Selank
$Neuroactive anxiolytic peptide; Human evidence mostly regional/limited
Selank is a synthetic analog related to tuftsin and is discussed for anxiety, stress resilience, and cognition. It is commonly used intranasally in community settings.
There is regional clinical use and mechanistic literature, but broad claims about anxiety disorders, cognition, or withdrawal support should remain carefully qualified. Distinguish acute subjective calm from proven treatment of an anxiety disorder. Evaluate route, formulation, nasal tolerability, and interactions with other neuroactive drugs.
Classification details
- Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed from the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin.
- It is commonly grouped as an anxiolytic/nootropic peptide.
- Selank is a tuftsin-derived anxiolytic/nootropic peptide used mainly intranasally in regional/community contexts. It is distinct from Semax because its intended profile is more anxiolytic than activating.
- Proposed mechanisms include modulation of enkephalinase activity, GABAergic tone, serotonergic signaling, immune-cytokine effects, and stress-response gene expression.
- These mechanisms are not equivalent to a single approved-drug pathway.
- Mechanisms discussed include GABAergic modulation, monoamine effects, immune-neuropeptide signaling, and stress-response gene expression. It does not deliver immediate, benzodiazepine-like anxiolysis.