Side-by-side · Research reference

AdamaxvsVesugen

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED20/47 cited

BAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED5/43 cited

Adamax

ACTH(4-10) Analogue · Russian Nootropic

1.4×BDNF protein ↑Dolotov 2006

3×BDNF mRNA (exon III)Dolotov 2006

1.6×trkB phosphorylationDolotov 2006

Intranasal · Research Use Only

Vesugen

Bioregulatory Tripeptide · Vascular Endothelium

3 AATripeptide

Endothelin-1 ↓Atherosclerotic tissue

Ki-67 ↑Aged endothelium

SQ / IM · Protocol varies

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Adamax

Vesugen

Primary target

Melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs) in hippocampus and cortex

Vascular endothelial cell nucleus — MKI67 gene promoter

Pathway

ACTH(4-10) fragment → MC-R binding → BDNF/trkB upregulation → neurotrophic signaling

KED → MKI67 promoter interaction (CATC binding motif -14 to +12 bp) → Ki-67 proliferation protein ↑

Downstream effect

Increased hippocampal BDNF expression, trkB tyrosine phosphorylation, enhanced conditioned avoidance learning, circadian rhythm normalizationDolotov 2006 Arushanian 2008

Normalised endothelin-1 expression in atherosclerotic/restenotic endothelium, restored connexin expression for cell-cell communication, enhanced proliferative capacity in senescent endothelial culturesKozlov 2016 Khavinson 2014

Feedback intact?

Non-endocrine — devoid of adrenal axis effectsvan 1978

Not applicable — does not operate via hormone axis

Origin

ACTH(4-10) fragment with modified amino acid sequence at positions 8, 9, 10Teter 2001

Khavinson bioregulatory peptide school — designed as tissue-specific (vascular) cytomodulator

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Adamax

Vesugen

Animal dose (rat)

50 mcg/kg body weightDolotov 2006

Single intranasal application; produced maximal BDNF response.

—

Route

IntranasalDolotov 2006 Smolnik 2000

Subcutaneous or intramuscular

Frequency

Single-dose or chronic administration protocols

Chronic dosing normalized circadian rhythms; single-dose produced acute BDNF elevation.

Not specified in available literature

Human dose (exploratory)

Not established — limited human data

ACTH(4-10) and analogs dosed 30–60 mcg intranasally in early human studies.

—

Evidence basis

Animal (rodent, rabbit) studies; minimal human RCT data

Animal models (atherosclerosis, restenosis, aging) · Russian case series

Timing

Variable — chronic administration for circadian effects

—

Standard dose (reported)

—

Not standardised — Russian clinical case series

Protocols vary; no FDA-approved regimen.

Duration

—

Case series report treatment courses in elderly arterial insufficiency

Half-life

—

Not reported

Tripeptides typically cleared rapidly.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Adamax

Vesugen

Cardiovascular effects

ACTH(4-10) fragments may have pressor and cardioaccelerator actions at high dosesGruber 1984

Effects attenuated by α/β-receptor antagonists; observed at 30–1000 nmol/kg IV in rats.

—

Natriuretic effect

ACTH(4-10) exhibited natriuretic activity at lower doses (7 nmol/kg)Gruber 1984

—

Behavioral suppression

Suppression of aggression, reduced orientation-cognition reactions in rabbitsTeter 2001

May reflect anxiolytic or stress-dampening profile.

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — chronic human safety data lacking

Unknown — no long-term RCT data

Reported adverse events

—

None documented in available abstracts

Injection site

—

Assumed minimal — typical for small peptides

Epigenetic mechanism risk

—

Theoretical concern: direct gene promoter interaction — proliferative effects in non-target tissues not characterised

Absolute Contraindications

Adamax

·Pregnancy and lactation (precautionary; no data)
·Active cardiovascular instability (due to potential pressor effects)

Vesugen

—

Relative Contraindications

Adamax

·Hypertension (monitor BP if using higher doses)
·Renal impairment (natriuretic effects may alter electrolyte balance)

Vesugen

·Active malignancy — proliferative mechanism (Ki-67 upregulation) untested in oncologic context

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Adamax

Vesugen

1. Reconstitution (if lyophilised)

Add sterile water or bacteriostatic water to lyophilised vial per manufacturer guidance. Roll gently — do not shake. Ensure clarity before use.

Lyophilised powder reconstituted with sterile water or bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. No standardised formulation.

2. Route

Intranasal administration is the primary route in animal and exploratory human studies. Delivered via nasal spray or dropper to ensure mucosal absorption.Dolotov 2006 Smolnik 2000

Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh) or intramuscular. Rotate sites if multi-dose protocol.

3. Timing

Variable. Single-dose protocols for acute cognitive tasks; chronic daily dosing for circadian rhythm normalization and sustained neuroprotection.

No reported circadian or fasting requirement. Russian protocols typically integrated into geroprotective regimens.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temperature, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within manufacturer-specified timeframe.

Lyophilised: refrigerate 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate per supplier guidance (typically <7 days).

06Stack Synergy

Adamax

+ Semax

Moderate

View Semax →

Both Adamax and Semax are ACTH(4-10)-derived nootropics acting via melanocortin receptors and BDNF upregulation. Adamax has distinct amino acid modifications at positions 8-10, potentially offering complementary receptor binding profiles or metabolic stability. Stacking may amplify neurotrophic signaling and cognitive enhancement, though direct synergy studies are absent. Theoretical multi-pathway benefit.

Adamax: Research dose intranasal
Semax: 300–600 mcg intranasal
Frequency: Once daily, morning or pre-cognitive task
Primary benefit: Enhanced BDNF upregulation, cognitive performance, neuroprotection

Vesugen

+ Thymalin

Multi-pathway

View Thymalin →

Both from Khavinson bioregulatory school. Thymalin targets thymic/immune axis, Vesugen targets vascular endothelium. Rationale: multi-system geroprotection in elderly — immune senescence + vascular aging. Documented in Khavinson-tradition protocols combining tissue-specific peptides for poly-organ rejuvenation. No direct synergy study; combinatorial logic based on distinct target tissues.

Vesugen: Per protocol (SQ/IM)
Thymalin: Per protocol (SQ/IM)
Frequency: Sequential or concurrent per geroprotective protocol
Primary benefit: Multi-system age-related decline mitigation (vascular + immune)