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№ 030

Semax

Russian-origin nootropic peptide. Alert/focus end of the spectrum. Pairs with Selank for a balanced cognitive stack.

Nootropic
Evidence: Anecdotal
Half-life
~30 minutes (intranasal)
Route
Intranasal spray (sub-q also used)
Cycle
2-4 weeks on, equal time off
Schedule
1-3x daily
In plain English

Semax is the cognitive-focus counterpart to Selank. Same Russian origin. More on the alert/focus end of the spectrum, where Selank is more on the calm/anxiolytic end. Intranasal, used during demanding work blocks.

Status & legality
Natty?
Not natty
FDA
Not approved

Not FDA approved. Approved in Russia for stroke and cognitive support.

Compounding
Category 1

Compounding pharmacies may prepare under physician prescription (post Feb 2026 reclassification, pending formal FDA publication).

WADA
Not listed
Prescribed

Approved in Russia. Not available by US prescription.

Who it's for

  • →Users wanting focus support without stimulants
  • →Demanding work blocks or studying
  • →Anyone tapering off stimulants

What to expect

  1. Week 1

    Effect within hours of first dose for most users.

  2. Week 4

    Cumulative cognitive support. No tolerance issues at standard doses.

  3. Week 8

    Cycled. Second cycle hits as cleanly as the first.

Dosing protocol

Intranasal: 250-500 mcg, 1-3x daily. Sub-q: 100-250 mcg daily.

Stacks well with

Selank for combined alert + calm effect
Standalone

Side effects

01Generally well tolerated
02Mild headache rarely

When NOT to use

  • ⚠Pregnancy / nursing — no data

Common mistakes

  • • Treating it like a stimulant (it's gentler)
  • • Running it continuously without breaks
  • • Storing nasal spray at room temp long-term

Educational only. User-specific dosing is between you and a qualified provider.

Frequently asked

What is Semax?+
Semax is the cognitive-focus counterpart to Selank. Same Russian origin. More on the alert/focus end of the spectrum, where Selank is more on the calm/anxiolytic end. Intranasal, used during demanding work blocks.
Is Semax FDA approved?+
Not FDA approved. Approved in Russia for stroke and cognitive support.
Is Semax banned by WADA?+
Semax is not currently on the WADA prohibited list.
Are you still natty after taking Semax?+
No. Semax is a performance-enhancing peptide and would disqualify a strict natty claim.
Do doctors prescribe Semax?+
Approved in Russia. Not available by US prescription.
What's the typical dose of Semax?+
Intranasal: 250-500 mcg, 1-3x daily. Sub-q: 100-250 mcg daily.
What are the side effects of Semax?+
Common side effects include: Generally well tolerated; Mild headache rarely. Less common effects and full safety details are on the entry page.
How long until Semax starts working?+
Effect within hours of first dose for most users.