Anxiety, stress regulation, cognition, GABAergic signaling, neuroplasticity
Selank
A synthetic tuftsin-derived peptide studied for anxiety reduction, stress resilience, cognition, memory, GABAergic signaling, neuroplasticity, and immune-neuro regulation.
Administration Reference
Intranasal
Source / Evidence Context
Approved prescribing information / clinical guidance
Formulation & Context
Selank is registered in Russia as a 0.15% intranasal solution containing 1.5 mg/mL
Dose Information
600mcg
Frequency
Once daily
Duration / Cycle
14 days
Off-Cycle
2-4 weeks
Timing
nightly 1-2 hours before bed
Reconstitution Notes
Refrigerate after reconstitution and use within approximately 15 days, Freeze for lyophilized powder form.
Supplies
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Listings are not a required kit or confirmation of suitability for a particular peptide, formulation, or route. Check the product specifications and intended use.
Syringes & transfer supplies
ZHWKMYP 5ML/0.17OZ Nasal Spray Bottle Glass5ML/0.17OZView at AMAZON →
Exlavges 100 Pack Disposable 3ml/cc Lab Syringes23Ga 1 Inch Needle Luer LockIndividually Sealed PackedView at Amazon →
Solutions
Shusher Care Saline Ampoules Saline Solution, Sodium Chloride 0.9%, 5mL20 Count (5mL Each)Nasal Cleanse for Babies, Kids, & Adults, Sterile Nasal Care, Wound CleansingView at AMAZON →
Protective supplies & disposal
MED PRIDE Sterile Alcohol Prep Pads1 BOX OF 200INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL WIPES, PACK OF 1 BOX OF 200, MEDIUM SIZE PREP PADSView at AMAZON →
Commonly Reported Uses
Anxiety and stress reduction; generalized-anxiety research; improved emotional stability; cognitive support; focus and attention; memory; reduction of stress-related fatigue; sleep support when anxiety interferes with sleep; adaptation to psychological stress.
Commonly Reported Indicators
Reduced baseline anxiety, less emotional reactivity, calmer focus, improved stress tolerance, clearer thinking, improved concentration, reduced mental fatigue, and improved ability to fall asleep when anxiety is a contributing factor. Human studies have used Hamilton Anxiety, CGI, Zung, and quality-of-life measures.
Mechanism Overview
Selank appears to influence several neurochemical systems rather than acting as a conventional sedative. Research supports modulation of GABAergic signaling, inhibition of enkephalin degradation, changes in serotonin-related activity, neurotrophic signaling, and regulation of genes involved in neurotransmission.
Safety
Safety Considerations
Human clinical experience and the registered Russian formulation suggest generally good short-term tolerability. Unlike benzodiazepines, published studies and Russian labeling do not describe dependence or significant psychomotor impairment. U.S. FDA materials nevertheless identify uncertainty regarding compounded Selank acetate, including potential immunogenicity from aggregation and peptide-related impurities.
Reported Adverse Effects
Unpleasant taste if nasal solution drains into the throat; nasal irritation or sensitivity; allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. Community reports additionally describe occasional headache, fatigue, dizziness, nasal dryness or irritation, and transient changes in alertness.
Contraindications & Cautions
Individual hypersensitivity; pregnancy; breastfeeding; and age under 18 are contraindications or exclusions in the registered Russian product information. Additional caution is appropriate with significant psychiatric illness, concurrent psychoactive medication changes, or use of unregulated injectable preparations.
Cancer Considerations
Editorial evidence assessment, not a validated risk score or clearance for use. Unknown risk does not mean low risk; these notes do not establish safety during active cancer or remission.
Cancer Concern Assessment
Unknown / insufficient evidence
Basis for Concern
Selank is not known to directly stimulate GH/IGF-1, VEGF, telomerase, or other major proliferative pathways associated with higher theoretical tumor-growth concern. However, it has immunomodulatory and gene-regulatory activity, and formal carcinogenicity data are sparse.
Active Cancer
Insufficient evidence
No human studies were identified evaluating Selank administration during active malignancy. Its known mechanisms center on neurotransmission and immune modulation rather than direct proliferative signaling, but oncology-specific safety has not been characterized.
Prior Cancer / Remission
No evidence-based remission interval or recurrence-risk assessment exists. Current mechanistic research does not identify a strong tumor-promoting pathway, but absence of such a signal should not be interpreted as demonstrated oncology safety.
