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Cognitive · Peptide Reference

Semax

Released: Last reviewed:

Russian-developed synthetic heptapeptide based on a fragment of ACTH. Used clinically in Russia for stroke recovery, ADHD, and cognitive enhancement. BDNF up-regulation is the proposed mechanism. Limited Western clinical data.

Cognitive Evidence grade: C Not FDA-approved
Researched By
Dr. Parmis
Medical Researcher · Western University of Health Sciences
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD · Kim Callender, NP (FNP-BC)
Last medically reviewed: October 15, 2026 · This page is informational and does not constitute medical advice.

Key facts

Class
Synthetic heptapeptide (ACTH-derived)
Route
Intranasal (primary)
Pharmacy pathway
See the dated FDA status notice above
Clinical use (Russia)
Stroke recovery, ADHD, cognitive support
Common stack
Selank
Common dose
300-600 mcg intranasal daily
Evidence grade
C (Russian clinical use; limited Western replication)
FDA status
Not FDA-approved

Mechanism of action

Russian-developed synthetic heptapeptide based on a fragment of ACTH. Used clinically in Russia for stroke recovery, ADHD, and cognitive enhancement. BDNF up-regulation is the proposed mechanism. Limited Western clinical data.

Standard dosing

Typical clinical use: 300-600 mcg intranasal daily. Dosing varies by indication and provider protocol; this is reference-only and not a prescribing recommendation. Semax requires a prescription from a licensed clinician.

Regulatory status & pharmacy pathway

Not FDA-approved. FDA limits which peptides a pharmacy may compound; check this page’s dated FDA status notice before assuming a peptide is legally available. Ask which licensed pharmacy fills the prescription and check that pharmacy’s license with your state board of pharmacy.

U.S. telehealth providers prescribing Semax

The most commonly cited U.S. telehealth providers for Semax are Defy Medical, Marek Health, Hone Health, Maximus, and PeterMD —, whose offerings for this peptide we have not verified (see the FDA status notice above). See the full provider directory for complete profiles.

Trade-offs to know

Semax carries the trade-offs common to all compounded peptide therapeutics: not FDA-approved, cash-pay only, no in-network insurance coverage, and pharmacy-quality variation between providers. Choose a prescriber that names its pharmacy, explains its follow-up schedule and states the regulatory status of what it prescribes.

Related peptides in the cognitive category

Editorial team

Researched by Dr. Parmis (Medical Researcher, Western University of Health Sciences); medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD and Kim Callender, NP (FNP-BC).

References

  1. Ashmarin IP, Nezavibatko VN, Levitskaya NG, Koshelev VB, Kamensky AA. Design and Investigation of an ACTH(4-10) Analog Lacking D-Amino Acids and Hydrophobic Radicals. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 1995;25(3):234-240. PMID: 7651555
  2. Levitskaya NG, Vilensky DA, Sebentsova EA, Andreeva LA, Kamensky AA, Myasoedov NF. Behavioral effects of Semax in male white rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2010;149(5):559-562. PMID: 21165395
  3. Gusev EI, Martynov MY, Kostenko EV, et al. The Efficacy of Semax in the Tertiary Prevention of Cognitive Dysfunctions in Cerebrovascular Disorders. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2018;118(3):61-68. PMID: 29795077

Sources are peer-reviewed where available. PubMed (PMID) links resolve to NCBI's PubMed database. FDA links resolve to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Citations were last verified 2026-05-11.