Selank: Benefits & Research

Selank's primary researched benefit is its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect. Clinical studies conducted during its Russian drug approval demonstrated anxiolytic efficacy comparable to medazepam (a benzodiazepine), without the sedation, cognitive impairment, dependence, or withdrawal that characterize benzodiazepine use.

The anxiolytic mechanism involves:

• Enhanced GABA-A receptor subunit gene expression (indirect GABAergic modulation)
• Modulation of serotonin metabolism in the hippocampus and hypothalamus
• Inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes, increasing endogenous opioid peptide levels

Effects are typically noticeable within 30 minutes of intranasal administration and are sustained throughout the course of treatment.

Selank demonstrates nootropic properties supported by both animal and human data:

• Memory: Improved spatial memory (Morris water maze) and associative learning in animal models
• BDNF upregulation: Increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the hippocampus — critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation
• Attention: Human studies showed improvements in attention, short-term memory, and cognitive flexibility
• Stress resilience: Cognitive performance under stress was better maintained with Selank treatment

The cognitive effects complement the anxiolytic profile — reducing anxiety-related cognitive interference while independently enhancing memory and attention through BDNF and monoamine modulation.

As a tuftsin analog, Selank retains significant immunomodulatory properties:

• Enhances phagocytic activity of monocytes and neutrophils
• Modulates IL-6 expression and Th1/Th2 cytokine balance
• Normalizes immunoglobulin levels
• Enhances natural killer cell activity

This immune-enhancing profile distinguishes Selank from conventional anxiolytics and makes it unique among anti-anxiety compounds. The combination of anxiolytic and immune-supportive effects is relevant because chronic stress is known to suppress immune function.