Selank: what the research shows
A nasal-spray peptide developed in Russia and studied for anxiety.
At a glance
Registered as a medicine in Russia, where it is used for anxiety. Not approved in the US, UK or EU.
Step 1 of 5: Cells
Step 2 of 5: Animals
Step 3 of 5: Small human studies
Step 4 of 5: Large trials
Step 5 of 5: Approved medicine
What is Selank?
Selank is a lab-made version of tuftsin, a tiny natural peptide involved in the immune system, with three extra building blocks added so it lasts longer.
How does Selank work?
Researchers think it affects brain chemicals involved in anxiety, such as GABA and serotonin, but this isn’t fully understood.
What does the research show?
Russian study, 2015 · 70 adults with anxiety disorders: 40 took Selank with phenazepam (a prescription anti-anxiety medicine), 30 took phenazepam alone
With Selank added, phenazepam worked sooner and caused fewer side effects, such as poor memory, drowsiness and tiredness, the authors report.
Source: Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with Selank (in Russian) · Medvedev et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii · 2015
Rats under long-term, unpredictable mild stress, 2017
Selank given with diazepam (Valium) brought the rats’ anxiety measures back to where they were before the stress.
Source: Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats · Kasian et al. · Behavioural Neurology · 2017
- Most studies come from Russia and are small.
- Small Russian clinical studies in people with anxiety report benefits, but there are no large international trials.
What we don't know yet
- Whether it helps anxiety in large, well-controlled trials. The human studies so far are small and from Russia.
- How it works in the brain.
- Its long-term safety.
Known risks and side effects
- It has not been well studied outside Russia, so side effects and long-term safety are unclear.
Is Selank approved?
Approved as a medicine in some countries, but not in the US, UK or EU.
Registered as a medicine in Russia, where it is used for anxiety. Not approved in the US, UK or EU.
From the community
Watch: Selank and related science
We have not selected a reliable dedicated Selank video. These lessons cover the relevant biology and research methods; the compound-specific evidence is in the sources below.
khanacademymedicine
Types of neurotransmitters
The roles of signalling molecules such as GABA, glutamate and peptide neurotransmitters.
Khan Academy · nervous-system physiology
Related biology
Background on neurotransmitter biology for understanding Selank. It does not demonstrate benefits of this compound or formulation.
National Institute of Mental Health
Clinical research: risks and benefits
Why an experimental treatment can involve uncertainty even when its scientific rationale sounds promising.
NIMH · US National Institutes of Health
Research skills
Helps you judge the study design or uncertainty in Selank research; it is not a trial of the compound.
Sources and references
- Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in RatsKasian et al. · Behavioural Neurology · 2017
- Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with Selank (in Russian)Medvedev et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii · 2015
VETUD Learn explains published research in plain language. It is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or changing any treatment.
In the research shop
Check the catalog for related laboratory research materials. These products are separate from the approved medicines and clinical trial formulations discussed here.
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