PubMed
Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-7), regulates expression of immune response genes
Dmitrieva et al., 2013
Neurological & CognitiveIntl. Approved (Russia)A
Semax
ACTH(4-10)-Pro-Gly-Pro
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.
Observational report only — live community data. Not medical advice. Does not recommend doses, protocols, or treatments.
- Studies cited
- 8
- Research grade
- A
- Experience
- 99
- Activity
- 61
Overall check-ins
Trackers & reports
Overview
About 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.
- Category
- Neurological & Cognitive
- Regulatory status
- Intl. Approved (Russia)
- Also known as
- ACTH(4-10)-Pro-Gly-Pro
- Self-reports
- 74
Community
What 74 users report
74 community reports
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.
Mood
197
Cognition
196
Energy
1
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.
Injection site irritation
5
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)
0.1–0.2 mg
37
0.2–0.4 mg
71
0.4–0.6 mg
41
0.6–1 mg
45
1–2 mg
2
5+ mg
1
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
Research
Cited research (6)
Source
PubMed
Semax, a synthetic analog of ACTH, shows neuroprotective properties
Ashmarin et al., 2006
PubMed
Semax affects BDNF expression and neuroplasticity
Dolotov et al., 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov
Semax studies on ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov, 2024
PubMed
Modulation of neuropathological pathways by bioactive peptides and proteins/polypeptides: Targeting oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases
Giri et al., 2025
PubMed
[The efficacy of semax in the tretament of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke]
Gusev et al., 2018
Tools
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Frequently asked
What do PeptIQ users report about Semax?
This page summarizes 74 anonymized self-reports from PeptIQ users who track Semax, including commonly reported effects and co-tracked peptides. These are observational patterns, not clinical outcomes.
How do side effects relate to overall experience for Semax?
PeptIQ separates overall check-in ratings (favorable, mixed, or unfavorable) from logged side effects like nausea or fatigue. Users often report benefits and side effects in the same check-in — a high experience score does not mean zero side effects were noted.
What research is cited for Semax?
6 sources are linked on this page, including PubMed articles, clinical trial registries, and FDA labels where applicable. Citations describe published research — not recommendations.
Is Semax safe to use?
This wiki does not assess safety or recommend use. Semax is listed as Intl. Approved (Russia). Consult a licensed clinician for personal medical decisions.
What are the purported benefits and uses of Semax?
Research, primarily in animal models, suggests Semax may have a wide range of therapeutic potentials due to its ability to promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), stimulate collagen synthesis, and modulate inflammatory responses.
SourceWhat is the legal status of Semax?
Semax is not approved by the FDA for any human use. There is no legal basis for selling it as a drug, food, or dietary supplement in the United States. The FDA has classified Semax as a Category 2 bulk drug substance, which explicitly prohibits licensed compounding pharmacies from using it in compounded medications.
SourceWhat are the known or theoretical side effects and risks of Semax?
The safety and effectiveness of Semax have not been thoroughly evaluated in humans through rigorous clinical trials. This lack of human data means that safe dosages, short-term side effects, and long-term health consequences are largely unknown.
SourceWhat is the current state of research on Semax?
While there are over 200 published studies on Semax, the vast majority are animal or in vitro (cell) studies. These preclinical studies consistently show positive results across various tissue types. However, there is a significant lack of comprehensive human clinical trial data.
Source