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Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro)
A synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic developed in Russia as an analogue of the immunopeptide tuftsin, dosed intranasally. Honest appraisal: the evidence is limited and largely Russian — mostly rat/mouse anxiety and immune-modulation studies plus a small number of low-rigor human anxiety studies. There is essentially no independent Western replication, no large well-controlled trial, and no Western regulatory approval. It is not a regulated dietary supplement and is sold for research use only outside Russia.
Research peptide — not a dietary supplement
Selank is a research compound, not a regulated dietary supplement. It is typically administered by injection and sold “for research use only.” The evidence below is largely preclinical (animal and in-vitro) or early-stage, so no evidence score is assigned. This page is provided for transparency and education — it is not a recommendation to use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider, and be aware that purity, dosing, and legal status vary by jurisdiction.
What the evidence says
Most Selank studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from mixed-quality randomised trials published 2008–2021 with a typical study size of 52 participants.
Based on 9 studies · 2 RCTs · 52 total participants
Confidence
Low confidenceBy outcome
Selank is a research peptide whose evidence is mostly Russian rodent and in-vitro work; the only human data are a small open-label add-on trial and a 52-person imaging study, with no independent replication.
No trials currently enrolling · 1 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
Registered trials show research momentum for Selank, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Aug 2026
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, also called TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia at the Institute of Molecular Genetics as a stabilized analogue of the endogenous immunopeptide tuftsin, with an added Pro-Gly-Pro tail intended to slow enzymatic breakdown.
It is promoted as an anxiolytic and mild nootropic and is typically administered intranasally.
Proposed mechanisms — drawn mostly from preclinical work — include positive allosteric modulation of GABA receptors, interaction with the enkephalin/opioid system (selank inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes, slowing breakdown of endogenous enkephalins), modulation of serotonin and BDNF, and immune/cytokine effects inherited from its tuftsin lineage.
The honest evidence picture is limited. Most published studies are Russian, conducted in rodents (anxiety models, stress, immune-gene expression).
Human data are sparse and low-rigor: a small Russian randomized trial used selank as an add-on to a benzodiazepine in anxiety disorders, and a 52-participant resting-state fMRI study reported changes in amygdala connectivity.
Independent (non-Russian) reviews note that selank is 'poorly studied,' has not completed recognized clinical trials, and is sold to Western consumers as a dietary supplement despite that status being unsupported.
There is no Western regulatory approval, incomplete reporting in much of the literature, and almost no independent replication. The overall evidence is therefore emerging/low and should be treated as research-grade, not clinical-grade.
Reported to act as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA receptors and to influence GABAergic gene expression and serotonergic tone — the proposed basis for its anxiolytic effect. Evidence is mostly in-vitro and rodent.
Thought to slow the breakdown of endogenous enkephalins and engage the opioid system; naloxone alters selank's anxiolytic response in mice, implicating the enkephalin-opioid pathway.
As a tuftsin analogue, selank alters expression of cytokine, chemokine and inflammation-related genes in rodent immune tissue — an immunomodulatory signal carried over from its parent peptide.
How Selank works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Avoid — not studied.
Avoid or use only under medical supervision — plausible additive CNS/opioid-system effects.
Not a regulated supplement; research-use-only outside Russia with no Western approval.
Selank modulates GABA signaling and has been combined with benzodiazepines in Russian studies; additive sedative or CNS-depressant effects are plausible. Independent (US) pharmacology reviews group it with GABAergic sedative-hypnotics.
Selank engages the enkephalin-opioid system in animal models and its effects are altered by naloxone — interaction with opioid-acting drugs is plausible and unstudied in humans.
Tip: Human safety reporting is limited; effects are not well quantified. Avoid unsupervised use.
Tip: Stop use if local irritation occurs
Tip: Avoid combining with other CNS depressants
The current evidence for Selank is insufficient to assign an evidence score, based on 9 indexed studies. A synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic developed in Russia as an analogue of the immunopeptide tuftsin, dosed intranasally. Honest appraisal: the evidence is limited and largely Russian — mostly rat/mouse anxiety and immune-modulation studies plus a small number of low-rigor human anxiety studies. There is essentially no independent Western replication, no large well-controlled trial, and no Western regulatory approval. It is not a regulated dietary supplement and is sold for research use only outside Russia. Representative study: PMID 34396551.
The commonly studied dose of Selank is No validated human regimen. Russian protocols describe intranasal use; rodent studies commonly use ~0.3 mg/kg. Treat any human dose as unvalidated.. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
Timing is flexible for Selank — consistent daily use matters more than the time of day. Selank is dosed intranasally to bypass the rapid enzymatic degradation that limits peptide bioavailability.
Selank should be used with caution — talk to a healthcare provider before taking it. The most commonly reported side effects are inadequately characterized side-effect profile, nasal/local irritation (intranasal route), sedation / CNS depression (theoretical, GABAergic). Use caution if any of these apply to you: Pregnancy and breastfeeding (not studied); Known peptide/excipient hypersensitivity; Use without medical supervision given research-only status.
Dihexa
Mostly mechanism / observationalA synthetic angiotensin-IV-derived peptide developed as a procognitive/anti-dementia research compound, promoted online as a potent nootropic. Honest appraisal: all efficacy data are in rodents and cell culture — there are no published human trials. Research-use-only.
Humanin
Mostly mechanism / observationalA mitochondrial-derived peptide (a sibling of MOTS-c) studied for cytoprotection, neuroprotection, and metabolic effects. Honest appraisal: the evidence is almost entirely cell-culture and animal work plus human biomarker associations — there are no human efficacy trials of administered humanin. Research-use-only.
Semaglutide
Mostly mechanism / observationalAn FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist (Ozempic/Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for chronic weight management) with genuinely strong, large-RCT evidence for glycemic control and substantial weight loss, plus a cardiovascular-outcomes benefit. Honest appraisal: this is a real prescription medicine with real efficacy AND real risks — a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors, pancreatitis and gallbladder risk, very common GI side effects, and growing concern about grey-market/compounded versions. It is included here for reference only, not as a supplement and not auto-recommended.
Tirzepatide
Mostly mechanism / observationalAn FDA-approved prescription medication (Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes, Zepbound for obesity and obstructive sleep apnea), not a dietary supplement. Honest appraisal: in head-to-head phase-3 trials it is the most effective approved weight-loss drug to date — up to ~21% body-weight loss over 72 weeks and superior to semaglutide — but it is a real medicine with real risks: a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors, common GI side effects, and pancreatitis/gallbladder signals. Do not source or use it outside a prescription.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 9 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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