Semax is a peptide that is studied for its nootropic and neuroprotective effects. Inside, researchers will find what they must know about Semax, including results from clinical trials.
Semax is a synthetic peptide that was first developed by Russian researchers in the 1980s. It is authorized in Russia and Ukraine for indications including ischemic brain stroke, encephalopathy, optic nerve atrophy, and cognitive disorders such as dementia.
Research suggests that Semax may offer potential benefits to patients suffering from a variety of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke [1, 2, 3].
Semax is an analog of the ACTH(4-10) peptide, the latter a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH is a hormone that plays a key role in cortisol production in the body [1, 2, 3].
Structurally, Semax is made of seven amino acids, including a four amino acid fragment (Met-Glu-His-Phe) from ACTH (4-7) and a Pro-Gly-Pro fragment attached at the C-terminus. This structure allows the peptide to cross the blood-brain barrier [4, 5].
Modern researchers report that Semax can reach significant concentrations in central nervous tissues and exert its purported benefits on the brain, such as neuroprotection and enhanced cognitive performance [6, 7].
Semax is also frequently modified via acetylation and amidation, leading to the formation of N-Acetyl Semax Amidate. This alteration may modulate its interaction with substances like copper ions and redox agents, possibly enhancing its stability in the process [8, 9].
Before purchasing Semax for research purposes, it is critical to understand this peptide’s side effects, risks, dosing guidelines, and legal status.
Our team of researchers covers all of these considerations below before providing our top recommendations for where to buy Semax online as a reference material.
Semax is a research peptide that is designed to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) while avoiding the hormonal effects of ACTH [5, 10, 11]. Instead, Semax may improve overall brain health and enhance cognitive performance via the following mechanisms:
Researchers report that Semax may exert its neuroprotective benefits by upregulating both BDNF levels and the corresponding tropomyosin-related kinase B (trkB, aka tropomyosin receptor kinase B) receptors found in brain cells [15].
BDNF is a neurotrophic growth factor that is key to brain cell survival and neuroplasticity. Semax appears to upregulate BDNF levels 1.4-fold and the trkB receptor expression 2-fold [15].
Further, studies reveal that the peptide may interact with serotonin and dopamine signaling in the brain, although the potential effect of these interactions is not well-studied [12]. Some studies also report an upregulating effect of Semax on enkephalins—the physiological ligands of opioid receptors [13, 16].
Interacting with these neuromodulators in the brain may have effects on mood, stress, cognition, and reward-related behavior [12, 13]. However, researchers are yet to investigate whether Semax has any related benefits. So far, only test animal experiments report potential protective effects of Semax against anxiogenic substances [17].
Semax may also provide benefits outside the nervous system, such as regulating blood flow, microcirculation, and vascular permeability in the gastrointestinal system. As a result, the peptide may have anti-ulcer effects, but more research is required to confirm these benefits [18].
Researchers are actively investigating the potential effects of Semax on the brain and other organs. Preliminary research suggests that potential benefits of Semax include:
Below, we will take a closer look at each of these potential benefits.
The available clinical data suggest that there is a potential effect of Semax on cognition. One study examined the impact of intranasal Semax on the cognitive functions of healthy but fatigued study volunteers who had completed 8-hour work shifts [19].
Following a single intranasal administration of the peptide at a dosage of 16mcg/kg of body weight, the effects lasted for 24 hours. According to the researchers’ findings, participants who received Semax demonstrated a 71% accuracy rate on a memory test, in stark contrast to the average 41% rate observed in the control group [19].
Another trial investigated the impact of Semax on the default mode network (DMN) of the brain in 24 middle-aged individuals using fMRI. DMN is associated with the evaluation and processing of emotions, episodic memory, and capacity for social interactions. The participants received either a 1% Semax solution or placebo via intranasal application, and fMRI scans were conducted before administration, as well as 5 and 20 minutes afterward [20].
The results indicated that the Semax group exhibited increased volume in the rostral subcomponent of the DMN, specifically within the medial frontal cortex, compared to the control group. Semax was thus speculated to provide potential benefits for associated functions such as information processing and episodic memory [20].
Currently, the evidence on the potential of Semax for mood regulation in conditions such as anxiety and depression is scarce.
