🧠Selank
Anxiolytic nootropic peptide developed in Russia. Modulates GABA-A, BDNF, and IL-6. Reduces anxiety without sedation or addiction potential. Approved in Russia for anxiety and phobia treatment.
Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-ProWhat Is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin. Developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences. Approved in Russia for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and phobia. It demonstrates anxiolytic effects without the sedation, dependence, or withdrawal of benzodiazepines.
Key Mechanisms
- GABA-A modulation — enhances GABAergic tone without direct benzodiazepine site binding
- BDNF upregulation — increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor; neuroprotective and neuroplasticity effects
- IL-6 modulation — anti-inflammatory effects in CNS; reduces neuroinflammatory markers
- Enkephalin metabolism regulation — prolongs endogenous opioid peptide activity
Key References
- Zozulia AA et al. "Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders." Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im SS Korsakova, 2008;108(4):38–48.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, though they're often mentioned together. Selank is a tuftsin analogue studied mainly for anxiolytic effects via GABA-A and BDNF modulation; Semax is an ACTH(4-10) analogue studied mainly for nootropic/neuroprotective effects. Both are Russian-developed peptides with some overlapping BDNF-related mechanisms but different primary research focuses.
Research indicates it produces anxiolytic effects without the sedation, motor impairment, or dependence potential associated with benzodiazepine GABA-A modulation — the main mechanistic distinction studied in the literature.
As a lyophilized peptide for reconstitution; intranasal administration is the route most represented in the published research, though this is a study-design detail that varies by protocol.