A brain-boosting peptide that supercharges your cognitive function by ramping up BDNF—the protein your neurons need to grow, connect, and stay sharp—all delivered through a simple nasal spray.
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Intranasal spray
Route
3 recommended
Sites
Once daily
Frequency
Preparation
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water) or sterile saline for nasal use
Empty nasal spray bottle (if making your own spray)
Insulin syringes (if using subcutaneous route)
Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops
Your Semax powder vial
Pro tip
Prepare all supplies on a clean surface before you begin. Having everything ready makes the process smoother and more sterile.
Mixing
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Gather all supplies on a clean, flat surface.
Remove the plastic cap from the peptide vial and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab. Let it air dry.
Draw the appropriate amount of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.
Insert the needle into the vial at an angle, aiming at the inside wall of the vial. Slowly push the plunger to let the water trickle down the glass wall -- do NOT squirt directly onto the powder.
Once all water is added, gently swirl the vial in a slow circular motion. Never shake the vial, as this can damage the peptide bonds.
Continue swirling until the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear. If particles remain, let the vial sit for a few minutes and swirl again.
Label the vial with the date of reconstitution, the peptide name, and the concentration (e.g. 250mcg per 0.1mL).
Example calculation
For a nasal spray: If you have a 5mg vial and want approximately 100 mcg per spray pump (standard pump delivers ~0.1mL), add 5mL of sterile solution. This gives you 1mg/mL, so each 0.1mL spray delivers 100 mcg.
Dose calculation
For subcutaneous injection: If reconstituted at 5mg in 2mL (2.5 mg/mL), drawing 0.12 mL gives you 300 mcg. Most users prefer the nasal route for convenience and direct brain delivery.
Pro tip
Always add the bacteriostatic water slowly, letting it run down the side of the vial. Never shake the vial -- swirl gently to avoid damaging the peptide.
Location
Site 01
Intranasal: One spray in each nostril (most common method)
Follow your provider's instructions for this injection site. Rotate sites regularly to prevent tissue damage.
Site 02
Abdomen
Pinch the skin 2 inches from navel. Avoid the area directly around the belly button. Rotate between left and right sides.
Site 03
Outer Thigh
Middle third of the outer thigh. Keep at least 4 inches above the knee and below the hip. Alternate legs each injection.
Rotate between 3 sites to prevent tissue buildup and ensure consistent absorption.
Pro tip
Rotate your injection sites with each dose to prevent lipohypertrophy (buildup of fatty tissue). Keep a simple log of where you last injected.
Step by step
For nasal spray: Gently blow your nose first to clear passages
Tilt head slightly forward (not back) to prevent throat drainage
Insert spray tip into nostril and aim toward outer wall
Press pump while inhaling gently through the nose
Avoid sniffing hard—this can push the peptide past the absorption zone
For subcutaneous: Clean site, pinch skin, inject at 45-90 degrees
Pro tip
This peptide uses subcutaneous injection (alternative to nasal) or intranasal spray (preferred for cognitive effects). Inject at a 45-90 degree angle into pinched skin. Aspirate before injecting to ensure you haven't hit a blood vessel.
Timing
Optimal timing
Best time
Morning administration works best for most people—Semax increases alertness and focus, so taking it late in the day might interfere with sleep. If splitting doses, take the second one before 2 PM.
With food?
Semax can be taken regardless of food since it's administered nasally and absorbs directly into the brain tissue. Food timing doesn't affect its absorption or effectiveness.
Stacking notes
Semax pairs excellently with Selank for balanced cognitive and anxiolytic effects. When combining with other nootropics like Noopept, start with lower doses of each. Space different nasal peptides 15-30 minutes apart.
Sample daily schedule
Morning (7-10 AM)
300-600 mcg injection
Site: Intranasal (1-3 sprays per nostril depending on concentration)
Take with or without breakfast—food doesn't affect absorption. This timing maximizes cognitive benefits during your productive hours without interfering with sleep.
