We have been asked to review Selank now by several readers. This was a bit of a surprise to us as we saw Selank as quite a niche nootropic with relatively few users. But clearly Selank users are growing in number, and there is a dearth of information regarding Selank’s side effects, benefits, costs, and uses.
There are a few resources out there for people wanting to learn about Selank. A number of websites now list it as one of the best nootropics for anxiety, while some individuals have said that it is one of the most effective natural supplements for raising BDNF levels in the brain.
In this article, we’re going to try and tell you everything you need to know about the nootropic Selank, how to use it, and whether you should! If you have any experiences with Selank, please post your review in the comments.
What is Selank?
Selank is a peptide medication that was developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of The Russian Academy of Sciences. It mimics many of the effects of human tuftsin by being a synthetic analog.
Selank is known to affect the expression of Interleukin-6, (IL-6), and the balance of T-helper cell cytokines. Selank has been shown to affect monoamine neurotransmitters’ levels and instigate serotonin metabolism .
Selank was found to increase the expression of brain-derived neural factor (BDNF), in the hippocampuss of rats [2].
BDNF, a protein that supports the survival of neurons and promotes growth and differentiation of new cells, is a protein. It is abundant in the hippocampus region, which is responsible for learning and memory.
Selank’s ability increase BDNF levels may indicate that it may improve cognitive function and memory. It is a heptapeptide with a molecular mass of 751.887 g*mol-1 and has the following sequence: Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP).
Numerous animal studies have been done to examine the effects of Selank’s on anxiety, depression, and cognition. One study showed that Selank could decrease depression-like behavior among rats [3]
What is Selank’s Effect on the Brain?
Selank, a peptide drug, has a variety of effects on nerve cells. Selank may function by modulating the GABAergic system [4].
Selank could also be acting through other systems such as the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. This is why Selank exhibits similar physiological effects to classical benzodiazepines.
Selank’s antidepressant and anxiolytic effects are very similar to those of benzodiazepines. However, it doesn’t seem to interact in the same manner with GABA receptors.
Selank does not appear to have side effects like tolerance and abuse potential, which can be common with benzodiazepines.
What are the Benefits of Selank for Cognition?
Selank’s ability to boost brain levels of BDNF can explain the cognitive benefits it offers.
BDNF, a protein that promotes neuron growth and keeps neurons alive, is a protein. The hippocampus is where BDNF is most abundant. It is responsible for learning and memory.
Selank has been shown that the GABAergic system plays a role in cognition.
Other potential benefits of Selank’s cognition are:
- Memory and learning enhancement
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Reducing stress levels
- Focusing and improving attention span
Selank vs Semax: Which is better?
What’s the difference between Selank and Semax?
Many people compare these nootropic compounds directly because they have somewhat overlapping effects. But can you say if one is better than the other?
Selank and Semax are very different compounds with different structures, different chemical formulas and different effects. Yes there is some overlap, but one cannot be said to be “better” than the other because they have an overall different effect on cognitive performance.
To put it simply, Selank is more anxiolytic, while Semax is more stimulating and motivational. For the treatment or reduction of anxiety symptoms, stress, strokes, and depression disorders, Selank could be the better choice, while Semax is better placed to treat certain medical conditions that benefit from stimulant use.
Selank Online – Where to Buy?
You may be curious about where to buy Selank online. Selank is not FDA-approved, so it may be difficult to find in the United States.
You can find Selank replicas at a few locations.
Selank Reviews: What do people think about Selank on Reddit?
Reddit has many glowing reviews about Selank. Selank users report better sleep quality and clearer thinking.
Side effects like anxiety or headaches have been reported by some users. However, these side effects are usually mild and disappear after a few days. Take a look below at what people have to say about Selank on Reddit:
Selank is now day three and I’m really enjoying it. It’s great for cognitive enhancements. I use it in combination with Sunifiram and Noopept.
Selank is a great tool that I’ve used for several weeks. I felt a little anxious at first, but it disappeared after one week. I am sleeping much better and my thinking is clearer
Selank is my favorite nootropic. I’ve tried many, but Selank is my favourite. It has helped me to reduce anxiety and stress, and improved my memory and focus.
How do you take Selank for Cognitive Enhancement?
Selank is a peptide which is sprayed into your nose in a sitting position. It is recommended that you clean the nasal passage after applying the drug. The nasal mucosa should not be touched.
Selank should be taken with an empty stomach, either in the morning or after-work. Selank can be taken upto three times daily. Selank should be taken every day for at least 2 weeks to achieve cognitive enhancement.
It is not necessary to cycle, but some people might choose to after long periods of use.
What is the Recommended Dosage for Selank?
Selank should be taken 200-300 micrograms (micrograms) three times daily. If necessary, the recommended daily dosage can be increased to 400 mg three times per day.
Selank is usually administered as a 0.15 mg spray. This equates to 75 mg/spray, or approximately 149 pounds for an adult who weighs 67kg. Selank can be administered in 75 mg doses. This means that you will need to take approximately 2 to 3 sprays per day spread over a total of 675 mg.
What are the Side Effects of Selank?
Selank’s most frequent side effects are:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
There are also some less frequently reported side effects of Selank, which include:
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps
- Joint pain
Selank should be stopped if any of these side effects persist, or worsen.
Selank Withdrawals
Selank has a similar mechanism of action to some traditional anxiety medications. This leads many people to assume that Selank use is followed by withdrawals or a “comedown”. However, clinical studies show no serious side effects from Selank use, including withdrawals. Simply put, Selank has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and has no associated addiction or withdrawal problems.
What Nootropics are Similar to Selank?
Selank is not the only nootropic that has brain effects similar to Selank. These include:
- Semax: Semax is a similar peptide to Selank, in terms of its effects upon cognition and mood. Semax has been proven to improve memory, attention and learning. It is also known to reduce anxiety and depression.
- Noopept:Noopept increases brain neurotransmitters. This increases cognitive function including memory and learning as well as attention. Noopept is also known to reduce anxiety and depression.
- Phenibut: Phenibut can increase mood and decrease anxiety. It is also known to improve cognitive function including attention and memory. Selank’s anxiolytic properties are very similar to this one.
In terms of brain effects, all three of these nootropics have similar effects to Selank. All three of these nootropics improve cognitive function, decrease anxiety, and improve mood.
Review Conclusion: Should you use Selank?
Our Editor, Brian Johnson, used Selank for 2 weeks to try this nootropic out. Here is his personal review:
A lot of people compare Selank to Phenibut, and while there is definitely overlap the experience is really quite different between the two compounds. While Phenibut acutely lowers anxiety in a way that can sometimes feel euphoric – similar to a ‘high’ but not quite – Selank simply produces this very calm, very mellow state of mental calm and clarity.
I took Selank every day for 2 weeks and I was generally very impressed with its effects. Very quickly after taking my full dose each morning I became both calm and incredibly focused. Selank doesn’t produce the kind of intense, manic focus you can get with some nootropics or indeed like stimulants; rather, it quiets the brain to allow you to focus on a single task without getting distracted or frsutrated. I found that I was significantly more productive while on Selank than baseline despite feeling overall more relaxed.
I would definitely recommend Selank to people who primarily want to counter brain fog and the kind of anxiety-induced scattered brain that we have all experienced during stressful periods at work. However, I would still advise going with a nootropic stack to anyone who wants more comprehensive cognitive function support.
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Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.
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