---
title: "Semax: what sources report"
url: https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides/semax
site: humanpeptides.fyi
last_reviewed: 2026-10-11
---


# Semax

> humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims of its own. Every statement below reports what a cited source says, with its link. Not medical advice.

Semax: Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7) fused to Pro-Gly-Pro (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), developed in Russia as intranasal neuroprotective/nootropic. The sources cited here most often discuss it for: Stroke recovery, unblinded studies; BDNF boost, rats; Nootropic focus. Evidence label: Early human.

## At a glance

- **Type:** Peptide
- **Family:** Mind & Mood
- **Evidence label:** Early human (3 of 5)
- **Regulatory status:** Not FDA-approved; FDA told its July 2026 compounding advisory committee it proposed keeping Semax off the 503A bulks list, while noting Semax is a registered drug in Russia as nasal drops.
- **Goals discussed:** Focus & Cognition, Nerves & Pain
- **Also called:** Semax acetate, Semax (heptapeptide), MEHFPGP, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, (Pro8,Gly9,Pro10)ACTH-(4-10), ACTH (4-7), Pro-Gly-Pro, СЕМАКС, NA-Semax, N-Acetyl Semax Amidate
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-10-11

## What is Semax?

- Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7) fused to Pro-Gly-Pro (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), developed in Russia as intranasal neuroprotective/nootropic; raises BDNF/TrkB in animal brain; registered in Russia for stroke and cognitive disorders; NOT FDA-approved (FDA staff advised against 503A compounding in July 2026; advisory committee voted 8-5 in favor, nonbinding) Sources: <https://greypeptides.com/regulatory/pcac-july-2026/semax/>, <https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/july-23-24-2026-meeting-pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee-07232026>

Not related to semaglutide or semaxanib despite the similar names. NA-Semax (N-acetyl semax amidate) is a modified research-market analog, not the drug used in Russia.

**Regulatory status:** Not FDA-approved; FDA told its July 2026 compounding advisory committee it proposed keeping Semax off the 503A bulks list, while noting Semax is a registered drug in Russia as nasal drops. Source: <https://www.fda.gov/media/193774/download>

## What is Semax researched for?

### 1. Stroke recovery, unblinded studies

- Neuroprotection/recovery after ischemic stroke: increased plasma BDNF and faster motor and functional (Barthel) recovery in 110 stroke patients (Russian human clinical study, not blinded) Sources: <https://europepmc.org/article/med/29798983>, <https://www.mediasphera.ru/issues/zhurnal-nevrologii-i-psikhiatrii-im-s-s-korsakova-2/2018/3/1199772982018032061>, <https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/11517472/[Effectiveness_of_semax_in_acute_period_of_hemispheric_ischemic_stroke__a_clinical_and_electrophysiological_study_>
- Goals: [Focus & Cognition](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/mind), [Nerves & Pain](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/nerves)

### 2. BDNF boost, rats

- Increases BDNF and TrkB expression in rat hippocampus/basal forebrain, linked to cognitive effects (animal studies) Sources: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16996037/>, <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16635254/>
- Goals: [Focus & Cognition](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/mind)

### 3. Nootropic focus

- Nootropic use: users report clearer focus, less brain fog, better task persistence, often subtle (anecdotal Reddit/forum logs) Sources: <https://www.reddit.com/r/Biohackers/comments/1s28kiz/been_tracking_my_cognition_for_8_months_on_semax/>, <https://pepatlas.com/forum/personal-logs/cmo28tmft07z94eke8hu4xxlm>, <https://www.reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide/comments/1usxaok/semax_experience_makes_me_wonder/>
- Goals: [Focus & Cognition](https://humanpeptides.fyi/objectives/mind)

## What do researchers and users say about Semax?

> "Early rehabilitation and administration of semax increase BDNF plasma level, speed functional recovery, and improve motor performance."
>
> Gusev EI, et al., The efficacy of semax in the treatment of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke (Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii, 2018). <https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/search?query=EXT_ID:29798983&resultType=core&format=xml>

Context: Russian clinical study of 110 patients after ischemic stroke, comparing rehabilitation with and without Semax.

> "There is insufficient evidence of effectiveness to support use of semax (free base) or semax acetate for cerebral ischemia"
>
> US Food and Drug Administration, July 23-24, 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) Meeting, FDA presentation slides. <https://www.fda.gov/media/193774/download>

Context: FDA's conclusion for the 503A bulks-list review; FDA excluded Russian-language studies, including the Gusev 2018 stroke trial, because full English references were unavailable.

> "I can focus longer and mental stamina feels better, but I also feel a bit spacey/detached and slightly antisocial."
>
> Anonymous user, r/Nootropics, Semax thread: spacey but better focus?. <https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/1rdm95n/semax_01_spacey_but_better_focus/>

Context: Forum post from a user of Russian intranasal Semax describing mixed effects.

