Abstract
A practical guide to Selank research covering intranasal administration protocols, dosage ranges, preparation methods, cycling approaches, storage requirements, and safety considerations for anxiety and cognitive research.
This guide compiles practical protocols and handling recommendations for Selank from published clinical and preclinical research. Selank shares many practical aspects with Semax due to their common intranasal delivery route and similar peptide formulation characteristics, but important dosing and cycling distinctions exist.
Selank is available commercially in Russia as a 0.15 percent intranasal solution (1.5 mg per ml) under the trade name Selank. For research purposes outside Russia, it is typically supplied as lyophilized powder in 5 mg or 10 mg vials. Modified forms—N-Acetyl Selank and N-Acetyl Selank Amidate—are also available from research chemical suppliers and may offer enhanced stability and CNS penetration, though clinical data on these analogs is limited.
Reconstitution of lyophilized Selank for intranasal use follows the same principles as other peptide nasal sprays. For a 5 mg vial, adding 3.33 ml of bacteriostatic water produces a concentration of 1.5 mg per ml, matching the Russian commercial formulation. Each standard nasal spray actuation delivers approximately 100 microliters (0.1 ml), corresponding to 150 micrograms per spray at this concentration. For subcutaneous administration, a 5 mg vial can be reconstituted with 2 ml of bacteriostatic water for a concentration of 2.5 mg per ml.
Intranasal administration technique follows the same principles as described for Semax. Clear nasal passages gently before administration. Tilt the head slightly forward and aim the spray toward the lateral nasal wall. Administer the prescribed number of sprays, alternating nostrils if multiple sprays are required. Inhale gently through the nose after each spray and avoid blowing the nose for 15 to 20 minutes. The highly vascularized nasal mucosa provides rapid absorption with onset of effects typically within 15 to 30 minutes for the anxiolytic component.
Dosage in clinical trials has primarily been studied at 450 micrograms per day as the standard anxiolytic dose. This is typically divided into three administrations of 150 micrograms (one spray per nostril, three times daily) or two administrations of approximately 225 micrograms. The Russian clinical formulation recommends 2 to 3 drops per nostril, 3 times daily, for a total daily dose of approximately 450 to 675 micrograms.
For research purposes, a practical escalation protocol would begin with 150 micrograms once daily (one spray per nostril in the morning) for the first 2 to 3 days to assess individual tolerance. If well tolerated, increase to 150 micrograms twice daily (morning and mid-afternoon). The full clinical dose of 150 micrograms three times daily can be reached by day 5 to 7. Some research protocols have employed higher doses up to 900 micrograms per day, though the standard 450 microgram dose is the most extensively studied and is generally sufficient for anxiolytic effects.
Timing of administration deserves special attention with Selank. Unlike Semax, which has mildly stimulating properties and is best taken in the morning, Selank's calming effects make it suitable for administration throughout the day. For anxiety that is worst in the morning, an early morning dose can help establish emotional equilibrium for the day. For social anxiety or performance anxiety, administration 30 to 45 minutes before the stressful event takes advantage of the rapid intranasal onset. For generalized anxiety, evenly spaced dosing (morning, early afternoon, evening) maintains consistent peptide levels. Evening administration is generally well tolerated and may support relaxation before sleep, though Selank is not primarily a sleep aid.
Cycling protocols for Selank typically follow 14 to 21 day treatment courses, consistent with clinical trial protocols. After the treatment course, a rest period of 1 to 4 weeks is recommended before repeating. The clinical observation that Selank's anxiolytic effects persist for a period after discontinuation (without withdrawal symptoms) supports the use of intermittent treatment courses rather than continuous administration. Some researchers employ an as-needed approach for acute anxiety situations, using single doses or brief 3 to 5 day courses during high-stress periods.
For combined Semax-Selank protocols, a common approach administers Semax in the morning and early afternoon (for cognitive enhancement and neurotrophic support) and Selank at midday and evening (for anxiolytic and calming effects). This temporal separation leverages the activating properties of Semax during productive hours and the calming properties of Selank when stress management is more important. Both peptides can be administered intranasally with approximately 30 minutes between them if simultaneous use is desired.
Storage requirements mirror those of other peptide nasal preparations. Lyophilized powder is stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius, where stability extends to years. Reconstituted solution is refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and used within 2 to 4 weeks. The commercial Russian formulation contains preservatives allowing slightly longer shelf life at room temperature, but research-grade preparations should be refrigerated. Protect all formulations from direct light and heat.
Safety of Selank is well established through both clinical trials and extensive post-marketing surveillance in Russia. Adverse effects are rare and mild: nasal mucosa irritation (the most common complaint with chronic intranasal use), mild transient headache, and occasional dizziness. No sedation, psychomotor impairment, or cognitive dulling has been reported—a critical distinction from benzodiazepine anxiolytics. No tolerance development, physical dependence, or withdrawal symptoms have been documented in any published study, even with repeated treatment courses over extended periods.
Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to the peptide or formulation components, active nasal infections or severe mucosal damage, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. Because Selank has immunomodulatory properties derived from its tuftsin component, theoretical caution is advised in patients with autoimmune diseases or those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, as the immune-enhancing effects could theoretically interfere with immunosuppressive treatment goals. No such adverse interactions have been documented, but the theoretical concern warrants awareness.
Drug interaction data for Selank is limited. Given its GABAergic mechanism, caution is recommended when combining with other GABAergic agents including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol. While Selank's mechanism is indirect (enkephalinase inhibition rather than direct receptor binding), additive effects on GABAergic tone could theoretically occur. Concurrent use with other anxiolytics or central nervous system depressants should be approached with appropriate monitoring.
Quality assurance requires verification of peptide identity, purity, and sterility. HPLC purity of 98 percent or greater is recommended, with mass spectrometry confirmation of the correct molecular weight and amino acid sequence. For intranasal formulations, sterility or adequate microbial testing is particularly important given the proximity of the nasal cavity to the central nervous system.
