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Compounds / Semax

Semax

Full name
Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro; ACTH(4-10) analogue)
Mechanism
Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10) without corticotropic activity. Increases BDNF/NGF expression, modulates dopaminergic/serotonergic systems; studied for stroke and cognitive indications in Russian clinical literature.
Half-life
short (minutes); central effects longer
Administration
intranasal, subcutaneous
Typical dosage*
low: 200mcg · typical: intranasal 300-600mcg/day · high: higher in clinical stroke protocols
Researched for
cognitive support / neuroprotection (research), stroke recovery (clinical in Russia)
Reported side effects
anecdotal: well tolerated; nasal irritation; overstimulation at high dose
Interactions
theoretical interaction with stimulant/dopaminergic agents
Commonly combined
Semax + Selank (nootropic stack, anecdotal)
Scheduling
🇦🇺 AUNot ARTG-registered; research
🇺🇸 USNot FDA-approved
🇬🇧 UKNot licensed
Regulatory status
Registered as a medicine in Russia; not approved in AU/US/UK.
Recon default
300 mcg typical · 2 ml BAC · refrigerated

*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.

18studies
9faqs
nootropicneuroprotectiveneuropeptide

Studies (18)

YearTitle / venueSource
2026Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · preclinical
PMID 41490200
2025Semax peptide targets the μ opioid receptor gene Oprm1 to promote deubiquitination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female mice
British journal of pharmacology · preclinical
PMID 40692165
2025Semax, a Copper Chelator Peptide, Decreases the Cu(II)-Catalyzed ROS Production and Cytotoxicity of aβ by Metal Ion Stripping and Redox Silencing
Bioinorganic chemistry and applications · preclinical
PMID 40496623
2024ACTH-like Peptides Compensate Rat Brain Gene Expression Profile Disrupted by Ischemia a Day After Experimental Stroke
Biomedicines · preclinical
PMID 39767736
2022Semax, a Synthetic Regulatory Peptide, Affects Copper-Induced Abeta Aggregation and Amyloid Formation in Artificial Membrane Models
ACS chemical neuroscience · preclinical
PMID 35080861
2021Semax, synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue, attenuates behavioural and neurochemical alterations following early-life fluvoxamine exposure in white rats
Neuropeptides · preclinical
PMID 33418449
2018Pharmacological Aspects of Neuro-Immune Interactions
Current pharmaceutical design · preclinical
PMID 28875850
2018Effects of Semax on the Default Mode Network of the Brain
Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · preclinical
PMID 30225715
2018[The efficacy of semax in the tretament of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke]
Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · human
PMID 29798983
2017Semax, an analog of ACTH((4-7)), regulates expression of immune response genes during ischemic brain injury in rats
Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG · preclinical
PMID 28255762
2016Influence of the N-terminus acetylation of Semax, a synthetic analog of ACTH(4-10), on copper(II) and zinc(II) coordination and biological properties
Journal of inorganic biochemistry · preclinical
PMID 27586814
2016Semax prevents learning and memory inhibition by heavy metals
Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · preclinical
PMID 27411820
2014The peptide semax affects the expression of genes related to the immune and vascular systems in rat brain focal ischemia: genome-wide transcriptional analysis
BMC genomics · preclinical
PMID 24661604
2010Semax and Pro-Gly-Pro activate the transcription of neurotrophins and their receptor genes after cerebral ischemia
Cellular and molecular neurobiology · preclinical
PMID 19633950
2010[Nootropic and analgesic effects of Semax following different routes of administration]
Rossiiskii fiziologicheskii zhurnal imeni I.M. Sechenova · preclinical
PMID 21268834
2007Neurotrophin gene expression in rat brain under the action of Semax, an analogue of ACTH 4-10
Neuroscience letters · preclinical
PMID 17353092
2006Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrain
Journal of neurochemistry · preclinical
PMID 16635254
2005Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue with nootropic properties, activates dopaminergic and serotoninergic brain systems in rodents
Neurochemical research · preclinical
PMID 16362768

Questions (9)

What is Semax?

Semax (Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro; ACTH(4-10) analogue)). Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10) without corticotropic activity. Increases BDNF/NGF expression, modulates dopaminergic/serotonergic systems; studied for stroke and cognitive indications in Russian clinical literature.

What is Semax used for?

Commonly discussed uses: cognitive support / neuroprotection (research), stroke recovery (clinical in Russia). There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.

How does Semax work?

Mechanism: Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10) without corticotropic activity. Increases BDNF/NGF expression, modulates dopaminergic/serotonergic systems; studied for stroke and cognitive indications in Russian clinical literature.

Is Semax safe?

Reported considerations: anecdotal: well tolerated; nasal irritation; overstimulation at high dose. There is both human and animal/preclinical research, though the depth and quality vary by indication. Registered as a medicine in Russia; not approved in AU/US/UK. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.

What is the typical dose of Semax?

Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low 200mcg, typical intranasal 300-600mcg/day, high higher in clinical stroke protocols. Administration: intranasal, subcutaneous. Half-life: short (minutes); central effects longer.

Is Semax legal in Australia?

Australian status: Not ARTG-registered; research. Registered as a medicine in Russia; not approved in AU/US/UK. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.

How do you store Semax?

Reconstitution/storage reference: intranasal pre-mixed; SC 2ml BAC per 5-10mg; storage: refrigerated.

What is Semax commonly stacked with?

Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): Semax + Selank (nootropic stack, anecdotal). Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.