C37H51N9O10S · 813.9 g/mol · PubChem CID 9811102 ↗
Semax
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.
- Class
- Heptapeptide ACTH(4-10) analog
- Evidence level
- Human mechanistic evidence
- Regulatory status
- Not FDA-approved (US) — research use only
At a glance
Intranasal · 2–3×/day during cognitive demand
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].
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard dose | 200–600 mcg / dose intranasal [kaplan-2017-semax] |
| Frequency | 2–3× per day during cognitive demand |
| Lower / starter dose | 100 mcg / dose |
| Evidence basis | Human-mechanistic + Russian clinical [kaplan-2017-semax] |
| Duration | 10–14 day cycles, repeated PRN |
| Reconstitution | Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water |
| Timing | Morning + early afternoon |
| Half-life | Short plasma; CNS effect lasts ~3–6 hr |
Reconstitution
A pure mass-to-volume utility. Enter what you have in the vial; the atlas computes the volume per dose. No prescription information.
Lab verification
Third-party lab reports tied to batch codes, re-verifiable at the issuing lab. A fact and where to re-check it — never a verdict.
- — Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- — Active psychiatric instability
- — Concurrent strong stimulants
- 01Form
Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.
- 02Administration
Intranasal — 2–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.
- 03Timing
Morning + early afternoon. Avoid evening (sleep disruption).
- 04Storage
Refrigerate after reconstitution; light-protected.
- 05Caveat
Cycle on/off to avoid neurochemical adaptation.
Frequently asked
How does Semax work?
Semax acts on BDNF / NGF expression + monoamine modulation, signalling via ↑ BDNF + NGF synthesis + 5-HT modulation → neuroplasticity + anxiolysis + cognitive enhancement. [kaplan-2017-semax][kaplan-2017-semax]
Is Semax FDA-approved?
Semax is not FDA-approved in the United States and is handled as a research compound (research use only). Regulatory status may differ in other jurisdictions.
Sources
of 39 rendered claims carry a resolvable citation.
- [kaplan-2017-semax]Kaplan 2017 — Semax — synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog: cognitive enhancement
Neurosci Behav Physiol, 2017
Semax Russian nootropic peptide review (heptapeptide ACTH-derived). - [zaderej-2014]Zaderej 2014 — Selank: anxiolytic effects + immunomodulation
Bull Exp Biol Med, 2014
Selank Russian anxiolytic peptide review.