Semax

Lyophilized powder

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide based on a fragment of the hormone ACTH, developed in Russia and studied for stroke recovery and cognition. Below: today's vial sizes, prices through our link and the vendor's COA details.

Size

$3.15/mg · lot SMX-062026-1 · 99.81% · In stock

Price

$31.50

List

$45.00

Buy 10 mg at Nura Peptide

Price shown uses code thepeptidecatalog at Nura Peptide's checkout (30% off list).

Sold by Nura Peptide as SEMAX (Lyophilized) 10mg. The Peptide Catalog does not sell peptides; we earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. For laboratory research use only, not for human or veterinary use. Not FDA-approved. Nothing on this page is medical or dosing advice.

Semax research vial sold by Nura Peptide as SEMAX (Lyophilized) 10mg
Third-party tested≥99.81% reported purityResearch use only
Certificate of AnalysisLot SMX-062026-1 · 99.81%View
  • Certificate of Analysis published for every lot (Freedom Diagnostics Testing)
  • Current lots report 99.81% purity or higher
  • Ships from a U.S. fulfillment center, per Nura Peptide
  • Lyophilized powder · laboratory research use only
Research-context information only. Semax is a research peptide. Protocols, doses, and reactions reported below come from published research and self-reported community sources. This article reports what has been documented, not what should be done. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.

Vial sizes listed by the vendor

Semax Vial Sizes, Prices & Lots

Semax vial sizes, prices and lots at Nura Peptide
SizeListWith our codePer mgAvailabilityLot · purity
10 mg$45.00$31.50$3.15In stockSMX-062026-1 · 99.81%

Prices checked today, 6:20 AM CT on Nura Peptide's site, with code thepeptidecatalog applied. Lot data from Nura Peptide's COA page, checked today, 8:03 PM CT. Sizes not re-checked in the last 7 days are hidden. The vendor's checkout is final.

Verified test results

Semax Certificate of Analysis

Nura Peptide publishes a third-party certificate for each lot of SEMAX (Lyophilized) 10mg. The figures below are copied from Nura Peptide's current-lot listings, checked today, 8:03 PM CT (refreshed hourly; hidden if older than 24 hours). Match the lot number on the vial to its certificate.

All lots on record: Nura Peptide COA library. How to check one: how to verify a peptide COA.

Semax Dosing in Clinical Research

Cognition / Focus

Educational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Vial Size
30 mg
Reconstitution
3 ml BAC water
Dose
1 mg (10 units on 1ml syringe)
Timing
AM
Frequency
2-3 days per week
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Protocol Notes
Best used intranasally for cognitive effects. NA-Semax-Amidate is the enhanced version.

Why This Dosing Protocol

Why intranasal preferred? Provides rapid CNS access and fast onset (30-60 min). The nasal route bypasses the blood-brain barrier more effectively for cognitive effects.

Why morning? Semax is activating — enhances focus, motivation, and mental energy. Morning dosing aligns with the workday and avoids potential sleep interference.
Full Dosing GuideReconstitution CalculatorCycle Cost Calculator

How Semax Works

Nootropic Peptide — Cognitive Enhancer / BDNF Stimulator

Target → BDNF Stimulation → Cognitive Enhancement → Outcomes

1
Target

BDNF/TrkB Pathway + Melanocortin Receptors

Semax is a synthetic fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) that stimulates Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) production. BDNF is the brain's primary "growth factor" for neurons — supporting learning, memory, and cognitive function.

2
Cellular Signal

BDNF Upregulation → Neuroplasticity + Neuroprotection

BDNF activation of TrkB receptors promotes neuronal growth, synaptic plasticity, and neuroprotection. Semax also modulates dopamine and serotonin metabolism, contributing to improved motivation and mood. Unlike Selank (calming), Semax is activating and focus-enhancing.

3
Systemic Effect

Enhanced Cognition + Neuroprotection

Improved focus, attention, and mental clarity. Enhanced memory formation and recall. Neuroprotective effects support brain health. Originally developed in Russia for cognitive rehabilitation after stroke.

