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Medical notice — For research and educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed physician before using any peptide or compound.

Selank

anxietynootropicfocuscognitive
Regulatory status — Research use only — not approved for human use

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) analog of the endogenous immunopeptide tuftsin, developed in Russia and studied primarily for anxiolytic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties [1][2]. Preclinical evidence from animal and in vitro models suggests it modulates GABAergic neurotransmission and attenuates stress-related physiological and behavioral changes [3][4]. No human randomized controlled trials have been completed; all efficacy, dosing, and safety data in this entry derive from Tier 3 animal and mechanistic sources and must be interpreted with that limitation in mind.

Evidence coverage

43/47 claims verified by independent fact-checker.

2 claims pending coverage
  • FDA prescribing-label data(1 claim)
  • Evidence tier below threshold(1 claim)

Pepteligence regenerates entries quarterly and when new high-tier evidence appears.

Quick facts

Half-life
—
Typical dose
See research context
Route
intranasal
Frequency
[insufficient evidence in research packet]
Cycle length
—
Evidence strength
Animal models

Suggested labs for this peptide class — educational reference only; not medical advice.

TL;DR

  • Half-life: — — dosed —.
  • Administered via intranasal.
  • Evidence base: animal model studies.
  • Primary goals: anxiety, nootropic, focus, cognitive.
EVIDENCE HIERARCHYRCTsObservationalAnimal studiesAnecdotal

Primarily animal data

How we evaluate evidence →

How it works

GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce appetite via hypothalamic signalling and enhance insulin secretion.

Selank is a heptapeptide analog of tuftsin, an endogenous tetrapeptide fragment of immunoglobulin G that participates in immune regulation [1][2]. Animal and in vitro evidence suggests its anxiolytic activity is mechanistically linked to GABAergic neurotransmission: in vitro data indicate that Selank alters the expression of genes involved in GABAergic signaling in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells [4], and mechanistic studies in rat hippocampal slice preparations show that Selank at concentrations of 1–8 μM increases both the amplitude and discharge rate of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in pyramidal CA1 neurons, consistent with potentiation of inhibitory GABAergic tone [3]. Animal studies further indicate that Selank enhances the anxiolytic effect of diazepam under unpredictable chronic mild stress conditions in rats, suggesting a pharmacodynamic interaction at or downstream of GABA-A receptors [5]. Preliminary mechanistic data in 52 healthy human participants found that intranasal Selank altered resting-state functional connectivity in regions including the amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex within 5–20 minutes of administration; however, this study was not a controlled efficacy trial and the findings are considered hypothesis-generating only [6]. Animal studies also suggest Selank modulates immune responses, including cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6) under social stress conditions [12], and in vitro thromboelastography data indicate anticoagulant activity among arginine-containing glyproline peptides, with Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) demonstrating maximal potency in that series [8]. The degree to which any of these mechanisms operate in humans at clinically relevant doses remains unstudied.

What the research says

Research summary content coming soon. Check the references section for indexed studies.

100%50%25%0%00h1t½0h2t½0h3t½0h4t½0h
Approximate plasma concentration over 4 half-lives (0h × 4 = 0h)

Protocol lifecycle

BeforeDuringAfter

Before — Pre-cycle readiness

Readiness checklist

Medical history
  • No active coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy (anticoagulant signal in vitro [8])
  • No concurrent benzodiazepine use without clinician oversight (enhanced diazepam effect in animal models [5])
  • No concurrent opioid use without clinician oversight (opioid-circuit involvement suggested in animal withdrawal studies [11])
Informed consent / expectations
  • Understand that no human RCTs have been completed for Selank; all efficacy data are from animal or in vitro models
  • Understand that human pharmacokinetics, half-life, bioavailability, and safe dosing ranges are not established
  • Understand that regulatory approval has not been granted in the US, EU, or comparable jurisdictions based on available evidence [10]
  • Confirm absence of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy before use, given in vitro anticoagulant signals [8].
  • Disclose all CNS-active medications (benzodiazepines, opioids, alcohol) to a clinician; animal data indicate pharmacodynamic interactions are possible [5][11].
  • Understand that no human clinical trial data exist; any use occurs entirely outside a validated evidence base.

During — Active protocol

Protocol notice — The following describes common protocols reported in research and community sources. This is not medical advice. Dosing, frequency, and duration should be determined with a licensed physician familiar with peptide research.
  • No evidence-based monitoring parameters exist for human use; any protocol should be supervised by a clinician familiar with the absence of human safety data.
  • Monitor for unexpected sedation or potentiation of other CNS depressants, given GABAergic mechanism suggested in animal and in vitro models [3][4].

After — Post-cycle

  • [insufficient evidence in research packet — no cycling, discontinuation, or post-cycle guidance is supported by human data.]

Stacks it appears in

Selank is typically used as a standalone compound. Stack data coming soon.

Related peptides

Other compounds indexed on Pepteligence that share research tags with Selank. Educational context only.

