Semax 5 mg
Nootropic peptide from an ACTH fragment · 5 mg for nasal spray
In stock · ships within 24 hResearch areas
- Memory and attention
- BDNF and the TrkB receptor
- Cerebral ischaemia
- Dopamine and serotonin systems
- Intranasal administration
Topics of published studies (cell, animal and clinical). These are not claims about effects in humans; the product is intended solely for research. You will find the sources below.
How Semax works- Content
- 5 mg
- Administration
- nasal spray
- Length
- 7 amino acids
- Mol. weight
- 813.9
Z-Box, pick-up point or home delivery- Ships from the Czech Republic within 24 hours
- Free shipping over CZK 3,000
- Discreet packaging
Main research areas
- Memory and attention: Studied in models of learning, memory and task performance.
- BDNF: Raised the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its TrkB receptor in the hippocampus.
- Dopamine and serotonin: In rodents it activated both systems linked to motivation and mood.
- Neuroprotection: Studied in models of cerebral ischaemia and oxidative stress.
Preparing a stock solution
Preparing a stock solution
The vial contains 5 mg. Dissolving it in 3.0 ml of solvent gives a stock solution with a concentration of 1.67 mg/ml, i.e. 1.67 µg in every microlitre. In the laboratory the solvent used is sterile or bacteriostatic water, or a buffer according to the method. Add the solvent slowly down the inside wall of the vial and let the contents dissolve with gentle swirling, not shaking – shaking can damage the peptide. Divide the stock solution into aliquots and freeze them; repeated thawing reduces the content. The reconstitution calculator works out conversions for other volumes and dilutions using C1V1 = C2V2.
Limitations and research notes
- Semax is not a registered medicinal product in the European Union.
- Controlled studies outside Russia are limited.
- Most published data come from animal models.
- The solution is sensitive to repeated freezing; store at 2–8 °C.
Semax was developed in the 1980s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and is still one of the best-known synthetic neuropeptides. Its origin is interesting: it is based on ACTH, the hormone the body releases under stress. Scientists picked out a short segment that affects memory and attention but does not trigger cortisol production.
From a stress hormone to a nootropic
ACTH has 39 amino acids. Semax uses only four of them – segment 4–7 (Met-Glu-His-Phe) – and adds the tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro at the end. This protects the molecule from rapid breakdown by enzymes, so it acts longer than the ACTH fragment alone. The result is a heptapeptide that keeps the “cognitive” part of the hormone without its hormonal effect on the adrenal glands. The graphic above shows this family tree.
BDNF: nourishment for nerve cells
The most cited mechanism was described by a study by Dolotov et al. (2006): the Semax peptide raised the level of BDNF and its TrkB receptor in the rat hippocampus.[2] BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is a protein that supports neuron survival, the formation of new connections between them and learning. The hippocampus is the brain region key to memory.
Dopamine, serotonin and cerebral ischaemia
Work by Eremin et al. (2005) showed that in rodents it activates the dopamine and serotonin systems – both linked to motivation, mood and concentration.[1] A genomic analysis by Medvedeva et al. (2014) in a model of cerebral ischaemia found that the peptide changes the activity of genes linked to the immune response and blood vessels, which matches its use in connection with stroke.[3]
| Target | What changes | Model |
|---|---|---|
| BDNF and TrkB | Higher levels in the hippocampus | Rat |
| Dopamine and serotonin | Activation of both systems | Rodents |
| Immune and vascular genes | Change in expression after ischaemia | Stroke model in rats |
Semax in Russian medicine
In Russia, Semax is registered as a medicine in the form of 0.1% and 1% nasal drops. Doctors there use it, for example, in treatment after stroke, for memory and concentration disorders or for optic nerve damage. As a result there is more clinical experience with this peptide than with most research peptides – but most of the work has been published only in Russian and has not been independently verified outside Russia.
Semax in experimental models
Peptides are quickly broken down into individual amino acids in the digestive tract, which is why experimental work with Semax uses routes other than oral. We supply Semax as a lyophilized powder in a glass vial; the reconstitution calculator works out the concentration after reconstitution and the volume to draw in microlitres. You will find an overview of specific studies in the Solution preparation and published studies section.
Tolerability
Published work describes the substance as well tolerated. These are, however, mainly studies from Russian institutions that have not been independently repeated outside Russia; controlled data are scarce. You will find a summary of limitations in the Limitations and research notes section.
Semax or Selank?
Both peptides share the same stabilising Pro-Gly-Pro tail and are often studied together. Semax is associated mainly with memory, attention and BDNF, Selank more with calm and the GABA system. You will find a detailed analysis of the research in the article Semax: a peptide studied for neuroplasticity, BDNF and neuroprotection.
