Research use onlyFor laboratory and research purposes only — not for human consumption, medical, veterinary or diagnostic use.

PeptideStacks
Nootropic & Cognitive

Semax + Selank + Pinealon Nootropic Stack

Russian-origin neuropeptide nootropic research stack — BDNF up-regulation, anxiolytic action and pineal cognition support. Full intranasal research protocol.

3 peptides 4-week cycle beginnerUpdated 2026-05-16
BDNF up-regulationAnxiolysisNeuroprotectionWorking-memory research

Both Semax and Selank are heptapeptide derivatives of endogenous human neuropeptides (ACTH(4-10) and tuftsin respectively), developed in the late Soviet era and widely studied in Russian preclinical and Phase I/II literature. Pinealon adds a pineal-peptide cognitive support layer.

Mechanism of action

Semax — mechanism of action

Synthetic heptapeptide derivative of ACTH(4–10), lacking corticotropic activity. In research:

  • Up-regulates BDNF and NGF in hippocampus and cortex.
  • Increases dopaminergic and serotonergic tone in rodent prefrontal cortex.
  • Documented neuroprotective effects in ischaemic stroke models.
  • Approved as a Russian-Federation prescription nootropic; outside Russia it is an unapproved research compound.

Selank — mechanism of action

Synthetic heptapeptide derivative of tuftsin. In published research:

  • Anxiolytic via GABAergic modulation without sedation or dependence.
  • Up-regulates serotonin metabolism in hippocampus.
  • Modulates expression of GABA-A receptor subunits.

Pinealon — mechanism of action

Synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed by the Khavinson group as a pineal-gland-targeted cognition support compound. In animal models:

  • Crosses the blood-brain barrier with documented neuroprotective effect.
  • Up-regulates pineal indoleamine metabolism.
  • Reduces age-related decline in spatial memory in aged rats.

Full research protocol — dosing table

PeptideDoseFrequencyTimingCycle length
Semax300–600 µg/dayDaily IN (split AM/midday)Pre-cognitive task2–4 weeks
Selank400–800 µg/dayDaily IN (split AM/midday)Before anxiogenic situations2–4 weeks
Pinealon20 mgDaily SCEvening10–14 days

Weekly research timeline

PeptideWk 1Wk 2Wk 3Wk 4
Semax300 µg/day IN600 µg/day IN600 µg/day IN300 µg/day IN
Selank600 µg/day IN600 µg/day IN600 µg/day IN400 µg/day IN
Pinealon20 mg SC20 mg SC

Routes: SC = subcutaneous · IM = intramuscular · IN = intranasal · Oral · Topical.

Safety profile & regulatory note

Where to source these research peptides

Each peptide in this stack has a dedicated research monograph on PeptideAuthority.co.uk and a research-grade SKU at PeptideBarn.co.uk. All compounds are sold strictly for in vitro research.

Frequently asked research questions

Semax up-regulates BDNF (cognitive enhancement axis); Selank potentiates GABAergic tone (anxiolytic axis). Together they decouple the trade-off between alertness and calm in published Russian preclinical research.

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