Brain & cognitive · Nootropic / neuroprotective prescription in Russia; research chemical elsewhere

Semax

ACTH(4-7)Pro-Gly-Pro, MEHFPGP

A heptapeptide ACTH fragment analog. Mechanisms: BDNF/TrkB, dopamine and serotonin, Russian clinical use as a nootropic/neuroprotective. In the US it is a research chemical. Score 75/100.

Library entry →

BDNF
Focus
Neuroprotection (Russian labelled use)

Catalog fill: 10 mg
Typical water: 2 mL
Route: Intranasal
Cycle: 2–4 weeks on, 1–2 weeks off.
Approval: Approved in Russia; not FDA-approved.
Status: Research chemical in the US/EU. Prescription in Russia and some Eastern European states.
Evidence: Limited human studies outside the Russian labelled use.
Research score: 75 / 100

Mechanism

ACTH(4-10) analog with better stability and BBB entry. BDNF and TrkB, MAPK/ERK, serotonin and dopamine, glutamate regulation.

Safety file

Mostly nasal irritation. May raise glucose in diabetes. Avoid in pregnancy. Long-term effects poorly described outside Russia.

Nasal irritation
Congestion
Headache
Insomnia
Anxiety
Nausea
Dizziness

Reconstitution

If reconstituting a lyophilized 10 mg vial for a spray: 2 mL bacteriostatic water or sterile saline gives 5 mg/mL. A 300 mcg amount is 0.06 mL.

Research amounts

Once or twice daily on working days, not necessarily at night.

Step	Amount	Frequency	Notes
Common nasal range	200–300 mcg	1–2× daily	—
Upper cited range	600 mcg	Split across the day	—

Storage

Lyophilized: −20 °C freezer preferred; a refrigerator is also acceptable. Do not open a cold vial — wait 15–30 minutes so it does not sweat. Avoid freeze–thaw cycling.
After water: 2–8 °C before and after opening. Up to 45 days after first use. Do not freeze. Return the spray to the fridge after each actuation.

Worksheet notes

Nasal peptides are not interchangeable with subcutaneous reconstitution math if the spray delivers a fixed volume per actuation — count actuations, then check concentration.
Bacteriostatic water: 20–25 °C. Do not refrigerate the diluent.
Amounts on this sheet are reconstitution math for the vial, not a recommendation.

Full protocol

Titration, schedule, and handling

The complete protocol for Semax. Where it differs from the worksheet amounts above, the worksheet reflects the NovaEvum vial.

Reconstitution

Concentration by vial size and water volume
Vial	2 mL water	3 mL water
10 mg	5 mg/mL	3.33 mg/mL

Use bacteriostatic water as the diluent.
Add the water slowly, letting it run down the inside wall of the vial rather than onto the powder.
Swirl gently to mix, then leave it to dissolve. Do not shake.
Give it a few minutes. The finished solution should be clear and colourless.

Protocol

Route: Subcutaneous

Standard protocol (subcutaneous)

0.3 mg to 0.6 mg per day, once daily, typically in the morning or early afternoon to avoid overstimulation at night
Some split it morning and midday

Short courses

Semax is not meant for continuous daily use
Run it in short courses of 5 to 10 days during periods of heavy focus or stress, then break

Dosing detail

Common dose is 0.3 mg to 0.6 mg per day, once daily or split morning and midday.
A nootropic peptide for focus and cognition. Dose earlier in the day to avoid sleep disruption.
Used in short bursts (5 to 10 days), not as a permanent daily habit.
Generally well tolerated.

Duration

Short courses of 5 to 10 days during demanding periods, then a break.

Notes

A nootropic peptide studied for focus and cognition.
Generally well tolerated.
Inject subcutaneously and rotate sites.

Storage and handling

Keep the powdered (lyophilized) vial in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate it for longer-term storage before mixing.
Once reconstituted and refrigerated at 2–8 °C away from light, use the vial within 90 days.
Do not freeze a reconstituted vial, and keep it away from heat and sunlight.
If the solution turns cloudy, develops floating particles, or shows any other sign of degradation, stop using that vial.