Semax is a synthetic peptide based on the ACTH(4–10) fragment, developed in Russia and studied for neuroprotective and cognitive effects. It is most commonly used intranasally in research/clinical settings described in the literature, with proposed mechanisms involving modulation of neurotrophic factors (including BDNF-related pathways), neurotransmitter balance, and anti-ischemic effects in the brain.
— 5 mg Vial —
Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~1.67 mg/mL concentration.
Typical daily range: 200–500 mcg once daily (gradual titration).
Easy measuring: At 1.67 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 16.7 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C; reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C, avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks (extend to 16 weeks with cycling).
Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks continuous; for 16-week spans use 6–8 weeks on / 2–4 weeks off cycling.
Goal: Support neuroprotective, nootropic, and neurotrophic outcomes studied in clinical settings.
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously. Subcutaneous delivery provides more sustained systemic absorption than intranasal dosing.
| Phase | Dose | Syringe (U-100) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 200 mcg | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 300 mcg | 18 units (0.18 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 400 mcg | 24 units (0.24 mL) |
| Weeks 7–12 | 500 mcg | 30 units (0.30 mL) |
— 10 mg Vial —
Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~3.33 mg/mL concentration.
Typical daily range: 300–800 mcg once daily (gradual titration recommended).
Easy measuring: At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 33.3 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C; reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C, avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 8 weeks (extend to 12–16 weeks with cycling if desired).
Cycle Length: 8 weeks continuous; optional extension to 12–16 weeks with off-periods (e.g., 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off).
Goal: Support cognitive function, attention, and neuroprotective pathways studied in clinical literature.
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously.
| Phase | Dose | Syringe (U-100) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 300 mcg | 9 units (0.09 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 500 mcg | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 600 mcg | 18 units (0.18 mL) |
| Weeks 7–8 | 800 mcg | 24 units (0.24 mL) |
- Neuroprotection in ischemia/stroke models and clinical studies (intranasal use).
- Support of cognitive performance under fatigue/stress in some studies.
- Possible upregulation/modulation of neurotrophic signaling (e.g., BDNF-related pathways) in experimental work.
- May influence inflammatory signaling in the CNS (research context).
- Nasal irritation or runny nose (intranasal).
- Headache.
- Transient agitation or insomnia (if taken late).
- Blood pressure changes are not commonly emphasized but monitor individually.
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding (avoid; insufficient data).
- History of severe anxiety/panic that worsens with stimulatory agents.
- Use caution with significant psychiatric or neurologic disease without clinician oversight.
- Allergy to components/excipients.
- Sometimes paired with Selank to balance “drive/focus” with “calm” effects; introduce sequentially.
- For neuroprotection research, some protocols also discuss antioxidants and sleep optimization as baseline.
- Gusev EI et al. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2005. PMID: 16076063
- Zarubina IV. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2002. PMID: 11827870
- Myasoedov NF et al. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2004. PMID: 15209373
- Stavrovskaya AV et al. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2006. PMID: 17066922
- Karpova IV et al. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2009. PMID: 19302025
- Andreeva LA et al. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2010. PMID: 20351464
Research Use Only. All information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. PepSherpa does not sell peptides. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any health decisions. Many of the studies cited are preclinical (animal/in-vitro).