4
What You Notice

Mental Clarity → Focus → Motivation (30-90 min onset)

Improved focus and mental clarity, often noticeable within 30-90 minutes. Enhanced motivation and task initiation. Better memory and learning. Effects are activating rather than calming — the complement to Selank's anxiolytic profile.

What Makes This Peptide Different

Semax is the cognitive complement to Selank. Where Selank reduces anxiety (calming), Semax enhances focus and drive (activating). Its BDNF-stimulating mechanism provides genuine neuroprotective benefits beyond just "nootropic" effects. The NA-Semax-Amidate version has enhanced potency and duration.

Semax Clinical Evidence

Two parallel grades per outcome — clinical RCT depth and real-world community adoption. See the Research Overview below for citations and detail.

OutcomeClinical EvidenceCommunity Evidence
Acute ischemic stroke neuroprotectionModerateModerate
BDNF / neurotrophin upregulation (mechanism)ModerateModerate
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adultsPreliminaryModerate
ADHD in childrenPreliminaryModerate

Semax Research Overview

Outcome-by-outcome look at what the evidence actually supports for Semax, including human vs. animal study counts and our editorial take on each.

Acute ischemic stroke neuroprotection

Clinical:ModerateCommunity:Moderate

Gusev 2001 reported on the use of intranasal semax 12 mg/day for 5 days in acute hemispheric ischemic stroke patients with improved neurological recovery vs standard care. Multiple smaller Russian trials have replicated this in similar populations. Mechanism (Dolotov 2009 and others) involves neurotrophin (BDNF, NGF) upregulation and modulation of immune/vascular gene expression in cortical neurons.

3 human studies · 12 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • Gusev 2001: improved neurological recovery vs standard care in acute stroke (n~30).
  • Mechanism: BDNF, NGF, and other neurotrophin upregulation in injured cortex.
  • Genome-wide transcriptomic studies confirm immune/vascular gene modulation.
  • Russian regulatory approval; no FDA / EMA approval.

Our take

Real signal in stroke research, almost entirely from Russian groups. As a community 'nootropic' for healthy users, the evidence is much thinner.

Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults

Clinical:PreliminaryCommunity:Moderate

Most healthy-adult cognitive claims for semax come from observational reports and uncontrolled clinical practice, primarily in Russia. No Western-standard RCT in healthy users has been published. The translation from BDNF upregulation in injured cortex to subjective cognitive enhancement in healthy adults is an extrapolation, not data.

0 human studies · 8 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • BDNF upregulation is mechanistically plausible for cognitive effects.
  • Zero RCTs in healthy adults to support nootropic claims.
  • Community use widespread despite the evidence gap.

Our take

Stroke benefit doesn't automatically generalize to 'smarter healthy brain.' Treat the nootropic claim as community-level until a real RCT shows up.

What Semax doesn't do

Claims that current evidence does not support. Worth knowing before you set expectations.

Technical specifications

Semax chemical & analytical data

Sold by Nura Peptide as
SEMAX (Lyophilized) 10mg
Receptor targets
BDNF expression / melanocortin modulation
Backbone length
7 amino acids
Modifications
ACTH(4–7) analog with Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal extension
Half-life (clinical PK)
~25 minutes (intranasal)
Form
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in a sealed vial
Presentation
10 mg
Purity on current lots (COA)
99.81%
Testing laboratory
Freedom Diagnostics Testing
Regulatory status
Research peptide; research-grade vials are not FDA-approved.

Semax Reconstitution Calculator

Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.

Open calculator

Storage & Handling

Storage at a glance

Proper storage temperatures, shelf life, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.

Powder: Freezer
1+ year at -20°C
Reconstituted: Fridge
4 weeks max at 2-8°C
View Complete Storage Guide

Handling specifics

Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.

