Selank

Why scientists study it

• In the studies done so far, it eased anxiety without the sleepiness, loose muscles or physical dependence that come with benzodiazepines.
• Scientists think several things act together: it boosts the GABA-A receptor from a side site, blocks blood enzymes that break down enkephalins, and shifts immune cytokines the way tuftsin does.
• It is made as a 0.15% nasal spray. Russia approves it for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenic conditions. The MHRA, FDA and EMA have not.

Three studies to know

2018 · Protein & Peptide Letters

Vyunova and colleagues reviewed how Selank eases anxiety at the level of molecules. They gathered evidence that it raises [3H]GABA binding in cortex membranes, and used that to explain its use in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder. Read the paper

2017 · Frontiers in Pharmacology

Filatova and colleagues tested IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells. Selank changed the activity of genes for GABA signaling, much as GABA itself did and partly as olanzapine did. That supports a direct GABA role in its anti-anxiety effect. Read the paper

2017 · Behav Neurol

Kasian and colleagues stressed rats in mild, unpredictable ways over a long time. This is a standard way to model anxiety and depression in animals. Selank made the anti-anxiety effect of diazepam stronger. This suggests the peptide’s actions and classic GABA anxiety drugs work on each other. Read the paper

Safety and legal status

• Russian clinics report the 0.15% nasal spray as well tolerated. In the trials done so far it did not cause the sleepiness, tolerance or dependence seen with benzodiazepines.
• Only Russia approves it, for neurasthenic states and generalized anxiety disorder. The MHRA, FDA and EMA have not, and few Western groups have repeated the clinical work.
• Only for lab research and in vitro work. It is not meant for human use.