Skip to content
Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides30 plates · MIT
PeptidesDBan atlas
← CataloguePlate XXII of XXX
XXIIPlate XXIIReviewed 2026-04-25

Semax

Heptapeptide ACTH(4-10) analog

also known as Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, ACTH 4-10 analog

Synthetic 7-amino-acid peptide derived from the active fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH 4-10). Developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences in the 1980s. Used clinically in Russia for stroke recovery and cognitive support. Increases BDNF and NGF, modulates monoamine systems, and shows anxiolytic + nootropic effects.

§ I

At a glance

Intranasal
200–600 mcg/dose
[kaplan-2017-semax]
Mechanistic
Human
[kaplan-2017-semax]
Onset
~30 min
Route

Intranasal · 2–3×/day during cognitive demand

§ II

Mechanism

Primary target — BDNF / NGF expression + monoamine modulation [kaplan-2017-semax].

Pathway — ↑ BDNF + NGF synthesis + 5-HT modulation → neuroplasticity + anxiolysis + cognitive enhancement [kaplan-2017-semax].

Downstream effect — Improved memory + attention; reduced anxiety; neuroprotection in ischemia [kaplan-2017-semax].

Origin — Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from ACTH(4-7) with C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilising tail [kaplan-2017-semax].

§ III

Dosage

Protocols described in the cited literature; not medical advice.

ParameterValue
Standard dose200–600 mcg / dose intranasal [kaplan-2017-semax]
Frequency2–3× per day during cognitive demand
Lower / starter dose100 mcg / dose
Evidence basisHuman-mechanistic + Russian clinical [kaplan-2017-semax]
Duration10–14 day cycles, repeated PRN
ReconstitutionPre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water
TimingMorning + early afternoon
Half-lifeShort plasma; CNS effect lasts ~3–6 hr
§ III · b

Reconstitution

A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.

Inputs
The calculator does pure mass-to-volume math. It does not recommend a dose. Refer to Semax's cited literature for protocol specifics.
Volumetric outputFig. C — reconstitution math
Volume per dose
0.100mL
≈ 10.0 units on a U-100 insulin syringe
Concentration
2500
mcg per mL
Doses per vial
20
at this dose
§ V

Adverse events

Severities follow the FDA / CTCAE convention.

Nasal irritationmild
Mild burning or congestion (transient)
Sleep disruptionmild
Late-day dosing may interfere with sleep
Headachemild
Uncommon, transient
Long-term safetymoderate
Limited Western RCT data
Pregnancy / OBsevere
Avoid
Absolute contraindications
  • — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative contraindications
  • — Active psychiatric instability
  • — Concurrent strong stimulants
§ VI

Administration

  1. 01
    Form

    Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.

  2. 02
    Administration

    Intranasal — 2–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.

  3. 03
    Timing

    Morning + early afternoon. Avoid evening (sleep disruption).

  4. 04
    Storage

    Refrigerate after reconstitution; light-protected.

  5. 05
    Caveat

    Cycle on/off to avoid neurochemical adaptation.

§ VII

Synergies

moderate synergy
+
Semax + Selank

Semax (cognitive enhancer, BDNF/NGF) and Selank (anxiolytic + immune) form the canonical Russian "neuro stack" — both intranasal peptide bioregulators with complementary axes. Semax for cognitive demand; Selank for stress mitigation.

Primary benefit — Cognitive enhancement + stress mitigation
Appendix

Sources

31%

of 39 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.

  1. [kaplan-2017-semax]
    Kaplan 2017 — Semax — synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog: cognitive enhancement
    Neurosci Behav Physiol, 2017
    Source →
  2. [zaderej-2014]
    Zaderej 2014 — Selank: anxiolytic effects + immunomodulation
    Bull Exp Biol Med, 2014
    Source →
Plate composed 2026-04-25 · maturity draft · schema v1 · Contributors: peptidesdb-core · 27 fields uncited — open contributions
Edit on GitHub →Read another →