Researched benefits of Selank
- Significant anxiolytic effects in generalized anxiety disorder clinical studies (Russia)
- Improved cognitive performance and memory consolidation in rodent models
- Immunomodulatory activity including enhanced NK cell function
- Reduced subjective stress and improved emotional stability without sedation
- Potential antiviral activity suggested by innate immune upregulation in preclinical data
How Selank produces these effects
Selank modulates the GABA-A receptor system (similar to, but distinct from, benzodiazepines), reduces the degradation of enkephalins, and influences serotonin and dopamine metabolism. It also upregulates expression of BDNF and IL-6 in prefrontal regions, and its tuftsin-derived sequence engages innate immune pathways via monocyte and natural killer cell activity.
What Selank is not studied for
It is important to distinguish researched effects from extrapolations. Most Selank data comes from cell and animal models. Human use is typically observational. Selank is not a replacement for medical care or a prescription medication unless specifically indicated.
Side effects & limitations
- Mild sedation or drowsiness at higher doses in some research subjects
- Nasal irritation with intranasal administration
- Possible mild nausea reported in clinical trial participants
Selected literature
- Anxiolytic and nootropic activity of Selank in experimental animals — Eksperimental'naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya, 2010
- Selank in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized trial — Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii, 2008
- Effect of Selank on BDNF expression in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats — Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2014