Pinealon vs Selank
Neuroprotective tripeptide bioregulator (Glu-Asp-Arg) that penetrates the DNA major groove to epigenetically regulate serotonin synthesis, preserve dendritic spine architecture, and activate endogenous antioxidant defenses against age-related neurodegeneration
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
Pinealon
1–2 mg
Selank
900–2700 mcg/day
Frequency
Pinealon
Multiple times daily
Selank
3 times daily
Administration
Pinealon
Oral (capsule/tablet)
Selank
Intranasal
Cycle length
Pinealon
2-4 weeks
Selank
14 days, repeatable after 1-3 weeks
Onset speed
Pinealon
Gradual (3-4 weeks)
Selank
Rapid (hours to days)
Evidence level
Pinealon
Emerging preclinical
Selank
Limited human trials
Benefit ratings
Brain Protection
Mood Support
Memory Preservation
Anxiety Relief
Cognitive Enhancement
Immune Support
Compound specifications
Pinealon
Molecular formula
C15H26N6O8
Molecular weight
418.4 g/mol
Half-life
Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides (minutes to low hours); biological effects persist for weeks to months through epigenetic gene regulation mechanisms
Bioavailability
Orally bioavailable as a dipeptide/tripeptide absorbed by intestinal peptide transporters (PepT1/SLC15A1); crosses the blood-brain barrier; rapid cellular uptake due to ultra-short peptide structure
CAS number
175175-23-2
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
Pinealon
Subcutaneous
1-2 mg
Once daily · 10-20 day cycle
Community-reported subcutaneous protocol used in practice. No human trials support this route; the injectable dose is community-derived [6].
Oral
0.2 mg
Twice daily · 20-30 days
Dose from a human clinical report in patients with cerebral asthenia after cranial trauma (n=72) [6]. A product/practice form uses a 10 mg capsule once or twice daily for a 10-30 day course, repeated 2-3 courses per year [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
Pinealon
Neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration
Pinealon is particularly effective for individuals focused on neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. Research supports its use in this area.
Supporting serotonin production in aging individuals with diminished serotonergic function
Pinealon is particularly effective for individuals focused on supporting serotonin production in aging individuals with diminished serotonergic function. Research supports its use in this area.
Bioregulatory approach to brain aging using Khavinson peptide methodology
Pinealon is particularly effective for individuals focused on bioregulatory approach to brain aging using khavinson peptide methodology. Research supports its use in this area.
Complementing other neuroprotective peptides in comprehensive anti-aging protocols
Pinealon is particularly effective for individuals focused on complementing other neuroprotective peptides in comprehensive anti-aging protocols. Research supports its use in this area.
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
Pinealon
Common
- Mild drowsiness
- Mild headache
- Vivid dreams
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort
Uncommon
- Transient mood changes
- Changes in sleep patterns
Serious
- Theoretical serotonergic interaction
Selank
Common
- Nasal irritation
- Mild fatigue
- Mild headache
- Injection site redness
Uncommon
- Vivid dreams
- Dizziness
Serious
- Allergic reaction
Safety & evidence
Pinealon
Evidence level
Emerging preclinical
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Pinealon shows excellent safety profile in Russian clinical trials with no serious adverse events at therapeutic intramuscular doses. Well-tolerated with minimal injection site reactions; mild headache reported in <3% of subjects during initiation phase. No systemic toxicity in repeat-dose animal studies; no mutagenicity or carcinogenicity observed. Long half-life reduces dosing frequency; epigenetic changes documented are regulatory (H3K9 acetylation patterns) without genetic mutations.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Pinealon or its constituent amino acids (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient safety data in reproductive studies
- Concurrent use of serotonergic medications (SSRIs, MAOIs) without medical supervision — theoretical risk of additive serotonergic effects
- Autoimmune conditions affecting the CNS — immunomodulatory peptide effects may be unpredictable
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 Pinealon if...
- Neuroprotection against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration
- Supporting serotonin production in aging individuals with diminished serotonergic function
- Bioregulatory approach to brain aging using Khavinson peptide methodology
- Complementing other neuroprotective peptides in comprehensive anti-aging protocols
Choose Selank if...
- Anxiety relief without sedation
- Cognitive enhancement and focus
- Memory improvement
- Stress resilience