What is Semax?
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the ACTH 4-7 fragment extended with Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) to increase CNS stability and activity. Developed in Russia and approved there for stroke treatment, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotection. Administered intranasally for direct CNS delivery. Robust Russian clinical literature; not FDA-approved in the US. Widely used as a research nootropic.
Mechanism of Action
ACTH receptor partial agonism; upregulation of BDNF and NGF gene expression; modulation of dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic transmission; activation of melanocortin MC4R; inhibition of enkephalin degradation
Target: ACTH receptor, BDNF/NGF pathways, melanocortin MC4R
Research / educational reference. Educational research index only — not medical advice. Literature maturity is not a verdict on whether a compound works in people. Community reports are not evidence of efficacy.
Evidence at a glance
Derived · maturity-1.0Human efficacy is unproven unless an approved label or completed published efficacy program says otherwise. Counts reflect indexed literature volume/kind — never a verdict on effect.
Literature maturity
nascent 29/100
PubMed hits
139
CT.gov trials
0
Strong-human apps
0
Sample papers
8
Sample articles by era
- pre-20186
- 2018-20202
- 2024-20263
Application grades (curated)
- Human-grade apps1
- Animal / in-vitro0
- Mechanistic0
Does literature support studied applications?
Grades reflect cited literature posture — not a treatment recommendation. Community notes are never efficacy evidence.
| Application | Cited evidence | Grade | Community |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nootropic / neuroprotective research | Clinical exploration mainly outside US regulatory pathways; evidence quality varies. | Limited human | Community reports vary; not evidence of efficacy. |
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action
- •ACTH receptor partial agonism; upregulation of BDNF and NGF gene expression; modulation of dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic transmission; activation of melanocortin MC4R; inhibition of enkephalin degradation
- •Primary target framing: ACTH receptor, BDNF/NGF pathways, melanocortin MC4R
Half-life
~7 minutes (active fragment in plasma)
Identity & chemistry
- CAS
- 80714-61-0
- PubChem
- CID 9811102
- Formula
- C37H51N9O10S
- Molar mass
- 813.9 Da
- InChIKey
- AFEHBIGDWIGTEH-AQRCPPRCSA-N
Identity cross-checked with PubChem where available. Compass HTML used only as a bootstrap checklist — not republished as product copy.
Storage & stability
- Lyophilized
- 2–8°C; lyophilized typical shelf 18–24 months
- Reconstituted
- 2–8°C; in-use window often 21–30 days (product-dependent)
- Tell-tale degradation
- !Cloudiness, clumping, or particles after mixing
- !Discoloration versus the expected clear/colorless (or labeled) solution
- !Failed or incomplete reconstitution of lyophilized cake
Educational estimates. Prefer product labeling and peptide shelf-life tool.
Lab handling posture
Research / educational handling notes only. Not a substitute for an SDS.
- •Use PPE appropriate for peptide powder/solution handling
- •Avoid inhalation of lyophilized powder; handle spills per institutional policy
- •Do not present research materials as medicines
Sample indexed literature
- Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.
Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2020 · PMID 32342318
- ACTH-like Peptides Compensate Rat Brain Gene Expression Profile Disrupted by Ischemia a Day After Experimental Stroke.
Biomedicines · 2024 · PMID 39767736
- Peptide ACTH(4-7)-PGP: Effects on Various Types of Pain and Pain-Induced Behavior in Rats after Systemic and Central Administration.
Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2020 · PMID 33263853
- The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
Acta naturae · 2025 · PMID 41479572
- Genes That Associated with Action of ACTH-like Peptides with Neuroprotective Potential in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage.
International journal of molecular sciences · 2025 · PMID 40650034
- Semax and Pro-Gly-Pro activate the transcription of neurotrophins and their receptor genes after cerebral ischemia.
Cellular and molecular neurobiology · 2010 · PMID 19633950
Research Indications
Research suggests improvements in memory, focus, and cognitive processing
May protect neurons from oxidative stress and inflammatory damage
Some studies report anxiolytic and mood-stabilizing effects
Research Protocols
These are commonly discussed research protocols — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Dose | Low dose | Once daily | Intranasal or Injectable |
| Standard Dose | Standard | Once daily | Intranasal or Injectable |
Peptide & Drug Interactions
Always consult your healthcare provider before combining with other compounds. Use our Interaction Checker for reference.
How to Reconstitute & Inject
Use bacteriostatic (BAC) water only. Avoid saline — may cause precipitation. Refrigerate and use within 28 days.
- 1
Remove Semax vial from refrigeration and allow to reach room temperature (15–20 minutes)
- 2
Clean vial top with alcohol swab and allow to air dry completely
- 3
Using a sterile syringe, draw the calculated volume of bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
- 4
Inject BAC water slowly down the side of the vial — do not aim directly at the powder
- 5
Gently swirl in circular motions — DO NOT shake vigorously as this degrades the peptide
- 6
Allow 2–3 minutes for full dissolution — solution should be clear and colorless
- 7
Draw calculated dose into an insulin syringe for subcutaneous injection
- 8
Inject into abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy
- 9
Store reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C) and use within 28 days
What to Expect
Week 1–2
Subtle mood and focus improvements may begin. Sleep quality often improves early.
Week 2–4
Increased mental clarity, word recall, and reduced brain fog reported by many.
Week 4–8
Consistent cognitive improvements. Better stress response and working memory.
Week 8+
Sustained cognitive and neurological benefits. Effects may persist post-cycle.
Side Effects & Safety
- Headache, particularly at initiation
- Mild anxiety or restlessness with some compounds
- Nasal irritation (intranasal administration)
- Sleep disturbance if dosed too close to bedtime
- Rare: Mood changes or emotional lability
FDA Status & Regulatory Info
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the ACTH 4-7 fragment extended with Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) to increase CNS stability and activity. Developed in Russia and approved there for stroke treatment, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotection. Administered intranasally for direct CNS delivery. Robust Russian clinical literature; not FDA-approved in the US. Widely used as a research nootropic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Research References
External links for education only. We do not control third-party content.
Community-reported data
The information below reflects self-reported experiences from PeptIQ app users. It is not clinical evidence and should not replace professional medical advice.
Community Intelligence
What 74 users report
Overall experience
From check-in ratings — separate from side effects logged below. Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Favorable 97% · Mixed 3% · Unfavorable overall 0%
Most reported benefits
Benefits users selected when logging a favorable or mixed check-in.
Most logged side effects
Side effects are logged separately from overall experience. A favorable check-in can still include nausea, fatigue, or injection-site reactions.
Self-reported dose per injection
Median bucket: 0.2–0.4 mg · Most common: 0.2–0.4 mg
Reports span 0.1 to ≥ 5 mg (open-ended top bucket)
Anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users — not prescribing guidance. Buckets group similar logged amounts; open-ended top buckets mean “at least” that dose.
How repeat users are trending
Among repeat reporters, 92% said they felt similar to their last entry, 8% more positive, and 0% more negative.
Overall, repeat reporters leaned more positive than their previous entry.
Median gap between entries: 46 days · Based on 37 repeat reporters
Share Your Experience
Rate Semax in the PeptIQ app and help the community make informed decisions.
Educational information only
This page is for educational reference. It is not medical or legal advice. PeptIQ does not sell peptides or list vendors. Consult the FDA and a licensed healthcare professional for current regulations and individualized guidance.