Selank

Selank is a peptide best known for easing anxiety and promoting calm, steady focus without sedation, derived from tuftsin, a natural immune-system peptide. Developed in Russia, where it's a registered prescription anti-anxiety medicine, it's usually taken as a nasal spray. It isn't FDA-approved or cleared by other Western regulators, and most human evidence comes from Russian studies (including one small trial against a benzodiazepine), so the broader research base is still thin. It's the sister compound to Semax.

Selank has been studied mainly for anxiety. Russian clinical studies, including a head-to-head trial against a benzodiazepine, reported anti-anxiety effects without the sedation or dependence typical of benzodiazepines, and animal studies describe effects on GABA-related gene expression and serotonin. Most of this evidence is in Russian-language literature with no large Western randomized trial, so the Western evidence base is much thinner than for established anxiety medications.

Not FDA approved for any indication. Registered in Russia as a clinical anxiolytic medication (registered name "Selanc" in some Russian-language sources) — used clinically in Russian psychiatric practice for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia. Not approved as a pharmaceutical drug in any major regulatory jurisdiction outside Russia (FDA, EMA, MHRA, TGA, Health Canada). Available in Western markets as a research peptide. Selank acetate (TP-7) was previously listed in Category 2 of FDA's interim 503A bulk-substances list (substances FDA identified as presenting significant safety risks); it was removed on 20 September 2024 following withdrawal of the nomination, not an affirmative FDA safety determination. It is not currently on Category 1 or Category 2. Not named in the WADA 2026 Prohibited List — but WADA's S0 (Non-Approved Substances) category is a catch-all prohibiting, at all times, pharmacological substances with no current approval by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use; because Selank is approved only in Russia and not by major regulators, some anti-doping interpretations treat it as captured by S0. Its status is therefore contested — not clearly permitted; athletes in WADA-tested sport should confirm with their anti-doping organization before use. Sister compound to Semax; both developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences.

Selank is not FDA-approved; it is prescription-registered only in Russia, and its long-term safety in non-Russian populations is not established. VialWise is a research and educational reference, not medical advice — consult a licensed professional.

⚠️ For research and educational purposes only. Selank is not approved by the FDA or any major Western regulatory agency as a pharmaceutical drug for any indication. Information in this entry is informational, not medical advice. Always confirm dose calculations and consult appropriate professional guidance before any protocol decisions.

⚠️ Precision matters at low doses. Selank is dosed in micrograms per dose for both the intranasal (~ per spray, several sprays per day) and the injectable (~ per dose) routes. At the small-volume injectable form (typical reconstitution in 5 mL →, producing draws in the range on a U-100 syringe), even a one-unit error is a meaningful percentage of the dose. Always verify draws against the in-app calculator and double-check the unit count on the syringe before injecting.

⚠️ Russian regulatory framework, thinner Western evidence base. Selank's clinical evidence base is predominantly in Russian-language literature, much of which is not PubMed-indexed.[¹] The Russian regulatory framework approved Selank for clinical use as an anxiolytic for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia based on this Russian clinical evidence base. Western (English-language, PubMed-indexed) clinical evidence is much thinner — there is no published large-scale randomized controlled trial of Selank in major Western journals comparable to the FDA-approval-grade evidence for benzodiazepines, SSRIs, or other Western anxiolytics. A 2026-07-18 ClinicalTrials.gov search found zero registered interventional Selank trials. The English-language literature amounts to a small number of studies — including one human resting-state fMRI study in 52 healthy participants[⁶] — alongside a US pharmacology review that characterizes Selank as a poorly studied Russian drug and raises abuse, dependence, and withdrawal considerations.[⁷] Researchers should be explicit with themselves about the asymmetric evidence base when interpreting Selank's effects.

⚠️ Mechanism — multimodal, not fully characterized. Selank's anxiolytic and immunomodulatory effects are attributed to a combination of mechanisms including: modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission gene expression;[²] effects on monoamine neurotransmitter (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline) metabolism; effects on the balance of T helper cell cytokines (IL-6, IL-4, IFN-γ); and degradation products that retain biological activity (in particular, the tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro — PGP — which is the C-terminal addition that distinguishes Selank from native tuftsin and contributes to its in-vivo stability and CNS activity). Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not bind gaba-A receptors directly; the GABAergic effects are transcriptional rather than receptor-binding.[²] This is the mechanistic basis for the research-community claim that Selank produces anxiolytic effects without benzodiazepine-class dependence or sedation — a claim that is plausible mechanistically but not validated in long-term controlled human safety trials.

Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, in Moscow during the late 20th century as part of a Russian peptide-pharmacology research tradition that also produced Semax and several other short-peptide bioregulators. Selank's structural design rationale was to create a stable, biologically active analog of human tuftsin (the natural C-terminal tetrapeptide of IgG heavy chain, with sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg / TKPR) — a known immunomodulatory peptide, but with very short in-vivo half-life.[⁸] Adding the Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) tripeptide to the C-terminus produced Selank (TKPRPGP), which retains tuftsin's immunomodulatory activity while adding marked anxiolytic and CNS-active effects, and is sufficiently stable for clinical intranasal administration.

