Semax

What it is

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide based on a fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). It is an officially approved medicine in Russia for stroke recovery, optic nerve atrophy and (in a higher-strength formulation) anxiety/depression.

Outside Russia it is used as a nootropic for focus, motivation and resilience to mental fatigue.

History

Developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences in the late 1980s for stroke recovery. Approved as a Russian medicine in the 1990s.

How it works

Increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), modulates dopamine and serotonin systems, has mild neuroprotective effects in animal models.

Dosage

• Intranasal: 200–600 mcg per day, often split into 2–3 sprays through the morning.
• Avoid late-day dosing — stimulating effect may interfere with sleep.

How it is taken

• Intranasal spray. Lyophilised powder is reconstituted with BAC water and loaded into a nasal spray bottle.

How to reconstitute

• A 30 mg vial with 5 ml BAC water (in a 5 ml nasal sprayer) = 6 mg/ml. Each ~100 mcl spray delivers ~600 mcg.

How it should arrive

Sealed vial with white powder. Some sellers ship as a pre-mixed nasal spray bottle.

How it should look once reconstituted

Clear colourless solution.

What to expect, and when

• Acute focus / clarity effects: within 1–2 hours of dosing.
• Cumulative mood / motivation effects: 1–3 weeks.

Side effects

• Stinging or sneezing on application.
• Mild headache in some users.
• Overstimulation / irritability at higher doses.

Risks

• Long-term safety in humans is reasonably well established within Russia's approved use.
• Use outside approved indications has less data.

Potential gains

• Improved focus, motivation, mental endurance.
• Subjective resilience under stress.
• Some users report mood improvement.

Other useful information

Often paired with selank for a balanced cognitive + anti-anxiety nasal stack.