Selank (TP-7)
Selank is a synthetic peptide developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is derived from tuftsin, a naturally occurring immune-regulating peptide, with added stability through a proline-glycine tail. Selank has demonstrated anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines in clinical studies but without sedation, dependence, or cognitive impairment. It is approved as a medication in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and is also used as a nootropic for focus and mental clarity.
FormBlends Peptide Context
Reviewed May 14, 2026The strongest way to read Selank peptide guide is to look for what changes the next step. For peptide therapy, that means checking whether the page is explaining evidence, eligibility, cost, safety, provider fit, or day-to-day use. The goal is not more words on the page. It is a clearer path from a broad question to a responsible medical conversation.
- Confirm whether the page is discussing approved care, compounded access, off-label use, or research-only context.
- Check the date, evidence quality, safety limits, and whether newer clinical or regulatory updates may change the answer.
- Ask a licensed clinician how the information applies to your history, medications, labs, goals, and risk profile.
Clinical decision snapshot
Selank authority snapshot
Selank is evaluated by mechanism, evidence quality, regulatory status, practical access, and safety questions a licensed clinician would need to review before use.
Evidence signal
Early clinical or translational evidence
Regulatory reality
Not specifically addressed in 2023/2026 regulatory actions
Safety screen
Mild nasal irritation with intranasal use, Fatigue in some users at higher doses, Rare allergic reactions should be reviewed in context.
This page currently connects to 5 source-backed evidence items through visible references or structured citation data.
Decision path
What is the supervised-review path for Selank?
Selank should be evaluated by evidence quality, safety status, source quality, dosing context, and whether the goal fits a legitimate clinical pathway. This page is a research and decision aid, not a self-prescribing guide.
- Peptide
- Selank
- Category
- Cognitive
- Evidence
- Early clinical or translational evidence
- FDA status
- Not FDA approved
Step 1
Check evidence level
Selank is approved as a prescription medication in Russia for anxiety and cognitive enhancement. Russian clinical studies show anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines without sedation or dependence. However, these studies haven't been replicated in Western clinical trials, and the available data is primarily from Russian literature.
Review evidenceStep 2
Screen safety context
Mild nasal irritation with intranasal use, Fatigue in some users at higher doses, Rare allergic reactions should be discussed in light of history, dose, and source.
Check side effectsStep 3
Confirm access route
If FormBlends offers access, review the product page and provider pathway before deciding.
Review product accessLast updated: April 3, 2026
Typical Dosage
250-500 mcg intranasally, 2-3 times daily. Injectable: 250-500 mcg subcutaneously once daily.
Administration
Intranasal spray, Subcutaneous injection
Typical Cost
$80-180/month
FDA Status
Not FDA Approved
Half-Life
Very short, estimated minutes. The nasal spray formulation provides rapid CNS absorption.
Onset of Action
Anxiolytic effects reported within 15-30 minutes of intranasal dosing.
Bioavailability
Intranasal administration bypasses the blood-brain barrier for direct CNS delivery. Also used subcutaneously.
About Selank
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (7 amino acids) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Its sequence is Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, which is based on tuftsin (a natural immunomodulatory peptide) with an added Pro-Gly-Pro tail for stability. Molecular weight: 751.9 Da. CAS number: 129954-34-3.
Selank is approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia, where it's sold as a nasal spray. The Russian clinical data shows anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines but without the sedation, cognitive impairment, tolerance development, or withdrawal symptoms that make benzodiazepines problematic for long-term use (PMID: 18557763).
The mechanism involves modulation of multiple neurotransmitter systems. Selank affects GABAergic signaling (the same system benzodiazepines target), serotonin metabolism, and dopamine activity. It also upregulates BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which supports neuroplasticity and cognitive function.
The nasal spray formulation is significant because intranasal delivery allows peptides to bypass the blood-brain barrier through the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways. This means the peptide reaches the brain directly without needing to survive first-pass metabolism or cross the BBB from the bloodstream.
Typical dosing is 250-500 mcg intranasally 2-3 times daily. Some practitioners use subcutaneous injection at similar doses, though the intranasal route is more common for this particular peptide. Effects on anxiety are typically noticed within 15-30 minutes, which is fast for a peptide.
The main limitation of selank's evidence base is geographic. Almost all clinical research comes from Russian institutions and is published in Russian journals (with some translated to English). This doesn't invalidate the research, but it hasn't been replicated in FDA-standard clinical trials with diverse populations and rigorous methodology.
Selank is often compared to its cousin semax, another Russian-developed peptide. While selank targets anxiety and mood, semax targets cognitive performance and neuroprotection. Some practitioners combine both.
Store selank nasal spray refrigerated at 2-8C. Injectable selank should be reconstituted from lyophilized powder with bacteriostatic water and used within 21 days.
How Selank Works
Selank modulates the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain by influencing GABA, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels. It stabilizes enkephalins (natural opioid peptides) by inhibiting the enzymes that break them down, which contributes to its anxiolytic effect. Selank also increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) expression, supporting neuroplasticity, and modulates IL-6 and other cytokines involved in immune regulation.
Receptor targets:
Benefits
- Reduces anxiety without sedation or dependence risk
- Enhances cognitive focus and mental clarity
- Modulates immune function through cytokine regulation
- Increases BDNF levels to support learning and memory
- Stabilizes mood without the side effects of benzodiazepines
- Improves stress resilience
What Does the Research Say?
Selank is approved as a prescription medication in Russia for anxiety and cognitive enhancement. Russian clinical studies show anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines without sedation or dependence. However, these studies haven't been replicated in Western clinical trials, and the available data is primarily from Russian literature.
Selank: anxiolytic activity of a peptide analogue of tuftsin
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2008 · DOI · PubMed
Demonstrated anxiolytic effects of selank in clinical settings comparable to benzodiazepines but without sedation, tolerance, or withdrawal
Effect of selank on cognitive function in rats
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2006 · PubMed
Selank improved learning and memory retention in rat models of cognitive impairment
PubMed evidence trail
Research sources used to frame this page
For Selank, FormBlends checks the page topic against primary trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, and current PubMed-indexed literature where available. These citations are context, not a claim that every study applies to every patient.
Emerging pharmacotherapies for obesity: A systematic review
Broad context for new and established obesity-drug categories.
PubMed
Glucagon-like receptor agonists and next-generation incretin-based medications
Current review for incretin-based obesity medications and cardiometabolic effects.
PubMed
Potential Side Effects
- Mild nasal irritation with intranasal use
- Fatigue in some users at higher doses
- Rare allergic reactions
Drug Interactions
| Compound | Interaction | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, diazepam) | Both modulate GABA pathways. Combining could produce additive sedation, though selank alone doesn't cause significant sedation. | moderate |
Who Is Selank For?
Women
No sex-specific contraindications. The Russian clinical data includes both men and women.
Adults Over 50
May benefit age-related cognitive decline through BDNF upregulation. Russian studies included elderly subjects but with small sample sizes.
Athletes
Not on WADA's prohibited list. Some athletes use it for competition anxiety without the cognitive impairment of benzodiazepines.
Regulatory Status
FDA Approved
No
Compounding Legal
Yes
2026 HHS Status
Not specifically addressed in 2023/2026 regulatory actions
Not FDA-approved in the US but approved as a prescription medication in Russia. Available through US compounding pharmacies.
Last verified: 2026-04-06
Stacking Options
Selank is commonly stacked with the following peptides for enhanced results:
Conditions Addressed
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