Early afternoon (optional second dose, before 2 PM)
200-300 mcg injection
Site: Intranasal (1-2 sprays per nostril)
If splitting daily dose, keep the second administration early enough to avoid sleep interference. Some users find a second dose helps maintain focus through the afternoon.
Preservation
Before mixing
Keep your Semax powder refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C) for short-term storage or frozen at -4°F (-20°C) for long-term storage. Protect from light and moisture. Properly stored powder remains stable for 2+ years when frozen.
After mixing
Store reconstituted solution in the refrigerator at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Never freeze the reconstituted solution. Keep away from light. Nasal spray solution should be used within 30 days for optimal potency.
Shelf life after mixing
30 days
Signs of degradation
Discard the vial immediately if you notice any of these:
Cloudy or hazy appearance (should be crystal clear)
Visible particles or sediment
Any color change—fresh solution should be colorless
Reduced effects compared to initial use
Important
When to stop
Any signs of allergic reaction—stop immediately and seek medical help
Persistent headaches that don't improve after the first week
Significant blood pressure increases that concern you or your doctor
Sleep disruption that doesn't resolve with earlier dosing
Any side effect that feels serious or significantly impacts your quality of life
Your planned cycle or research protocol is complete
Semax is a research compound not FDA-approved in the United States (though it is approved in Russia). Never start, stop, or change your dosing without guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes only—not medical advice.
Clean technique checklist
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
Swab vial tops and injection site with alcohol and let dry
Never touch the needle tip or allow it to contact non-sterile surfaces
Use a new syringe and needle for each injection
Dispose of used sharps in a proper sharps container
Store reconstituted peptides according to the storage instructions above
Published research
Dolotov OV, Karpenko EA, Inozemtseva LS, et al. · 2006
This study showed that a single dose of Semax increased BDNF protein levels by 40% and boosted the activation of its receptor (trkB) in the hippocampus—the brain's memory center. Treated animals performed significantly better on learning tests. This helped explain how Semax improves memory at the molecular level.
Dolotov OV, Karpenko EA, Seredenina TS, et al. · 2006
Researchers discovered that Semax has specific binding sites in the brain and rapidly increases BDNF levels after intranasal administration. The binding was precise (with a dissociation constant of 2.4 nM), confirming Semax isn't just a random peptide—it has a specific target in brain tissue.
Shadrina M, Kolomin T, Agapova T, et al. · 2010
This study mapped how Semax affects two key brain growth factors (NGF and BDNF) across different brain regions. It found that Semax produces a coordinated wave of neurotrophin activation, with effects varying by brain region and timing—revealing Semax's sophisticated, targeted action.
Tabbi G, Magri A, Giuffrida A, et al. · 2015
Beyond its BDNF effects, this study revealed that Semax strongly binds copper ions—a metal linked to neurotoxicity in conditions like Alzheimer's. Semax protected brain cells from copper-induced damage, adding an antioxidant dimension to its neuroprotective profile.
Radchenko AI, Kuzubova EV, Apostol AA · 2025
In mice modeling Alzheimer's disease, both Semax and its derivatives improved cognitive function on multiple tests (open field, object recognition, maze navigation) and reduced amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. This recent research highlights Semax's potential for neurodegenerative conditions.
PEPTOGEN (Innovative Research and Production Center); Vidal Russia · 2026
Official Russian label for Semax 0.1% nasal drops (RU LP-No.(009449)-(RG-RU), prescription-only, on the Russian Vital and Essential Drugs list): a synthetic analogue of ACTH(4-10) completely devoid of hormonal activity; affects memory formation and learning, enhances attention during learning and information analysis, improves memory-trace consolidation. Absorbed from the nasal mucosa, penetrates the blood-brain barrier, does not reach the GI tract. Indications include cognitive disorders in cerebrovascular disease, the recovery period after stroke, states after traumatic brain injury and neurosurgery, optic nerve atrophy and neuritis, and (from age 7) minimal brain dysfunction including ADHD. Daily doses: 400-900 mcg for adaptation/mental-fatigue prophylaxis (dosed in the first half of the day), 600-900 mcg for optic nerve disease, up to 800-8000 mcg for cerebrovascular cognitive disorders. The only listed adverse effect is mild irritation of the nasal mucosa with prolonged use. Contraindicated in acute psychiatric states, anxiety disorders, history of seizures, age under 7, hypersensitivity, pregnancy and lactation.
