Selank
Russian anxiolytic peptide; synthetic analog of tuftsin.
- Primary research area
- Cognitive / anxiety
- Last updated
- Apr 21, 2026
- Reviewed by
- Peptide Examiner editorial team
What it is
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia based on the natural immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin. It is approved in Russia as an anxiolytic for generalized anxiety disorder and is used clinically there since the late 1990s. It is not FDA approved. Like Semax, Selank is most commonly administered as an intranasal spray.
Mechanism of action
Selank's anxiolytic mechanism is proposed to involve modulation of the GABAergic system (indirectly, through stabilization of enkephalins by inhibiting their enzymatic degradation), modulation of serotonin and dopamine turnover, and effects on immune signaling consistent with its tuftsin-analog origins. The net effect in animal models is anxiolytic without the sedation or dependence profile of benzodiazepines.
Research history
Russian clinical research and subsequent use since the late 1990s. Studies report anxiolytic efficacy in generalized anxiety disorder comparable to medazepam without the sedation or withdrawal profile, and some cognitive-enhancement signals. Peer-reviewed literature is largely Russian-language; independent Western replication is limited.
Current trial status
Approved and clinically used in Russia. US: no FDA-track development. Research-use-only sales.
Regulatory status
Not FDA approved. FDA Category 2 (September 2023). Feb 2026 HHS proposed removal. Russian pharmacy approved for generalized anxiety. Full regulatory timeline →
Controversies and open questions
The Russian regulatory framework accepts Selank on evidence that would not typically clear FDA review. Whether that means the evidence is inadequate or that FDA review is excessively conservative is an open debate; the practical consequence is that Selank is unapproved in the US. Research-peptide vendor quality varies and is not held to Russian pharmacopoeia standards.
Further reading
Frequently asked
Is Selank comparable to benzodiazepines?
Russian clinical studies report comparable anxiolytic efficacy to medazepam without the sedation, dependence, or withdrawal profile. Independent Western replication is limited. For patients with clinical anxiety, FDA-approved options with robust US evidence (SSRIs, SNRIs, or benzodiazepines under medical supervision) are the standard of care.
Is it addictive?
No evidence of physical dependence or withdrawal in Russian clinical use over decades. But this should not be confused with 'fully characterized safety in Western regulatory frameworks,' which it does not have.
Why intranasal?
Same rationale as Semax — direct CNS delivery via nose-to-brain transport pathways, bypassing first-pass metabolism.
Is it legal in the US?
No FDA approval. FDA Category 2 (September 2023). February 2026 HHS proposed removal pending FDA review. Research-peptide vendors sell it under the usual RUO disclaimers.