Selank

Overview

• [educational] Heptapeptide (7 aa) — a stabilized Tuftsin (4-aa IgG fragment) + 3 aa, so it inherits tuftsin’s immune effects (phagocytosis, T-cell education, macrophage M1→M2). Approved in Russia for anxiety (2009) and OTC (2017), but on small/unblinded data. — Selank deep dive

Mechanisms

• [educational] Anxiolysis via: GABAergic (helps GABA bind GABA-A like a benzo but differently → no tolerance/dependence), glutamatergic/NMDA (homeostatic), anti-inflammatory (M1→M2), opioid (inhibits enkephalin breakdown), and monoamine balancing (NE/5-HT/DA). — Selank deep dive

Evidence

• [educational] Russian human studies: GAD −61–65% anxiety (EEG change after 1 dose); equal to midazolam/phenazepam with extra cognitive benefit, effects lasting ~1 week post-dose, and none of the benzo side effects (no sedation/dependence/tolerance/withdrawal). Elderly cognition +10–30%; adjustment-disorder ↓depression. Mostly small/unblinded. — Selank deep dive

Anecdotes

Physician protocols

• [protocol] Intranasal first (Russian-approved/studied; most safety data): start 300 mcg ×3 = 900 mcg/day, titrate to 2,700 mcg/day. SubQ (no human data): start ~100 mcg/day, max ~1 mg (>500 mcg diminishing). 3×/day intranasal (short half-life); 2 weeks on / 1 week off → up to 4/2. — Selank deep dive

Practical notes

• [warning] Medication-interaction caution — benzos, GABAergics, opioids, SSRIs/SNRIs, stimulants, alcohol (serotonin-syndrome/sedation risk); use only with close medical monitoring. Cycle on/off; long-term safety unstudied. — Selank deep dive