Mavrych V, Shypilova I, Bolgova O · 2026
Narrative review (Front Aging). For Semax: primary mechanism is BDNF upregulation (1.4-fold hippocampal BDNF protein, 3-fold mRNA, enhanced trkB activation) promoting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis; modulates dopamine/serotonin systems; antioxidant pathways described. Russian stroke trials showed improved neurological recovery. States Semax has decades of use in Russia with apparently favorable safety profiles but lacks independent Western validation and systematic safety surveillance; not approved by the FDA or equivalent agencies.
Tomasello MF, Di Rosa MC, Naletova I, Sciacca MFM, et al. · 2025
In vitro: Semax, which has high affinity for Cu(II), extracted Cu(II) from Cu(II)-amyloid-beta complexes, altered their redox cycling and decreased associated reactive oxygen species production, and was cytoprotective for SH-SY5Y neuronal cells against oxidative stress from copper-catalyzed amyloid-beta oxidation.
Kolomin T, Shadrina M, Slominsky P, Limborska S, Myasoedov N · 2013
Review of Semax and Selank by the Institute of Molecular Genetics RAS group that developed them (Neuroscience & Medicine 4:223-252). Replacing the three C-terminal residues of ACTH(4-10) with Pro-Gly-Pro gave the longest-acting analogue (effect 20-24 h vs 30-60 min for ACTH(4-10)); Semax forms relatively stable active intermediates; no corticotropic or melanocyte-stimulating activity. About 0.093% crosses the blood-brain barrier 2 min after intranasal dosing vs ~0.01% after IV, the basis for recommending the intranasal route. Reports dopamine/serotonin effects in rodents, neuroprotection in ischemia including inhibition of oxidative-stress reactions, and that Semax 1% was well tolerated in stroke patients (nasal mucosa discoloration in 10%, mild blood glucose increase in 7.4% of patients with diabetes). Describes Selank as a pronounced anxiolytic that enhances serotonin metabolism.
Eremin KO, Kudrin VS, Saransaari P, Oja SS, et al. · 2005
In rodents, Semax increased striatal 5-HIAA (serotonin metabolite) tissue content by 25% and extracellular levels up to 180%. Semax alone did not alter tissue or extracellular dopamine or its metabolites, but given before D-amphetamine it markedly enhanced amphetamine-induced striatal dopamine release and locomotor activity.
Kost NV, Sokolov OIu, Gabaeva MV, Grivennikov IA, et al. · 2001
Semax (IC50 10 microM) and Selank (IC50 20 microM) dose-dependently inhibited enkephalin-degrading enzymes of human serum, more potently than puromycin or bacitracin; the authors propose this inhibition as one mechanism of their biological activity. Russian-language article with English abstract.
Ashmarin IP, Nezavibat'ko VN, Myasoedov NF, Kamensky AA, et al. · 1997
Review by the developers: Semax stimulates operative memory and attention and increases resistance to hypoxia in animals and humans for 20-24 h after intranasal doses of 0.015-0.050 mg/kg; significantly improves memory and attention in healthy men under extreme conditions; at the time of writing was used to treat patients with CNS diseases, and in no case produced negative side actions or complications. Russian-language article with English abstract.
Vyunova TV, Andreeva L, Shevchenko K, Myasoedov N · 2018
Radioligand study of the anti-anxiety mechanism of Selank: Selank acts as a positive allosteric modulator of [3H]GABA binding in brain membranes and interacts with benzodiazepine modulation of GABA binding.
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