An animal study explored the effects of intranasal Semax (50 and 500mcg/kg) on anxiety and depression in rats, both in their normal state and under stress induced by CCK-4 (cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide)—an anxiogenic substance commonly used to simulate anxiety disorders.
While Semax had no effect on rats in their normal state, it was able to normalize disrupted behavior caused by CCK-4, suggesting potential anxiolytic and antidepressant effects when anxiety and depression levels are elevated [17].
Semax has been studied primarily for its potential neuroprotective effects. Several preclinical and clinical trials support the peptide’s benefits for various neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions, including stroke.
For example, in a trial involving 110 stroke patients, intranasal administration of Semax in two 10-day courses of 6000mcg/day showed increased plasma BDNF levels. This led to improved motor performance and enhanced functional independence as assessed by Barthel index scores—an index for assessing functional independence in stroke patients [21].
Another trial conducted on patients with acute stroke patients also demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory benefits of Semax. The study indicated that Semax contributed to an increased prevalence of anti-inflammatory mediators (such as interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) while reducing proinflammatory factors (such as interleukin-8 and C-reactive protein) [22].
In a smaller study involving 30 patients with chronic brain ischemia, a condition often associated with dementia, Semax was administered in conjunction with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen. The treatment group exhibited better recovery outcomes than the control group. The study authors reported that the peptide improved the patients’ conditions by exerting both neurotrophic and anti-platelet effects [23].
Clinical trials also report that intranasal Semax has been shown to protect against pressure-induced nerve damage in glaucoma patients [24].
Further, the peptide may provide benefits versus various neurotoxins. For example, one clinical trial suggests that the peptide protects against the neurotoxic effect of alcohol intoxication [25].
Pre-clinical trials have also reported protective effects of Semax in a rat model of Parkinson’s induced by the neurotoxin MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) [26].
According to Ivanikov et al. (2002), Semax has potential gastroprotective and anti-ulcer effects. The study showed that intranasal administration of a 1% Semax solution was nearly three times more effective than placebo in promoting the healing of peptic ulcers.
Participants in the treatment group received 2-4 drops of Semax in each nostril three times daily for 10 days, and experienced a healing rate of approximately 90%, compared to just over 30% in the placebo group [18].
As mentioned, the researchers postulated that these positive outcomes may be attributed to an unexplored influence of Semax on the regulation of blood flow, microcirculation, and vascular permeability. However, more research is needed to confirm these mechanisms [18].
It’s critical to understand data on Semax dosing prior to using the peptide in research. Intranasal Semax is officially approved in Russia as two different formulations: a 0.1% solution and a 1% solution, which differ in indications and dosing recommendations [27].
According to the official recommendations on the Semax Nasal Drops 0.1%, the peptide is administered as follows [28]:
Semax Nasal Drops 1% are clinically administered as follows [29]:
Some trials have also employed 1% Semax nasal spray cycling, involving 10 days on and 20 days off, followed by 10 days of administration, at doses of 6000mcg/daily in stroke patients [21].
On the other hand, 0.1% intranasal Semax has been used for up to 30 days in adult glaucoma patients [30].
Unfortunately, there are no officially approved dosing guidelines or clinical studies examining the potential dosage of injectable Semax. Further, it may be difficult to extrapolate the data from the dosing of intranasal Semax to injectable Semax.
Therefore, scientists and qualified professionals may consider employing a dosing regimen of 1000mcg/daily or less in their research with injectable Semax.
Semax was originally developed in Russia and approved in nasal drop format. This remains a common administration method in research settings. Compared to injections, intranasal sprays and droppers are painless and do not carry a risk of adverse reactions at the injection site.
Here are the required steps for administering Semax nasal spray:
Semax nasal spray is painless and easy to administer, making it extremely popular among peptide researchers.
Subcutaneous injections are a common administration route for scientists studying the effects of research peptides such as Semax.
Researchers should note that injectable Semax for investigation is available as a lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted with an appropriate solvent before use.
Usually, bacteriostatic water is the best option for reconstituting research peptides as it contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative [31].
This will ensure that the reconstituted vial of Semax remains viable for up to four weeks when refrigerated properly at 36 to 46 degrees F.
