Cognitive & Nootropic

Semax

ACTH-fragment analog (MEHFPGP) with Russian clinical literature. Nasal research vials are not a US stroke drug. NASA and Adamax are different SKUs.

Not FDA-approved - research chemical

Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team

·Last updated: September 2026·Evidence: Moderate·3 peer-reviewed citations

Typical research dose

200-600 mcg/day (intranasal)

Frequency

1-3× daily (intranasal)

Half-life

~2-3 minutes (intranasal active metabolites persist)

Common vials

3 mg / 5 mg

CAS

80714-61-0

Molecular weight

~599 Da

Use-case scores

0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.

Cognition5/10
Russian stroke/cognition literature. Ceiling 6.5 for small human; haircut: not FDA-approved, and this page will not treat stroke.

Compound card

Sequence: Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (ACTH 4–7 analog + PGP)
Class: Russian Rx ACTH fragment analog (intranasal; not a US stroke drug)
Formula: Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (MEHFPGP)
Status: Not FDA-approved · research use

Dose it

5 mg + 5 mL BAC water → 1 mg/mL · 200 mcg ≈ 20 units (U-100)

Open in calculator

How it works

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), specifically the ACTH(4-10) fragment with additional stabilizing modifications. It has neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Semax increases BDNF and NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) expression, modulates the serotonergic system, and provides neuroprotection against oxidative stress.

Like Selank, Semax is approved in Russia as a prescription medication - specifically for stroke recovery, cognitive disorders, and optic nerve diseases. It is primarily administered intranasally due to its very short systemic half-life (~2-3 minutes).

Source: PMID: 17430556

Goal context

Cognition / neuroprotection as the Russian story

Semax is approved in Russia for stroke recovery, cognitive disorders, and optic nerve diseases. BDNF/NGF language is the mechanism essay, not a US neuroprotection NDA.

Nasal research vials are not that product

Minutes-class systemic t½ is why the spray exists. NASA and Adamax are different SKUs.

Background & History

Semax is an ACTH-fragment analog (MEHFPGP) with Russian clinical literature. Nasal research vials are not a US stroke drug. NASA and Adamax are different SKUs.

Research Use Cases

✓MEHFPGP identity vs N-acetyl Semax amidate vs Adamax
✓Russian stroke/optic-nerve history vs a US research spray
✓Not a stroke, ADHD, depression, or optic-nerve treatment page

Dosing

Phase	Dose	Frequency	Notes
Standard Protocol	200 - 600 mcg	Daily intranasal (1-3 doses)	Approved in Russia for stroke recovery and cognitive disorders. Higher doses (600-1200 mcg) used clinically.

Administration

Route / form

Intranasal spray

Timing

Morning and/or afternoon. Fasting not required.

Empty stomach?

No - Food timing is not critical.

Semax: Nasal spray / drops vs Research vial SubQ

Nasal spray / drops

Bioavailability

Minutes-class systemic t½ is why the spray exists. Intranasal is a CNS-delivery argument, not a published US F% table for this SKU. Do not print “~100% CNS delivery” as if it were an FDA bioavailability number.

Dose note

Reconstitute the lyophilized cake, then dose the nose. Community ranges sit in the low-hundreds of mcg per day, split 1–3×. That is research-chem / CIS practice, not a US label. Do not run a BPC-style daily SubQ chart on a nasal insert.

Advantages

Matches how the Russian product and most US research SKUs are actually used.
Short plasma t½ is the reason people do not treat this like a depot GH peptide.
Semax is MEHFPGP (ACTH 4–7 analog + PGP). NASA and N-acetyl Semax are different SKUs.

Considerations

Russian labeled product is nasal, not a US NDA.
Nasal irritation is the usual complaint. Volume and osmolarity of a reconstituted cake are not a pharmacy spray.
Recon math is for making a solution. It is not a BAC SubQ lifestyle protocol.

Research vial SubQ

Bioavailability

Same cake, different hole. SubQ is community use of a nasal peptide. There is no head-to-head human PK that makes the shot “stronger.” Minutes-class parent t½ still applies.

Dose note

If the bottle is lyophilized and you inject it, BAC-reconstitute and do the unit math. Community mcg numbers are borrowed from nasal practice. Food does not change the shot. This is not a second official SKU.

Advantages

Vial math is checkable when the COA matches the sequence.
Useful only if you knowingly bought a cake and chose SubQ. It does not create a US injectable drug.

Considerations

Not the Russian labeled route. Do not invent a clinic IM ampoule because a vendor sold powder.
Systemic exposure is not a published reason to skip the nose.
Semax is MEHFPGP (ACTH 4–7 analog + PGP). NASA and N-acetyl Semax are different SKUs.

