Side-by-side · Research reference
SelankvsSermorelin
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AHuman-MechanisticDraft11/40 cited
BPhase 3Reviewed14/43 cited
Selank
Anxiolytic + Cognitive · Russian Pharma
Intranasal · 2–3×/day during stress / cognitive demand
Sermorelin
GHRH 1-29 fragment · Short-acting
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
Selank
Sermorelin
Primary target
Monoamine system (serotonin / GABA modulation) + immunomodulation via tuftsin domainZaderej 2014
Pituitary GHRH receptorWalker 1994
Pathway
Tuftsin-derived immune signaling + CNS monoamine modulation → reduced anxiety + improved mood / cognitionMedvedev 2007
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisWalker 1994
Downstream effect
Anxiolytic + cognitive enhancement; immunomodulation via increased IL-6 + IFN-γMedvedev 2007Zaderej 2014
Pulsatile GH release; subsequent IGF-1 elevationMolteno 2013
Feedback intact?
No GABA-receptor binding; no dependence reportedMedvedev 2007
Yes — short pulse preserves feedback
Origin
Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from human tuftsin (immune-system tetrapeptide)Zaderej 2014
Unmodified active 29-AA fragment of human GHRH (1-44)Walker 1994
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
Selank
Sermorelin
Frequency
2–3× per day during stress
Once daily, pre-sleep
Lower / starter dose
75 mcg / dose
100 mcg per dose
Evidence basis
Human-mechanistic + Russian clinical trialsMedvedev 2007
Phase 3 (Geref pediatric); clinical practiceWalker 1994Molteno 2013
Duration
10–14 day cycles, repeated as needed
8–12 weeks per cycle
Reconstitution
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
Morning + early afternoon preferred
Pre-sleep, fasted preferred
Half-life
Short (minutes plasma); CNS effect lasts ~3 hr
~12 min (plasma)Molteno 2013
Shorter than tesamorelin (~26 min) — simpler GHRH analogue.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
Selank
Sermorelin
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
Avoid
Injection site reaction
—
Mild erythema, transient pain
Flushing / headache
—
Common transient effect
IGF-1 elevation
—
Modest at standard doses
Cancer risk
—
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Glucose handling
—
Generally neutral
Absolute Contraindications
Selank
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Hypersensitivity to peptide
Sermorelin
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
Selank
- ·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical via immunomodulation)
Sermorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
Selank
Sermorelin
1. Form
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.
2. Administration
Intranasal — 1–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Morning + early afternoon for cognitive demand; PRN for acute anxiety.
Pre-sleep, fasted.
4. Storage
Refrigerate after reconstitution; ≤30 days. Light-protected.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Caveat
Avoid co-administration with strong sedatives or other anxiolytics initially.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
Selank
— no documented stacks
Sermorelin
+ Ipamorelin
StrongSermorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (selective GHRP) form the prototypical GHRH+GHRP dual-axis stack at the lowest cost. Both peak within 30 min and produce a sharp physiological GH pulse without cortisol/prolactin elevation.
- Sermorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition