Cerluten vs Selank
Brain-derived peptide bioregulator complex containing AED, KED, AEDG, and KE peptides that promote neurogenesis through histone binding, restore dendritic spine architecture under neurotoxic conditions, and enhance cognitive recovery in stroke and brain injury patients
A clever brain-boosting peptide derived from your immune system's natural tuftsin molecule—it calms anxiety and sharpens your mind without the drowsiness or addiction risks of traditional anti-anxiety medications [1][4].
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Cerluten
1–2 capsules
Selank
900–2700 mcg/day
Frequency
Cerluten
Once daily
Selank
3 times daily
Administration
Cerluten
Oral (capsule)
Selank
Intranasal
Cycle length
Cerluten
8-12 weeks
Selank
14 days, repeatable after 1-3 weeks
Onset speed
Cerluten
Gradual (3-4 weeks)
Selank
Rapid (hours to days)
Evidence level
Cerluten
Limited human trials
Selank
Limited human trials
Benefit ratings
Neuroprotection
Post-Stroke Recovery
Brain Cell Renewal
Anxiety Relief
Cognitive Enhancement
Immune Support
Compound specifications
Cerluten
Molecular formula
C11H17N3O8 (representative primary component)
Molecular weight
319.3 g/mol (representative; complex contains peptides from 200-500 Da)
Half-life
Short plasma half-life for individual peptide components (minutes to hours); biological effects persist for weeks to months through epigenetic modifications to gene expression
Bioavailability
Oral and sublingual absorption via intestinal peptide transporters (PepT1); component peptides cross the blood-brain barrier; sublingual form bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism
CAS number
75007-24-8
Selank
Molecular formula
C33H57N11O9
Molecular weight
751.9 g/mol
Half-life
2-3 minutes (plasma); effects last hours due to downstream signaling
Bioavailability
High intranasal absorption; near 100% subcutaneous
CAS number
129954-34-3
Dosing compared
Cerluten
Oral
1-2 capsules (0.2 g each)
1-2 times daily with meals · 30-day intensive course; then 10-day maintenance course every 3 months
The common capsule plan used in practice for this CNS peptide supplement. A typical intensive start is 2 capsules daily for 30 days, then 2 capsules daily for 10 days every 3 months. [6]
Sublingual
5-6 drops
3-4 times daily under the tongue · 10-30 day course, repeated 2-3 times per year
The liquid form is held under the tongue so it absorbs directly. Commonly used at 5-6 drops several times a day. [6]
Selank
Intranasal
Registered label dose
900 mcg/day total (3 doses of 300 mcg)
2 drops in each nostril, 3 times daily · Registered label dose
The approved dose on the Russian registration (ЛРС-003338/09): 2 drops in each nostril, three times a day. At 75 mcg per drop that is 300 mcg per administration and 900 mcg across the day, taken as a 14-day course that can be repeated after 1-3 weeks [7]. Human evidence, registered label.
Highest dose studied
2,700 mcg/day total (3 doses of 900 mcg)
900 mcg (12 drops) 3 times daily · Highest dose studied
The top of the range the developing institute describes as optimal — single doses of 300-900 mcg, 900-2,700 mcg a day split across three administrations — and the dose used in the multicentre generalised-anxiety and neurasthenia trial, where 2,700 mcg/day was compared against medazepam 30 mg/day for 14 days [9]. Because the label caps a single administration at 2-3 drops per nostril, a 900 mcg dose is given as 2-3 drops per nostril with the rest 15 minutes later [7]. Human evidence, trial protocol.
Subcutaneous injection
Community suggestion — not a studied protocol
300-500 mcg per injection
Once daily · Community suggestion — not a studied protocol
Community-reported, not peer-reviewed. No human study has tested subcutaneous selank and the registered product is nasal drops only [7], so this range comes from community and clinical-practice reports rather than a trial — there is no published safety or effectiveness data behind it. Two things worth knowing before choosing the route. The nasal spray is absorbed almost completely, with 92.8% of the dose reaching the bloodstream within 30 seconds [7], so injecting is not a way to get more of the peptide in. And in mice, the injected and intranasal routes did not act the same: injection shifted GABA-receptor binding while the nasal route shifted NMDA-receptor binding instead, which the authors put down to how each route is absorbed and broken down [13]. That is animal work, and no one has checked whether the same split happens in people.
Best suited for
Cerluten
Cognitive recovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on cognitive recovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Supporting neurogenesis and neuronal repair in aging brain tissue
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on supporting neurogenesis and neuronal repair in aging brain tissue. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Comprehensive bioregulatory approach to brain aging using multiple complementary peptide components
Cerluten is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on comprehensive bioregulatory approach to brain aging using multiple complementary peptide components. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Selank
Anxiety Without the Fog
If traditional anti-anxiety medications leave you feeling sedated, foggy, or 'not yourself,' Selank offers a refreshing alternative. It calms anxious thoughts while keeping your mind sharp—like turning down the volume on worry without muting your brain [1].
Cognitive Performers
Students, professionals, and anyone facing demanding mental tasks love Selank for its dual action. It simultaneously reduces performance anxiety while enhancing memory and focus—the best of both worlds when you need to think clearly under pressure [1][2].
Stress Resilience Seekers
Chronic stress wreaks havoc on your brain. Selank helps protect against stress-induced cognitive decline by supporting BDNF levels and modulating your stress response [2]. Think of it as building a buffer between you and life's daily pressures.
Natural Approach Enthusiasts
Derived from tuftsin—a natural peptide your own immune system produces—Selank appeals to those seeking more 'natural' solutions [4]. It works with your body's existing systems rather than overriding them like synthetic drugs.
Side effects
Cerluten
Common
- Mild headache
- Mild drowsiness
- Mild GI discomfort
- Vivid dreams
Uncommon
- Transient sleep pattern changes
Serious
- No documented serious adverse effects
Selank
Common
- Nasal irritation
- Mild fatigue
- Mild headache
- Injection site redness
Uncommon
- Vivid dreams
- Dizziness
Serious
- Allergic reaction
Safety & evidence
Cerluten
Evidence level
Limited human trials
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Cerluten is a peptide extract from cerebral tissue of young animals that is not FDA-approved and lacks rigorous clinical safety data. As an undefined mixture of peptides and proteins from animal sources, quality control and batch consistency cannot be guaranteed. Potential risks include allergic reactions to animal-derived proteins, contamination with microbial pathogens or prions, and unknown long-term immunological effects. No comprehensive safety studies have been conducted in humans, and the active pharmaceutical components have never been identified or standardized. The product exists primarily in Russian and Eastern European medical markets without Western regulatory oversight.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or bovine-derived products
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
- Active CNS infection — treat infection before initiating peptide bioregulator therapy
- Prion disease concerns — although manufacturing processes include purification to remove proteins > 5 kDa, individuals with heightened prion risk should exercise caution
Selank
Evidence level
Limited human trials
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
The safety record comes from small Russian trials, and the numbers are worth seeing. In the 62-person generalised-anxiety and neurasthenia trial, 30 people took selank at 2,700 mcg a day and 32 took medazepam 30 mg a day for 14 days; the two calmed anxiety about equally, and selank also reduced fatigue where the benzodiazepine did not [9]. A second trial of 60 people with phobic-anxiety and somatoform disorders compared it with phenazepam and reported a clear anxiolytic effect that lasted about a week after the last dose [3]. The registered label lists only two side effects — an unpleasant taste when the drops run from the nose into the throat, and allergic reactions in people sensitive to the ingredients — and records no cases of overdose, which it attributes to how fast the peptide breaks down [7]. Neither trial published a per-arm adverse-event rate, so there is no side-effect percentage to compare against placebo.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant
- Currently breastfeeding
- Known allergy to peptide components
- Children and adolescents
- Severe psychiatric disorders requiring immediate intervention
Which is right for you?
Choose Cerluten if...
- Cognitive recovery following stroke or traumatic brain injury
- Neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration
- Supporting neurogenesis and neuronal repair in aging brain tissue
- Comprehensive bioregulatory approach to brain aging using multiple complementary peptide components
Choose Selank if...
- Anxiety relief without sedation
- Cognitive enhancement and focus
- Memory improvement
- Stress resilience