Summary
- What it does
- Semax is used for memory, attention, and recovery after brain injury. It is registered as a medicine in Russia, but it has no approval in the United States or Europe.
- How it works
- A laboratory copy of a small piece of the stress hormone ACTH, given as a nasal spray, with the hormone effect removed. Reports say it raises a protein that keeps brain cells healthy.
- WADA status
- Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.
Semax is a peptide studied for its effects on cognition, neuroprotection, and mood. Semax is a synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue used in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotective medicine; it holds no FDA or EMA approval.
Semax, an abbreviation of "seven amino acids", is a medication which is used in Eastern Europe for the treatment of a broad range of conditions like brain trauma but predominantly for its claimed nootropic, neuroprotective, and neurorestorative effects. It is a synthetic analogue of the ACTH(4-10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, extended with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tail that slows enzymatic degradation, and it is reported to raise brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) without the corticosteroid-releasing activity of full-length ACTH. It is registered as a medicine in Russia but holds no FDA or EMA approval.
Overview
Semax is not named individually on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, and no section of that list clearly reaches an ACTH fragment analogue that holds a national medicine registration yet lacks corticotropic activity, so its status is genuinely unsettled; it is treated here as prohibited on the conservative assumption that section S2.2.2, covering corticotrophins and their releasing factors, would be applied to it.
Mechanism of action
Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue used in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotectant. Reported to raise BDNF without corticosteroid effects. Evidence is mostly preclinical; no FDA or EMA approval.
Reported effects
Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:
- Semax is grouped with neuroactive peptides reported to enhance brain-derived neurotrophic factor and HGF/c-Met signaling, pathways central to neuroplasticity. [2] Preclinical
- A gerontology review classifies Semax as the neuroprotection intervention among peptides applied to aging hallmarks and age-related conditions. [1] Preclinical
- A gerontology review reports that non-approved peptides, including Semax, lack long-term safety data and systematic validation. [1] Preclinical
- A gerontology review that covers Semax names optimal dosing regimens and biomarkers for monitoring efficacy as significant knowledge gaps. [1] Preclinical
- Reviewers report a current lack of clinical trials for the neuroactive peptides that include Semax, despite promising preclinical studies. [2] Preclinical
Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal
Dosage and administration
No FDA
- or EMA-approved dose; Russian clinical protocols are the only formal dosing reference
General
- Nootropic use commonly cited at 200-600mcg daily intranasally, using a 0.1% solution
- Typically split across both nostrils and cycled rather than taken continuously
Higher
- strength 1% solution is used in Russian stroke and brain-injury protocols under medical supervision
Doses outside the Russian indications are self
- reported and not established by controlled trials
Natty status
Semax is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[3] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.
Research
The peptide has been the subject of 4 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.
Related compounds
Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:
Frequently asked questions
What is Semax?
Semax is a synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue used in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotective medicine; it holds no FDA or EMA approval.
What is Semax used for?
Semax is used for memory, attention, and recovery after brain injury. It is registered as a medicine in Russia, but it has no approval in the United States or Europe.
How does Semax work?
A laboratory copy of a small piece of the stress hormone ACTH, given as a nasal spray, with the hormone effect removed. Reports say it raises a protein that keeps brain cells healthy.
Is Semax natty?
No. Semax is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.
Is Semax banned by WADA?
Yes. Semax is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.
How is Semax administered?
Semax is typically administered via: intranasal, subcutaneous injection. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.
References
- a b c Therapeutic peptides in gerontology: mechanisms and applications for healthy aging. Recent review
- a b Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Recent review
- a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.
External links
- Wikipedia article
- Synthetic Peptides in Pharmacy Compounding: Analysis of PCAC Recommendations and Industry Safety Standards.
- Semax + Spray Kit — commercial
This page was last updated on October 5, 2026, at 07:29 (UTC).
Research last reviewed on October 5, 2026.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.