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Synthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide)

Selank

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

Tier 3 — Animal / in vitroReviewed 2026-05-04

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.

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Overview

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.

Mechanism

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.

Evidence by indication

We classify each indication separately. The same peptide can be Tier 1 for one use and Tier 4 for another. Tiers reflect the published literature, not the strength of 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

Studied dose ranges

The ranges below come from published trial protocols where available, and from documented self-experimenter consensus where the literature does not include human dose-finding work. The notes flag which is which.

250–900 mcg1–3× daily · intranasal (drops or spray)

Russian clinical use cluster: 250–900 mcg/day intranasal in divided doses, typically as a 0.15% solution. See Juno's nasal-spray prep guide for handling specifics.

100–300 mcgonce daily · subcutaneous (research / community use)

SubQ dosing is a community extrapolation, not a Russian clinical standard. Use cautiously and at the low end.

Contraindications

  • 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)

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

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 → to compute exact draw volumes for your specific vial and BAC water choice.

Editorial note

DRAFT — pending Wayne's review. Selank is a fixture in nootropic communities but the clinical literature is overwhelmingly Russian, mostly old, and not independently replicated. Per Rule 5, hold at Tier 3 across the board. The intranasal route is the natural pair with our nasal-spray prep guide, which makes this an editorially worthwhile entry even at Tier 3.

Citations

  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