Here is a step-by-step guide for administering Semax injections to test subjects:
Based on available clinical research, intranasal Semax is not associated with any notable side effects and possesses a favorable safety profile [18, 21, 23, 28, 32].
Researchers have safely administered intranasal Semax in doses from 600mcg/daily to 12mg/daily for up to 10 consecutive days [23, 32]. Longer Semax safety trials also report that the peptide is not associated with any side effects following 30 days of intranasal administration in glaucoma patients as a 0.1% spray [30].
Another study reporting on the peptide’s nootropic effects in healthy individuals suggests that an intranasal dose of 16.0mcg/kg of body weight may have stimulant-like effects and lead to slightly elevated anxiety levels [19].
Several studies exploring the potential adverse effects of heightened brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have also reported a potential link to increased hair loss in men predisposed to baldness [33]. While Semax enhances BDNF, the specific impact on androgenetic alopecia remains uncertain.
On the other hand, the safety of injectable Semax has not been evaluated in clinical settings. Instead, it has been conducted primarily on test animals and the available data do not reveal any safety signal [7, 10, 26, 34].
It is important to note that clinical trials with Semax are scarce, and more research is needed to evaluate its safety. Here are some steps that researchers may consider to reduce the risk of unexpected negative side effects from Semax in their research subjects:
Following these steps is imperative to reducing the risk of side effects in research studies.
Qualified researchers interested in studying Semax are advised to purchase this research peptide from a trustworthy vendor committed to peptide purity and customer satisfaction.
We’ve reviewed dozens of Semax suppliers, and after extensive research, our verdict is clear: Research Peptide and Research Peptide are two of the best online Semax suppliers worldwide.
Research Peptide is our preferred option for Semax nasal spray, while Research Peptide is our #1 choice for high-quality Semax injections.
When looking for high-quality intranasal peptides, such as Semax nasal spray, researchers should look no further than Research Peptide.
Here are just a few of the reasons as to why we recommend purchasing Semax nasal spray from this vendor:
In addition, the vendor also offers an N-Acetyl Semax Amidate nasal spray, which may potentially exert increased stability and effectiveness. Purchase intranasal Semax with confidence from Research Peptide.
Research Peptide is another highly trusted vendor of peptideinfo.net, and here’s why we love them for aliquot Semax:
Research Peptide provides world-class Semax reference material that is perfect for researchers studying the effects of this breakthrough peptide.
Researchers may be wondering about the differences between Semax nasal spray and injections, including which will be the better option for conducting their research.
In reality, the better option will depend on factors such as the research objective, test subjects’ tolerance to injections, and availability of reference materials.
Leading researchers have successfully incorporated both options into their research, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each before making a final decision on the route of administration.
Overall, Semax nasal spray is the more researched of the two. However, the subcutaneous route of administration has well-known advantages over other strategies that should also be considered. Here’s why:
While both forms of Semax appear to be suitable for conducting successful research, there is significantly greater variation in absorption and bioavailability between individuals when using the nasal spray.
This means Semax injections are the clear choice for researchers looking to study the peptide while ensuring consistent absorption and bioavailability among test subjects.
Semax nasal spray offers several advantages in terms of ease of administration. Here’s why:
If ease of administration is the determining factor, then researchers are encouraged to use Semax nasal spray in their research studies.
Overall, Semax nasal spray has been thoroughly investigated in clinical trials regarding potential side effects, while research on the safety of Semax injections is scarce. Further, the administration via subcutaneous injections carries a risk of specific side effects.
Semax injections may have a greater risk for side effects, and more research is needed to evaluate their safety compared to intranasal Semax.
Preclinical and clinical research has reported a wide range of potential benefits in test subjects.
Upon reviewing the available evidence on Semax, the results can be presented as a short summary of the pros and cons of this peptide:
Semax offers a range of potential cognitive and neurological benefits, including neuro-regeneration, improved neuroplasticity, and increased memory and attention span.
This guide summarizes what researchers must know about this breakthrough research peptide, including dosing guidelines and findings from the latest clinical studies.
Researchers should be aware that Semax is classified as a research peptide in most of the world, and more clinical data is needed to identify all potential benefits and side effects. For now, caution is required while handling Semax. This is true when administering either Semax injections or a Semax nasal spray.
For research, we recommend purchasing Semax nasal spray from Research Peptid.
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