Russian nootropic pair
Semax + Selank
Experimental material. Read before using anything from here.
Nothing on this page is a medical recommendation, prescription or treatment plan. It is an organized translation of protocols circulating in research communities and, where it exists, of what published trials tested. The two are marked differently — and they are not equivalent.
Most of the compounds here have no FDA approval for human use. Several are sold labeled "research use only", which means they have not gone through purity, sterility or dosage controls for human consumption. A community-reported dose is not a validated dose: it is what someone reported having done.
Talk to a licensed health professional before considering any of these compounds. If you already use one and feel anything unexpected, seek care — do not wait for the next routine test.
Summary
Combines two short-chain peptides developed at the same Russian research institute: Semax and Selank. The community also calls it the Semax-Selank pair or NeuroFocus. The logic is one of counterbalance: Semax pulls toward activation and focus, Selank contains the anxiety that activation can bring.
Quick reference
- Format
- Two separate vials is the standard. Some suppliers sell pre-mixed nasal solutions.
- Schedule
- Both 1×/day in the morning. Semax needs to be dosed before 14 h so it does not disrupt sleep.
- Routes
- Subcutaneous (more consistent absorption) or intranasal (the original route approved in Russia).
- Measure
- Doses are in mcg, not mg. 0.3 mL / 30-unit syringes give precision at small volumes.
- Status
- Both approved in Russia. Neither approved by the FDA. Neither on the WADA list in 2026.
Route Decision - SubQ vs Intranasal
| Factor | Subcutaneous (Injection) | Intranasal (Drops/Spray) |
|---|---|---|
| Approved use | Off-label research route | Original Russian-approved route |
| Absorption consistency | More consistent dose-to-blood levels | Variable - depends on nasal mucosa, congestion, technique |
| Daily dose range (Semax) | 300-800 mcg/day | 400-600 mcg/day, split into 2 administrations |
| Daily dose range (Selank) | 250-500 mcg/day | 400-750 mcg/day, split into 2-3 administrations |
| Convenience | Injection 1×/day | No needles, but 2-3 dosings per day |
| Best for | Anyone who wants a precise dose and the simplicity of 1×/day | Needle-averse users; matching Russian clinical protocols |
Intranasal Dosing (Russian Clinical Pattern)
| Compound | Dose per Administration | Frequency | Daily Total | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semax | 200-300 mcg | 2x daily (AM + early afternoon) | 400-600 mcg | 10-14 days |
| Selank | 200-250 mcg | 2-3x daily | 400-750 mcg | 10-14 days |
Cycle Guidelines
| Approach | Duration | Off period | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cycle | 4 weeks on | 4 weeks off | General cognitive enhancement, work performance |
| Short intensive | 10-14 days on | 10-14 days off | Exam prep, project deadlines, public speaking |
| Extended (5-on / 2-off) | 8 weeks (5 days/week) | 4 weeks off | Chronic stress, long-term cognitive support |
| Clinical intranasal reference | 14-21 days on | 14-21 days off | Matching Russian clinical trial protocols |
Semax Reconstitution Math
| Vial size | BAC water added | Concentration | 300 mcg | 500 mcg | 600 mcg | 800 mcg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 3.0 mL | 3,333 mcg/mL | 0.09 mL (9 units) | 0.15 mL (15 units) | 0.18 mL (18 units) | 0.24 mL (24 units) |
| 10 mg | 2.0 mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 0.06 mL (6 units) | 0.10 mL (10 units) | 0.12 mL (12 units) | 0.16 mL (16 units) |
| 5 mg | 2.0 mL | 2,500 mcg/mL | 0.12 mL (12 units) | 0.20 mL (20 units) | 0.24 mL (24 units) | 0.32 mL (32 units) |
| 5 mg | 1.0 mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 0.06 mL (6 units) | 0.10 mL (10 units) | 0.12 mL (12 units) | 0.16 mL (16 units) |
Selank Reconstitution Math
| Vial size | BAC water added | Concentration | 250 mcg | 400 mcg | 500 mcg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 3.0 mL | 3,333 mcg/mL | 0.075 mL (7.5 units) | 0.12 mL (12 units) | 0.15 mL (15 units) |
| 10 mg | 2.0 mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 0.05 mL (5 units) | 0.08 mL (8 units) | 0.10 mL (10 units) |
| 5 mg | 2.0 mL | 2,500 mcg/mL | 0.10 mL (10 units) | 0.16 mL (16 units) | 0.20 mL (20 units) |
| 5 mg | 1.0 mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 0.05 mL (5 units) | 0.08 mL (8 units) | 0.10 mL (10 units) |
Selank and Semax vs Semax Alone vs Semax + Selank + DSIP
| Feature | Semax + Selank (This Stack) | Semax Alone | Semax + Selank + DSIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Components | Semax + Selank | Semax only | Semax + Selank + DSIP |
| Pathways covered | BDNF/dopamine + GABA/serotonin | BDNF/dopamine only | Cognitive + anxiolytic + sleep |
| Anxiety coverage | Yes (Selank GABA) | No (may increase arousal) | Yes (Selank) |
| Sleep support | No | No | Yes (DSIP at bedtime) |
| Complexity | Moderate (2 vials, 2 injections AM) | Low (1 vial, 1 injection AM) | High (3 vials, 2 AM + 1 PM injection) |
| Estimated grey-market cost | $60-100/month | $30-50/month | $90-150/month |
| Best for | Calm focus; cognitive demand + anxiety | Pure cognitive enhancement without anxiety | Full-spectrum brain optimization + sleep |
Storage and handling
The rules below apply to practically every lyophilized peptide in this reference. Where a compound has its own requirement, it appears in the table in the previous section.
- Lyophilized powder, sealed: refrigerator, between 2 and 8 °C, protected from light. Many tolerate room temperature for short transport periods, but that is tolerance, not a recommendation.
- After reconstitution: always refrigerated, between 2 and 8 °C. The stability window drops to days or a few weeks, depending on the compound.
- Never freeze after reconstituting. The freeze–thaw cycle degrades the peptide.
- Do not shake. Swirl the vial slowly. Shaking breaks the peptide chain.
- Bacteriostatic water down the wall of the vial, in a slow stream, not squirted directly onto the powder.
- Cloudy solution, with particles or a color change: discard. There is no recovery.
Lab tests and monitoring
This list is the one that appears recurrently in the source, with small variations by compound. It serves as a starting point for a conversation with a professional — not as a substitute for that conversation.
- Before starting: complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, fasting glucose and HbA1c, TSH and free T4, blood pressure and resting heart rate.
- Depending on the compound: IGF-1 (GH axis), lipase and amylase (VIP and the incretin agonists), serum copper and ceruloplasmin (GHK-Cu and blends containing it), CRP.
- Reassessment: most protocols review between week 4 and week 8, and then every 8–12 weeks.
- Do not wait for the routine lab test in the face of abdominal pain, visual changes, a change in a mole, shortness of breath, asymmetric swelling or any new and persistent symptom. That is a reason to seek care, not a spreadsheet item.
Evidence limits
Data source: peptidedosingprotocols.com, accessed on September 3, 2026. Translation and organization in Portuguese are original work. No primary source (PubMed, trial registry, package insert) was checked in building this page — the check was against the secondary source, and that alone.