The Russian anxiolytic peptide used for stress, anxiety, and cognitive support — non-sedating, non-addictive, and active within 30 minutes of an intranasal dose.
Selank is a synthetic 7 amino acid peptide developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences in the 1990s as a non-sedating alternative to benzodiazepines. It’s derived from the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, which is why it also has mild immune-supportive effects.
In Russia it’s approved for generalized anxiety disorder. Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not produce sedation, cognitive dulling, tolerance, or dependence — and it can actually improve focus and working memory at typical doses.
Not FDA approved. Not WADA prohibited. Available as a research chemical; nasal spray formulations are common.
Modulates GABA-A receptor function and balances serotonergic tone — producing anxiolysis without direct receptor agonism. This is why it doesn’t cause sedation or dependence.
Elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor, supporting neuroplasticity and cognitive resilience — similar mechanism to exercise and antidepressants.
Extends the activity of endogenous enkephalins by inhibiting their breakdown. Contributes to mood elevation and stress resilience.
Shares tuftsin-derived immune effects — mild antiviral and immune-supportive properties alongside the primary anxiolytic action.
| Benefit | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Anxiety reduction | Russian clinical trials for generalized anxiety disorder; comparable efficacy to medazepam without sedation |
| Focus & working memory | Improvements on attention and short-term memory tasks, particularly under stress |
| Stress resilience | Reduced cortisol response to acute stressors in animal studies |
| No tolerance / dependence | No withdrawal or rebound anxiety on discontinuation; suitable for intermittent use |
| Immune support | Mild antiviral and immune-modulating activity via tuftsin fragment |
Most human data comes from Russian publications; Western independent replication is limited.
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeSubQ is less common; most users prefer intranasal for convenience and rapid onset.
Can be used as-needed for acute stress/anxiety or as a 10–14 day cycle followed by a break. No tolerance has been reported. Worth knowing: PMID 25176261 shows Selank’s anxiolytic effect can persist for up to a week after the last dose, which has implications for how often you actually need to re-dose — a “brief course” may cover more days than it looks like on paper.
For DIY nasal spray preparation from lyophilized powder:
5 mg vial + 5 mL BAC water = 1 mg/mL. Typical nasal pump delivers ~100 μL (0.1 mL) per spray = 100 mcg per spray.
For a 250 mcg dose: 2–3 sprays (split between nostrils). For 500 mcg: 5 sprays.
Use our free peptide calculator to figure out your reconstitution volume, draw amount, and syringe units.
Open Peptide CalculatorDosing cheat sheet, reconstitution reference, and cycle planning — delivered to your inbox.
Selank has one of the cleanest safety profiles of any anxiolytic — decades of clinical use in Russia with minimal adverse events.
Looking for Selank? We recommend NextGen Peptides — third-party tested, fast shipping, and trusted by the StackTrax community.
10% off with code
Exclusive StackTrax discount
Build your protocol, log every dose, monitor your body's response, and get reminders so you never miss a dose.
Start Tracking FreeDisclaimer: This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The compounds discussed are not FDA approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or peptide protocol. StackTrax does not sell peptides or supplements directly — purchase links go to third-party vendors. StackTrax is not responsible for the products, quality, or business practices of any third-party vendor. This page contains affiliate links — StackTrax may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.
© 2026 StackTrax, LLC. All rights reserved.
StackTrax guides cover peptides and compounds that are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. The dosing, reconstitution, and safety information is compiled from published research and community protocols for educational purposes only.
Before using any compound mentioned here, consult a qualified healthcare provider. StackTrax does not sell, prescribe, or recommend these substances for personal use.
These pages also contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases at no extra cost to you — this never changes our editorial recommendations.