Selank

DNot approved (outside Russia)tuftsin analogueTP-7
In one paragraphSelank is a synthetic analogue of tuftsin, an immune-signalling peptide, developed in Russia alongside Semax and registered there as an anxiolytic. Small Russian studies report anxiety reduction comparable to benzodiazepines without sedation; none has been replicated internationally or published to standards that allow the claim to be checked. It is not approved in the EU, US or UK.
Schematic 3D structure of Selank
7 residues · tuftsin analogue with Pro-Gly-Pro tail · schematic
Overall gradeD No human evidence
Human trialsRussian-language, small
Outcomes graded3
Last reviewed2 September 2026
EvidenceWhat it isHow it worksUnknownsRegulationQuestionsReferences

What the human research shows

The anxiolytic claim is specific and testable, and the trials that would test it properly have not been run outside Russia. Everything here is graded on that absence, not on a negative result.

OutcomeGradeEffect sizeHuman studiesWhere the evidence comes from
AnxietyDNo human evidenceNot measurableSmall Russian studiesReports of anxiety reduction in generalised anxiety disorder, some comparing against benzodiazepines. Small, from the originating institutes, not independently replicated.1
Cognitive effectsDNo human evidenceNot measurableNone controlled internationallySecondary claims from the same small studies.
Safety in humansadverseDNo human evidenceNot measurableNo systematic international dataReported as well tolerated in Russian use; no modern pharmacovigilance dataset.
AMultiple good human trials, consistentBSome human trials, mostly consistentCFew or weak human studiesDAnimal or anecdotal onlyeffect size · red = adverse

Literature searched to 2 September 2026. Human studies only; animal and cell work informs the mechanism section and nothing else.

What it is

Selank is a modified fragment of tuftsin, a peptide from an immune protein, with a stabilising tail. Like Semax it comes from the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow, is given as a nasal spray, and is registered in Russia — in this case as an anxiolytic.

How it is thought to work

Proposed effects on GABA signalling, serotonin turnover and BDNF, plus immune modulation via the tuftsin lineage. As with Semax, the mechanistic literature comes largely from the originating groups.

What is still unknown

  • Whether the anxiolytic effect exists at the standard a regulator would require.
  • Dose, duration and long-term safety by international standards.

Regulatory status

Russia
Registered medicine

Approved nationally as an anxiolytic.

European Union
Not authorised

No marketing authorisation.

United States
Not approved

Sold as a research chemical.

Canada
Not authorised

No Health Canada authorisation.

Questions people actually ask

Is Selank as effective as benzodiazepines?
Some small Russian studies make that comparison. None has been replicated internationally, and the reporting does not allow the claim to be checked. Treat it as untested rather than established.
Is Selank addictive?
It is claimed not to be, on the basis that it does not act directly on benzodiazepine receptors. No long-term human study has examined dependence.

References

  1. 1
    Searches of PubMed and trial registries for Selank human trials outside Russia.LYO literature search, September 2026No independently replicated randomised trials identified.

Change log

  • 2026-09-02Initial publication. Graded D on absence of internationally reported controlled evidence.