Rat data: Selank/Semax route differences (SubQ vs intranasal) + combo vs solo use

[gurbert]

I’m compiling preclinical (lab rat) observations on Selank and Semax , and would really value input from researchers/experienced testers.

I’m specifically interested in:

Route comparison: SubQ vs intranasal

Compound strategy: Semax alone , Selank alone , vs combined (co-administered)

Outcomes: behavioral/cognitive/anxiety-like effects, and any clear CNS-signaling differences

Practicals: dose range, frequency, timing, washout, and whether route changed effect consistency

Tolerability/signals: local irritation, stress response, habituation/tachyphylaxis, etc.

If you’ve run or seen rat work, I’d appreciate details like:

Strain/sex/age (useful but not necessary if your rat is shy)

Dosing protocol (mcg, schedule, duration)

Route and formulation

Whether combo was simultaneous or staggered

Not looking for medical advice, just trying to gather methodologically useful preclinical experience and compare notes across labs.

My current log: my rat is on day 3 of SubQ Selank , started at ~ 10 units from a 3 mL / 10 mg (~330mcg) vial, and I plan to increase toward about 500 mcg until the 10 mg is finished (Depending how it goes I might keep going up if I decide to stay with SubQ). Then I’ll switch to intranasal and compare route differences. I’ll report back incrementally. Not sure if my rat will try Semax though.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share protocols, pitfalls, or negative results too.

My current Theory

Route-to-Phenotype Hypothesis (Selank)

Intranasal and SubQ may not be interchangeable; they may produce different anxiolytic phenotypes.

Panic / acute surges: likely favor intranasal due to faster CNS-onset effects (strongest in the ~30-180 min window).

Baseline generalized anxiety / chronic nervousness / work-stress reactivity: may favor SubQ because steadier exposure could reduce symptom fluctuation over days to weeks.

Performance anxiety: depends on timing goals: intranasal for immediate pre-stressor effect, SubQ for all-day baseline smoothing.

SubQ Research Positioning

SubQ should be studied as a distinct therapeutic profile , not a replacement route:

slower onset,

potentially steadier background anxiolysis,

possibly better for baseline stress tone than rapid interruption of acute spikes.

Here's some interesting rat data, however the studies are intraperitoneal (IP) Semax/Selank (NOT subQ) and intranasal.

Semax

Semax (rats): IP vs Intranasal

Intranasal: Best evidence for direct CNS-linked effects (neurotrophic/signaling and behavioral readouts).

IP: Strong systemic neuroprotection/anti-inflammatory effects in injury models; still reaches brain effects, but via systemic exposure.

Practical difference: Intranasal is usually chosen for brain-targeted peptide delivery logic; IP is easier for controlled systemic dosing in lab protocols.

Selank (rats): IP vs Intranasal

Intranasal: Clear anxiolytic/stress-modulating behavioral evidence.

IP: Also shows anti-stress/withdrawal-related effects, but route is systemic and not directly equivalent to nose-to-brain assumptions.

Practical difference: Intranasal is more aligned with CNS-focused peptide use; IP is common for reproducible systemic administration.

Bottom line

For both Semax and Selank , rat literature supports activity by both routes.

The main gap is few true head-to-head IP vs intranasal comparisons in the same study , so cross-paper comparisons are directional, not definitive.

Russian studies:

As of February 17, 2026 , the human dosing reported in Russian clinical use/trials is roughly:

Semax 0.1% intranasal (non-stroke indications):
Common ranges in label/clinical practice: about 400–900 mcg/day (fatigue/adaptation) and higher in cerebrovascular settings.

Label also lists cerebrovascular cognitive regimens up to 800–8000 mcg/day for 10–14 days .

Source: https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/semax__28676

Semax 1% intranasal (acute ischemic stroke protocols):
Moderate stroke: about 6000–12,000 mcg/day

Severe stroke: about 12,000–20,000 mcg/day

Typical course: 10 days

Source: https://www.vidal.ru/drugs/semax__37577

Selank intranasal (human anxiety study data):
Reported dose: 2700 mcg/day intranasal (GAD study abstract; response tracked over ~14 days, some reports up to 21 days).

Source: https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...lytic-selank/7A497218D37084BD079EFE143126F56E

Selank label-style intranasal regimen often cited:
2 drops per nostril, 3x/day, 14 days (with repeat after break)

Source (instruction mirror): https://extrapharma.net/instructions/selank-nasal-drops-instructions/

References:

Semax

Intranasal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16635254/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16996037/

Intraperitoneal (IP) / systemic injection models

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34201112/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8226508/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32580520/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33263853/

Selank

Intranasal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28280289/

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5322660/

Intraperitoneal (IP) / systemic injection models

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36322304/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31243679/

 

[Gorby2025]

50+/male research subject. Been running intranasal Semax and Selank (separately) for about 2 months.

Started first week of December with NA-Semax and NA-Selank.

Week 1: 250mcg sprays of each (NA-Semax, NA-Selank) daily in the AM to assess tolerance/side-effects. None observed. Very minor benefits observed (calmness and slightly better focus - but maybe a placebo effect in the begining).

Week 2-4: Doubled the dosage to 500mcg sprays each daily in the AM. Benefits not apparent, no side-effects.

Week 5 - 8: Ran out of NA-Semax and NA-Selank. Reconstituted regular Semax and Selank to compare. Increased the dosage for Semax (400mg - twice per day for a total of 800mcg daily) and kept Selank at around 400-500 mcg daily, switched the schedule Semax in the AM and Selanck in the PM. Minor benefits observed, but not consistent or significantly effective.

Subject is taking a few weeks break now to reset and re-evaulate.

