Overview
Semax is classified as a cognitive peptide peptide. Mental clarity, focus, neuroprotection.
BDNF upregulation, nootropic effects. Enhances neural plasticity, protects neurons from oxidative stress, and improves cerebral blood circulation.
Also known as: ACTH(4-7)-PGP
Category
Cognitive Peptide
Half-Life
0.33h
Route
Nasal
FDA Status
Not Approved
How Does Semax Work?
BDNF upregulation, nootropic effects. Enhances neural plasticity, protects neurons from oxidative stress, and improves cerebral blood circulation.
At the molecular level, Semax operates through pathways characteristic of the Cognitive Peptide class, interacting with target receptors and downstream signaling cascades to produce its observed effects.
Published Research
The following studies are indexed from PubMed and peer-reviewed journals:
[1]Semax cognitive improvement in humans
Human trial showing cognitive improvement including enhanced attention, memory formation, and learning capacity.
Evidence: moderate[2]Semax increases BDNF and TrkB expression in hippocampus
Dolotov et al. demonstrate Semax significantly upregulates BDNF and its receptor TrkB in the rat hippocampus, providing mechanistic basis for its nootropic effects.
Evidence: preclinical[3]Semax high efficacy in acute ischemic stroke
Clinical-electrophysiologic studies report high efficacy of Semax in acute ischemic stroke patients, with significant neuroprotective effects and improved functional recovery.
Evidence: moderate strong[4]Semax modulates neurotrophin gene expression (NGF, BDNF)
Molecular study showing Semax modulates expression of multiple neurotrophin genes including BDNF and nerve growth factor, supporting its broad neuroprotective mechanism.
Evidence: preclinical[5]Semax effects on brain functional connectivity (fMRI)
fMRI study in healthy individuals demonstrates Semax modulates brain functional connectivity networks, providing imaging evidence for its nootropic effects.
Evidence: moderate[6]The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
A study published in Acta naturae investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[7]The effect of Semax and its C-end peptide PGP on the morphology and proliferative activity of rat brain cells during experimental ischemia: a pilot study.
A study published in Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[8]ACTH-like Peptides Compensate Rat Brain Gene Expression Profile Disrupted by Ischemia a Day After Experimental Stroke.
A study published in Biomedicines investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[9]Semax and Pro-Gly-Pro activate the transcription of neurotrophins and their receptor genes after cerebral ischemia.
A study published in Cellular and molecular neurobiology investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[10]Semax, an ACTH4-10 peptide analog with high affinity for copper(II) ion and protective ability against metal induced cell toxicity.
A study published in Journal of inorganic biochemistry investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[11]Semax, a Copper Chelator Peptide, Decreases the Cu(II)-Catalyzed ROS Production and Cytotoxicity of aβ by Metal Ion Stripping and Redox Silencing.
A study published in Bioinorganic chemistry and applications investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[12][The effect of semax and its C-end peptide PGP on expression of the neurotrophins and their receptors in the rat brain during incomplete global ischemia].
A study published in Molekuliarnaia biologiia investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[13]Trophic effects of nootropic peptide preparations cerebrolysin and semax on cultured rat pheochromocytoma.
A study published in Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[14]Semax, synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue, attenuates behavioural and neurochemical alterations following early-life fluvoxamine exposure in white rats.
A study published in Neuropeptides investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[15][Comparison of anticoagulant effects of regulatory proline-containing oligopeptides. Specificity of glyprolines, semax, and selank and potential of their practical application].
A study published in Izvestiia Akademii nauk. Seriia biologicheskaia investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[16]Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.
A study published in Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[17][Effectiveness of semax in acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke (a clinical and electrophysiological study)].
A study published in Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: moderate[18][The effect of semax and its C-end peptide PGP on Vegfa gene expression in the rat brain during incomplete global ischemia].
A study published in Molekuliarnaia biologiia investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[19][EFFECT OF PEPTIDE SEMAX ON SYNAPTIC ACTIVITY AND SHORT-TERM PLASTICITY OF GLUTAMATERGIC SYNAPSES OF CO-CULTURED DORSAL ROOT GANGLION AND DORSAL HORN NEURONS].
A study published in Fiziolohichnyi zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1994) investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinical[20]Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress.
A study published in European journal of pharmacology investigating the effects and mechanisms.
Evidence: preclinicalSafety Profile
Nasal spray common; well-tolerated. Approved in Russia/Ukraine. Not FDA-approved in the US.
| Side Effect | Incidence | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Nasal irritation | ~8% of users | mild |
| Mild headache | ~5% of users | mild |
| Irritability at high doses | ~3% of users | mild |
Sourcing Semax for Research
If you're looking to source Semax for laboratory research, our vendor directory compares pricing, purity testing, and COA verification from independently vetted suppliers.
* Research vendor — verify your regional regulations before purchase.
Full Research Profile
Semax — dosing, interactions, timelines & more
Comprehensive compound profile with sourcing information, stacking synergies, and outcome timelines.