Semax
Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro)
What is Semax?
Semax: Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7) fused to Pro-Gly-Pro (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), developed in Russia as intranasal neuroprotective/nootropic. The sources cited here most often discuss it for: Stroke recovery, unblinded studies; BDNF boost, rats; Nootropic focus. Evidence label: Early human.
- Type
- Peptide
- Family
- Mind & Mood
- Evidence label
- Early human (3 of 5)
- Regulatory status
- Not FDA-approved; FDA told its July 2026 compounding advisory committee it proposed keeping Semax off the 503A bulks list, while noting Semax is a registered drug in Russia as nasal drops.
- Goals discussed
- Focus & Cognition, Nerves & Pain
- Also called
- Semax acetate, Semax (heptapeptide), MEHFPGP, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, (Pro8,Gly9,Pro10)ACTH-(4-10), ACTH (4-7), Pro-Gly-Pro, СЕМАКС, NA-Semax, N-Acetyl Semax Amidate
- Last reviewed
- 2026-10-11
- Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7) fused to Pro-Gly-Pro (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), developed in Russia as intranasal neuroprotective/nootropic; raises BDNF/TrkB in animal brain; registered in Russia for stroke and cognitive disorders; NOT FDA-approvedFDA staff advised against 503A compounding in July 2026; advisory committee voted 8-5 in favor, nonbinding12
Not related to semaglutide or semaxanib despite the similar names. NA-Semax (N-acetyl semax amidate) is a modified research-market analog, not the drug used in Russia.
Regulatory status Not FDA-approved; FDA told its July 2026 compounding advisory committee it proposed keeping Semax off the 503A bulks list, while noting Semax is a registered drug in Russia as nasal drops. 3
Early rehabilitation and administration of semax increase BDNF plasma level, speed functional recovery, and improve motor performance.
Russian clinical study of 110 patients after ischemic stroke, comparing rehabilitation with and without Semax.
What is Semax researched for?
The three outcomes most discussed for Semax in the sources below, as those sources report them. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own: a listed benefit can be unproven or can have failed in trials, and the label on each line says which.
What do researchers and users say about Semax?
There is insufficient evidence of effectiveness to support use of semax (free base) or semax acetate for cerebral ischemia
FDA's conclusion for the 503A bulks-list review; FDA excluded Russian-language studies, including the Gusev 2018 stroke trial, because full English references were unavailable.
I can focus longer and mental stamina feels better, but I also feel a bit spacey/detached and slightly antisocial.
Forum post from a user of Russian intranasal Semax describing mixed effects.
What side effects of Semax are reported?
What do peptide guides say about Semax?
- Dr. Axe Dr. Axe's library rates Semax research-only, notes its cited human study covered recovery after ischemic stroke rather than cognitive enhancement in healthy people, and says FDA has identified unresolved safety concerns. 14
- PepEdHub PepEdHub describes Semax as an ACTH-derived heptapeptide with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail, says it raises BDNF and NGF without affecting cortisol, and reports approval in Russia and Ukraine. 15
- Seek Peptides Seek Peptides lists focus, neuroprotection and stroke-recovery support as Semax's main uses, and labels ADHD symptom use as anecdotal only. 16
- NCBI PMC A 2026 gerontology review says Semax's clinical evidence comes from Russian stroke studies, and that non-approved peptides as a group lack long-term safety data and systematic validation. 17
- McDermott client alert FDA scientists recommended against listing Semax, but the advisory committee voted 8 to 5 to recommend it for compounding; FDA rulemaking would still be needed, and listing is not drug approval. 18
What does the research say, system by system?
Body & tissues1
- Brain (via intranasal route); rapidly degraded to Pro-Gly-Pro after intranasal dosing in ratsanimal19
Hormones & physiology1
Brain, mood & sleep2
How strong is the evidence for Semax?
Russian human clinical studies (mostly small, unblinded) + animal data + anecdotes; not FDA-approved
Small, short, old, unblinded or single-group human studies. How tiers work
Questions about Semax
What is Semax?
Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7) fused to Pro-Gly-Pro (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), developed in Russia as intranasal neuroprotective/nootropic. Not related to semaglutide or semaxanib despite the similar names. NA-Semax (N-acetyl semax amidate) is a modified research-market analog, not the drug used in Russia.
Is Semax FDA-approved?
Not FDA-approved; FDA told its July 2026 compounding advisory committee it proposed keeping Semax off the 503A bulks list, while noting Semax is a registered drug in Russia as nasal drops.
What is Semax researched for?
The sources cited on this page most often discuss three outcomes: Stroke recovery, unblinded studies; BDNF boost, rats; Nootropic focus. Each line above shows what the source reports and how strong that evidence is.
What side effects of Semax are reported?
Reported in the cited sources: Headache, nasal irritation, dizziness, sleep disruption, anxiety; FDA: inadequate human safety data, no toxicology studies, immunogenicity unknown; Feeling detached or slightly antisocial, with trouble following conversations, reported alongside better focus. The list is not complete, and few listed risks does not mean a compound is safe.
How strong is the evidence for Semax?
Evidence label: Early human. Russian human clinical studies (mostly small, unblinded) + animal data + anecdotes; not FDA-approved.
What else is Semax called?
Names used for it include Semax acetate, Semax (heptapeptide), MEHFPGP, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, (Pro8,Gly9,Pro10)ACTH-(4-10), ACTH (4-7), Pro-Gly-Pro, СЕМАКС, NA-Semax, N-Acetyl Semax Amidate.
Does humanpeptides.fyi recommend Semax?
No. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims and no recommendations of its own. It summarizes and links to what others have published and posted. Nothing here is medical advice; talk to a licensed clinician.