Semax
Also known as: ACTH(4-10) analog
Heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-10). Russian neuropeptide studied for nootropic and neuroprotective effects, partly via BDNF upregulation.
- Drug class
- Synthetic ACTH analog
- Primary targets
- Melanocortin / BDNF pathways
- Dose reference
- 200–600 mcg per dose (intranasal, research)
- Half-life
- Minutes
- Developer / origin
- Russian Academy of Sciences
- Reference year
- 1982
- Evidence score
- 2/5 - Mostly preclinical neuroprotection evidence
Mostly preclinical neuroprotection evidence
Semax has preclinical neuroprotection literature and regional clinical history, but limited independently validated human evidence for consumer cognitive use.
Mostly animal, ex vivo, cell, or indirect evidence.
Evidence basis
- Animal neuroprotection models
- Regional clinical history
- Limited independent human evidence
Key references
How to read this entry
Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.
Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.
Semax guides
Read the matching guide or adjacent research pages for more context.
Peptide calculators
Use calculators for concentration, unit conversion and repeated-dose accumulation math.
Compare with related peptides
Stay inside the same research category and compare mechanism, status and evidence quality.
Selank
TP-7
Russian-developed analog of tuftsin marketed (in Russia) as an anxiolytic. Mechanism involves modulation of GABA and stress-response pathways.
Cortexin
polypeptide cortical fraction
Cortexin is a low-molecular-weight polypeptide fraction from animal cerebral cortex proposed to act as a multi-target neuroprotectant by modulating glutamate (AMPA, kainate, mGluR) and GABA-A receptors, inhibiting brain caspase-8, and influencing neurotrophic and antioxidant pathways.
N-Acetyl Semax
N-Acetyl Semax Amidate, NA Semax
It is a chemically stabilized analog of the ACTH(4-7)-derived peptide Semax that, in preclinical models, binds specifically in brain tissue and raises BDNF and other neurotrophins while modulating ischemia-related inflammatory and neurotransmitter gene expression.
N-Acetyl Selank
NA Selank Amidate
N-Acetyl Selank is a chemically stabilized (N-acetylated, C-amidated) analog of the tuftsin-derived peptide Selank, proposed to act via GABAergic modulation, inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes that raises endogenous enkephalins, and BDNF-related effects, though these mechanisms were demonstrated for the parent Selank rather than the analog.
Category hub
Open the category page for the full comparison table and FAQ.