Semax

Also known as: N-acetyl Semax

Cognitive Research Compound

Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog peptide

Mechanism of Action

Heptapeptide derived from ACTH; reported to modulate BDNF/NGF and dopaminergic signaling. Used for cognition and neuroprotection.

Note: Prescription nootropic in Russia; research-only elsewhere

939

Community Posts

280

Users Discussing

12

Research Articles

1

Clinical Trials

Reported Outcomes

Clinical grade reflects published research; Community grade reflects user reports (n=939).

Outcome

Clinical

Community

Reported by

Mental/Mood

Effects on mood and cognitive function

Clinical: B

Community: B

33% (158)

Sleep Quality

Effects on sleep quality

Clinical: C

Community: B

32% (157)

Energy Levels

Changes in energy and fatigue levels

Clinical: D

Community: B

22% (95)

Who Discusses Semax

From community reports with demographic data.

Gender (limited data)

Male 79%

Female 21%

n=34

Side Effects

Limited data

Based on 48 user reports (n=48). Frequency indicates how often each was mentioned.

Common (>5%)

Fatigue

Mild 7 reports 13.0%

Insomnia

Mild 5 reports 9.3%

Constipation

Mild 4 reports 7.4%

Injection Site Reaction (Isr)

Mild 4 reports 7.4%

Water Retention

Mild 4 reports 7.4%

Exhaustion

Mild 3 reports 5.6%

Nausea

Mild 3 reports 5.6%

Uncommon (1-5%)

Syncope

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Stinging

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Headache

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Hair Loss

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Increased Hunger

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Racing Heart

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Klow

Mild 2 reports 3.7%

Risks & Warnings

Important safety considerations based on clinical data and community reports.

!

Psychiatric Effects

12 mentions

Monitor for mood changes. Report any concerning psychiatric symptoms to healthcare provider.

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Injection Site Reactions

14 mentions

Local reactions are common and usually mild. Rotate injection sites.

Dosing

Standard Protocol

Starting Dose: 200-600mcg daily intranasal (community protocols)
Titration: No established protocol
Half-life: Short
Administration: Intranasal (most common) or subcutaneous

Community Dosing Patterns

Based on 50 mentions

Community-reported patterns, not medical advice.

500mcg daily

6

daily

5

1mg daily

4

400mcg daily

2

900mcg daily

1

Research

12

Total Articles

1

Clinical Trials

1

Reviews

Key Studies

Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Review

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev (2026)

Synthetic Adrenocorticotropic Peptides Modulate the Expression Pattern of Immune Genes in Rat Brain following the Early Post-Stroke Period Preclinical

Genes (Basel) (2023)

ACTH-like Peptides Compensate Rat Brain Gene Expression Profile Disrupted by Ischemia a Day After Experimental Stroke Preclinical

Biomedicines (2024)

Semax, a Copper Chelator Peptide, Decreases the Cu(II)-Catalyzed ROS Production and Cytotoxicity of aβ by Metal Ion Stripping and Redox Silencing Preclinical

Bioinorg Chem Appl (2025)

Genes That Associated with Action of ACTH-like Peptides with Neuroprotective Potential in Rat Brain Regions with Different Degrees of Ischemic Damage Preclinical

Int J Mol Sci (2025)

Commonly Stacked With

From community members' documented stacks involving Semax.

Selank 73 stacks (76.8%)

Tirzepatide 19 stacks (20%)

Retatrutide 18 stacks (18.9%)

MOTS-c 15 stacks (15.8%)

NAD+ 14 stacks (14.7%)

Switching Patterns

Based on 64 discussions about switching to or from Semax.

→ Switching FROM

Selank 14 mentions

Retatrutide 8 mentions

Epitalon 6 mentions

GHK-Cu 4 mentions

Users who switched to Semax

← Switching TO

Selank 12 mentions

MOTS-c 8 mentions

SS-31 6 mentions

Retatrutide 4 mentions

Users who switched from Semax