Selank is a compound originally produced in Russia, with the goal of treating anxiety and potentially even improving certain cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. However, the actual research behind this drug is still in an extremely early stage, and most of the claimed benefits have not been confirmed or validated by independent studies in healthy human users. So what does the actual science behind this supposedly “nootropic” drug have to say? Read on to learn more about Selank, how it might work, and some of its possible effects in animal models.<\/p>\n
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Disclaimer:<\/i><\/b> This post is <\/i>not<\/i> a recommendation or endorsement for the use of Selank. The FDA has not approved this drug for any specific medical or other use, and the available research on it is still in a very early stage, without adequate data to come to any conclusions about its general efficacy or safety in humans. We have written this post for informational purposes only, and our goal is solely to inform people about what science currently says about Selank’s mechanisms, potential effects, and possible side-effects.<\/i><\/p>\n The recent boom in biotechnology has opened the door for studying new biologically-active compounds, including “cognitive enhancers” or “nootropics<\/a><\/em>.”<\/p>\n One such compound is Selank<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 previously known as “TP-7” \u2014 which belongs to a class of molecules called synthetic peptides<\/em>, or small artificially-designed proteins [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Selank has been touted as an “anti-anxiety” compound, and has also been claimed to improve learning and increase energy \u2014 supposedly without side-effects or the risk of addiction.<\/p>\n Selank is small and only a fraction of the size of most naturally-occurring proteins. It was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics<\/em> (Russian Academy of Sciences) in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology<\/em> (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences), along with its “cousin” drug, Semax<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n Selank was derived by combining the sequence of a peptide called tuftsin<\/em> with another sequence that improves its molecular stability. Tuftsin is naturally-occurring, and makes up one part of the natural antibody IgG<\/em> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Both tuftsin and Selank have been reported to reduce anxiety and increased serotonin<\/a> levels in rats, with Selank being slightly more effective [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Selank has been approved in Russia for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder<\/em> (GAD) and for its use as a nootropic. However, the FDA has not approved its use for any conditions<\/strong>. Nonetheless, Selank continues to be available in several countries, where it is often sold as a “nutritional supplement.”<\/p>\n Although the mechanisms behind Selank are not yet fully known for certain, Selank is believed to act in part by stabilizing enkephalins<\/a><\/em> in the blood. Enkephalins are natural peptides<\/em> in the body that are believed to counteract the stress<\/a> response [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, one animal study in mice did not demonstrate the stabilization of enkephalins following dosing with Selank, and the treated mice also did not appear to benefit from any significant “anti-anxiety” effects [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n According to some cell studies, Selank may bind to GABA<\/a> receptors. By extensions, most compounds that bind to GABA receptors generally cause “sedative” effects. In one study of mice treated with Selank, researchers reported increased activity in inhibitory neurons, which rely on GABA<\/a>. This resulted in less overall brain activity, which is generally consistent with a sedative effect [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In addition, some researchers have reported an increase in BDNF<\/a>, an important brain-growth compound (neurotropic factor<\/em>) which has been implicated in learning and memory. Some researchers have suggested that this mechanism may be responsible for some of Selank’s claimed cognitive effects [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Selank has also been reported to influence the levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine<\/a>, dopamine<\/a>, and serotonin<\/a> in mice. These neurotransmitters are widely believed to be involved in motivation<\/a>, focus<\/a>, and pleasure [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, according to one animal study in mice, Selank was reported to increase norepinephrine, but reportedly decreased<\/em> dopamine and serotonin levels. In contrast, in some other treated mice, Selank was reported to increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels, and did not change serotonin [R<\/a>]. Therefore, its exact effects and mechanisms remain unclear.<\/p>\n According to one preliminary clinical trial on 62 people, those given Selank reported fewer anxiety symptoms, with a greater decrease being observed in those suffering from pre-existing anxiety disorders [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another trial, similar benefits were reported in 60 patients suffering from anxiety and phobias, with these effects lasting up to a week after the final dose [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Additionally, in one study of 70 anxiety patients, Selank was reported to increase the effects of phenazepam <\/em>(an anti-anxiety drug banned in some U.S. states for its recreational use), while also reportedly reducing its rates of negative side-effects (such as drowsiness and memory loss<\/a>) [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In one animal study, Selank was reported to reduce anxiety in mice. The more anxious the mice were to begin with, the more significant the observed changes in their behavior after treatment [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Additionally, Selank was reported to show “anti-anxiety” effects in one study of rats who received 4 weeks of daily treatment [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Although limited, some of the above evidence suggests that Selank may potentially help curb anxiety, although much more research will still be needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety in human users. If you suffer from anxiety, you could have a discussion with your doctor about whether taking Selank might help you \u2014 however, always remember that you should never take this supplement in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.<\/p>\n No clinical evidence supports the use of Selank for any of the conditions listed in this section (which includes its common use as a nootropic). What follows is a summary of the existing animal and cell-based research, which should guide further investigational efforts \u2014 and the studies discussed below should not<\/span> be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit until much more additional research is done (especially large-scale clinical trials in health human users).<\/p>\n According to one animal study in rats, three days of supplementation with Selank was reported to improve learning ability [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Selank-treated rats have also been reported to learn more quickly how to avoid an unpleasant electrical shock (using a behavioral test called the active avoidance test<\/em>). This treatment has also been reported to reduce their anxiety, as indicated by less hesitation [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\nWhat is Selank (TP-7)?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Selank (TP-7) Mechanism of Action<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Possible Uses and Effects of Selank<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Possibly Effective for:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Anxiety<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Animal and Cell Research (Lack of Evidence)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Learning<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n