Overview
What it is.
Semax is a synthetic peptide derived from a fragment of ACTH, studied in Russian research contexts including neurological-recovery-related questions. It shares Selank's research lineage and mechanism family.
Research Areas
- Studied for its potential role in cognitive-performance and focus research
- Studied in Russian research contexts for neurological-recovery-related questions
- Studied for its potential role in neurotrophic-signaling research
Batch & Testing
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Research Deep-Dive
How it works.
Research Deep-Dive
How it works.
Semax is a synthetic peptide derived from a fragment of ACTH, developed in the early 1980s at the same Russian institute that later developed Selank. It has been a registered prescription drug in Russia since 1994 for ischemic stroke and cognitive impairment and remains on Russia's list of essential medicines.
Semax is studied for its ability to upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and activate TrkB receptor signaling, triggering downstream pathways linked to neuron survival, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Unlike the parent ACTH hormone, it does not meaningfully stimulate adrenal steroid production, which researchers cite as part of why it was pursued as a distinct cognitive/neuroprotective compound.
Use Cases Explored
- Studied in Russian clinical trials for post-stroke rehabilitation outcomes
- Studied for its role in BDNF and TrkB-linked neuroprotective signaling
- Studied in animal ischemia models for infarct-related outcomes
- Studied for potential effects on attention and cognitive performance
The Evidence
Russian stroke rehabilitation trial (Gusev, Martynov et al., 2018)
A 110-patient non-randomized trial found intranasal Semax elevated plasma BDNF and was associated with improved Barthel index and motor-scale scores over roughly five months versus comparator subgroups — a real clinical dataset, but non-randomized and published only in Russian-language literature.
Earlier Russian stroke study (Gusev et al., 1997)
An early clinical/electrophysiological study compared 30 acute ischemic-stroke patients receiving Semax alongside standard therapy against 80 patients on standard therapy alone — foundational to Semax's Russian approval, but conducted before modern trial-design standards and never replicated in a large Western randomized trial.
Animal ischemia models
Rodent MCAO stroke studies report meaningful infarct-volume reduction and functional recovery associated with Semax administration, supporting the BDNF-related mechanism but not substituting for controlled human data.
Limited independent Western validation
Reviewers consistently note that Semax's clinical evidence, while unusually extensive for a peptide, comes almost entirely from Russian trials of variable methodological rigor (blinding, sample size, standardized endpoints) and has not been replicated in large randomized Western studies.
Specifications
The essentials.
Specifications
The essentials.
- Form
- Lyophilized powder
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate at 2–8°C after reconstitution
- Shelf life
- 24 months lyophilized; 4–6 weeks refrigerated after reconstitution
- Solubility
- Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water
- Vial capacity
- 3 ml glass vial
Questions
Semax FAQ
Questions
Semax FAQ
What is Semax studied for?+
Semax is studied for its potential role in cognitive-performance and focus research, neurological-recovery-related questions in Russian research contexts, and neurotrophic-signaling research.
What is Semax derived from?+
It's a synthetic peptide derived from a fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), sharing research lineage and a mechanism family with Selank, also sold here.
How should Semax be handled and stored?+
It ships as a lyophilized powder. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water and refrigerate at 2–8°C after mixing — good for roughly 4–6 weeks refrigerated, or up to 24 months unreconstituted in a cool, dry place.
What testing does this batch undergo?+
Every batch is HPLC tested for purity and identity, plus sterility and endotoxin screening, before release. The Certificate of Analysis for that lot ships with your order.
Neuro
Semax
A synthetic peptide developed in Russia, related to Selank, studied for cognitive and neuroprotective research.
Size
Multi-vial pricing
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All products sold by One Tap Peptides are intended for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption. Not intended for animal use. Not intended for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
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