Recommendation: Semax: nasal is the honest default. SubQ is the same research cake used as an injection, not a second approved product. Russian labeled product is nasal, not a US NDA. Do not flatten a spray insert into a BPC reconstitution calendar.

Timeline

Minutes to hours

Improved focus and mental clarity. Neuroprotective signaling initiated.

Week 2-4

Sustained BDNF/NGF elevation. Cognitive improvements compound. Stroke recovery benefits in clinical use.

Who it is for

Neuroprotection / Stroke Recovery

High

Approved in Russia for stroke recovery. BDNF and NGF upregulation supports neuronal repair.

Cognitive Enhancement / Nootropic

High

Does not affect cortisol despite ACTH origin. Well-tolerated cognitive booster.

Reconstitution

Vial

5 mg

Diluent

5 mL

Concentration

1 mg/mL

Per Unit (100u syringe)

10 mcg

Dose of 200 mcg = 20 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe

Safety & Considerations

Approved in Russia for stroke recovery and cognitive disorders. Good clinical safety profile. Does not affect cortisol. Primary route is intranasal.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)

Research Only

Approved in Russia as a nasal spray; not FDA-approved

WADA Status (2026)

Not Listed

Not currently on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Policies may change - verify before competition.

Classification

Research Chemical

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

Limits of current evidence

This site will not treat stroke, optic-nerve disease, or dementia from a peptide page.
Formula on some catalogs is wrong (PGPGA is not the Semax sequence). Sequence here is MEHFPGP.
Minutes-class systemic t½ is why the spray exists.

Human evidence

Moderate · Russian Rx story (not a US stroke drug)

This site will not treat stroke, optic-nerve disease, or dementia from a peptide page.
Russian prescription literature is not an FDA NDA.

Verdict

Semax is the ACTH-fragment analog with a Russian label story. BDNF/NGF language is the mechanism essay, not a US neuroprotection NDA. Nasal research vials are not that product. NASA and Adamax are different SKUs.

Interactions & Contraindications

Intranasal for CNS folklore. ACTH-like structure is not a cortisol-free pass. Epilepsy caution is theoretical, not a labeled interaction table.

Synergies & Common Stacks

+ Selank →

Two Institute of Molecular Genetics analogs. Complementary marketing is not a US neuro-rehab protocol.

+ Noopept →

Same Russian nootropic aisle in community logs. Semax is a heptapeptide spray; Noopept is a dipeptide ester. No co-admin RCT on this leaf.

Semax vs. Selank

Canonical comparison: Semax vs Selank

Attribute	Semax	Selank
Primary Effect	Stimulating cognitive enhancer	Calming anxiolytic
BDNF Impact	Strong BDNF upregulation	Mild BDNF impact
Mood Effect	Energising / drive / motivation	Anti-anxiety / calm focus
Timing	Best AM use	Best PM or high-stress use
Approval	Russia (Semax nasal spray)	Russia (Selank nasal spray)

Verdict: Semax is the stimulating neuropeptide for cognitive performance and BDNF-driven neuroplasticity. Selank is the calming partner. Together they offer a full-spectrum nootropic from two directions.

Appears in goal guides

Goal guides are maps, not clinic protocols. A mention here is not a treatment plan.

Cognitive Enhancement & Nootropic Drive

Identity map for Semax, Selank, Noopept, and related nootropic SKUs. BDNF language is mechanism, not a US cognition or stroke indication.

View Protocol →

Cognitive Enhancement Protocol

Neuro 3 Plus bioregulator triad (brain, vessels, liver) plus Semax/Selank, with Dihexa reserved for advanced users.

View Protocol →

Frequently Asked Questions

Nasal or injection?▼

Nasal is the Russian labeled route and the honest default. SubQ is the same research cake used as an injection, not a second approved product. Minutes-class t½ is why the spray exists. NASA is a different SKU.

Does Semax affect cortisol like ACTH?▼

No - Semax is from ACTH(4-10), which does not contain the hormonal region (residues 1-3) responsible for cortisol stimulation. Confirmed no adrenal effect.

What is the Semax dosing protocol?▼

200-600 mcg daily via intranasal spray, 1-3 doses. Clinical settings use 600-1200 mcg for stroke recovery.

References

Dolotov OV et al. “"Neuroprotective effects of the synthetic ACTH analogue Semax".” Journal of Neurochemistry (2006). PMID: 16978359
Ashmarin IP, et al. “Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analog with nootropic properties, as a potential neuroprotective agent.” Pharmacol Biochem Behav (1995). PMID: 7732365
Bashkatova VG, et al. “Neuroprotective effects of Semax in conditions of global ischemia.” Bull Exp Biol Med (2001). PMID: 11427916

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