Semax

Tier 3
nootropicfocuscognitive

Safety

Common side effects

  • ·[insufficient evidence in research packet — no human clinical trial adverse event data available]

Rare side effects

  • ·[insufficient evidence in research packet]
Safety notice — Serious / theoretical risks:
  • Theoretical risk of enhanced CNS depression when combined with benzodiazepines, based on animal pharmacodynamic interaction data [5]; not characterized in humans.
  • Theoretical bleeding risk based on in vitro anticoagulant activity [8]; not characterized in humans.

Contraindications

  • ·Concurrent anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy (theoretical, based on in vitro anticoagulant signal [8]; human data absent)
  • ·Concurrent benzodiazepine use without medical supervision (pharmacodynamic enhancement suggested in animal models [5])
  • ·Pregnancy or breastfeeding (no safety data in humans; in vitro data on embryonic stem cells exist only at physiologically relevant concentrations [9] and cannot support safety conclusions)

Community experiences

Community content — User-submitted experiences are self-reported and have not been verified. They do not constitute medical advice. Pepteligence aggregates community data under Section 230 protections.

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Selank — at a glance

PropertySelank—
Half-life——
Routeintranasal—
Typical doseSee research context—
MechanismSelank is a heptapeptide analog of tuftsin, an endogenous tetrapeptide fragment of immunoglobulin G that participates in immune regulation. Animal and in vitro evidence suggests its anxiolytic activity is mechanistically linked to GABAergic neurotransmission: in vitro data indicate that Selank alters the expression of genes involved in GABAergic signaling in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells, and mechanistic studies in rat hippocampal slice preparations show that Selank at concentrations of 1–8 μM increases both the amplitude and discharge rate of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in pyramidal CA1 neurons, consistent with potentiation of inhibitory GABAergic tone. Animal studies further indicate that Selank enhances the anxiolytic effect of diazepam under unpredictable chronic mild stress conditions in rats, suggesting a pharmacodynamic interaction at or downstream of GABA-A receptors. Preliminary mechanistic data in 52 healthy human participants found that intranasal Selank altered resting-state functional connectivity in regions including the amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex within 5–20 minutes of administration; however, this study was not a controlled efficacy trial and the findings are considered hypothesis-generating only. Animal studies also suggest Selank modulates immune responses, including cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6) under social stress conditions, and in vitro thromboelastography data indicate anticoagulant activity among arginine-containing glyproline peptides, with Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) demonstrating maximal potency in that series. The degree to which any of these mechanisms operate in humans at clinically relevant doses remains unstudied.—
Evidence strengthanimalanecdotal
Primary goalanxiety—

Frequently asked questions

What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, developed as an analog of tuftsin — an endogenous tetrapeptide fragment of immunoglobulin G. It has been studied primarily for anxiolytic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. It is not FDA-approved in the United States.
How does Selank work?
Animal and in vitro evidence suggests Selank's anxiolytic activity is linked to GABAergic neurotransmission: in vitro data indicate it alters the expression of GABA-related genes and receptor subunit composition. It is also structurally derived from tuftsin, which participates in immune regulation. These findings come from preclinical research — no controlled human clinical trials have validated these mechanisms.
What is Selank used for?
Selank has been studied primarily for anxiolytic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties in animal and in vitro research. It is not approved for any clinical indication in the United States and has been investigated under regulatory frameworks in Russia.
Is Selank FDA-approved?
No. Selank is not FDA-approved in the United States for any indication. Its regulatory status varies internationally — it has been studied in Russia under frameworks that differ from US FDA approval standards.
What are common dosages of Selank?
No validated human clinical dosing data have been established in the current research literature. No approved dose or frequency is documented from trials meeting US or EMA standards.
How is Selank administered?
Selank has been studied via intranasal administration in research contexts. This is the primary route investigated in the existing source literature, though no route has been validated for safety or efficacy in controlled human trials meeting US regulatory standards.
What are common side effects of Selank?
No controlled human clinical trial data from US-based trials characterize Selank's side-effect profile. Its safety profile for human use has not been validated by standard controlled trial methodology.
Are there safety concerns with Selank?
Based on preclinical data, caution is warranted with concurrent anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents (theoretical concern from in vitro anticoagulant signal), concurrent benzodiazepines (pharmacodynamic enhancement suggested in animal models), and during pregnancy or breastfeeding (no human safety data exist).
What is the relationship between Selank and tuftsin?
Selank is structurally derived from tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), an endogenous tetrapeptide fragment of immunoglobulin G. The synthetic Selank heptapeptide extends the tuftsin sequence with Pro-Gly-Pro, which is thought to improve stability and pharmacokinetic profile while retaining tuftsin's immunomodulatory activity.
Can Selank be combined with other compounds?
Caution is warranted regarding benzodiazepine combinations, as animal models suggest pharmacodynamic enhancement of GABAergic effects. No evidence-supported stacking protocols have been established in controlled human research.
Is Selank legal?
Selank is not FDA-approved and is not a scheduled controlled substance in the United States. Its legal status for possession and importation varies by jurisdiction. This is not legal advice.
What does the research on Selank show overall?
Selank's research base consists of animal and in vitro studies investigating GABAergic and immunomodulatory mechanisms. Controlled human clinical trials meeting US FDA or EMA standards have not established safety or efficacy. The available evidence is insufficient to support clinical recommendations in the US context.

