Cognitive & Nootropic Peptides — Dosage Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of intranasal nootropic and anxiolytic peptides, plus the sleep-focused DSIP.
Fact-checking at PeptideProbe is editorial, not clinical. Our editors check claims, dosing figures, and trial results against primary sources; they are not licensed clinicians and do not provide medical review. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to a qualified healthcare provider before starting any therapy.
Educational tool — not medical advice. This calculator provides estimates based on population averages and published trial data. Outputs are not clinical recommendations and do not replace evaluation by a qualified prescriber. Do not start, stop, or change a peptide therapy based on the result of this tool.
The cognitive peptide category centers on three Russian-developed compounds with limited Western clinical validation. Selank and Semax are intranasal peptides approved in Russia (Selank for anxiety, Semax for cognitive support and stroke recovery) but not FDA-approved. DSIP is a sleep-focused subcutaneous peptide with inconsistent efficacy data. None of them are stimulants — their mechanisms involve neuropeptide signaling rather than catecholamine release.
Side-by-Side Dosage Comparison
| Peptide | Status | Typical dose | Frequency | Route | Cycle | Best for | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selank | Approved outside the US | 500–1,000 mcg total per dose | 2–3× daily intranasal | Intranasal | 2–4 weeks | Anxiety, asthenic states. Anxiolytic without GABAergic sedation. | View |
| Semax | Approved outside the US | 400–1,200 mcg total per dose | 2–3× daily intranasal | Intranasal | 10–14 days | Cognitive support, focus, stroke recovery (Russian label). BDNF upregulation. | View |
| DSIP | Research-only — no human approval | Withheld - no verified dosing source | Withheld | subQ | Withheld | Sleep interest only; dosing remains withheld because no verified literature supports the chart protocol. | View |
Who this is for
Adults seeking adjunctive cognitive support (Semax), anxiolytic effect without benzodiazepine-class side effects (Selank), or sleep onset support (DSIP), working with a qualified clinician and lawful pharmacy source where available. Best as adjuncts to behavioral and lifestyle interventions, not standalone treatments for diagnosed conditions.
Who should avoid
Pregnant or breastfeeding patients. Patients with active sinusitis or nasal pathology should avoid the intranasal route (Selank, Semax). Bipolar disorder is a relative contraindication for Semax due to dopaminergic modulation. Patients on benzodiazepines or sedatives should consult their prescriber before adding DSIP.
Where these numbers come from
Semax and Selank now have verified PubMed-indexed sources, but those sources do not validate the consumer intranasal microgram protocols shown in this comparison. Semax is supported by mechanism/animal studies plus Russian-language acute stroke literature; Selank is supported by one Russian-language clinical study in anxiety and neurasthenia. The displayed Semax and Selank dose ranges are clinic and vendor convention, not FDA-labeled dosing and not independently replicated in English-language journals. DSIP still has no verified source behind its prior chart protocol, so DSIP dosing remains withheld here and on the DSIP chart. Semax and Selank are approved in Russia but not FDA-approved in the US.
Cognitive & Nootropic Peptides Dosing FAQ
Selank and Semax are approved in Russia and used internationally but are not FDA-approved in the United States. DSIP has never received approval anywhere. Do not treat Russian approval, online availability, or Semax's July 2026 PCAC recommendation as US authorization; lawful access depends on current 503A/503B rules and pharmacy compliance.
Selank is the anxiolytic candidate, with Russian-language clinical literature in anxiety and asthenic states. Semax is typically marketed for focus and cognitive support and has Russian post-stroke clinical literature plus mechanism studies. They are sometimes alternated rather than co-administered, but that practice is convention, not a trial-tested stack.
Intranasal administration provides direct access to the brain via the olfactory pathway and bypasses first-pass metabolism. For neuropeptides where central nervous system effect is the goal, intranasal is mechanistically efficient and avoids the compliance burden of injection.
The verified Semax and Selank sources used here do not establish a dependence or withdrawal pattern, but absence of that signal is not proof of long-term safety. DSIP remains unsourced for dosing on this site.
Sources
- Dolotov OV et al. Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrain. J Neurochem 2006
- Dolotov OV et al. Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Res 2006
- Gusev EI et al. Effectiveness of Semax in the acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 1997
- Filippenkov IB et al. Genes associated with action of ACTH-like peptides with neuroprotective potential in rat brain regions with different degrees of ischemic damage. Int J Mol Sci 2025
- Zozulia AA et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of the peptide anxiolytic Selank in generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2008
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any peptide therapy treatment.