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Pick up to three peptides to see how their mechanisms, studied uses and evidence levels differ. Rows where the entries disagree are marked with a blue edge.
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Comparison
Semax
Cognitive & neuro
Evidence level
Limited evidence
Approval status
Approved drug
Mechanism of action
- 1.Animal studies report increased expression of BDNF and NGF, growth factors involved in neuron survival and plasticity.
- 2.Modulates monoamine turnover in the brain and inhibits enkephalin breakdown, which is proposed to affect mood and attention.
- 3.Unlike ACTH itself it does not appear to stimulate cortisol release, because the hormone-active part of the molecule is absent.
- 4.Shown to reduce oxidative stress markers in animal brain-injury models.
Studied for
- Recovery after ischaemic stroke
- Optic nerve disease and visual field loss
- Cognitive impairment and attention
- Transient ischaemic attacks
- Attention deficit in children (small Russian studies)
Reported effects
- Russian trials report faster neurological recovery and higher cognitive scores
- Improved visual acuity in some optic nerve studies
- Increased BDNF measured in animal brains
- Sample sizes are small and independent replication outside Russia is essentially absent
Side effects
- Reported as well tolerated in Russian studies
- Nasal irritation and dryness
- Headache
- Transient anxiety or irritability reported occasionally
- Independent long-term safety data are unavailable
Research protocol
Research context only — in Russia it is prescribed as a 0.1% nasal solution in short courses set by a physician. Western research has no standard protocol, and internet regimens are not clinically validated.
Research context only
Evidence justification
There are published clinical studies, but they are small, largely from a single country, and have not been independently replicated in large randomised trials.