Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology. It is a stabilized analog of tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) derived from the heavy chain of human immunoglobulin G. The addition of the C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro sequence improves metabolic stability and extends duration of action compared to native tuftsin.
Selank occupies an unusual position in peptide pharmacology: it is one of a very small number of peptides worldwide that has achieved regulatory approval as an anxiolytic medication. It is approved in Russia and CIS countries as a 0.15% intranasal formulation for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia. However, it is not approved by the FDA or EMA and is classified as a research compound in most Western countries.
What makes Selank pharmacologically interesting is its multi-pathway mechanism. Unlike most anxiolytics that work through a single receptor system, Selank modulates at least five distinct molecular pathways: GABAergic neurotransmission (anxiolysis), serotonergic and dopaminergic systems (mood and cognition), BDNF expression (neuroplasticity), enkephalinase inhibition (endogenous opioid preservation), and immune modulation (IL-6, T-helper cell balance). This breadth of action in a seven-amino acid peptide is remarkably dense.
Critically, Selank produces anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines in published clinical studies without causing sedation, amnesia, tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal. This separation of anxiolysis from the typical benzodiazepine side effect profile is the core clinical finding that distinguishes Selank.
Selank's published dosing is intranasal — about 300 mcg/kg a day given as drops or sprays divided through the day — and the fraction of a nasal dose that reaches the bloodstream is not the fraction an injection delivers, so those amounts cannot be restated as syringe units without inventing the conversion. No injectable amount, schedule or frequency for Selank is established anywhere in the literature, and none has been supplied here. The reconstitution figures above are arithmetic and are correct; what is missing is an injectable schedule to apply them to.
Selank is a registered anxiolytic in Russia and is given there as an intranasal solution; the figure most often reported as effective is about 300 mcg/kg a day, delivered as drops or sprays divided across the day in short courses, with the published trials running to around two weeks. Those are intranasal amounts, and the fraction of a nasal dose that reaches the bloodstream is not the same as an injected one, so they cannot be converted into syringe units without inventing the conversion — which is why the nasal course is described here rather than charted as a schedule. There is no established injectable dose for Selank at all, and the Russian evidence base has not been independently replicated outside Russia or reviewed by a Western regulator. Athena's 5 mg and 10 mg vials are listed above with the concentration each comes to, so the material can be measured; the amount and the schedule to measure out are what no source supplies.
What this evidence establishes. Selank is a registered medicine in Russia, and the figure recorded in the note above is the intranasal dose reported as most effective for anxiolytic action in that literature. That evidence base has not been independently replicated outside Russia and has not been through Western regulatory review. There is no established injectable dose.
Sources: Russian clinical literature on Selank, as reported on this site's Selank profile
For educational and laboratory research purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, dosing recommendations, or instructions for human or veterinary use. Syringe units assume a U-100 syringe, on which 1 mL is 100 units and a 50-unit syringe holds 0.5 mL.
Selank acts through multiple complementary neurobiological pathways, each supported by published research:
Acts as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, increasing inhibitory neurotransmission without the sedation or dependence of benzodiazepines
Rapidly elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in the hippocampus. BDNF supports neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and neurogenesis
Influences serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurotransmission in the striatum and frontal cortex. Contributes to mood stabilization and cognitive enhancement
Inhibits enzymes that degrade enkephalins (endogenous opioid peptides), preserving the body's natural pain and stress modulation systems
As a tuftsin analog, retains immunomodulatory properties: modulates IL-6 expression, T-helper cell cytokine balance, and enhances phagocytic activity of monocytes and neutrophils
Alters expression of genes Drd1a, Drd2, Slc6a13, and Ptgs2 involved in GABAergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission within hours of administration
Selank has safety data from Russian clinical trials and decades of clinical use in Russia. The following is derived from published research:
| Condition / Factor | Risk Level | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Dependence / withdrawal | NONE OBSERVED | Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank shows no evidence of tolerance, dependence, or withdrawal in published studies. This is a key differentiator from conventional anxiolytics. |
| Sedation / cognitive impairment | NONE OBSERVED | Selank does not cause sedation, amnesia, or motor impairment at therapeutic doses. Cognitive function is preserved or enhanced. |
| Immunogenicity | LOW | Immunogenicity testing has shown no antibody formation. However, as a tuftsin analog with immune-modulating properties, use in active autoimmune conditions warrants caution. |
| Active autoimmune conditions | MODERATE (theoretical) | Selank modulates immune function (IL-6, T-helper balance). Effects on active autoimmune flares are not specifically studied. |
| Concurrent SSRI/MAOI use | MODERATE (caution) | Selank modulates serotonergic neurotransmission. Theoretical interaction with SSRIs, MAOIs, or other serotonergic drugs. No formal drug interaction studies published. |
| Pregnancy / breastfeeding | INSUFFICIENT DATA | No reproductive safety data published. Standard precaution for neuroactive peptides. |
| Rapid clearance | LOW (clinical feature) | Metabolized in liver, excreted renally. Gone from circulation in ~10 minutes. Low accumulation risk, but requires repeated dosing for sustained effect. |
| Overall clinical safety (Russian data) | FAVORABLE | Decades of clinical use in Russia with an excellent reported safety profile. Side effects are rare and typically mild. However, international independent validation is limited. |
Russia: Approved as a 0.15% intranasal formulation for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenic conditions. Listed on the Russian List of Vital & Essential Drugs (2011). One of a very small number of peptides worldwide with regulatory approval as an anxiolytic.
FDA/EMA: Not approved. Classified as a research compound in the United States and most Western countries. No IND application has been filed with the FDA.
Availability: Available from peptide suppliers in intranasal and injectable formulations. Used in integrative medicine practices globally. The modified form N-Acetyl Selank Amidate offers improved stability and bioavailability.
Key distinction: Selank is one of the few peptides in the world with actual regulatory approval as a clinical anxiolytic. The Russian approval is based on clinical trial data showing efficacy comparable to benzodiazepines without their side effect profile. However, the evidence base remains predominantly from Russian research institutions, and the lack of large-scale international RCTs is the primary limitation for broader regulatory acceptance.
Test your understanding of Selank\'s mechanism, regulatory status, and how it differs from conventional anxiolytics.
This profile is for educational and research purposes only. It is not medical advice, and nothing on it is a protocol, a recommendation, or an instruction for use in a person or an animal.
Athena Peptides Education does not prescribe, sell, or recommend any compound. Compounds discussed here are for laboratory research only and are not for human consumption. Always consult a qualified physician before making any decision about your health.