Selank
A synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia as an anxiolytic and nootropic, based on the immunopeptide tuftsin. It is used in Russia clinically for anxiety, but the supporting human trials are small, mostly Russian, and not widely replicated internationally. Often taken intranasally; marketed for anxiety relief and focus without the sedation or dependence of benzodiazepines.
01 Overview
Selank is a stabilised analogue of the endogenous peptide tuftsin, developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow. In Russia it has been used as an anxiolytic (marketed as a nasal solution) and is claimed to reduce anxiety, improve mood and support memory and attention without sedation, tolerance or withdrawal. Animal and small Russian clinical studies report anxiolytic and modest cognitive effects, possibly via modulation of GABA, serotonin and BDNF, and stabilisation of enkephalins.
The honest position: the human evidence is limited to relatively small studies, largely from the originating country, with limited independent Western replication. It is not approved outside Russia and is sold elsewhere as a research chemical. Users generally report good tolerability, but long-term safety data are lacking.
02 Mechanism
A tuftsin analogue proposed to modulate GABAergic and serotonergic signalling, increase BDNF expression, and inhibit the breakdown of endogenous enkephalins, producing anxiolytic and mild nootropic effects. Mechanistic detail rests largely on animal work.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anecdotal | 100–300 mcg/day | SubQ | Some users inject; intranasal is the more common and studied route. |
| Anecdotal / Russian use | 250–900 mcg/day | Insufflated | Intranasal dosing (often as a 0.15% solution) split through the day. Convention-based outside Russia. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduced anxietyAnxiolytic effect reported in small Russian clinical studies, without benzodiazepine-type sedation. | Small Russian trials | Clinical | |
| Improved mood and cognitionReported improvements in mood, focus and memory; supported mainly by animal data and user reports. | Anecdotal | ||
| No dependence or withdrawalClaimed to lack tolerance and withdrawal unlike benzodiazepines; not rigorously established. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal irritation (intranasal)Local nasal irritation or discomfort with intranasal dosing. | Mild | Common with nasal use | Anecdotal | |
| Unknown long-term safetyLong-term and Western safety data are lacking outside small Russian studies. | Mild | Unquantified | Unconfirmed |