Powder storage (very stable)
  • Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months
  • Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
Reconstituted storage (fragile)
  • MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
  • 4-week maximum shelf life
  • NEVER freeze after reconstitution
  • Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose

11 answers

Semax FAQ: Buying, COA, Storage & Research

How does Semax differ from Selank?
While both are Russian-developed neuropeptides, Semax is derived from ACTH (4-10) and focuses more on cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, and BDNF stimulation. Selank is derived from tuftsin and has more pronounced anti-anxiety effects. They're sometimes used together.
What is Semax and how does it work?
Semax is a synthetic peptide derived from ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), specifically the 4-10 fragment with an added Pro-Gly-Pro sequence. It works primarily by increasing BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and modulating dopamine and serotonin systems. Unlike ACTH, it has no hormonal effects on cortisol.
What is BDNF and why does Semax increasing it matter?
BDNF is a protein that supports neuron growth, survival, and plasticity — essentially "fertilizer for the brain." Higher BDNF is associated with better learning, memory, and mood. BDNF levels decline with age and in depression. By increasing BDNF, Semax may support cognitive function and neural health.
How is Semax administered?
Semax is most commonly used as a nasal spray for direct CNS delivery. Typical dosages range from 200-1000 mcg per day, divided into 2-3 doses. Effects are usually noticeable within 15-30 minutes. It can also be injected subcutaneously. In Russia, it's available as prescription nasal drops.
What cognitive effects does Semax have?
Users report improved focus, concentration, and mental clarity. Research suggests benefits for memory formation and recall, attention, and learning capacity. Some describe it as providing "clean" mental energy without the jitteriness of stimulants. It's used by students, professionals, and those seeking cognitive enhancement.
Is Semax used for any medical conditions?
In Russia, Semax is approved for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, cognitive disorders, and optic nerve diseases. It's shown neuroprotective effects in ischemia and may help with ADHD symptoms. Western clinical trials are limited, but Russian medical use provides substantial human data.
Can Semax and Selank be used together?
Yes, the combination is popular. Semax provides cognitive enhancement and focus, while Selank adds anxiolytic and calming effects. Together they may offer balanced mental enhancement — clarity and focus without anxiety. Some find the combination superior to either alone for productivity and well-being.
What are the side effects of Semax?
Semax is generally well-tolerated. Possible side effects include mild nasal irritation (with spray), occasional headache, and rarely dizziness. Some users report hair loss concerns, though evidence is limited. Unlike stimulants, it doesn't cause jitteriness, insomnia, or crash effects. Most users report minimal to no side effects.
How long does reconstituted peptide last?
Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, peptides remain stable for up to 4 weeks when refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Unopened powder can last 1+ year in the freezer. Get our complete Storage & Travel Guide.
Is this peptide legal to purchase?
Peptides sold "for research purposes only" are legal to purchase in the US, but are not FDA-approved for human use outside of specific medical applications. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.
New to peptides?
Take our Peptide Match tool to find the best peptide for your goals. You can also read our Complete Guide to Peptides to learn the basics.

Semax Studies & Sources

The following peer-reviewed studies and official resources provide additional scientific context for this peptide:

Semax Research Articles

guides

Semax + Selank Dosage: 10mg/10mg Blend Vial Math

Semax and Selank in one 10mg/10mg vial. The reported 1mg + 1mg dosage, the 20-unit draw, and what no study has tested about the pair.

guides

Semax Dosage Chart: 1mg SubQ, 2-3x/Week Protocol

1mg twice weekly is reported to hit the BDNF sweet spot without overdriving it. Covers SubQ protocol, 8-week cycling, and Selank stacking.

side-effects

Semax Side Effects: What Russian Trial Data Shows

Russian clinical data describes clean safety in stroke and ischemia. Community reports add overstimulation and headache. Full breakdown.

guides

Buy Semax + Selank: Compare 3 Vendors, From $81.99

Compare 3 Semax + Selank vendors side by side: from $81.99 a vial, best value $4.10/mg. Codes save up to 15%. Vial sizes, COA status, real cost per week.

Compare Semax to alternatives

Side-by-side mechanism, dose, half-life, and vendor pricing.

Open compare →

Compare Semax Vendors Before You Buy

Disclosure: we may earn affiliate commission from qualifying purchases. Educational information only — not medical advice.