What is Selank used for?

In Russia, Selank is approved for treating generalised anxiety disorder and neurasthenia. It is researched for anxiolytic and nootropic effects. It is not approved for medical use in the UK or EU.

Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not appear to cause physical dependence or addiction based on available research. However, long-term data is limited.

How does Selank compare to Semax?

Both are Russian-developed nootropic peptides but have different structures and mechanisms. Selank is primarily anxiolytic with nootropic effects, while Semax is primarily nootropic with some mood effects. They are sometimes used together.

Fact-checked by the Peptide Authority Editorial Board · Last reviewed: 1 February 2026

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Cognitive & Neurological•Updated 2026-02-01•5 min read

What Is Selank? Benefits, Research & Safety

A synthetic peptide based on tuftsin, developed in Russia for anxiolytic and nootropic properties, approved there for anxiety and neurasthenia.

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Also known as:

TP-7

Selanc

CLimited human evidenceUK: Unlicensed (UK)WADA: Sport status unclear

UK summary: Not a licensed UK medicine. Russian-developed nootropic / anxiolytic peptide; some human trial data exists but most published in Russian-language journals with limited independent replication.

Quick Facts

Overview

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is based on tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) that is part of the IgG immunoglobulin molecule, with an additional Gly-Pro sequence that improves stability. The peptide was developed primarily for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, which appear comparable to benzodiazepines but without the sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction potential associated with those drugs. Selank has also demonstrated nootropic (cognition-enhancing) effects in research. Selank is approved in Russia as a pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder and neurasthenia (a condition characterised by fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating). It is typically administered as a nasal spray. Beyond its CNS effects, Selank also possesses immunomodulatory properties inherited from its tuftsin parent molecule. This makes it somewhat unique among anxiolytic compounds. While approved in Russia, Selank is not licensed in the UK, EU, or USA. It remains available as a research compound in these regions.

Evidence standards summary

Selank — evidence and risk at a glance

Twenty standard modules scored against the Peptide Authority evidence grading methodology. Missing modules indicate the field has not yet been characterised editorially — treat absences as uncertainty rather than reassurance.

01Evidence snapshot

CLimited human evidenceOverall grade against our evidence grading methodology.

Not a licensed UK medicine. Russian-developed nootropic / anxiolytic peptide; some human trial data exists but most published in Russian-language journals with limited independent replication.

02Human evidence grade

DAnimal/cell evidence onlyStrength of evidence from published human trials.

03Preclinical evidence grade

CLimited human evidenceAnimal-model and in-vitro evidence quality.

04Regulatory status

UK: Not licensed. Research compound only.
EU: Not approved by EMA. Not available as a pharmaceutical.
Notes: Selank is an approved pharmaceutical in Russia for anxiety and neurasthenia. It is not approved in the UK, EU, or USA. Products marketed outside Russia should be viewed with caution regarding quality and authenticity.

05Approved medical uses

None in the UK or EU as a finished medicine. (Or: not yet documented; treat as absence rather than approval.)

06Unapproved / promotional claims

Non-addictive replacement for diazepam or other benzodiazepines.
Cures generalised anxiety disorder.
Safe daily nootropic with no comedown.
Drug-tested clean for athletes.

07Common internet claims

Russian-pharmacy-approved anxiolytic with no side effects.
Marketed as a nasal spray smart drug for high-pressure work.
Recommended for off-label combat-veteran PTSD self-treatment.

08Claim vs evidence

Claim	Evidence	Human evidence?	Regulatory concern	Safer wording
“Effective alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety”	C	Limited	High	Some small human studies report anxiolytic effects without sedation; not a licensed UK anxiolytic and not directly compared to benzodiazepines in robust trials.
“Non-addictive nootropic”	C	Limited	Moderate	No published evidence of dependence; long-term data are limited.
“Safer than prescription anxiety medicines”	E	No	High	Comparative safety claims need comparative trials; none exists.

09Safety uncertainty score

High

Limited human safety data; meaningful uncertainty about rare or long-term effects.

10Known adverse signals

Nasal irritation reported by intranasal users.
Headaches and changes in olfaction at higher doses.
Unknown interactions with SSRIs, SNRIs, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers.
Long-term effects on neurotransmitter systems unstudied outside Russia.

11Drug-interaction uncertainty

High

Interaction picture sparse; meaningful uncertainty when combined with other medicines.

12Anti-doping status

WADA: Sport status unclearWADA strict-liability framing applies.

