Semax
Semax (ACTH 4-10 analog)
Research Parameters
- Typical Dose Range
- Research: 250 to 1,000 mcg daily intranasal. Clinical (Russia): up to 5,000 mcg daily for stroke indication.
- Half-Life
- ~30 minutes (plasma); CNS effects persist longer
- Administration Route
- Intranasal
Dosing information is for research purposes only and has not been evaluated by the FDA.
Semax is the cognitive peptide. The one researchers bring up when the conversation turns to focus, memory, and getting more out of your brain under load. The reason it's in every serious nootropic research discussion: Semax produces one of the largest upregulations of BDNF ever measured from a single compound. BDNF is brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the protein that supports neuron survival, growth, and plasticity. The thing that essentially lets your brain keep adapting.
Russia has used Semax clinically for stroke recovery and cognitive disorders for decades. Outside Russia it's research-only, but the dataset is extensive. Research covers cognitive performance, stroke recovery, stress resilience, and attention. It's not a stimulant. No jitter, no crash. It's an upstream signal.
For research purposes only.
Mechanism of Action
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), modified to retain neurological effects while stripping the hormonal ones. It upregulates BDNF and NGF expression, modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling, and crosses the blood-brain barrier via intranasal administration through the olfactory pathway.
Citations
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Semax used for in research?
Research centers on BDNF upregulation, cognitive enhancement, stroke recovery, and neuroprotection. Russia's clinical literature also covers stress resilience and attention disorders. For research purposes only.
- How does Semax compare to Selank?
Both are Russian-developed neuropeptides. Semax is studied for cognition, focus, and BDNF response; Selank is studied for anti-anxiety effects through GABA modulation. Many research protocols use them together. For research purposes only.
- Why is Semax administered intranasally?
The intranasal route delivers Semax directly to the central nervous system via the olfactory pathway, bypassing the digestive system and blood-brain barrier. Oral administration does not produce the same research outcomes. For research purposes only.