Russian clinical regulatory framework. Selank has been registered in Russia as a clinical anxiolytic medication (the brand-name formulation is sometimes referred to as "Selanc" in Russian-language sources). Its primary registered indications include generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia.[¹] The pivotal clinical evidence base for the Russian regulatory approval is predominantly in Russian-language clinical literature, much of which is not indexed in PubMed and is therefore harder to verify against canonical primary sources for Western researchers. The PubMed-indexed Selank clinical literature includes several head-to-head studies against medazepam (a benzodiazepine), with reports that the anxiolytic effects were comparable but Selank had additional antiasthenic and mild psychostimulant activity not seen with the benzodiazepine.[¹]

Mechanism — multimodal. Selank's anxiolytic and immunomodulatory effects are attributed to a combination of mechanisms operating across several biological systems:

- GABAergic gene expression. Animal model studies have demonstrated that Selank administration affects the expression of genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission, including subunits of the gaba-A receptor.[²] Critically, Selank does not bind gaba-A receptors directly (unlike benzodiazepines or barbiturates) — the GABAergic effects are transcriptional, mediated through downstream signaling rather than direct receptor occupancy. This is the mechanistic basis for the research-community claim that Selank produces anxiolytic effects without benzodiazepine-class dependence, sedation, or motor impairment — a claim that is plausible mechanistically but not validated in long-term controlled human safety trials. - Monoamine modulation. Selank affects the metabolism and concentration of serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in animal models. The serotonin effects are particularly emphasized in the published literature as a contributor to the anxiolytic activity. - Immunomodulation. Selank shifts the balance of T helper cell cytokines (modulation of IL-6, IL-4, IFN-γ) — consistent with its design as a tuftsin analog. Some research-community use targets immune-supportive applications; the immunomodulatory effects are independent of the CNS anxiolytic effects. - Active metabolites. The Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) C-terminal tripeptide that distinguishes Selank from native tuftsin is itself biologically active and contributes to the compound's in-vivo activity beyond what would be expected from the parent heptapeptide alone.

Common research interests. Selank's research-community use spans: - Generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and stress-buffering — the primary research-community use, paralleling the Russian clinical indication. Often used as a "non-benzodiazepine alternative" by researchers seeking anxiolytic effects without benzodiazepine-class dependence concerns. - Cognitive support — researchers report improved focus, memory, and verbal fluency on Selank, often paired with the anxiolytic application. The cognitive effects are mechanistically distinct from those reported for Semax (which has more BDNF/TrkB-driven neuroprotective and cognitive activity); Selank's cognitive effects appear secondary to anxiety reduction. - Stress recovery and burnout — research-community use for chronic-stress and burnout protocols, often as part of a broader stack including Semax for the cognitive-enhancement component. - Immune support — niche research-community use targeting the immunomodulatory mechanism, though the published evidence for clinically meaningful immune effects in healthy researchers is limited. - Pre-event use (public speaking, performance anxiety, exam preparation) — research-community use as an acute anxiolytic for predictable stressful events, often dosed 30–60 minutes pre-event.

Regulatory status — additional notes. Selank is not *currently* on the FDA 503A bulks list as either Category 1 or Category 2 — but the fuller history matters: Selank acetate (TP-7) was previously listed in Category 2 of FDA's interim 503A bulk-substances list (the category for substances FDA identified as presenting significant safety risks), and it was removed on 20 September 2024 following withdrawal of the nomination — not an affirmative FDA safety determination.[⁵] Its present absence from the list reflects a withdrawn nomination rather than an FDA clearance, and its US status is now governed by general 503A requirements rather than a peptide-specific designation.

Selank is not named in the WADA 2026 Prohibited List[⁴] — direct text-search of the canonical 2026 WADA pdf returned no matches for "Selank", "TP-7", or "TKPRPGP", and its anxiolytic/immunomodulatory mechanism (no anabolic, GH-axis, or growth-factor activity) means it would not be expected to fall under the S2 peptide-hormone categories. However, absence by name does not establish permitted status. WADA's S0 (Non-Approved Substances) category is a prohibited-at-all-times catch-all covering any pharmacological substance with no current approval by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use — and it names no substances individually.[⁴] Because Selank is approved only in Russia and not by the FDA, EMA, or other major regulators, some anti-doping interpretations treat it as captured by S0; whether the Russian registration exempts it is genuinely contested. The honest status is therefore "not named, plausibly captured by S0, contested" — not "permitted." Athletes subject to WADA-tested sport should confirm Selank's status directly with their anti-doping organization before any competitive event, and against the most recent annual Prohibited List edition (the 2026 List is the in-force edition; the 2027 List typically publishes around September/October 2026 and takes effect 1 January 2027). The Russian regulatory framework permits clinical prescription of Selank in Russia; outside Russia, the regulatory framework varies by jurisdiction with the Western pattern being "research peptide, not approved as a pharmaceutical drug".

