Russia's clinical nootropic peptide for focus, memory, and mood.
Semax is a synthetic peptide developed in Russia, derived from a fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) but stripped of its hormonal activity. It is used intranasally and is registered in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotective medicine.
Its main mechanism is raising BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and related neurotrophins, supporting the growth and resilience of neurons. It also modulates the dopamine and serotonin systems and slows the breakdown of enkephalins, which contributes to its focus and mood effects.
In Russia it has clinical use for stroke, cognitive disorders and optic-nerve conditions. Outside Russia it is a research compound, popular for focus, memory and mental stamina.
Sharper attention and reduced mental fatigue, often felt within an hour of dosing.
Strong anecdotal reports; supported by Russian clinical use
Supports memory formation and cognitive performance under load.
Animal and Russian clinical data; limited Western trials
Used clinically in Russia for stroke recovery via BDNF and neurotrophic support.
Russian clinical evidence; not independently replicated at scale
We rate every peptide honestly across four dimensions — and tell you what it's not.
Evidence Profile
Used clinically in Russia with human studies for cognition and stroke, but largely outside Western regulatory evidence standards.
Promising but early. Strong animal data and/or small/preliminary human studies, not yet confirmed in robust trials.
Controlled trials & clinical data in people
Russian clinical studies exist for stroke/cognition; limited Western replication.
Preclinical results in animal models
Neuroprotective and BDNF-related effects in animal models.
How plausibly it works at a biological level
Proposed BDNF/neurotrophic modulation; details still being clarified.
Depth of documented safety in humans
Decades of clinical use in Russia; rigorous long-term Western data limited.
Men wanting cleaner focus, mental stamina and memory support without stimulant jitter
Dosed intranasally with acute effects. Often cycled with Selank. Accurate concentration matters for nasal sprays.
Women seeking focus, mood and cognitive resilience
Generally well tolerated with no hormonal interactions reported. Start with a low intranasal dose. Avoid in pregnancy without guidance.
This section is always free and never locked.
The effects most commonly reported with Semax, when they tend to show up, and how to manage them.
Alternate nostrils; don't over-spray. A saline rinse between doses can help.
Usually mild and short-lived; lower frequency if persistent.
Dose earlier in the day; reduce dose if jittery.
Individual responses vary. Stop and consult a clinician for severe, persistent, or unexpected reactions.
10 steps with photos, pro tips, and a dosing calculator.
Unlock Full Guide7 days free. Then $24/month.
████████ ████
████████ ████
████████ ████
Dosing info requires Core or Pro
Unlock DosingA preview of the member outcomes dashboard. Real, anonymized Semax results populate here as the community logs data.
See aggregated results from real users — benefit ratings, common goals, side effect frequency, and more.
Unlock with Core or ProGet the complete step-by-step guide, personalized dosing, and daily tracking.
View Full GuidePepCompass provides educational information only. Nothing on this platform constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for informational and research purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol. Individual results vary.