13UK legal position

UK: Unlicensed (UK)

Not licensed. Research compound only.

Read the full UK legal guide → Research peptides and UK law

14EU legal position

Not approved by EMA. Not available as a pharmaceutical.

15What this page cannot tell you

Whether a UK-purchased nasal spray contains the labelled peptide at the labelled concentration.
How it interacts with prescribed SSRIs or benzodiazepines a UK patient is already taking.
Whether tolerance develops with chronic use.
What the WADA in-competition status is for athletes.

16Last reviewed

Last reviewed: 1 February 2026

Next review due: 1 February 2027

Spotted an error or something out of date? Send a correction.

17Citation quality score

DAnimal/cell evidence onlyQuality of the sources we cite, graded against the evidence grading methodology.

18Research gaps

Most positive human data appears in Russian-language journals without independent replication.
No registered Western Phase 3 trials.
Long-term safety in non-Russian populations unstudied.
Mechanism of anxiolytic action not fully characterised.

19Safer alternatives / established care pathways

GP review and licensed UK anxiolytic (SSRI, SNRI, or short-course benzodiazepine where clinically indicated).
NICE-recommended CBT or other talking therapy via NHS Talking Therapies.
Structured sleep, caffeine, and alcohol review before adding any compound.

20Doctor discussion prompts

Questions to ask a qualified clinician

These are starter questions you can adapt for a GP, specialist, pharmacist, or anti-doping advisor. The aim is to help you have a better-informed conversation — not to replace one.

Is Selank a licensed UK medicine?
What licensed UK anxiety treatments should I consider first?
What is the quality of the existing Selank evidence base?

Discovery & History

Selank was developed in the 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences under the direction of Professor Nikolay Myasoedov. The development was based on tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide fragment of IgG that had known immunomodulatory properties. Researchers modified tuftsin by adding a glyproline sequence (Gly-Pro) to its C-terminus, which significantly improved the peptide's metabolic stability without eliminating its biological activity. This modified peptide was designated Selank. During preclinical development, researchers discovered that Selank possessed unexpected anxiolytic properties in addition to its immunomodulatory effects. Animal studies demonstrated anti-anxiety effects comparable to benzodiazepines but with a different side effect profile. Clinical trials in Russia evaluated Selank for anxiety disorders and neurasthenia, leading to its approval as a pharmaceutical product. It has been marketed in Russia since the early 2000s, typically as a nasal spray formulation. Research has continued to explore Selank's mechanisms of action, effects on neurotransmitter systems, and potential applications beyond approved indications.

Mechanism of Action

Selank's mechanisms of action are complex and involve multiple neurotransmitter systems: **GABAergic System Modulation** Selank appears to enhance GABAergic neurotransmission, potentially through allosteric modulation of GABA-A receptors. Unlike benzodiazepines, which bind directly to specific sites on GABA-A receptors, Selank's interaction appears more subtle and does not cause typical benzodiazepine effects. **Serotonergic Effects** Research suggests Selank affects serotonergic neurotransmission, potentially contributing to its anxiolytic and mood-stabilising effects. Effects on 5-HT metabolism and receptor expression have been observed. **Dopaminergic Modulation** Studies indicate effects on dopamine metabolism and signalling, which may contribute to cognitive and motivational effects. **BDNF Expression** Selank has been shown to increase expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is involved in neuroplasticity, learning, and memory. This may underlie some of its nootropic effects. **Enkephalin Degradation Inhibition** Selank may inhibit enzymes that degrade endogenous enkephalins, enhancing endogenous opioid signalling with potential anxiolytic effects. **Immunomodulation** Through its tuftsin heritage, Selank possesses immunomodulatory properties, affecting cytokine production and immune cell function. **Gene Expression Effects** Research has identified numerous genes whose expression is modulated by Selank, including genes involved in neurotransmitter signalling, inflammation, and stress responses.

Researched Benefits

Based on preclinical and clinical research findings:

1
Anxiolytic effects without sedation or dependence
2
Potential nootropic and memory-enhancing effects
3
Improved stress tolerance and adaptation
4
Immunomodulatory properties
5
Increased BDNF expression
6
Possible antidepressant effects
7
Neuroprotective properties in some models

Claim vs Evidence

How popular claims about Selank stack up against the current research, graded using our public evidence grading methodology.