## What side effects of Semax are reported?

- Headache, nasal irritation, dizziness, sleep disruption, anxiety (anecdotal Reddit) Sources: <https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/1rdm95n/semax_01_spacey_but_better_focus/>
- FDA: inadequate human safety data, no toxicology studies, immunogenicity unknown Sources: <https://greypeptides.com/regulatory/pcac-july-2026/semax/>
- Feeling detached or slightly antisocial, with trouble following conversations, reported alongside better focus. (anecdotal) Sources: <https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/1rdm95n/semax_01_spacey_but_better_focus/>

## What do peptide guides say about Semax?

- **Dr. Axe:** Dr. Axe's library rates Semax research-only, notes its cited human study covered recovery after ischemic stroke rather than cognitive enhancement in healthy people, and says FDA has identified unresolved safety concerns. <https://draxe.com/peptide-calculator/semax/>
- **PepEdHub:** PepEdHub describes Semax as an ACTH-derived heptapeptide with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail, says it raises BDNF and NGF without affecting cortisol, and reports approval in Russia and Ukraine. <https://pepedhub.com/peptides/semax/>
- **Seek Peptides:** Seek Peptides lists focus, neuroprotection and stroke-recovery support as Semax's main uses, and labels ADHD symptom use as anecdotal only. <https://www.seekpeptides.com/blog/articles/complete-peptide-list>
- **NCBI PMC:** A 2026 gerontology review says Semax's clinical evidence comes from Russian stroke studies, and that non-approved peptides as a group lack long-term safety data and systematic validation. <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13095733/>
- **McDermott client alert:** FDA scientists recommended against listing Semax, but the advisory committee voted 8 to 5 to recommend it for compounding; FDA rulemaking would still be needed, and listing is not drug approval. <https://www.mcdermottlaw.com/insights/bulk-list-bound-pcac-backs-majority-of-peptides-in-two-day-public-meeting/>

## What does the research say, system by system?

### Body & tissues

- Brain (via intranasal route); rapidly degraded to Pro-Gly-Pro after intranasal dosing in rats (animal) Sources: <https://wikipep.org/wiki/Adamax>

### Hormones & physiology

- ACTH(4-7)-derived fragment; FDA briefing found no human pharmacokinetic studies and unresolved immunogenicity concerns Sources: <https://greypeptides.com/regulatory/pcac-july-2026/semax/>, <https://peptidebase.io/fda/pcac-july-2026/semax>

### Brain, mood & sleep

- Raises brain BDNF/TrkB (animal) Sources: <https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16996037/>
- Users report focus gains but also 'spacey/floaty' feeling, sleep disruption, anxiety; rare severe anxiety (anecdotal) Sources: <https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/1rdm95n/semax_01_spacey_but_better_focus/>, <https://www.reddit.com/r/peptidesAustralia/comments/1u4csqe/my_experience_with_adamax_semax_and_selank/>

### Also notable

- Studied in Russia also for migraine and trigeminal neuralgia (per FDA PCAC nomination); no registered US trials Sources: <https://drsobo.com/blog/semax-fda-status-2026/>, <https://peptidebase.io/fda/pcac-july-2026/semax>

## How strong is the evidence for Semax?

**Early human** (3 of 5). Russian human clinical studies (mostly small, unblinded) + animal data + anecdotes; not FDA-approved

_Small, short, old, unblinded or single-group human studies._

## Questions about Semax

### What is Semax?

Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7) fused to Pro-Gly-Pro (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), developed in Russia as intranasal neuroprotective/nootropic. Not related to semaglutide or semaxanib despite the similar names. NA-Semax (N-acetyl semax amidate) is a modified research-market analog, not the drug used in Russia.

### Is Semax FDA-approved?

Not FDA-approved; FDA told its July 2026 compounding advisory committee it proposed keeping Semax off the 503A bulks list, while noting Semax is a registered drug in Russia as nasal drops.

### What is Semax researched for?

The sources cited on this page most often discuss three outcomes: Stroke recovery, unblinded studies; BDNF boost, rats; Nootropic focus. Each line above shows what the source reports and how strong that evidence is.

### What side effects of Semax are reported?

Reported in the cited sources: Headache, nasal irritation, dizziness, sleep disruption, anxiety; FDA: inadequate human safety data, no toxicology studies, immunogenicity unknown; Feeling detached or slightly antisocial, with trouble following conversations, reported alongside better focus. The list is not complete, and few listed risks does not mean a compound is safe.

### How strong is the evidence for Semax?

Evidence label: Early human. Russian human clinical studies (mostly small, unblinded) + animal data + anecdotes; not FDA-approved.

### What else is Semax called?

Names used for it include Semax acetate, Semax (heptapeptide), MEHFPGP, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, (Pro8,Gly9,Pro10)ACTH-(4-10), ACTH (4-7), Pro-Gly-Pro, СЕМАКС, NA-Semax, N-Acetyl Semax Amidate.

### Does humanpeptides.fyi recommend Semax?

No. humanpeptides.fyi makes no claims and no recommendations of its own. It summarizes and links to what others have published and posted. Nothing here is medical advice; talk to a licensed clinician.

---
Family: [Mind & Mood](https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides?cat=mind). HTML version: <https://humanpeptides.fyi/peptides/semax>. Disclaimer: <https://humanpeptides.fyi/disclaimer>