Overall: Can't report significant effect or improvements. Will probably continue to administer until current vials are done; but not sure if it will be something long-term since results are questionable, at least from intranasal for now. Not considering SubQ delivery since original research and source indicated that intranasal should be used.

 

[FarmgirlRebel]

Thanks for the info ...I have Selank and Semax on my research radar, so have been trying to find some researchers that have been using it and anecdotal experiences.

 

[Chili777]

Interesting. Responses are so varied. Semax might be my rat's favorite peptide, so far. The boost in the morning before the workday is invigorating. Selank is more subtle, but also has the desired effect. Maybe the 20-day Epitalon run prior to starting primed him for the full effects. He's giving his sinuses a break for a month and then starting an NA Semax cycle to compare. He's thinking about SQ first for two weeks and then IN for 2 more weeks as a comparison.

 

[Gorby2025]

Interesting. Responses are so varied. Semax might be my rat's favorite peptide, so far. The boost in the morning before the workday is invigorating. Selank is more subtle, but also has the desired effect. Maybe the 20-day Epitalon run prior to starting primed him for the full effects. He's giving his sinuses a break for a month and then starting an NA Semax cycle to compare. He's thinking about SQ first for two weeks and then IN for 2 more weeks as a comparison.

Good info, definitely disappointing for my rat. Still looking for that focus/cognitive boost help. What is the Semax dosage you are using on your subject? I need to look into Epitalon, it keeps coming up on my radar.

 

[Chili777]

Good info, definitely disappointing for my rat. Still looking for that focus/cognitive boost help. What is the Semax dosage you are using on your subject? I need to look into Epitalon, it keeps coming up on my radar.

I made an Epitalon spray also. 500 mcg per spray, 1 mg daily for 20 days. It cleared my COVID brain fog and my vision was sharper and colors were more saturated. I'm 67 and have also had a couple TBIs from car accidents. I think it helped and the fog is better 2 months later. I'm going to continue to cycle that every 3-4 months, although 10 days every month is also a known protocol, I felt I benefited from the longer duration.

I made Semax the same way. 500 mcg per spray for 1 mg daily, although a couple days I did 4 sprays and that gave me a headache. I also have some NA Semax Amidate for next cycle and I'm going to reconstitute that at 350 mcg per spray. I want to compare IN and SQ, but I've read that IN has the best bioavailability.

 

[tendency]

I’m compiling preclinical (lab rat) observations on Selank and Semax , and would really value input from researchers/experienced testers.

I’m specifically interested in:

Route comparison: SubQ vs intranasal

Compound strategy: Semax alone , Selank alone , vs combined (co-administered)

Outcomes: behavioral/cognitive/anxiety-like effects, and any clear CNS-signaling differences

Practicals: dose range, frequency, timing, washout, and whether route changed effect consistency

Tolerability/signals: local irritation, stress response, habituation/tachyphylaxis, etc.

If you’ve run or seen rat work, I’d appreciate details like:

Strain/sex/age (useful but not necessary if your rat is shy)

Dosing protocol (mcg, schedule, duration)

Route and formulation

Whether combo was simultaneous or staggered

Not looking for medical advice, just trying to gather methodologically useful preclinical experience and compare notes across labs.

My current log: my rat is on day 3 of SubQ Selank , started at ~ 10 units from a 3 mL / 10 mg (~330mcg) vial, and I plan to increase toward about 500 mcg until the 10 mg is finished (Depending how it goes I might keep going up if I decide to stay with SubQ). Then I’ll switch to intranasal and compare route differences. I’ll report back incrementally. Not sure if my rat will try Semax though.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share protocols, pitfalls, or negative results too.

My current Theory

Here's some interesting rat data, however the studies are intraperitoneal (IP) Semax/Selank (NOT subQ) and intranasal.

Semax

Russian studies:

References:

I'm interested in this as well. Recently the old rat started fartin' around with Adamax after he escaped his cage.

Do you have any status updates on how you're feeling with your semax/selank protocols? Thanks!

 

[MarMel 46287]

How is the spray made?

 

[mrmors]

I've made up a spray or Selank, and a spray of Semax. 10ml of saline, 10mg of compound, doing 2x squirts up either side of my nose for a total of 4, which I'm guessing is about 400mcg, and I'm pretty much experiencing no effects whatsoever. I do wish now that I'd split the vials when I got them, set up half of each for nasal, half for subq, so I could test for myself. But after all the reading on here, pretty much everyone was saying nasal is better. I presume I was overdue for a non-respond or a side effect as I've been really lucky so far with zero sides and good responses to everything else I've tried.

 

[Chili777]

My spray 20 mg Semax( Standard) and 4 mL sterile saline for 500 mg per spray. So that would be a little light for me too. You could always go up higher to see if you are a complete non-responder.

 

[mrmors]

After 3x days no response, I'll double the dose tomorrow and see what happens at 800

 

[FartfulCodger]

60-year-old male here. Tried IN Semax at a normal starter dose, didn't notice much difference. I think I was expecting something immediate because of brain bioavailability. Stopped for a few weeks.

Then when I paused my KLOW after a 4 week cycle, I missed injecting (you know how we peptide users think), so I groused around in my stash for SOMETHING, ANYTHING I could shoot up, and saw my neglected Semax.

Reconned a vial and injected about 400mcg subQ for 4 days straight. Felt a level of clarity and focus that I hadn't before. Started finishing people's sentences with an eloquence and vocabulary that the speaker could not muster. I'm probably annoying, but don't care. I think that's another benefit of Semax, perhaps undocumented.

I'm out of town now for a few days and didn't bring it with me, so it will be interesting to see if the effect falls off. I intend to continue when I get back home.

Maybe I'll report back after I resume injections, but at that point it's likely my writing will be at a super-human level that many of you won't comprehend anyway. Fair warning.