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Home/Compounds/Semax
Cognitive

Semax

Also known as: ACTH 4-10 · Semax 1%

Synthetic ACTH fragment developed in Russia for cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.

B
Grade B
Human observational studies
Human studies19
PubMed citations30
Typical dose200 mcg – 1 mg
Routeintranasal, subcutaneous
Regulatory (US)Compounding legal
Last verified4 days ago
TL;DR · 30-second summary
  • Improved recovery outcomes post-stroke
  • Enhanced attention and memory in trials
  • Neuroprotective in optic nerve atrophy
  • No ACTH-related hormonal side effects

Mechanism of action

Melanocortin derivative that increases BDNF and NGF expression, modulates dopamine and serotonin systems, and has neurotrophic effects without hormonal activity of full ACTH.

Evidence summary

19
Human studies
30
PubMed citations
0
Clinical trials
B
Evidence grade

Approved in Russia/Ukraine for stroke, cognitive disorders, and optic nerve disease. Human studies show neuroprotective effects and cognitive enhancement.

Dosing protocols

Educational information only. Consult a licensed provider before using any peptide.
Dose range
200 mcg – 1 mg

Intranasal: 200-600mcg 2-3x daily. Injectable: 500-1000mcg daily. Higher doses used for acute neurological conditions.

Administration routes
intranasalsubcutaneous

Side effects & safety

Reported side effects
Nasal irritationRare: hair loss at high dosesGenerally well tolerated
Contraindications
  • Acute psychosis
  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding

Interactions

No documented drug interactions on file.

Regulatory status

United States
Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved. Research chemical. Approved in Russia/Ukraine.

Compounding
Permitted

Available through compounding pharmacies with valid prescription.

Regulatory data last verified 4/17/2026

Clinical trials

No indexed ClinicalTrials.gov studies for Semax. This usually means the compound isn't being studied under an IND — check the citations section for peer-reviewed research instead.

Citations

PMID 41479572Radchenko AI, Kuzubova EV et al. · The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for Correcting Pathological Impairments in the Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.Acta naturae (2026)HumanPMID 41490200Rahman OF, Lee SJ et al. · Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews (2026)HumanPMID 40692165Liu R, Chen Y et al. · Semax peptide targets the μ opioid receptor gene Oprm1 to promote deubiquitination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female mice.British journal of pharmacology (2025)PMID 40650034Filippenkov IB, Shpetko YY et al. · Genes That Associated with Action of ACTH-like Peptides with Neuroprotective Potential in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage.International journal of molecular sciences (2025)HumanPMID 36828803Vyunova TV, Andreeva LA et al. · Synthetic corticotropins and the GABA-receptor system: Direct and delayed effects.Chemical biology & drug design (2023)HumanPMID 35080861Sciacca MFM, Naletova I et al. · Semax, a Synthetic Regulatory Peptide, Affects Copper-Induced Abeta Aggregation and Amyloid Formation in Artificial Membrane Models.ACS chemical neuroscience (2022)HumanPMID 33418449Glazova NY, Manchenko DM et al. · Semax, synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue, attenuates behavioural and neurochemical alterations following early-life fluvoxamine exposure in white rats.Neuropeptides (2021)HumanPMID 28875850Tarasov VV, Kudryashov NV et al. · Pharmacological Aspects of Neuro-Immune Interactions.Current pharmaceutical design (2019)HumanPMID 29577196Sharonova IN, Bukanova YV et al. · Modulation of GABA- and Glycine-Activated Ionic Currents with Semax in Isolated Cerebral Neurons.Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine (2018)PMID 28702721Slominsky PA, Shadrina MI et al. · Peptides semax and selank affect the behavior of rats with 6-OHDA induced PD-like parkinsonism.Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections (2018)PMID 28577097Ivanov AV, Bobyntsev II et al. · Influence of ACTG4-7-PGP (Semax) on Morphofunctional State of Hepatocytes in Chronic Emotional and Painful Stress.Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine (2018)PMID 30383932Vyunova TV, Medvedeva EV et al. · [POSSIBLE ROLE OF TRANSTHYRETIN IN THE BIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF THE REGULATORY PEPTIDE NEUROPROTECTION.].Molekuliarnaia genetika, mikrobiologiia i virusologiia (2018)HumanPMID 27411820Inozemtsev AN, Bokieva SB et al. · Semax prevents learning and memory inhibition by heavy metals.Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections (2017)PMID 27921334Vyunova TV, Andreeva LA et al. · Synacton and individual activity of synthetic and natural corticotropins.Journal of molecular recognition : JMR (2017)PMID 28255762Medvedeva EV, Dmitrieva VG et al. · Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-7), regulates expression of immune response genes during ischemic brain injury in rats.Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG (2017)PMID 24661604Medvedeva EV, Dmitrieva VG 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)HumanPMID 23888777Stavchanskiĭ VV, Tvorogova TV et al. · [The effect of semax and its C-end peptide PGP on Vegfa gene expression in the rat brain during incomplete global ischemia].Molekuliarnaia biologiia (2013)PMID 22772900Medvedeva EV, Dmitrieva VG et al. · Effect of semax and its C-terminal fragment Pro-Gly-Pro on the expression of VEGF family genes and their receptors in experimental focal ischemia of the rat brain.Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN (2013)HumanPMID 21268834Manchenko DM, Glazova NIu et al. · [Nootropic and analgesic effects of Semax following different routes of administration].Rossiiskii fiziologicheskii zhurnal imeni I.M. Sechenova (2011)PMID 19633950Dmitrieva VG, Povarova OV et al. · Semax and Pro-Gly-Pro activate the transcription of neurotrophins and their receptor genes after cerebral ischemia.Cellular and molecular neurobiology (2010)Human

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