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Synthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide)

Selank

Also known as: TP-7, Selanc, Tuftsin analog (TKPRPGP)

Russian-developed anxiolytic/nootropic peptide. Most clinical data is in Russian and methodologically thin by Western standards. Tier 3. Routes include intranasal — a natural pair with Juno's nasal-spray prep guide.

Reviewed 2026-05-04

What it does

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (TKPRPGP) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (Russian Academy of Sciences) as a stabilized analog of tuftsin, a four-amino-acid immunopeptide cleaved from immunoglobulin G. It is registered in Russia and a few CIS countries as an anxiolytic; outside that jurisdiction it is unapproved and sold as a research peptide. Most of the clinical evidence is in Russian-language publications, often with small sample sizes, vague randomization, and no independent Western replication. Routes include intranasal (the dominant Russian clinical route) and subcutaneous.

Used for

Dose

Starting
250 mcg · 1–3× daily
Common
575 mcg · 1–3× daily
Upper
900 mcg · 1–3× daily
When
MorningAnxiolytic + mild cognitive without sedation. Morning intranasal dose pairs with the workday. Some users report evening dosing paradoxically interferes with sleep onset (alertness without anxiety).
Site
intranasal (drops or spray)

Need exact volumes? Open the peptide calculator →

⚠ Caution

  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no human safety data)
  • Concurrent CNS depressants without supervision (additive sedation risk has not been characterized in modern trials)
  • Known hypersensitivity to peptide formulations or excipients
  • Active autoimmune disease (theoretical immunomodulatory caution)

Often stacked with

  • Semax — Selank (tuftsin analog) targets GABA/serotonin-mediated anxiolysis and BDNF upregulation; Semax (ACTH 4-10 analog) drives NGF/BDNF expression and neuroprotection — overlapping neurotrophic endpoints via distinct pathways; both intranasal.

Your stack

Track this peptide in your protocol — dose, schedule, vials on hand, refill projection. Stays in your browser; no account needed.

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Use this peptide

Featured in protocols
Co-injection & overlap

Inject separately (do not co-mix): Semax

Reconstitution & storage

Most often supplied as a 0.15% intranasal solution by Russian pharmacies; research vendors abroad sell lyophilized powder. Reconstitute powder per Juno's nasal-spray prep guide — typical: 5 mg in 5 mL of preservative-containing nasal vehicle = 1 mg/mL = 50 mcg per typical 50 µL spray. Use sterile technique.

Storage. Lyophilized: refrigerate. Reconstituted intranasal: refrigerate, protect from light, use within 30 days.

Open the peptide calculator →

Monitoring & questions

Reported side effects
  • Generally well tolerated in published Russian trials
  • Mild headache
  • Local nasal irritation with intranasal use
  • Drowsiness uncommon (a key point of community appeal — claimed non-sedating)
  • Long-term human safety data outside Russian use is essentially absent
Biomarkers Juno tracks
FAQ (3)

Reference

How it works

Proposed mechanisms include modulation of GABA-ergic and serotonergic signaling, upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), enkephalinase inhibition (extending endogenous opioid peptide half-life), and immune modulation via tuftsin-receptor activity on macrophages. The relative contribution of each mechanism to the claimed clinical effects in humans is not settled.

EvidenceTier 3 — Animal / in vitro

Tiers are per indication. The same molecule can be Tier 1 for one use and Tier 4 for another — the tier reflects published literature, not community framing.

Generalized anxiety / situational anxiety

Tier 3medium confidence

Russian clinical work (Zozulya 2008 and others) reports anxiolytic effects comparable to medazepam in small open-label and pseudo-controlled trials, with fewer sedation/cognitive side effects. Lack of independent Western replication and methodological limitations cap this at Tier 3 by the skill's Rule 5 (old, unreplicated, or methodologically limited trials are weaker than they look).

Zozulia AA et al. 2008

Cognitive / nootropic effects

Tier 3medium confidence

Animal studies show pro-cognitive effects on attention and memory; small Russian human studies suggest improved attention in anxiety patients. No Western RCT for nootropic use in healthy adults.

Kost NV et al. 2016

Adjunct for opioid / benzodiazepine withdrawal

Tier 3medium confidence

Mechanistic work on enkephalinase inhibition supports the rationale; small Russian trials in withdrawal protocols exist. No Western RCT.

Kost NV et al. 2016

Immunomodulation (general)

Tier 3medium confidence

Tuftsin-derived peptides have measurable effects on macrophage function in vitro and in animal models. Selank-specific immune outcomes in humans are not well characterized.

Kost NV et al. 2016
Citations (2)
  1. [1]
    Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic Selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia
    Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Siuniakov TS, et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 2008 · PMID 18427573
    Anchor Russian clinical anxiolysis paper; primary basis for the Tier 3 anxiety indication.
    View source
  2. [2]
    Selank — a novel anxiolytic peptide: pharmacological and clinical perspectives
    Kost NV, Sokolov OY, Kolobov AA, et al. · Neurochemical Journal / Russian peer-reviewed translation · 2016 · PMID 27506200
    Cross-indication mechanistic and clinical-overview review; supports nootropic and immunomodulation Tier 3 framing.
    View source