016 Acta Naturae study) and the 62% HAM-A reduction with p<0.01 (citing Kozlovskaya 2003) each appear in only one tier-3 review, not corroborated by the primary tier-1/2 sources.

Using it with other compounds

Check a stack
  • SemaxComplementary

    May be complementary

    Selank and Semax are sister Russian regulatory peptides that both raise BDNF/NGF and both inhibit enkephalinase (extending your own opioid peptides), yet they push in different directions: Selank is calming/anxiolytic while Semax is stimulating and pro-attention. Stacked, one tends to smooth out the over-activation of the other, which is why they are a widely used nootropic pairing.

    Tier 3Largely anecdotal — commonly discussed

    Timing Often dosed together in the daytime; if Semax feels over-stimulating, take Selank alongside or shortly after.

    Shares dopaminergic system · anti inflammatory · BDNF signaling

  • ThymulinComplementary

    Worth caution

    Selank is built from tuftsin, an immune-signaling antibody fragment, and shares T-cell/cytokine-balancing and anti-inflammatory activity with thymulin. They modulate immunity through different mechanisms (thymic-hormone maturation vs. tuftsin-like Th1/Th2 balancing), so they can complement each other in immune normalization.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares T cell regulation · anti inflammatory

  • VilonComplementary

    No documented conflict

    Selank (a tuftsin-derived peptide) carries immunomodulatory and Th1/Th2-balancing activity alongside its main anxiolytic/nootropic role. That immune-modulating side overlaps with Vilon's T-cell and cytokine effects, so the two can complement each other where both immune support and CNS/stress effects are desired.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares anti inflammatory · T cell regulation

  • Thymosin Alpha-1Complementary

    No documented conflict

    Selank derives from tuftsin, an immune-signaling antibody fragment, and has immunomodulatory and Th1/Th2/interferon effects alongside its anxiolytic actions. Its immune contribution differs mechanistically from Thymosin Alpha-1's thymic T-cell training, so any overlap is modest and potentially complementary rather than redundant.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares anti inflammatory · T cell regulation

  • CerebrolysinComplementary

    No documented conflict

    Selank supports BDNF signaling, modulates monoamines and adds GABAergic anxiolytic tone plus immunomodulation, complementing Cerebrolysin's neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory profile. A reasonable nootropic/anxiolytic pairing, though only anecdotally documented together.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares dopaminergic system · anti inflammatory · BDNF signaling

  • CortexinComplementary

    May be complementary

    Both influence GABAergic tone and neurotransmitter balance and support BDNF signaling, but by different routes — Cortexin protects against glutamate excitotoxicity and Selank adds anxiolytic GABA-A/serotonergic modulation plus enkephalinase inhibition. Together they cover both the neuroprotective and the calm/anxiolytic side of brain function.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares dopaminergic system · anti inflammatory · GABA signaling · BDNF signaling

  • ImunofanComplementary

    No documented conflict

    Selank (a tuftsin analog) has immunomodulatory and Th1/Th2-balancing, anti-inflammatory effects alongside its main anxiolytic/nootropic role. Its immune actions run parallel to imunofan's without sharing the same receptor, so the two could complement each other where mild immune modulation plus CNS support is the goal.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares anti inflammatory · T cell regulation

  • NoopeptComplementary

    May be complementary

    Selank and Noopept both engage BDNF signaling and both report anxiolytic plus nootropic effects, but through distinct mechanisms — Selank via GABAergic/serotonergic modulation and enkephalinase inhibition, Noopept via AMPA/TrkB neurotrophic pathways. Their overlapping calming-plus-cognitive profiles are complementary and this combination is a well-known real-world nootropic pairing.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares anti inflammatory · BDNF signaling

  • P21Same downstream effect

    No documented conflict

    Selank supports BDNF (and NGF) signaling alongside its anxiolytic/nootropic actions, overlapping with the BDNF/TrkB pathway P21 activates. Coming from different upstream mechanisms and converging on BDNF-mediated plasticity, they are plausibly complementary for cognition and mood support.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares BDNF signaling

  • PidotimodComplementary

    No documented conflict

    Selank is derived from tuftsin, an immune-signaling antibody fragment, and has reported immunomodulatory and Th1/Th2-balancing effects alongside its nootropic action. This overlaps with pidotimod's T-cell/cytokine tuning, so they share an immune-regulation dimension; the combination is plausible but the immune contribution of Selank is secondary to its CNS effects.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Shares anti inflammatory · T cell regulation

  • DSIPComplementary

    Worth caution

    Both peptides calm the nervous system through overlapping routes: DSIP enhances GABA-A currents and releases enkephalins, while Selank is an anxiolytic that positively modulates GABA-A signaling and boosts enkephalins by inhibiting enkephalinase (neprilysin). Their shared GABA and enkephalin actions make this a plausible anxiolytic/sleep-support pairing, though the combined sedative/calming effect should be monitored.

    Tier 4Theoretical — not established

    Timing DSIP is best taken before bed for sleep; Selank is often used earlier in the day for daytime anxiety, so consider separating them to avoid excess sedation.