Claim	Evidence	Human evidence?	Regulatory concern	Safer wording
“Effective alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety”	C	Limited	High	Some small human studies report anxiolytic effects without sedation; not a licensed UK anxiolytic and not directly compared to benzodiazepines in robust trials.
“Non-addictive nootropic”	C	Limited	Moderate	No published evidence of dependence; long-term data are limited.
“Safer than prescription anxiety medicines”	E	No	High	Comparative safety claims need comparative trials; none exists.

Theoretical Dosing & Protocols

⚠️ Educational Only: The following information is derived from research literature and is not a prescription or recommendation. No standardised human dosing exists. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Theoretical Dosage	200-300 mcg intranasally per dose (Russian product standard)
Frequency	2-3 times daily
Duration	2-4 weeks in Russian clinical practice
Notes	These protocols reflect Russian pharmaceutical use. Selank is not approved in the UK/EU. Any use should be under medical supervision. Nasal administration is most common, though injectable forms exist.

Administration Routes

Routes studied in research settings (educational only):

Intranasal (nasal spray - most common)
Subcutaneous injection (research settings)

Half-Life	Stability
Short; several minutes to hours. Effects may persist longer than plasma levels suggest.	Nasal spray formulations stable under appropriate storage conditions

Safety Profile & Known Risks

Commonly Reported Side Effects

Generally well-tolerated in Russian clinical use
Mild nasal irritation with spray administration
Fatigue in some individuals
Headache (infrequent)

Rare Risks & Concerns

Long-term effects not fully characterised
Limited safety data from non-Russian sources
Potential for drug interactions not well studied

Contraindications

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Known allergy to peptide components
Concurrent use with CNS-active medications (caution)
Children (limited safety data)

UK & EU Regulatory Context

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Not licensed. Research compound only.

🇪🇺 European Union

Not approved by EMA. Not available as a pharmaceutical.

Selank is an approved pharmaceutical in Russia for anxiety and neurasthenia. It is not approved in the UK, EU, or USA. Products marketed outside Russia should be viewed with caution regarding quality and authenticity.

Clinical Studies Summary

[Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank].

The results extend therapeutic possibilities of treatment of anxietyspectrum disorders with the combination of benzodiazepine tranquilizers and selank.

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2015View on PubMed

[Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia].

The clinical-biological study revealed that patients with GAD and neurasthenia had the decreased level of tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin which was correlated with disease duration, severity of symptoms related to anxiety and asthenia and autonomic disorders. The increase of this parameter and stronger positive correlations with anxiety level were observed during the treatment with selank mostly in patients with GAD.

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008View on PubMed

[A comparison of the anxiolytic effect and tolerability of selank and phenazepam in the treatment of anxiety disorders].

The data obtained in the study extend therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2014View on PubMed

[Comparison of anticoagulant effects of regulatory proline-containing oligopeptides. Specificity of glyprolines, semax, and selank and potential of their practical application].

The problem of the role of RPs in hemostatic processes becomes particularly significant since, first, the peptides are widespread in nature both in animal and plant tissues, second, there is a relationship between the peptide structure and function and, third, both natural and synthetic peptides are used in practical medicine to correct functions of some factors of the hemostatic system.

Izv Akad Nauk Ser Biol. 2006View on PubMed

Sedative-Hypnotic Agents That Impact Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors: Focus on Flunitrazepam, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Phenibut, and Selank.

Illicit use can lead to significant toxicities related to abuse, dependence, and subsequent withdrawal syndromes. Significant evaluation of developing agents with GABA properties should be conducted to determine abuse potential before public access ensues.

J Clin Pharmacol. 2021View on PubMed

Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.

Between-group alongwith between-condition differences were revealed in FC between the right amygdala and a region in fusiform, inferior and middle temporal as well as parahippocampal gyri in the right hemisphere. Post hoc analysis allowed us to define both general and specific effects of Selank and Semax on FC between the right amygdala and the right temporal cortex for the first time.

Dokl Biol Sci. 2020View on PubMed

Registered Trials & Regulatory Status

Registered trials

Currently recruiting

Furthest phase

none

Approved product

1 of 1 completed trials have never posted results. Unreported trials are not neutral: results that go unpublished are more often negative ones.

Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Object Recognition

Status: Completed · 13 participants · National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Conditions: Repetitive TMS (rTMS), Sham rTMS, Bilateral rTMS

No results postedNCT01747200

Adverse event reports (FDA FAERS)

Not applicable: no licensed product contains this peptide, so it is not reported through FAERS. This is an absence of surveillance, not evidence of safety.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov and openFDA. Updated automatically.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions to ask a qualified clinician about Selank