Commonly reported

• Generally well-tolerated at the registered clinical doses
• Mild nasal irritation or rhinorrhea (transient, with intranasal use)
• Occasional headache (uncommon)
• No notable sedation, motor impairment, or psychomotor slowing — distinguishing from benzodiazepine-class anxiolytics
• No reported tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal syndrome in the Russian clinical literature, though long-term Western surveillance does not exist
• Generally well-tolerated; the dominant pattern in research-community use mirrors the Russian clinical reports
• Injection site reactions (with subcutaneous research-community use)
• Mild over-stimulation or insomnia if dosed late in the day (the mild psychostimulant component can interfere with sleep)
• No consistent pattern of serious adverse events in research-community reports
• Long-term safety in Western populations is essentially unknown. No multi-year human safety dataset exists for Selank in non-Russian populations. The Russian clinical safety experience is meaningful but does not directly transfer to Western researcher populations.
• Drug interactions with benzodiazepines, SSRIs, or other psychiatric medications are uncharacterized.
• Pregnancy and lactation safety — no data; default to contraindicated.

Pregnancy and lactation: no data; default to contraindicated — no published reproductive toxicology in humans

Pediatric use: no data — should not be used in researchers under 18

Active psychiatric medication regimen (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs) — caution; no published interaction data

Severe anxiety disorder requiring clinical management — Selank is not a substitute for evidence-based clinical anxiety treatment in Western populations; researchers managing diagnosed anxiety disorders should not substitute Selank for established therapies in collaboration with their psychiatrist

Active major depression with suicidal ideation — caution; sleep and mood modulation in the context of underlying mood disorders is a clinical question that should not be handled with research-community peptide protocols

Known peptide allergy or hypersensitivity — contraindicated

Regulatory note (US): Selank is sold as a research peptide and is not *currently* on the FDA 503A bulks list under a Category 1 or Category 2 designation — but Selank acetate (TP-7) was previously listed in Category 2 (substances FDA identified as presenting significant safety risks) and was removed on 20 September 2024 on withdrawal of the nomination, not on an affirmative FDA safety determination.[⁵] Researchers should be aware of that history and of the regulatory environment in their jurisdiction.

Regulatory note (WADA): Selank is not named in the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.[⁴] That is not the same as permitted: WADA's S0 (Non-Approved Substances) category prohibits at all times any pharmacological substance without current approval by a governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use, and Selank is approved only in Russia — so some anti-doping interpretations treat it as captured by S0. The status is contested. Athletes in WADA-tested sport should confirm directly with their anti-doping organization before use, and re-check each annual edition.

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Many compounds in this library are peptides.

Subcutaneous

An injection into the fatty layer just under the skin, rather than into a muscle or vein.

Intranasal

Given through the nose, for example as a spray or drops.

Half-life

Roughly how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. A long half-life is why some compounds can be taken only once a week.

Western clinical trial

A study run to the evidence standards used by regulators like the FDA (randomized, controlled, peer-reviewed).

1. Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Siuniakov TS, Kost NV, Gabaeva MV, Sokolov OIu, Serebriakova EV, Siranchieva OA, Andriushenko AV, Telesheva ES, Siuniakov SA, Smulevich AB, Miasoedov NF, Seredenin SB. (2008). [Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia]. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova, 108(4):38-48 [Russian].(PMID 18454096)
2. Volkova A, Shadrina M, Kolomin T, Andreeva L, Limborska S, Myasoedov N, Slominsky P. (2016). Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7:31. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00031.(PMID 26924987)
3. Semenova TP, Kozlovskiĭ II, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskaia MM. (2009). [Comparison of the effects of selank and tuftsin on the metabolism of serotonin in the brain of rats pretreated with PCPA]. Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia, 72(4):6-8 [Russian].(PMID 19803361)
4. World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List, International Standard (effective 1 January 2026). Canonical PDF: wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf (linked from the WADA landing page at wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list; local archival copy in `docs/legal/wada-2026-prohibited-list.pdf`). Selank is not named in the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.
5. US Food and Drug Administration. Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (interim policy Category 1 / Category 2 lists). Selank acetate (TP-7) was previously listed in Category 2 — substances FDA identified as presenting significant safety risks — and was removed on 2024-09-20 following withdrawal of the nomination, not an affirmative FDA safety determination. It is not currently on Category 1 or Category 2. Cited in the About "Regulatory status — additional notes" section and the Contraindications US regulatory note. The exact canonical FDA page URL and the removal-notice document are not yet pinned locally.
6. Panikratova YR, et al. (2020). Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects. Doklady Biological Sciences, 490(1):9-11. doi: 10.1134/S001249662001007X.(PMID 32342318)
7. Doyno CR, White CM. (2021). Sedative-Hypnotic Agents That Impact Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors: Focus on Flunitrazepam, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Phenibut, and Selank. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 61 Suppl 2:S114-S128. doi: 10.1002/jcph.1922.(PMID 34396551)
8. Konstantinopolsky MA, et al. (2022). Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 173(6):730-733. doi: 10.1007/s10517-022-05624-x.(PMID 36322304)

• Semax — discussed together in this entry's stacks section
• Pinealon — discussed together in this entry's stacks section
• CJC-1295 — discussed together in this entry's stacks section
• Cerebrolysin — same mechanism class
• Oxytocin — same mechanism class
• P021 — same mechanism class