Selank
TP-7 / Selanc
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, based on the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin with an added Pro-Gly-Pro sequence for enhanced stability. It is approved in Russia and Ukraine as a prescription anxiolytic and nootropic medication, representing a novel class of non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics. Selank modulates GABA, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine systems while simultaneously enhancing immune function through its tuftsin backbone.
Mechanism of Action
Synthetic heptapeptide analog of endogenous tuftsin with a Pro-Gly-Pro stabilizing sequence. Modulates IL-6, BDNF, and enkephalin expression. Anxiolytic effects mediated through GABAergic modulation without sedation or dependence. Enhances memory consolidation.
Research Protocols
For research purposes only. Not medical advice.
Research protocols use 250-500mcg intranasally 2-3 times daily. Subcutaneous protocols use 250-750mcg daily. Typical cycles are 2-4 weeks. Russian approved protocol: 0.15% nasal drops, 2-3 drops per nostril 3 times daily.
Research Notes
Clinical Research Status
Selank is approved in Russia as a nasal spray (0.15% solution) for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, with regulatory approval obtained in 2009 after extensive clinical trials. It has not entered FDA clinical trials and remains unavailable as an approved medication in the United States or European Union. Russian clinical trials involving over 300 patients demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy comparable to medazepam (a benzodiazepine) without sedation or cognitive impairment. Ongoing research explores applications in PTSD, adjustment disorders, and cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals.
Key Published Findings
A 2008 study in the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine demonstrated Selank's ability to increase BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus by 50% within 24 hours. Research published in Behavioural Brain Research showed dose-dependent anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze model without affecting locomotor activity. Selank has been shown to modulate the expression of 36 genes related to inflammatory and immune responses, including IL-6, according to a 2009 genomics study. Cognitive enhancement studies showed improved memory consolidation and information retrieval in both impaired and healthy subjects.
Safety Profile
Clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance in Russia report no significant adverse effects, sedation, tolerance, or withdrawal symptoms even after prolonged use. Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not impair psychomotor function, cause addiction, or produce rebound anxiety upon discontinuation. No LD50 could be established in animal studies as even extreme doses (500x therapeutic) produced no lethal effects. The peptide's short half-life (minutes) and physiologic degradation pathway via aminopeptidases contributes to its favorable safety profile.
Drug Interactions & Contraindications
No significant drug interactions have been identified in published clinical literature, though formal interaction studies are limited in scope. Theoretically, concurrent use with GABAergic drugs (benzodiazepines, barbiturates) may produce additive effects, warranting dose monitoring. Patients with active autoimmune conditions should use caution given Selank's immunomodulatory properties through the tuftsin pathway. Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation due to insufficient safety data in these populations.
Comparison to Related Compounds
Compared to Semax (the other major Russian regulatory peptide), Selank is primarily anxiolytic while Semax is primarily neuroprotective and stimulating; they are frequently combined in clinical practice. Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not produce sedation, tolerance, dependence, or cognitive impairment, though its anxiolytic potency may be lower for acute panic. Relative to buspirone (a 5-HT1A partial agonist anxiolytic), Selank has a faster onset of action and additional immunomodulatory benefits. The tuftsin backbone provides immune-enhancing properties absent from all conventional anxiolytics.
Community Observations
Users typically administer Selank intranasally at 200-400 mcg per nostril, 2-3 times daily, reporting onset of anxiolytic effects within 5-15 minutes. Many describe the subjective experience as a calm mental clarity without sedation or emotional blunting, distinct from the heaviness of benzodiazepines. Stacking with Semax is extremely common in the nootropics community, with reported synergy for focused, anxiety-free cognitive performance. Some users report enhanced effects when cycled (3 weeks on, 1 week off) though clinical data does not mandate cycling.
Half-Life
~2-3 minutes (intranasal effects last 3-4 hours)
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water (BAC) for SubQ; saline for nasal
Storage
Lyophilized
Refrigerate 2-8C up to 12 months.
Reconstituted
Refrigerate 2-8C. Use within 14 days.
US Legal Status
Also Known As
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