References

  1. [1]

    Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity

    Vyunova Tatiana V, Andreeva Lioudmila, Shevchenko Konstantin et al.

    Protein and peptide letters · 2018 · PMID 30255741

    View on PubMed →
  2. [2]

    Tuftsin - Properties and Analogs

    Siebert Agnieszka, Gensicka-Kowalewska Monika, Cholewinski Grzegorz et al.

    Current medicinal chemistry · 2017 · PMID 28745220

    View on PubMed →
  3. [3]

    Effect of Selank on Spontaneous Synaptic Activity of Rat Hippocampal CA1 Neurons

    Povarov I S, Kondratenko R V, Derevyagin V I et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2017 · PMID 28361410

    View on PubMed →
  4. [4]

    GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells

    Filatova Elena, Kasian Anastasiya, Kolomin Timur et al.

    Frontiers in pharmacology · 2017 · PMID 28293190

    View on PubMed →
  5. [5]

    Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats

    Kasian Anastasiya, Kolomin Timur, Andreeva Lyudmila et al.

    Behavioural neurology · 2017 · PMID 28280289

    View on PubMed →
  6. [6]

    Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects

    Panikratova Ya R, Lebedeva I S, Sokolov O Yu et al.

    Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2020 · PMID 32342318

    View on PubMed →
  7. [7]

    Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats

    Kolik L G, Nadorova A V, Antipova T A et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019 · PMID 31625062

    View on PubMed →
  8. [8]

    Anticoagulant Effects of Arginine-Containing Peptides of the Glyproline Family (His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Pro-Gly-Pro and Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) Revealed by Thromboelastography

    Rogozinskaya E Ya, Lyapina M G

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2017 · PMID 29181670

    View on PubMed →
  9. [9]

    Studying the Toxic Effects of Some Biologically Active Peptides on the Model of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

    Kobylyanskii A G, Zolotarev Yu A, Andreeva L A et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2017 · PMID 29063333

    View on PubMed →
  10. [10]

    The occurrence of putative cognitive enhancing research peptides in seized pharmaceutical preparations: An incentive for controlling agencies to prepare for future encounters of the kind

    Vanhee Celine, Francotte Antoine, Janvier Steven et al.

    Drug testing and analysis · 2020 · PMID 31667971

    View on PubMed →
  11. [11]

    Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats

    Konstantinopolsky M A, Chernyakova I V, Kolik L G

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2022 · PMID 36322304

    View on PubMed →
  12. [12]

    The Influence of Selank on the Level of Cytokines Under the Conditions of 'Social' Stress

    Leonidovna Yasenyavskaya A, Aleksandrovna Samotrueva M, Aleksandrovna Tsibizova A et al.

    Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology · 2021 · PMID 32621722

    View on PubMed →
  13. [?]

    Morphological Changes in the Large Intestine of Rats Subjected to Chronic Restraint Stress and Treated with Selank

    Mukhina A Yu, Mishina E S, Bobyntsev I I et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2020 · PMID 32651826

    View on PubMed →
  14. [?]

    Effect of Selank on Morphological Parameters of Rat Liver in Chronic Foot-Shock Stress

    Fomenko E V, Bobyntsev I I, Ivanov A V et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019 · PMID 31243679

    View on PubMed →
  15. [?]

    Effect of Selank on Functional State of Rat Hepatocytes under Conditions of Restraint Stress

    Fomenko E V, Bobyntsev I I, Kryukov A A et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2017 · PMID 28853100

    View on PubMed →
  16. [?]

    State of Colon Microbiota in Rats during Chronic Restraint Stress and Selank Treatment

    Mukhina A Yu, Medvedeva O A, Svishcheva M V et al.

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019 · PMID 31236882

    View on PubMed →
  17. [?]

    Selank Inhibits Ethanol-Induced Hyperlocomotion and Manifestation of Behavioral Sensitization in DBA/2 Mice

    Kolik L G, Nadorova A V, Seredenin S B

    Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2016 · PMID 27878720

    View on PubMed →
  18. [?]

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

    Doyno Cassandra R, White C Michael

    Journal of clinical pharmacology · 2021 · PMID 34396551

    View on PubMed →
  19. [?]

    Peptides semax and selank affect the behavior of rats with 6-OHDA induced PD-like parkinsonism

    Slominsky P A, Shadrina M I, Kolomin T A et al.

    Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2017 · PMID 28702721

    View on PubMed →