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Cognitive · Investigational

Selank

Awaiting FDA decision

Talk to a clinician about your goal
Written by Peptide Association Editorial TeamLast reviewed Editorial policy

01 · Overview

A synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) built from the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin with an added Pro-Gly-Pro sequence for stability (PMID 30255741). In laboratory studies Selank acts as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA binding and alters expression of genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission in rat brain (PMID 26924987).

Its safety and abuse potential have been poorly studied outside Russia (PMID 34396551).

02 · Research summary & key findings

Used in Russia as an anxiolytic; it is not FDA-approved and has been sold in the US as a supplement despite limited study (PMID 34396551). In a small Russian randomized study of 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder or neurasthenia, Selank had anxiolytic effects similar to medazepam, plus antiasthenic effects (PMID 18454096). Added to phenazepam, it reduced some benzodiazepine side effects such as sedation and memory impairment in a small trial (PMID 26356395). In vitro it suppressed IL-6 gene expression in blood cells from patients with depression, and treated patients showed shifts in Th1/Th2 cytokine balance (PMID 18577961).

03 · Regulatory status

Selank is in the investigational stage. While preclinical and early-phase data exist, it has not received regulatory approval for clinical use in the United States.

Selank is not FDA-approved, and as of October 2026 FDA has not finalized whether pharmacies may compound it. Whether a pharmacy will compound it depends on the pharmacy and your state. If you are working on the goal it is studied for, a licensed clinician can tell you what is lawfully available, which may be something else.

04 · Administration routes

  • Intranasal

References

  1. [1][Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia] Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 2008. PMID 18454096
  2. [2][Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders] Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 2008. PMID 18577961
  3. [3][Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank] Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova, 2015. PMID 26356395
  4. [4]Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission Front Pharmacol, 2016. PMID 26924987
  5. [5]Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity Protein Pept Lett, 2018. PMID 30255741
  6. [6]Sedative-Hypnotic Agents That Impact Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors: Focus on Flunitrazepam, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Phenibut, and Selank J Clin Pharmacol, 2021. PMID 34396551

Primary literature

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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.