Selank — Complete Research Guide (2026)

Last updated 2026-06-25

What is Selank?

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and the Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology in Russia.

It is used in Russia as a peptide anxiolytic but is NOT approved by the FDA or EMA; most clinical data are Russian, with small sample sizes and limited independent replication.

Evidence spans rodent behavioral models, in-vitro gene-expression work, and a small number of Russian clinical trials.

How does Selank work?

Selank is described as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptor signaling rather than a direct agonist, and it also influences BDNF, enkephalin metabolism, and monoaminergic systems.

Its anxiolytic action is proposed to arise from modulation of GABAergic gene expression and the opioid/enkephalin system rather than benzodiazepine-style direct receptor binding. [INFOGRAPHIC: Selank GABAergic and enkephalin modulation]

What does the research say about Selank?

• In a randomized clinical comparison (n=62), selank produced anxiolytic effects comparable to the benzodiazepine medazepam in generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, with additional anti-asthenic effects. ^[1]
• Mechanistic reviews describe selank as a subtype-selective positive allosteric modulator of GABA receptors, distinguishing it from benzodiazepines. ^[2]
• In rats, selank prevented ethanol-withdrawal-related anxiety and protected against ethanol-induced memory impairment by regulating hippocampal BDNF. ^[4]

Clinical research & studies

The references below are the primary sources cited throughout this guide. Each links directly to PubMed or the regulator. Where evidence is preclinical (animal or in-vitro), that is stated rather than implied.

• [1] Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia — Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Siuniakov TS et al., Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2008. (human RCT (n=62; 30 selank vs 32 medazepam))
• [2] Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity — Vyunova TV, Andreeva L, Shevchenko K, Myasoedov N, Protein Pept Lett 2018. (review)
• [3] GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells — Filatova E, Kasian A, Kolomin T et al., Front Pharmacol 2017. (in-vitro (cell culture))
• [4] Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats — Kolik LG, Nadorova AV, Antipova TA et al., Bull Exp Biol Med 2019. (animal (rat))
• [5] Efficacy of peptide anxiolytic selank during modeling of withdrawal syndrome in rats with stable alcoholic motivation — Kolik LG, Konstantinopol'skii MA, Voronina TA, Bull Exp Biol Med 2014. (animal (rat))

Dosing context

Russian studies describe short treatment courses (often around 14 days) and rodent work uses milligram-per-kilogram intraperitoneal dosing; these describe experimental conditions, not a usage recommendation.

No dose has been validated by Western regulators, and Selank is discussed here strictly in a research context.

Side effects & safety profile

In Russian clinical use, selank is reported to be well tolerated without the sedation, motor impairment, or dependence associated with benzodiazepines, but it has not been reviewed by the FDA or EMA.

Independent, long-term, and large-scale human safety data are lacking, and reliable published human pharmacokinetic parameters (including half-life) are not established, so any specific half-life claim would be speculative.

Most controlled evidence is preclinical or from small Russian trials, so the broader safety profile remains uncertain.

Stacking & combinations

One rodent study examined diazepam combined with selank, but there are no controlled human combination studies, so interactions with other anxiolytics or nootropics remain unproven.

Finding Selank vendors

User reviews

Frequently asked questions

References

1. [1] Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia — Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Siuniakov TS et al., Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2008. PMID: 18454096. View sourceStudy: human RCT (n=62; 30 selank vs 32 medazepam)Selank matched medazepam's anxiolytic effect and added anti-asthenic effects with raised enkephalin activity.
2. [2] Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity — Vyunova TV, Andreeva L, Shevchenko K, Myasoedov N, Protein Pept Lett 2018. PMID: 30255741. View sourceStudy: reviewDescribes Selank as a subtype-selective allosteric modulator of GABA receptors.
3. [3] GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells — Filatova E, Kasian A, Kolomin T et al., Front Pharmacol 2017. PMID: 28293190. View sourceStudy: in-vitro (cell culture)Selank modulated GABAergic gene expression mainly in combination with GABA or olanzapine rather than alone.
4. [4] Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats — Kolik LG, Nadorova AV, Antipova TA et al., Bull Exp Biol Med 2019. PMID: 31625062. View sourceStudy: animal (rat)Selank prevented ethanol-induced memory impairment while regulating BDNF in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
5. [5] Efficacy of peptide anxiolytic selank during modeling of withdrawal syndrome in rats with stable alcoholic motivation — Kolik LG, Konstantinopol'skii MA, Voronina TA, Bull Exp Biol Med 2014. PMID: 24913576. View sourceStudy: animal (rat)A single 0.3 mg/kg selank dose eliminated ethanol-withdrawal anxiety without changing drinking behavior.

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