Semax

Quickstart Highlights

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide fragment of ACTH(4–10) with no corticotropic hormonal activity, registered in Russia as a prescription nasal drop for cognitive, neuroprotective and ischaemic indications. It is studied for attention, memory, mental stamina and recovery after stroke and brain injury, with human data limited to the intranasal route. This educational protocol presents the research-community subcutaneous convention: 200–300 mcg once daily on waking in week 1, 500 mcg from week 2 with 600 mcg as an upper reference, on a 5 days on / 2 days off schedule for 2–4 weeks, using a 2.0 mL reconstitution (5 mg/mL) for whole-unit measurement on a U-100 insulin syringe.

• Reconstitute: Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water → 5 mg/mL concentration.
• Dose range: 200–600 mcg (0.2–0.6 mg) once daily on waking, subcutaneously, 5 days on / 2 days off (2–4 weeks on, then 1–4 weeks off).
• Easy measuring: At 5 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 50 mcg on a U-100 insulin syringe.
• Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F); after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within 28 days.
• Label: The registered Russian route is intranasal (0.1% solution, 50 mcg per drop, 2–3 drops per nostril 2–4 times daily for 10–14 days); subcutaneous dosing is a community convention with no human data.

Protocol Overview

Concise summary of the once-daily, 5-on / 2-off subcutaneous regimen.

• Goal: Support attention, memory and mental stamina through rapid BDNF upregulation and modulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission.
• Schedule: Subcutaneous injections once daily on waking, 5 days on / 2 days off, for 2–4 weeks followed by 1–4 weeks off.
• Dose Range: 200 mcg (0.2 mg) to 600 mcg (0.6 mg) once daily: 200–300 mcg in week 1, 500 mcg from week 2 onward, with 600 mcg as the upper reference.
• Reconstitution: 2 mL per 10 mg vial (5 mg/mL) for accurate unit measurements on standard insulin syringes.
• Storage: Lyophilized frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); reconstituted refrigerated at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 28 days; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
• Evidence: Human clinical trials and a registered Russian label exist for the intranasal route only; the subcutaneous figures are community convention extrapolated from intranasal doses with no human pharmacokinetic data, so confidence is medium.

Dosing Protocol

Suggested daily approach based on the Russian intranasal label and research-community conventions for the subcutaneous route.

• Week 1: 200 mcg (0.2 mg) once daily on waking to assess tolerance.
• Week 1 (upper): 300 mcg (0.3 mg) once daily, the most widely cited single figure across sources, for those starting at the higher end.
• Week 2 onward: 500 mcg (0.5 mg) once daily.
• Upper reference: 600 mcg (0.6 mg) once daily; sources cap the subcutaneous range here and limit the upper tier to 4 weeks.
• Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous injection), 5 days on / 2 days off.
• Timing: On waking in the morning; Semax is activating and dopaminergic, so evening dosing is avoided.
• Cycle: 2–4 weeks on, then 1–4 weeks off; the Russian label uses 10–14 day courses, and sources describe 2–4 courses per year.

Storage Instructions

Proper storage preserves product quality and efficacy.

• Lyophilized (powder): Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) protected from light; 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) refrigeration is acceptable for short-term storage. The Russian ready-made product is labeled for storage in the dark below 10 °C (50 °F).
• Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and do not freeze. Use within 28 days; sources range from 2–4 weeks to 30 days, so 28 days is the practical outside limit.
• Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation uptake.
• Swirl, do not shake, when dissolving; keep the solution protected from light.

Important Notes

Practical considerations for consistency and safety.

• Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a proper sharps container.
• Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation and avoid lipohypertrophy.
• Route note: The registered Russian product is intranasal: 0.1% drops (50 mcg per drop; 2–3 drops per nostril 2–4 times daily for 10–14 days for cognitive indications) and a 1% solution (about 500 mcg per drop) used only for stroke under medical supervision. No subcutaneous dosing appears on the label.
• Evidence caveat: Every human trial used the intranasal or intravenous route; there are no human bioavailability or pharmacokinetic data for subcutaneous Semax, and the 200–600 mcg figures are a community convention.
• Regulatory: Prescription nasal drops in Russia; not approved by Health Canada or the FDA. Sold as a research chemical in North America; research use only.
• Intranasal use of the reconstituted vial: At 5 mg/mL a standard 0.1 mL actuation delivers 500 mcg; sources describe diluting to about 1 mg/mL (10 mg in 10 mL) for roughly 100 mcg per spray, or dissolving in preservative-free saline, for nasal use.
• Keep dosing in the morning and keep the 5-on / 2-off pattern consistent; the label contraindicates use in pregnancy and lactation, under 7 years of age, acute psychotic states and a history of seizures.
• This page covers plain Semax; N-Acetyl Semax and N-Acetyl Semax Amidate are distinct variants with different community dosing. Semax is commonly stacked with Selank, and both are dosed in the morning.

How This Works

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from the ACTH(4–10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, retaining neurotropic activity without any corticotropic hormonal effect. Its best-characterized action is a rapid increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its TrkB receptor in the hippocampus, which supports neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity and the attention and memory effects described in the Russian literature. Semax also modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission, which accounts for its activating, motivation-supporting profile and the recommendation to dose early in the day. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions and inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes underpin the higher-dose stroke, brain-injury and optic-nerve indications on the Russian label. Intranasal delivery gives direct olfactory-route access to the central nervous system, with onset in 15–60 minutes and a functional window of 1–6 hours; the subcutaneous route has no human pharmacokinetic data.

Potential Benefits & Side Effects

Observations from the Russian label, Russian clinical literature and preclinical studies.

Potential Benefits:

• Cognitive enhancement: attention, memory, learning and mental stamina under fatigue (Russian label indication, intranasal).
• Neuroprotection and recovery after ischaemic stroke, traumatic brain injury and optic nerve disease (Russian label indications at higher intranasal doses).
• Rapid BDNF increase and modulation of dopamine and serotonin systems in preclinical studies.
• Mood, motivation and stress-adaptation support reported in clinical and community sources.
• Fast onset (15–60 minutes) and a functional window of 1–6 hours when given intranasally.

Potential Side Effects:

• Nasal mucosal irritation with prolonged intranasal use (label); injection-site irritation with subcutaneous use.
• Headache.
• Overstimulation, anxiety or sleep disruption when dosed late in the day.
• Rare allergic reactions.
• Contraindicated on the label in pregnancy and lactation, under 7 years of age, acute psychotic states and seizure history.

Lifestyle Factors

Complementary strategies for cognitive and stress-adaptation outcomes.

• Dose on waking and protect sleep (7–9 hours); an activating peptide taken late undermines the recovery it is meant to support.
• Line up dosing days with focused work or study blocks so the 1–6 hour functional window is used deliberately.
• Regular aerobic exercise independently raises BDNF and complements the mechanism.
• Moderate caffeine on dosing days to avoid compounding stimulation.
• Use the 2 off-days and the 1–4 week break between courses as designed; sources describe 2–4 courses per year rather than continuous use.
• Track focus, mood and sleep in a short daily log to judge response within the 2–4 week course.

Injection Technique

General subcutaneous injection guidance from clinical best-practice resources.

• Clean the vial stopper and chosen skin site with separate alcohol swabs; allow both to dry completely before proceeding.
• Pinch a fold of skin between your fingers; insert the needle at a 45–90° angle into the subcutaneous tissue (fatty layer, not muscle).
• Do not aspirate (pull back the plunger) when giving a subcutaneous injection.
• Inject the solution slowly and steadily; wait at least 6 seconds after injection before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery and minimize leakage.
• Withdraw the needle and apply light pressure with a clean swab; avoid rubbing vigorously.
• Rotate injection sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to prevent lipohypertrophy and maintain consistent absorption.
• Dispose of used syringes and needles immediately in a proper sharps container.

Recommended Source

We recommend Amino Labs for high-purity Semax (10 mg vials).

Note: Product availability and specifications subject to change. Verify current product details on supplier website.

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