Semax 5 mg with a lab report
The Semax batch has a published report from the Janoshik laboratory and a safety data sheet – you will find them in the Tests and certificates tab and on the peptide test results page. We ship from the Czech Republic within 24 hours.
In Russia, Semax is registered as a medicine; it is not approved in the EU. Most published data come from Russian institutions and animal models. The product is intended solely for research.
Questions about Semax
What is Semax?
A synthetic heptapeptide Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. It is based on segment 4–7 of the hormone ACTH, to which a stabilising Pro-Gly-Pro tail is attached. It was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
How does Semax work?
In rat studies it raised the level of BDNF and its TrkB receptor in the hippocampus, and in rodents it activated the dopamine and serotonin systems. Unlike full ACTH, it does not trigger cortisol production.
Why is Semax given intranasally?
Peptides are broken down in the digestive tract. The nasal mucosa has a good blood supply and allows rapid absorption, which is why Semax is mainly studied as a nasal spray.
How do I prepare a Semax nasal spray?
Dissolve the 5 mg vial in 3.0 ml of bacteriostatic water, pour it into the spray bottle and top up to 5.0 ml. This gives a 1,000 mcg/ml solution; one 0.10 ml spray contains 100 mcg.
What is the difference between Semax and Selank?
Both share the same Pro-Gly-Pro tail. Semax is studied mainly for memory, attention and BDNF, Selank for calm, anxiety and the GABA system.
How should Semax be stored?
Keep the lyophilized vial in the freezer and the finished spray in the fridge at 2–8 °C, and use it usually within 2–4 weeks.
Certificate of analysis (COA)
Independent verification of identity and purity by HPLC. Sample tested:
- Semax 10 mg (#224311)Janoshik Analytical · August 25, 2026HPLC purity 99.634 % · measured 11.55 mgVerification: janoshik.com/verify · YQM7AW2N1974
The tested sample was 10 mg; the vial we sell contains 5 mg.
Open the lab reportSafety data sheet (SDS)
Hazards, handling, storage and disposal of the substance.
Open the safety data sheetMolecular profile – sequence
Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
Molecular weight
- 813.92 g/mol
CAS number
- 80714-61-0
Molecular formula
- C37H51N9O10S
Material data
Appearance
White to off-white lyophilized powder
Solubility
Soluble in bacteriostatic water and suitable aqueous laboratory solvents.
Product note: Heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10); supplied solely for research purposes.
Peptides in transit
We ship lyophilized peptides in glass vials by standard shipping; they do not need refrigeration. Short temperature fluctuations in transit do not reduce their quality, and the lyophilized form stays stable for several weeks even in summer temperatures.
Storing lyophilized peptides
Store lyophilized peptides in a dry place, protected from light and moisture. We generally recommend these conditions:
- Room temperature (15–25 °C): up to 3 months
- In the fridge (2–8 °C): up to 6 months
- In the freezer (−20 °C and below): 3–5 years (recommended for long-term storage)
After taking the vial out of the fridge or freezer, let it warm to room temperature.
Storing reconstituted peptides
Peptide solutions are generally less stable after reconstitution than the lyophilized form, so keep them cold whenever possible. We generally recommend these conditions:
- Room temperature (15–25 °C): not recommended long term
- In the fridge (2–8 °C): usually 4–8 weeks
- In the freezer (−20 °C and below): up to 3–4 months
To keep the peptide intact, avoid repeated freezing and thawing, which can speed up its degradation.
Important:
Most manufacturers recommend using reconstituted peptides stored at 2–8 °C within 4 weeks. This recommendation is deliberately cautious and may not reflect the actual chemical stability of every peptide. Actual stability depends strongly on the sequence and formulation of the specific peptide, so stick to the recommended period and keep the solution cold and dark.
- Eremin KO, et al. Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue with nootropic properties, activates dopaminergic and serotoninergic brain systems in rodents. Neurochemical Research. 2005;30(12):1493–1500. Find on PubMed ↗
- Dolotov OV, et al. Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Research. 2006;1117(1):54–60. Find on PubMed ↗
- Medvedeva EV, et al. The peptide semax affects the expression of genes related to the immune and vascular systems in rat brain focal ischemia: genome-wide transcriptional analysis. BMC Genomics. 2014;15:228. Find on PubMed ↗
The research overview is based on scientific literature
Customer reviews
Browse more products
Other research peptides and our best sellers in stock.
Bacteriostatic water 3 ml
DSIP 5 mg
GHK-Cu 50 mg
KPV 5 mg
NAD+ 500 mg
Pinealon 10 mg
Selank 5 mg
Semax 5 mg is intended solely for in vitro research and laboratory use. The information on this page summarises published studies and is not medical advice.
Be the first to review “Semax 5 mg”