Selank Research Guide: Anxiolytic Heptapeptide Mechanism & Dosing
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, studied for anxiolytic and nootropic effects without sedation or dependence.
What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is structurally derived from tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory tetrapeptide, with proline-glycine-proline added to extend half-life.
It is approved as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia and has been studied for generalized anxiety, attentional performance, and stress-related research models.
Mechanism of action
Selank modulates GABAergic transmission — animal studies show effects comparable to classical benzodiazepines on anxiety measures without sedation, motor impairment, or dependence.
It upregulates BDNF expression in the hippocampus, stabilizes endogenous enkephalin levels by inhibiting their enzymatic degradation, and influences the balance of serotonergic and dopaminergic signaling in the limbic system.
Half-life and stability
Plasma half-life is short (<30 minutes) but downstream gene-expression effects on BDNF and other targets persist far longer.
Compliance reminder
Selank is sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or cure of any disease.
Frequently asked questions
What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences as an analog of tuftsin with extended half-life. It is studied for anxiolytic and nootropic effects.
Mechanism?
Selank modulates GABAergic transmission, upregulates BDNF expression in the hippocampus, stabilizes enkephalin levels by inhibiting their degradation, and influences serotonergic and dopaminergic balance in animal models.
Half-life?
Plasma half-life of intranasal Selank is short — under 30 minutes — but its central effects persist much longer due to downstream gene expression changes.