LA LABResearch Reference Document
Compound Guide
Semax — ACTH-Derived Nootropic Peptide
Quick Start
What It Is
Semax is a synthetic 7-amino acid peptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Unlike ACTH, it does not stimulate cortisol or steroidogenesis. It was developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and is included on Russia's vital and essential drugs list for stroke and cerebral ischaemia.
Research Dosing
Intranasal (primary): ~0.6–1.5 mg/day split into 2–3 intranasal applications. SubQ: Sub-milligram doses per administration; less common. Intranasal delivery bypasses blood-brain barrier limitations and is the route most studied in Russian clinical research. Half-life: very short (<10 min) but downstream effects (BDNF upregulation) persist hours.
Regulatory Status
Russia: vital and essential drug (stroke/ischaemia indication). FDA: removed from 503A Category 2 effective April 23, 2026; PCAC review scheduled July 24, 2026 for cerebral ischaemia and trigeminal neuralgia indications. FDA has flagged immunogenicity risk from impurities/aggregation. Not approved in US. For research purposes only.
Dosing Protocol
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal | 0.6–1.5 mg total/day | 2–3 administrations/day | 14–28 day courses + washout | Favoured route in Russian clinical research; crosses nasal mucosa to brain |
| SubQ | 0.1–0.5 mg | Once or twice daily | 4 weeks on, 4 off | Western research context; less studied than intranasal |
Supplies & Reconstitution (SubQ)
Reconstitution Math — 10 mg Vial (3 mL BAC)
| Target Dose | Units (U-100) | Doses / Vial |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 3 units | 100 |
| 200 mcg | 6 units | 50 |
| 300 mcg | 9 units | 33.3 |
| 500 mcg | 15 units | 20 |
| 600 mcg | 18 units | 16.7 |
| 1000 mcg | 30 units | 10 |
Reconstitute the 10 mg vial with 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water (sold separately) → 3.33 mg/mL (3,333 mcg/mL). U-100 syringe = 100 units per mL. Swirl gently — do not shake. Refrigerate 2–8°C.
Reconstitution Steps
01
Warm the vial
Allow vial to reach room temperature from freezer (10–15 min).
02
Swab and draw
Alcohol swab both vial tops. Draw required BAC water volume.
03
Inject along the wall
Run BAC water slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial.
04
Swirl gently
Swirl until clear. Do not shake. Solution should be colourless.
05
Refrigerate
Store at 2–8°C for up to 30 days. Do not freeze after reconstitution.
Mechanism of Action
BDNF / TrkB Signalling
Upregulates BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) expression and activates TrkB (BDNF receptor) signalling in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. BDNF/TrkB is the primary proposed mechanism for cognitive effects.
Monoamine Modulation
Modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission in limbic and prefrontal regions. Does not stimulate cortisol, ACTH, or steroidogenesis (key distinction from ACTH itself).
Neuroprotection
Alters gene expression in ischaemic brain tissue — particularly genes involved in mitochondrial function, inflammation, and cell survival. Studied in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models and human stroke studies in Russia.
Resistance to Degradation
The Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal extension added to the ACTH(4-7) core sequence significantly increases resistance to enzymatic degradation compared to ACTH fragments, explaining why effects persist beyond the short plasma half-life.
FDA Immunogenicity Concern
The FDA has flagged a potential immunogenicity risk for Semax from aggregation and impurities in compounded preparations. Aggregated peptides can trigger immune responses including antibody formation. This is a compounding-quality issue, not inherent to the pure peptide, but it underscores the importance of sourcing from quality-tested suppliers.
Storage
| State | Temperature | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised (powder) | −20°C (freezer) | Up to 24 months | Protect from light and moisture; minimise freeze-thaw cycles |
| Reconstituted (liquid) | 2–8°C (refrigerator) | Up to 30 days | Do not freeze after reconstitution; protect from light |
Disclaimer
This document is an educational research reference only. Semax is not FDA-approved. Published human data is primarily from Russian sources. FDA has flagged immunogenicity concerns for compounded preparations. By purchasing from LA LAB you confirm you are 18+ and that products are for research purposes only.
Side Effects & What People Report
Semax and Selank share an unusual position: both are approved medicines in Russia and have been used there for decades, but essentially all the research is Russian-language and has never been replicated in Western trials. That is neither proof nor dismissal — it means the evidence exists but has not been independently verified to the standard a Western regulator would require.
| Reported | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nasal irritation | The intranasal route is the researched one; stinging or dryness is the usual complaint. |
| Headache | Reported by some users, typically early on. |
| Irritability or overstimulation | Usually at higher doses or late in the day. |
| Disturbed sleep | Why it is normally taken in the morning. |
| Fatigue after stopping | Anecdotal; nothing has studied it. |
Who Should Avoid Semax
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Avoid. No safety data outside Russian clinical use. |
| Under 18 | No data at these doses outside supervised Russian paediatric use. |
| Acute psychiatric illness | Semax affects dopamine and serotonin systems. Anyone on psychiatric medication should speak to a prescriber first. |
| Known seizure disorder | Not studied. Caution with anything that alters neurotransmission. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Semax a real medicine?
In Russia, yes — it is registered and has been used clinically for stroke and cognitive indications since the 1990s. Nowhere else has approved it, and the trials have not been replicated in the West.
In Russia, yes — it is registered and has been used clinically for stroke and cognitive indications since the 1990s. Nowhere else has approved it, and the trials have not been replicated in the West.
Nasal or injected?
Intranasal is the researched route and the form used clinically in Russia.
Intranasal is the researched route and the form used clinically in Russia.
What does it actually do?
The best-supported mechanism is upregulation of BDNF and NGF — the brain’s own growth factors — plus effects on dopamine and serotonin systems.
The best-supported mechanism is upregulation of BDNF and NGF — the brain’s own growth factors — plus effects on dopamine and serotonin systems.
How quickly?
Users describe effects within an hour and lasting several. It is not a compound with a slow build-up.
Users describe effects within an hour and lasting several. It is not a compound with a slow build-up.
N-Acetyl Semax vs plain Semax?
The acetylated version is described as more stable and longer-acting. Comparative human data is thin.
The acetylated version is described as more stable and longer-acting. Comparative human data is thin.
Can I take it with Selank?
The pairing is common — Semax for focus, Selank for anxiety. No trial has tested the combination.
The pairing is common — Semax for focus, Selank for anxiety. No trial has tested the combination.
Sources & Research
Kaplan AYa, Koshelev VB et al. Synthetic ACTH analogue Semax displays nootropic-like activity in humans. Neurosci Res Commun 1996;19:115–123.
Dolotov OV et al. Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrain. J Neurochem 2006;97:82–6.
Gusev EI, Skvortsova VI et al. Semax in acute ischaemic stroke: a randomised, placebo-controlled study. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr 2005 (Russian).
Regulatory status — registered as a medicine in Russia. Not approved by SAHPRA, the FDA or the EMA.
Educational reference only
This document is a research reference, not medical advice and not a treatment plan. Semax is approved in Russia only; its trials have not been replicated to Western regulatory standards. Dose decisions belong to you and your prescriber. Independent certificates of analysis for every LA LAB batch are published under Research → Lab Results, with the Janoshik task number and verification key so you can check them yourself.