Side-by-side · Research reference
DihexavsSelank
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED7/28 cited
BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED11/40 cited
Dihexa
Angiotensin IV Analogue · Pre-Clinical
Not established — animal studies only
Selank
Anxiolytic + Cognitive · Russian Pharma
Intranasal · 2–3×/day during stress / cognitive demand
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Dihexa
Selank
Primary target
c-Met receptor (HGF receptor tyrosine kinase)
Monoamine system (serotonin / GABA modulation) + immunomodulation via tuftsin domainZaderej 2014
Pathway
HGF/c-Met receptor activation → downstream signaling cascade → synaptogenesis and dendritic arborization
Tuftsin-derived immune signaling + CNS monoamine modulation → reduced anxiety + improved mood / cognitionMedvedev 2007
Downstream effect
Induction of dendritic arborization, synapse formation, neurogenesis, and neuroprotection in rodent models
Anxiolytic + cognitive enhancement; immunomodulation via increased IL-6 + IFN-γMedvedev 2007Zaderej 2014
Origin
Small-molecule angiotensin IV analogue designed to activate HGF/c-Met systemWright 2015
Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from human tuftsin (immune-system tetrapeptide)Zaderej 2014
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Dihexa
Selank
Human dosing
Not established — no human trials
—
Animal studies
Mouse/rat models only — dosing not translatable to humans
—
Clinical status
No Phase 1, 2, or 3 trials published
—
Frequency
—
2–3× per day during stress
Lower / starter dose
—
75 mcg / dose
Duration
—
10–14 day cycles, repeated as needed
Reconstitution
—
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water
Timing
—
Morning + early afternoon preferred
Half-life
—
Short (minutes plasma); CNS effect lasts ~3 hr
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Dihexa
Selank
Human safety data
None available — no human clinical trials
—
Theoretical c-Met risks
c-Met receptor activation has been implicated in tumorigenesis; unknown cancer risk profile
—
Pre-clinical tolerability
Not systematically reported in available studies
—
Nasal irritation
—
Mild burning or congestion (transient)
Cognitive impairment
—
None — opposite effect (enhancement)
Allergic reaction
—
Rare hypersensitivity
Long-term safety
—
Limited Western RCT data
Pregnancy / OB
—
Avoid — insufficient data
Absolute Contraindications
Dihexa
- ·Not approved for human use — research compound only
Selank
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Hypersensitivity to peptide
Relative Contraindications
Dihexa
- ·Theoretical contraindication: active or history of malignancy (c-Met pathway involvement in cancer)
Selank
- ·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical via immunomodulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Dihexa
Selank
1. Human administration
No established protocol. Dihexa has not been tested in human subjects. Animal studies used various routes (typically subcutaneous or intraperitoneal in rodents) not translatable to clinical use.
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.
2. Legal status
Pre-clinical research compound. Not approved by FDA or any regulatory authority for human use.
Intranasal — 1–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.
3. Timing
—
Morning + early afternoon for cognitive demand; PRN for acute anxiety.
4. Storage
—
Refrigerate after reconstitution; ≤30 days. Light-protected.
5. Caveat
—
Avoid co-administration with strong sedatives or other anxiolytics initially.