ModerateCaution
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola can be stimulating and may add to semax-related agitation or insomnia.
Recommendation: Avoid combining if anxious, hypertensive, or insomnia-prone.
Semax
Peptide ·Insufficient evidence ·Reviewed May 2026
Semax is a synthetic ACTH(4-7) analog with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension, used in Russia for neurologic indications and marketed elsewhere as a nootropic. It is not FDA-approved in the United States. Human data are mostly Russian stroke studies and mechanistic work; use for focus, mood, or recovery is investigational.
What it's good for
What to watch for
- Nasal irritation
- Headache
- Agitation or insomnia
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Bipolar disorder, psychosis, or severe anxiety without specialist care
The bottom line
Evidence rating insufficient. Most-documented uses: russian neurologic clinical use, bdnf and neuroprotection research, stroke recovery research interest. 3 sources indexed (1997–2018), with 3 interaction records on file.
The science
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Semax is reported to influence BDNF, melanocortin-related signaling, monoamines, and neuroimmune gene expression without the corticosteroid activity of full ACTH. Preclinical ischemia studies and small clinical stroke reports suggest neuroprotective potential, but evidence quality and geographic concentration limit confidence. Intranasal products can cause irritation and dosing variability.1,2
Class
ACTH fragment nootropic and neuroprotection peptide
Found in food
None as a dietary supplement
Low-status signs
No recognized dietary deficiency state exists for this peptide
Dosing
Dosing & protocol.
Common range
No FDA-approved US dose; Russian intranasal protocols are not supplement dosing
Recommended form
Not recommended outside regulated clinical context
Peptides are generally not reliably orally bioavailable unless a specific studied oral formulation is used. Human use of research-grade products is not appropriate.
Forms
Forms & what to buy.
Ranked by evidence and value.
Laboratory Research Reagent Recommended
Intended for controlled laboratory work, not human administration. Not for human use.
Compounded or Research Peptide Product
Human identity, purity, sterility, and dose may be uncertain unless legally prescribed and regulated. Injection or intranasal use adds infection and dosing risks.
Cost
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Laboratory Research Reagent.
BudgetBest value
$60 /mo
$2.00 per dose
Mid
$180 /mo
$6.00 per dose
Premium
$450 /mo
$15.00 per dose
Research-market pricing is not a dosing recommendation; human use is not FDA-approved unless specifically stated. Updated 2026-06-04.
Goals
Goal-based dosing.
Relevant Clinical Research
Dose: Protocol-specific only2
Timing: Study protocol only
Not a supplement protocol.
Wellness or Anti-Aging Use
Dose: No FDA-approved dose
Timing: Not applicable
Human safety and efficacy are not established.
Mechanistic Research
Dose: Laboratory-specific concentration
Timing: Laboratory protocol only
Not for human administration.
Why people use it
Symptoms it's matched to.
Where this appears in the symptom-to-supplement map, ranked by relevance.
Stroke recovery
18% relevance
Russian stroke studies exist, but acute stroke requires emergency and rehabilitation care.2,1
NeurologicEmerging evidenceSpecialist-directed only
Do not delay emergency treatment.
Brain fog
10% relevance
Nootropic claims are based on neurotrophic and stroke literature, not healthy-adult RCTs.3
CognitiveInsufficient evidenceAvoid outside regulated care
Evaluate common causes first.
Poor focus
8% relevance
Mechanistic BDNF data do not prove ADHD or focus benefit.1,3
CognitiveInsufficient evidenceAvoid
Use evidence-based cognitive and ADHD care.
Safety
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nasal irritation
- Headache
- Agitation or insomnia
- Blood pressure changes
- Anxiety in susceptible users
- Unknown long-term neurologic effects
Interactions
Interaction records.
ModerateCaution
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo may increase bleeding risk and is often used for cognition, complicating neurologic symptom tracking.
Recommendation: Avoid around stroke, anticoagulants, or procedures unless clinician-approved.
InfoCaution
Melatonin
Melatonin may counter activating effects but can confound sleep and cognition tracking.
Recommendation: Use one CNS-active intervention at a time when possible.
Sources
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Observational studies
2- 1The efficacy of semax in the treatment of patients at different stages of ischemic strokeNeeds sourceNo linkGusev EI et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 2018
BDNF and functional outcomes were assessed
- 2Effectiveness of semax in acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke (a clinical and electrophysiological study)Needs sourceNo linkGusev EI et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 1997
Clinical stroke recovery signals reported
Mechanistic & preclinical
1- 3Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrainNeeds sourceNo linkDolotov OV et al. · Journal of Neurochemistry · 2006
BDNF protein increased in rats
Keep exploring
Deep dives & adjacent profiles.
This page is educational. Do not start, stop, or change a supplement or medication based on it without checking with a qualified healthcare professional.
Use this with your stack
Semax in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.