Status
Regulatory Status
Selank is a registered intranasal anxiolytic medication in Russia. It is not FDA approved in the United States. FDA lists Selank acetate among bulk substances for which compounded products may present safety concerns related to immunogenicity, aggregation, and peptide-related impurities.
Development / Research Status
Approved medication
Market Classification
Varies by jurisdiction or formulation
Status Notes
In Russia, Selank is marketed as a 0.15% nasal solution for anxiety and stress-related conditions. In the United States it is primarily encountered as a research-use peptide or compounded/research preparation rather than an approved pharmaceutical product. The registered nasal formulation should not be assumed equivalent to lyophilized research material.
Research & Evidence
Evidence Level
Human clinical research
Research Last Reviewed
2026-09-06
Research Overview
Selank has several small human clinical studies involving anxiety disorders and a broader preclinical literature examining GABAergic signaling, enkephalins, serotonin, neuroplasticity, cognition, and immune regulation. Human evidence is concentrated in Russian clinical research and has limited independent international replication.
Human Research
A randomized clinical study of 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder or neurasthenia compared Selank with medazepam. Anxiolytic effects were reported as similar, while Selank also demonstrated antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects.
A separate 60-patient clinical trial compared Selank with phenazepam in anxiety-phobic and somatoform disorders. Investigators reported pronounced anxiolytic effects, mild nootropic activity, improved quality of life, and persistence of anxiolytic effects for approximately one week following the final dose.
Another study involving 70 patients evaluated Selank in combination with phenazepam versus phenazepam alone. Adding Selank improved several anxiety-related measures and was investigated as a strategy for reducing benzodiazepine exposure.
Human immune research found changes in Th1/Th2 cytokine balance after 14 days of Selank administration in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, supporting an additional immunomodulatory component to its biological activity.
Animal Research
Rat studies demonstrate effects on learning, memory consolidation, attention, stress behavior, serotonin and noradrenergic signaling, BDNF-related pathways, and anxiety behavior. In one experiment, Selank improved memory-trace stability for up to 30 days after training. Other work found improvements in attention and learning following experimentally induced catecholaminergic dysfunction.
In a chronic ethanol model, Selank reduced memory and attention impairment and altered BDNF concentrations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, providing additional support for neurotrophic involvement.
In Vitro Research
Selank inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes and has been investigated as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-related signaling. Gene-expression experiments show changes in neurotransmission-related pathways in rat brain tissue, while human neuroblastoma-cell studies suggest that Selank may modify the interaction of GABA with GABA-A receptors rather than simply mimicking GABA itself.
References
Official Russian Ministry of Health prescribing information for Selank®, 0.15% nasal drops. Registration LRS-003338/09 / current registration.
Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Siuniakov TS, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic Selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008;108(4):38-48. PMID 18454096.
Medvedev VE, Tereshchenko ON, Israelian AI, et al. A comparison of the anxiolytic effect and tolerability of Selank and phenazepam in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2014;114(7):17-22. PMID 25176261.
Medvedev VE, et al. Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with Selank. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2015;115(6):33-40. PMID 26356395. DOI 10.17116/jnevro20151156133-40.
Zozulya AA, Kost NV, Sokolov OY, et al. The inhibitory effect of Selank on enkephalin-degrading enzymes as a possible mechanism of its anxiolytic activity. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2001;131(4):315-317. PMID 11550013. DOI 10.1023/A:1017979514274.
Zozulia AA, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of Selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008. PMID 18577961.
Volkova A, Shadrina M, Kolomin T, et al. Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:31. PMID 26924987. PMCID PMC4757669. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2016.00031.
Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity. PMID 30255741.
Semenova TP, Kozlovskii II, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskaya MM. Experimental optimization of learning and memory processes by Selank. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2010;73(8):2-5. PMID 20919548.
Kolik LG, Nadorova AV, Antipova TA, et al. Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2019;167(5):641-644. PMID 31625062. DOI 10.1007/s10517-019-04588-9.
Semenova TP, Kozlovskaya MM, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskii II, Zuikov AV. Effect of Selank on cognitive processes after damage inflicted to the cerebral catecholamine system during early ontogeny. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2007;144(5):689-691. PMID 18683497. DOI 10.1007/s10517-007-0406-2.
Transcriptome alteration in hippocampus under the treatment of tuftsin analog Selank. PMID 24450168.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks — Selank acetate (TP-7). Updated 2026.
Peptide Dosing Protocols. Selank Dosage Guide & Chart: Injection, SubQ & Nasal. 2026.
Peptide Protocol Wiki. Selank Community Protocols & Anecdotal Reports. 2026.