The peptide Selank has been labeled as an “anti-anxiety” peptide and has also shown improvement in learning, memory, cognition, depression, weakness and overall energy.

Benefits of Selank

While most prescription drugs cause many unwanted side effects, studies have shown this peptide to have no negative side-effects or risk of addiction. Both Tuftsin and Selank have shown the ability to reduce anxiety and increase serotonin levels in animal models.

Additional benefits include:

• Can improve anxiety
• Can improve learning
• Can enhance memory
• Can strengthen immune function: Selank can increase IL-6 in blood cells. IL-6 is an inflammatory protein that is believed to help fight off infections. Selank can also stimulate the release of interferons, which are anti-viral molecules.
• Can help with brain damage recovery: Increases BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor), an important brain-growth compound
• Can help stabilize enkephalins in the blood — these counteract the stress response
• Can help with alcohol withdrawal
• Can help prevent weight gain and reduce cholesterol

What is Selank?

Selank belongs to a class of molecules called synthetic peptides. Selank was made by combining the sequence of a peptide called tuftsin with another sequence that improves its molecular stability. Tuftsin is a peptide closely related to the immune function. It occurs naturally and makes up one part of the natural antibody IgG.

It is a small peptide compared to most naturally occurring proteins. It was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences), along with the nootropic drug Semax, sometimes called its cousin peptide.

Selank has been approved in Russia for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and for its use as a nootropic. In clinical trials, the drug has shown to provide a sustained nootropic and anxiolytic effect which is useful for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

How do you use Selank?

Selank is a peptide used as a nasal spray. This is because it will be digested by the stomach if taken orally. Inhaling it is more effective for delivery to the bloodstream and into the brain.

The typical dosage is one spray in each nostril daily.

Research

In clinical trials, the drug has shown to provide a sustained nootropic and anxiolytic effect which is useful for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).  Selank has an advantage over traditional anxiety treatments, such as benzodiazepines, as it has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and no associated addiction or withdrawal problems.