Semax vs Selank
Semax and Selank are the two best-known peptides to come out of Nikolai Myasoedov's Moscow research program, built using the same stabilization technique — but starting from two completely different parent molecules.
At a Glance
| Semax | Selank | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive & Nootropic | Cognitive & Nootropic |
| Molecular class | Heptapeptide, derived from ACTH(4-7) | Heptapeptide, derived from tuftsin |
| Discovery timeline | 1982, Nikolai Myasoedov & Igor Ashmarin | 1990s, Myasoedov's team with the V.V. Zakusov Institute |
| Stabilization method | Pro-Gly-Pro tail added to ACTH(4-7) | Pro-Gly-Pro tail added to tuftsin |
| Original parent activity | Hormonal (adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment) | Immunomodulatory (immune-system peptide) |
| Primary mechanism studied | Neuroprotection, BDNF expression | Anxiolytic-like activity, neuropeptide behavior research |
How They Differ
Semax was created in 1982 by fusing the stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide onto ACTH(4-7) — a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone already known to have nootropic effects independent of ACTH's hormonal role, but which broke down too quickly in the body to be useful on its own. See its full discovery history.
Selank uses the exact same Pro-Gly-Pro stabilization trick, but applied to a completely different starting molecule: tuftsin, a naturally occurring immune-system peptide. Stabilizing tuftsin didn't just extend its half-life — it also revealed a second, unexpected property: pronounced effects in anxiolytic and neuromodulatory research models. See its full discovery history.
Why They're Often Studied Together
Semax and Selank are frequently discussed together because they share both a research lineage and an engineering technique, even though they started from unrelated parent molecules (a hormone fragment versus an immune peptide) and are studied for different primary effects — neuroprotective/cognitive research for Semax, anxiolytic research for Selank.
Semax vs Selank questions
Why are Semax and Selank so often compared?
Because they come from the same Moscow research program and use the identical Pro-Gly-Pro stabilization technique, despite being built from unrelated starting molecules and studied for different primary effects — Semax for neuroprotective and cognitive research, Selank for anxiolytic research.
Does this comparison mean Semax and Selank are approved for a particular use?
No. This page compares Semax and Selank for educational and research context only. Both are sold strictly for laboratory research use and are not evaluated or approved for human or animal use.
Looking for specs and pricing?
View purity, available sizes, and pricing for both.