Selank: research protocol, dosing & reconstitution
Quick answer
What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic peptide based on tuftsin, a natural immune-related peptide, developed in Russia and studied for reducing anxiety without sedation. It is the calming counterpart to Semax and is typically administered as a nasal spray.
What Selank is
Selank extends the natural peptide tuftsin with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail. Like Semax, it was developed at Russian institutes and is registered as an anxiolytic medicine in Russia; it has no approval in North America.
Research supply is typically lyophilizedLyophilizedFreeze-dried. Peptides are shipped as a lyophilized powder ('puck') because the dry form is far more stable than a solution. It must be reconstituted before use in research.See glossary → vialsVialThe small sealed glass container peptides are supplied in, topped with a rubber septum that a syringe needle can pass through.See glossary → (5–10 mg) for intranasal solution.
Mechanism of action
Selank is reported to modulate GABA signaling (the brain's main inhibitory system), influence serotonin metabolism, and increase BDNF. Russian clinical studies in generalized anxiety disorder reported anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepine comparators without sedation or dependence signals [1].
As with Semax, the evidence base is largely Russian-published with limited Western replication.
What researchers study Selank for
- Anxiety and stress-response research
- GABA-system modulation studies
- Cognitive performance under stress
- Immune-modulation research (tuftsin lineage)
What dose of Selank do researchers use?
Research literature commonly references doses of 250–750 mcg per day (often intranasal). This is not a recommendation — the table below summarizes protocols as they appear in published literature and trial designs.
| Context | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal research reference | 250–750 mcg total daily | Split into 2–3 administrations | 10–14 day courses referenced |
← Swipe to see the full table
Half-life and dosing timing
Half-life: Short. Route referenced in research: Intranasal or subcutaneous (research). Short half-lifeHalf-lifeHow long it takes for half of a compound to be eliminated from the body. Half-life determines how often researchers dose a compound in protocols.See glossary → with effects described as accumulating over a course. Literature references spacing administrations across the day.
Titration: start low, go slow
Start at ~250 mcgMicrogram (mcg / µg)One millionth of a gram, or one thousandth of a milligram. Most peptide research doses are measured in micrograms.See glossary → daily and adjust within the referenced range after several days — the same pattern as Semax.
Skip the Selank math
Enter vial size, water volume, and target dose — the free calculator returns concentration, injection volume, and exact U-100 syringe units.
How is Selank reconstituted?
| Vial size | BAC water | Concentration | Worked example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 5 mL (nasal spray bottle) | 2 mg/mL | A 0.1 mL spray ≈ 200 mcg per spray |
Dissolve a 10 mg vial in 5 mL of sterile/bacteriostatic waterBAC water (bacteriostatic water)Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which suppresses bacterial growth. It is the standard diluent used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides for multi-dose research vials.See glossary →: 2 mg/mL. A standard 0.1 mL spray delivers roughly 200 mcg.
New to the process? Read the full step-by-step reconstitution guide.
How long does reconstituted Selank last?
Lyophilized: refrigerate. ReconstitutedReconstitutionThe process of mixing a freeze-dried (lyophilized) peptide powder with bacteriostatic water to create a solution of known concentration.See glossary →: refrigerate and use within weeks.
What is Selank stacked with in research?
Paired with Semax in nootropic research — Selank supplies the calm, Semax the drive. Some protocols alternate rather than combine.
Side effects observed in research
Reported: nasal irritation and uncommon drowsiness. The Russian clinical literature emphasizes absence of sedation and withdrawal effects relative to benzodiazepines.
- Nasal irritation (intranasal)
- Drowsiness (uncommon)
Frequently asked questions
Does Selank cause sedation?
Russian clinical reports describe anxiolytic effects without significant sedation — a key distinction from benzodiazepines in those comparisons.
What dose appears in research literature?
Roughly 250–750 mcg daily intranasally, split across the day, in short courses. This describes the literature, not a recommendation.
Is Selank approved in Canada?
No. It is registered in Russia only; in Canada it is Research Use Only.
Can Selank and Semax be used together in research?
Research protocols reference both combined and alternating patterns — the pairing is common because their effects are complementary rather than overlapping.
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References
- 1.Zozulya AA, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of Selank in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Russian clinical literature. PubMed ↗