Peptides.org describes Selank as a peptide that influences “the levels and activity and neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA, which can result in mood improvement and cognitive enhancement.” Since its development by the Russian Academy of Sciences, researchers have conducted numerous studies examining its potential therapeutic roles, particularly as an anti-anxiety agent. But how does it work? How effective is it, and what limitations or concerns remain? In this article, we’ll break down these questions to help anyone considering Selank peptide (or simply curious about it) understand what current research really shows.

What the science says

As explained in a PubMed study, tuftsin is a naturally occurring peptide that influences the immune system and several other physiological processes. Selank is based on the core structure of tuftsin but includes specific modifications, another study shares. As a result, it retains some of tuftsin’s original functions. Preclinical research also suggests that the modifications on Selank give it a stronger effect on the brain and a longer duration of action in the body, although data is limited. 

Mechanistically, Selank appears to be “multimodal,”  not a classic benzodiazepine or SSRI. Instead, it influences multiple systems. Biotech Pharma reports that Selank alters the levels of key brain chemicals, including serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It can raise serotonin levels in areas such as the hippocampus and cortex, and help keep dopamine levels more balanced during stress. Selank doesn’t directly bind to dopamine or serotonin receptors, but it regulates the systems that control their release and breakdown. 

Further research indicates that Selank also acts as a positive modulator of GABA-A receptors, thereby enhancing the natural calming effects of GABA. Since GABA functions as the brain’s “brake pedal,” reducing neural firing when it activates its receptors, Selank may help support this calming system.

As noted by Inner Body, several commonly discussed benefits are associated with Selank, including reduced anxiety, improved mood, enhanced focus and better sleep. Selank is most often taken intranasally as a spray, which is the method most frequently used in studies and appears to offer the best absorption. Peptide Dojo explains that subcutaneous injection is less common but still used by individuals experienced with peptide administration. Although oral capsules are available, this route is not supported by research, as peptides are broken down during digestion and cannot deliver the full effects of the compound. 

Several small human studies (primarily conducted in Russia) have found that Selank may help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and support overall well-being. Cambridge clinical trials in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety-asthenic conditions reported meaningful reductions in anxiety symptoms. However, most studies have relatively small sample sizes, and independent research outside Russia remains limited, so the current evidence should be viewed as preliminary.

Risks and safety considerations 

Although Selank is often marketed as a “safe” peptide, there are important safety issues consumers should be aware of. Currently, it is not FDA-approved or regulated. It is also not approved by both Health Canada and the EMA (European Medicines Agency). While this doesn’t mean Selank is harmful, it does mean there are no standardized dosing guidelines, no requirements for safety testing or purity and products will vary in quality depending on the seller. This lack of regulation also creates space for companies to oversell benefits and understate risks, especially when targeting people seeking mental health solutions. 

Kiara Dewitt, a certified neurology nurse and Head of Clinical Operations at Medical Director Co., cautions users, “One primary risk I feel that has been completely glossed over is this false psychological security. Users use it because they feel…this is not a real drug, so they increase dosage, stack it with other unregulated chemicals, and do so with the preconceived notion that it has no ‘downside.’” 

Currently, there are no tests on long-term usage, and the potential for chronic effects on the brain, immune system and hormones is not well researched. Although short-term usage has been documented as being well tolerated, Peptides.org shares that side effects can include nasal irritation, headache, fatigue, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, trouble sleeping, depression and hair loss. It’s important to note that many of these side-effect reports come from anecdotal or non-peer-reviewed sources. The peer-reviewed human trials that do exist report very few side effects.

Alternatives

There is published evidence that ashwagandha (properly dosed) can improve aspects of cognition (memory, attention, reaction time) while reducing tension and perceived fatigue in healthy adults. Because stress and chronic anxiety often interfere with concentration, ashwagandha’s dual role (stress-buffer + mild cognitive support) can be useful if you’re looking for something milder than prescription anxiolytics but more structured than general lifestyle changes. Dewitt states that “Just because Ashwagandha… is a natural mood balancing herb does not make it anywhere close to equivalent to or work in the same systems as Selank.”

L-Theanine (an amino acid found in tea) is often studied for its effects on stress and anxiety. The Cleveland Clinic suggests 200–500 mg/day may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation without sedation. Alternatively, there is clinical evidence that magnesium, particularly when combined with vitamins, herbal extracts and/or green tea, can help reduce stress, perceived anxiety and improve resilience to stress. For example, a 28-day trial of a magnesium + B-vitamin + herbal blend (“Mg-Teadiola”) found significant reductions in stress scores compared to placebo.

What does Selank do to the brain?

A major misconception is that Selank works like prescription anxiolytics or nootropics; in reality, it doesn’t have strong, fast-acting effects, and its cognitive benefits are not well proven. Instead of acting as a powerful drug, Selank appears to influence a few gentle regulatory pathways in the brain. 

