Semax

A nasal peptide based on a piece of ACTH, approved in Russia for stroke recovery and cognitive problems. Little research outside Russia.

Evidence: Limited human research
Half-life: Minutes
Sources: 2 cited

Is semax FDA-approved?

Approved in Russia. Not approved by the FDA. Products sold online as "research chemicals" aren't checked for purity, sterility or dose.

Overview

Semax was developed in Russia from a fragment of the stress hormone ACTH, with a tail that slows its breakdown. It's used there as a nose drop for stroke, brain injury and memory problems. In rats it raises BDNF, a protein that supports brain cell growth. Most human studies are small and published in Russian journals.

How it works

In animal studies it raises BDNF and its receptor in memory areas of the brain and changes immune and blood vessel gene activity after stroke.

How long does semax stay in the body?

Minutes in the blood; effects in animal studies last longer.

What it's studied for

Stroke recovery
Memory and attention
Brain injury

Sources

The studies and prescribing labels this page is written from.