Semax calculator
A synthetic fragment of ACTH studied for nootropic and neuroprotective effects. Used in Russia; not approved in the US.
Also known as: ACTH(4-10) analog, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
FDA status — not an approved drug Not FDA-approved in the United States. Semax is used in Russia as a nootropic but is not FDA-approved, and its evidence base is largely regional.
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What Semax is
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide fragment of the hormone ACTH, developed in Russia. Unlike full ACTH it does not raise cortisol. It is studied for nootropic and neuroprotective effects and is approved in Russia for certain neurological uses, but it is not FDA-approved in the United States.
Research depth: 2/5 Approved in Russia with regional clinical studies; limited Western replication and not FDA-approved. Human trials: Regional trials. This measures how much has been studied — counting animal and laboratory work — not whether it works for you.
How Semax works
It increases the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling, supporting attention, memory, and neuronal resilience. Because it is a fragment that lacks the hormone's corticosteroid-releasing activity, it avoids the hormonal side effects of ACTH.
Semax side effects
Commonly reported
- Mild nasal irritation with intranasal use
- Generally reported as well tolerated
- No robust Western safety data
Serious — seek medical care
- Evidence base is largely regional with limited Western replication
- Long-term safety not fully characterized
- Not FDA-approved; products in the US are unregulated
This list is not exhaustive. Report anything unexpected to the clinician who prescribed it. If you have severe abdominal pain, trouble breathing, or signs of an allergic reaction, seek care the same day. See also our guide to peptide side effects by class.
A worked example
A 30 mg vial reconstituted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 30 mg/mL. A 600 mcg dose is then 0.02 mL — about 2 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe, giving roughly 50 doses per vial before accounting for residual volume left in the vial and syringe.
Prefer paper? Download the printable Semax dosing chart (PDF) — every vial size and water volume in syringe units, with the same review byline as this page. All charts →
Commonly cited dose range
Figures circulating for Semax run from 300 mcg to 1200 mcg. Often administered intranasally in community use. Figures shown are community reference amounts in micrograms. There is no established or approved dose.
Read this as reference information, not instruction. These numbers describe what is commonly discussed, not what is right for any individual. Dose, frequency, and whether to use Semax at all are decisions for a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Common questions
Is Semax approved in the US?
No. Semax is approved in Russia for certain neurological indications and is used as a nootropic, but the FDA has not approved it, and its evidence base is largely regional.
How does Semax work?
It is a synthetic fragment of the ACTH hormone that does not affect cortisol. It influences neurotrophic factors like BDNF and dopaminergic signaling, which is the basis for its nootropic use.