    Shares GABA signaling

Safety and side effects

Reported Safety Profile

A review states Selank's effect is similar to that of low-dose tranquilizers but is not accompanied by benzodiazepine side effects such as amnesia, withdrawal and dependence4. A Tier-3 reference site states it works primarily through gene-expression modulation producing sustained effects without tolerance or dependence, and a Tier-3 review citing Kozlovskaya (2003) reports no sedation, cognitive impairment or withdrawal symptoms(vendor claim). In the phenazepam combination trial, adding Selank was reported to decrease the tranquilizer's side effects both during treatment and after withdrawal3. A guide states Russian clinical data report anxiolytic activity in GAD with no sedation observed in the comparator-controlled trial.

Important Limitations

  • Limited long-term data. A podcast and reference sites note that long-term safety data is limited and that much of the research is in Russian and difficult to access13.
  • Route mismatch. A vendor site notes the Russian medicine is a nasal spray while the vial sold to Western researchers is an injection(vendor claim) — a different route than any published evidence describes.
  • Not approved in the West. Vendor and dosing sources state Selank is not approved by the FDA or any other Western regulator and is not approved for human use in the EU or US(vendor claim). One Tier-3 guide states that 'as of April 2026' it is classified as an FDA Category 2 bulk drug substance — a single, prospective claim not corroborated elsewhere.

This section reports what the sources describe and is not medical advice.

Reconstitution and handling

Formulation

A dosing guide states Selank is supplied to Western researchers as a lyophilised white powder in 10 mg glass vials at ≥99% purity by HPLC14. In Russia the approved product is an entirely different presentation: a 0.15% intranasal solution / nasal drops (Selank/Selanc), which is the form used in all published Russian studies. A vendor site flags that the injectable vial sold for research in the West does not match the intranasal route of the published evidence(vendor claim).

Dosing

No dose has been established for this compound outside of Russia's national approval. There is no FDA/EMA label; the figures below are what sources report, not guidance.

  • The Russian approved product is a 0.15% intranasal solution indicated for GAD and neurasthenia, typically given in 14-day treatment courses.
  • A practitioner protocol suggests intranasal dosing of 250-500 mcg per nostril, 2-3 times daily(vendor claim); subcutaneous dosing of 250-750 mcg daily; and cycle duration of 14-21 days per course, repeated after a 1-2 week interval. The subcutaneous route is not covered by the published evidence.
  • Practitioner and reference sources describe onset of anxiolytic effect within 30-60 minutes, with biological effects reported to persist 3-6 hours and sustained benefits over 7-14 days(vendor claim).

Delivery and Pharmacokinetics

Review sites state Selank is administered primarily via intranasal delivery, providing direct CNS access through olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways, bypassing first-pass hepatic metabolism and achieving brain bioavailability within minutes4. Reference sites report a plasma half-life of approximately 2-3 minutes with complete clearance within 10 minutes, while other sources describe the parent-peptide half-life only as 'several minutes' — with the Pro-Gly-Pro tail said to shield the peptide from peptidase degradation and improve blood-brain-barrier permeability (tuftsin alone has a half-life measured in seconds)14. A sports-medicine site adds that Selank is metabolized rapidly in the liver and eliminated renally(vendor claim).

Reconstitution arithmetic depends on the vial: for a 10 mg powder vial, adding 2 mL of bacteriostatic water yields 5 mg/mL, so 0.1 mL delivers 500 mcg; adding 1 mL yields 10 mg/mL. These are calculations about the container, not a dosing recommendation.

Sources

Ordered by evidence quality — the strongest first.

  1. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 1Web · researchgate.net
  2. Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 1PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2020
  3. [Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank].(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 1PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2015
  4. Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes ... - PMC(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2Web · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2022
  6. The Influence of Selank on the Level of Cytokines Under the Conditions of "Social" Stress.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2021
  7. Effect of Selank on Morphological Parameters of Rat Liver in Chronic Foot-Shock Stress.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2019
  8. Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2018
  9. GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2017
  10. Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2017
  11. Tuftsin - Properties and Analogs.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2017
  12. The temporary dynamics of inflammation-related genes expression under tuftsin analog Selank action.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 2PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2014
  13. Selank Deep Dive: Anxiety, Cognition, Immune System - Mechanisms, Risks, Forms, & Dosing(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 3Web · youtube.com
  14. Selank Dosing Guide: Intranasal Research Protocols(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 3Web · parahealth.de
  15. Selank: heptapeptide anxiolytic research from Russian neuropharmacology | Compound Review(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 3Web · compoundreview.org · 2026
  16. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 3PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2026
  17. Atrial fibrillation-associated electrical remodelling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial cardiomyocytes: a novel pathway for antiarrhythmic therapy development.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 4PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2023
  18. Long-term Survival of Adhesively Luted Post-endodontic Restorations.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 4PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2022
  19. Isoselenocarbonyl complexes.(opens in a new tab)
    Tier 4PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · 2019

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