shelf(0)

No. 027 · Mind · Nootropic Peptide

Semax

ACTH(4-7)-Pro-Gly-ProACTH(4-10) analogueMEHFPGP

B Tier B · Small human studies how tiers work →
  • Not FDA approved
  • WADA — not listed
Compare Cite
7 residues C37H51N9O10S
S O O O O H O O O O O H O N N N H N H N H N H N H N N 2 H

2D structure from PubChem CID 9811102 (ACTH (4-7), Pro-Gly-Pro-), matched by molecular formula. Hydrogens on carbon are implied.

Semax sequence fingerprint
  • Nonpolar 5
  • Positive charge 1
  • Negative charge 1

Each dot is a residue placed around the ring from N- to C-terminus; its distance from the centre reflects its chemistry.

01

Quick answers

What is Semax?
A synthetic heptapeptide analog of ACTH(4-10) developed in Russia and approved there as a nootropic and neuroprotective agent.
How strong is the evidence for Semax?
Tier B (small human studies) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Human data are small open-label or non-randomized Russian clinical studies (e.g. ischemic stroke, Gusev et al. 2018); it is a registered medicine in Russia but not FDA/EMA-approved.
Is Semax FDA-approved?
No. Semax is not approved by the FDA for any use. Outside the US: Russia — Semax nasal drops 0.1% and 1% (Peptogen), registered medicine.
Is Semax banned in sport?
No. Semax is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
How does Semax work?
Semax is a synthetic analog of ACTH(4-10) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide extension that confers metabolic stability. It increases BDNF and NGF expression, modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, and enhances synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
What is known about the safety of Semax?
Registered for clinical use in Russia. Few adverse effects reported in published, mostly small studies.

Last reviewed · editorial policy · markdown

02

Evidence

  1. D In vitro
  2. C Animal
  3. B Human pilot
  4. A RCT
  5. S Approved

TIER B — Human data limited to small, open-label or pharmacokinetic studies.

Human data are small open-label or non-randomized Russian clinical studies (e.g. ischemic stroke, Gusev et al. 2018); it is a registered medicine in Russia but not FDA/EMA-approved.

Tiers rate the strength of published evidence — not effectiveness, safety, or a recommendation.

03

At a glance

Residues
7 amino acids, N→C
Molecular weight
813.9 Da
Formula
C37H51N9O10S
Routes studied
Intranasal, Subcutaneous Routes used in published research
FDA
Not approved
Other approvals
  • Russia — Semax nasal drops 0.1% and 1% (Peptogen), registered medicine
WADA
Not on the Prohibited List
04

Sequence

N → C · 7 residues · hover, tap, or use arrow keys to inspect

05

Overview

A synthetic heptapeptide analog of ACTH(4-10) developed in Russia and approved there as a nootropic and neuroprotective agent. It enhances BDNF expression and cognitive performance.

Research status Registered medicine in Russia; published human studies are small and mostly open-label or non-randomized (e.g. ischemic stroke)

06

Mechanism

Semax is a synthetic analog of ACTH(4-10) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide extension that confers metabolic stability. It increases BDNF and NGF expression, modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, and enhances synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

07

Effects reported in research

Reported outcomes, not promises. Human data are limited to small studies, and many of these findings are preclinical.

  • Enhanced memory and learning capacity
  • Increased BDNF expression
  • Neuroprotective against oxidative stress
  • Improved attention and mental clarity
08

Safety & unknowns

Registered for clinical use in Russia. Few adverse effects reported in published, mostly small studies. Reported to lack the hormonal (corticotropic) activity of ACTH despite its ACTH-fragment origin. Not FDA-approved in the US.

Unknowns. No randomized controlled trials have been published. Small studies cannot detect uncommon or long-term harms.

Informational only — not medical advice. peptidemeta publishes no dosing, protocols, or sourcing. Talk to a qualified clinician about any treatment decision.

09

Studies [1]

  1. Clinical trial 2018

    The efficacy of semax in the tretament of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke

    Gusev EI, Martynov MY, Kostenko EV, et al. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova

    In 110 patients undergoing rehabilitation after ischemic stroke, subgroups given semax had higher plasma BDNF levels and faster Barthel index recovery than subgroups not given semax; the abstract does not describe randomization or blinding.

    [pubmed] [doi]

11

Status sources

Sources behind the tier, regulatory status, sequence and dates on this page.

12

Cite this entry

$ cite --format=apa

peptidemeta. (2026). Semax. In peptidemeta: The peptide library, ranked by evidence. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://peptidemeta.com/p/semax/

$ cite --format=bibtex 
@misc{peptidemeta-semax,
  title = {Semax},
  author = {{peptidemeta}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://peptidemeta.com/p/semax/}},
  note = {Accessed 2026-11-08}
}

Accessed date reflects when you opened this page. Cite primary studies for scientific claims.

esc
↑↓ navigate ↵ open