Selank
How did a fragment inspired by a natural immune sequence come to interest anxiety research? Selank sits precisely at this intersection between immunity and neurobiology.
- Research Use Only
- Molecule under study
- Living document
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- Current research state
- Used clinically in Russia for certain anxiety-related indications; international evaluation is limited.
- Current clinical phase
- Approved in Russia — not approved by the FDA/EMA
- Last update
- 20 July 2026 · Reference fact sheet v1.0
- Living document
- Updated regularly as research progresses.
What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic peptide: a short chain of seven amino acids.
It was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, inspired by a natural fragment called tuftsin — a peptide involved in the immune system.
As with Semax, a Pro-Gly-Pro motif was added to prolong its duration of action in the body.
Names you may come across
This molecule may appear under several names in the scientific, clinical or technical literature. Here are the main designations you may come across.
The official name used in scientific publications.
A historical designation for the molecule in certain studies.
Its chemical relationship: it is derived from a fragment of a natural peptide, tuftsin.
Understanding it simply
Selank is often described as a “peptide anxiolytic.” Here is what that means.
A peptide derived from the immune system
Its core sequence (tuftsin) is a natural peptide studied for its role in immune defences. Selank retains this structure, with an addition to stabilise it.
An anxiolytic without sedation
Russian publications describe it as influencing anxiety without causing the marked drowsiness associated with conventional benzodiazepines.
Rapid action, short half-life
Selank is rapidly eliminated from the body, which limits accumulation but requires more frequent administration in studies.
What research shows today
Science advances step by step. We clearly distinguish what is firmly established from what remains under study.
- Its structure and relationship to tuftsin (a natural peptide of the immune system) are documented. — established
- A published clinical trial in generalised anxiety disorder (Zozulya et al., 2008). — established
- Modulation of the GABAergic system described in preclinical studies. — established
- Few large-scale international randomised controlled trials. — ongoing
- Very long-term tolerability data are still being gathered. — ongoing
The mechanism is partially understood, and Russian clinical data have been published, particularly in generalised anxiety disorder; international experience remains limited.
What the research shows
- Selank is described as a stable tuftsin analogue with anxiolytic activity in several preclinical models.
- A Russian clinical trial (Zozulya et al., 2008) compared Selank with medazepam in patients with generalised anxiety disorder, reporting anxiolytic efficacy without marked sedation.
- Preclinical studies describe modulation of the GABAergic system and inhibition of enkephalin degradation.
What still remains to be studied
- Published large-scale randomised controlled trials outside Russia remain limited.
- The very long-term tolerability profile continues to be evaluated.
- No approval by the FDA or the EMA to date; use outside research is not regulated in most countries.
What we know today
Not all information carries the same weight of evidence. We therefore present it across three clearly distinct levels, from the most solid to the most indicative.
What scientific publications show
Scientific evidence- The trial by Zozulya et al. (2008) reports an improvement in anxiety scores comparable to that observed with a benzodiazepine, with a different tolerability profile.
- Preclinical studies describe effects on GABAergic neurotransmission and modulation of the expression of anxiety-related genes.
- A modest immunomodulatory effect is also described in several Russian publications.
What some professionals report
Documented- The authors of the Russian trials emphasise the absence of marked sedation and the apparent absence of dependence in the settings studied.
- The publications reiterate the need for supervised administration and medical monitoring in a clinical setting.
What the community reports
Field observations- Users report a subjective reduction in anxiety and an improvement in sleep quality.
- The Semax + Selank combination is frequently discussed as a way to combine cognitive stimulation with a calming effect.
Observations reported by the community do not constitute scientific evidence. Only controlled clinical trials are authoritative. In case of doubt, the advice of a qualified healthcare professional takes precedence.
How does Selank work?
Selank is being studied as a subtle modulator of several systems rather than as an agonist of a single receptor.
- GABAergic system
- Modulation described in preclinical studies — GABA is the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter.
- Enkephalins
- Selank inhibits the degradation of endogenous enkephalins, as does Semax.
- Gene expression
- Modulation of the expression of several anxiety-related genes reported in animal models.
- Immunity
- A modest immunomodulatory effect described in the initial publications.
- 1GABA system · Cerveau
The main target described in the publications: modulation of the brain's main natural brake.
These mechanisms remain only partially characterised in humans; most data come from animal models and moderately sized clinical trials.
Clinical trials timeline
A molecule under study progresses step by step. Here, simply, is where the research currently stands.
- Discovery· 1990sCompleted
Synthesis at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (Moscow)
Selank is designed from a fragment of tuftsin, stabilised by adding a Pro-Gly-Pro motif.
- Preclinical· 1990s-2000sCompleted
Characterisation of anxiolytic activity
Several preclinical studies describe anxiolytic activity in animal models, without marked sedation.
- Clinical· 2008Completed
Trial in generalised anxiety disorder
The study published by Zozulya et al. compares Selank with medazepam in patients with generalised anxiety disorder.
- International· OngoingOngoing
Evaluation outside Russia
Large international randomised controlled trials remain limited. Selank is not approved by either the FDA or the EMA.
Available analyses
No analytical document has been published for this molecule to date.
Open the analysis libraryFrequently asked questions
Is Selank a benzodiazepine?
No. It is a synthetic peptide derived from a natural fragment (tuftsin). It shares neither the structure nor the main mechanism of action of benzodiazepines, although it indirectly modulates the GABAergic system.
Does it cause dependence?
Established: Russian publications report no dependence in the settings studied. Still to be studied: very long-term follow-up and experience in very large populations remain limited.
Is it approved in France or the United States?
No. It is approved in Russia for certain anxiety-related indications, but not by the FDA or the EMA. PHL presents it for educational and reference purposes (Research Use Only).
Can it be combined with Semax?
Some Russian publications discuss their combined use. However, this combination has not been studied in large-scale international trials. Any decision to combine them remains the responsibility of a qualified healthcare professional.
What side effects have been reported?
Established: publications mainly report good short-term tolerability, with rare effects. Still to be studied: the full long-term tolerability profile has not been consolidated internationally.
Does it cause drowsiness?
Established: Russian publications specifically emphasise the absence of marked sedation, unlike many conventional anxiolytics. This is one of the main aspects studied in the literature.
Scientific publications
A selection of key publications on Selank. All are real and verifiable. An evolving bibliography.
The efficacy of Selank in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia
Zozulya A. A. et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 2008
Immunomodulatory effects of Selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders
Uchakina O. N. et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 2008
Glossary
- Tuftsin
- A natural peptide produced by the body, initially identified for its role in the immune system.
- GABA
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid, the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter — it acts as a natural “brake.”
- Anxiolytic
- A molecule studied for its influence on anxiety.
- Benzodiazepine
- A class of anxiolytic medicines that act mainly by potentiating the action of GABA — often associated with sedation.
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- A form of persistent anxiety, not linked to a specific situation, defined in medical classification.
- Enkephalins
- Natural opioid peptides produced by the body, involved particularly in pain modulation.
Continue your discovery
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Reference fact sheet — version 1.0, updated on 20 July 2026. The full regulatory and scientific framework is gathered in the “Important information” box at the top of the fact sheet.
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