Beyond its mild GABA-modulating effects, Selank may also influence serotonin and dopamine activity, helping stabilize mood and reduce anxious thinking. It appears to regulate the body’s stress-response system by dampening stress-related gene activity, which may help people recover from stress more smoothly. Dewitt explains, “I would say based on the effects, it is slightly upregulating serotonin turnover and has effects on dopamine tone. This would account for mood and cognition feeling ‘clearer’ or ‘lighter’ as is often described under Selank.”

Early research also suggests Selank could slightly increase BDNF (a protein involved in learning and memory), though this evidence is still very limited. Studies share that Selank also has immunomodulatory properties, meaning it can affect inflammatory and immune signaling; since inflammation plays a role in mood and stress regulation, this pathway may indirectly support emotional balance. 

Overall, these mechanisms are subtle and not strongly proven in humans, but they explain why Selank is marketed for mood and cognitive support. 

Can you take Selank every day?

Selank has been used in Russian clinical settings for short-term, daily courses (typically 10-14 days, sometimes up to 1 month) because it appears to be well tolerated and non-sedating. There’s no strong evidence on the safety or usefulness of taking it every day long-term, and no international regulatory guidance since it isn’t FDA or EMA-approved. Most of the available studies are small and short in duration, so no one can say with certainty whether extended daily use is safe or effective. For this reason, Peptides.org confirms that people generally use Selank in cycles, not continuously and avoid long-term daily dosing unless under medical supervision.

Bottom line

Selank is an experimental peptide with promising (but still limited) evidence behind it. Research suggests it may help reduce anxiety and support mood through gentle effects on GABA signaling, stress-related gene activity and neurotransmitter balance, but it does not work like fast-acting prescription anxiolytics, and its cognitive-enhancement claims remain unproven.

It’s important to approach it with realistic expectations: its effects are subtle, evidence is preliminary and long-term risks aren’t well understood. Safer and better-studied alternatives, both lifestyle-based and supplement-based, exist for managing anxiety and improving focus. Ultimately, Selank may be useful for some people, but it should be viewed as an experimental tool, not a proven treatment or cognitive enhancer, and ideally used with medical guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it feel like to be on Selank?

In a Reddit forum discussing the peptide, one user explains, “It doesn’t feel like anything. But then I compare my behavior from a week of taking it compared to before, and I’m a lot less afraid.” As reported by Frontiers, it has been shown to reduce aggression or fear in some animals. 

Does Selank help you sleep?

Dewitt says, “I think the lack of emotional reactivity before bed is where it helps the most and could lead to lowered sleep onset latency. Whether it deepens sleep cycles is another story. I would leave it at a support peptide for those who ruminate or worry before bed.”

Does Selank need to be refrigerated?

Selank is generally stored cold to maintain its stability. The lyophilized (powder) form can tolerate short periods at room temperature, but it keeps best when refrigerated or frozen. Once reconstituted (mixed with liquid), it becomes far less stable and should always be kept in the refrigerator and used within a short window. Dewitt cautions, “Anything compounded or shipped warm is immediately suspect.”

Citations

Marinov, D. (2017). Peptides.org. Peptides.org. https://www.peptides.org/selank/ 

Myasoedov, N. F. (2016). Innovative drugs: From basic research to production. Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 86(3), 151–157. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1019331616030084 

Fridkin, M., & Najjar, V. A. (1989). Tuftsin: its chemistry, biology, and clinical potential. Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 24(1), 1–40. https://doi.org/10.3109/10409238909082550 

Kolik, L. G., Nadorova, A. V., Antipova, T. A., Kruglov, S. V., Kudrin, V. S., & Durnev, A. D. (2019). Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 167(5), 641–644. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-019-04588-9 

Semenova, T. P., kozlovskiĭ, I. I., Zakharova, N. M., & Kozlovskaia, M. M. (2009). Comparison of the effects of selank and tuftsin on the metabolism of serotonin in the brain of rats pretreated with PCPA. Eksperimental’naia I Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia, 72(4), 6–8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19803361/

Selank | BioTech Pharma. (2024). Biotechpharma.org. https://biotechpharma.org/selank-research 

Vyunova, T. V., Andreeva, L., Shevchenko, K., & Myasoedov, N. (2018). Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity. Protein & Peptide Letters, 25(10), 914–923. https://doi.org/10.2174/0929866525666180925144642 

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Here’s What You Need To Know About L-Theanine. (2023, July 18). Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/l-theanine 

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Kolik, L. G., Nadorova, A. V., Antipova, T. A., Kruglov, S. V., Kudrin, V. S., & Durnev, A. D. (2019). Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 167(5), 641–644. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-019-04588-9 

Uchakina, O. N., Uchakin, P. N., Miasoedov, N. F., Andreeva, L. A., Shcherbenko, V. E., Mezentseva, M. V., Gabaeva, M. V., Sokolov, O. I., Zozulia, A. A., & Ershov, F. I. (2008). Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders. Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova, 108(5), 71–75. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577961/ 
Volkova, A., Shadrina, M., Kolomin, T., Andreeva, L., Limborska, S., Myasoedov, N., & Slominsky, P. (2016). Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00031