This is educational information, not medical advice, and The Peptide University does not sell peptides, supplies, or supplements. Many compounds discussed here are sold as “research chemicals” and are not approved for human use outside of clinical trials. Laws vary by country, and nothing here is a recommendation to obtain or use anything. Talk to a qualified clinician about your own situation.
Selank is a peptide developed in Russia and approved there for anxiety. It is not FDA-approved in the US.
How it works
It's derived from a fragment of the immune peptide tuftsin and appears to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and mild nootropic effects, influencing GABA/serotonin systems and neurotrophins — without the sedation of benzodiazepines.
The evidence
Small Russian trials are encouraging — one 62-patient study reported anti-anxiety effects comparable to a benzodiazepine (medazepam) over two weeks, without sedation or withdrawal. But the overall body of English-language, independent evidence is thin.
Safety
Reported as well tolerated in its approved use, but robust long-term/independent safety data is limited. Sourcing quality of research-chemical “selank” is a separate concern.
FAQ
QIs it like a benzodiazepine?
It's studied for anxiety with comparisons to benzodiazepines, but reportedly without the sedation or withdrawal — though on a much smaller evidence base.
QIs it FDA-approved?
No — approved in Russia, not the US.
Sources
This profile summarizes the following. Follow the links to read the originals — and remember that summaries age, so check for newer information.
- Selank & Semax: Russian nootropic peptide research (peptides.fyi)
- Semax & Selank: what the evidence says (Meto)
Inclusion here is not endorsement of any source's claims; several are cited so you can compare how different outlets characterize the same evidence.
Questions & comments
No account, no login — leave a name or stay anonymous. Ask a question, add something the article missed, or answer someone else. Be kind and cite sources where you can.