Cognitive
Semax
Longevity
7
Amino acids
Molecular weight
Peptide
Type
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10), developed in Russia for neurological recovery and cognitive enhancement. It upregulates BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, enhances serotonergic transmission, and modulates melanocortin receptors to exert neuroprotective and nootropic effects. It is an approved prescription drug in Russia and widely used in research for stroke recovery, memory enhancement, and neuroprotection.
Top researched benefits
Overview of Semax
Semax acts primarily by stimulating the release and upregulation of BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, promoting synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. It also modulates MC4 and MC5 melanocortin receptors and inhibits enzymes that degrade enkephalins and other regulatory neuropeptides, enhancing serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission.
cognitive
- Improved short-term and working memory performance in fatigued individuals (71% vs 41% accuracy).
- Enhanced sustained attention during demanding cognitive tasks.
- Faster acquisition of new information and improved retention.
neuroprotection
- Accelerated rehabilitation with increased BDNF levels in stroke patients.
- Supports recovery from traumatic brain injury.
- Shows anti-amyloid properties in Alzheimer's models.
neuroplasticity
- Supports neurogenesis through increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
- Enhanced neural connections and brain network activity.
- Improved ability to cope with cognitive stress.
Typical Dose
300mcg per administration
Frequency
twice daily intranasally
Cycle Duration
2–4 week cycles with breaks
Storage
Lyophilized: store below -20°C long-term, stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C, use within 30 days; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Chemical Makeup
Key benefits
Upregulates BDNF and NGF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and long-term memory consolidation
Accelerates functional recovery and motor performance in ischemic stroke patients, demonstrated in clinical trials with 110 patients
Enhances attention span, cognitive processing speed, and learning capacity by modulating serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission
Provides neuroprotection during cerebral ischemia by reducing neuroinflammatory gene expression and supporting neuronal survival pathways
Community interest
This peptide is still gaining traction in the community.
ACTH Fragment | Neuroprotection & Cognitive Enhancement
This overview is informational and based on aggregated descriptions from studies and user reports.
Was it helpful?YesNoSemax Molecular Information
View the scientifc details of Semax.
7
Amino Acids
Semax
Met
Met
Position 1
Glu
Glu
Position 2
His
His
Position 3
Phe
Phe
Position 4
Pro
Pro
Position 5
Gly
Gly
Position 6
Pro
Pro
Position 7
Molecular Weight
813.93DaChain Length
7Amino AcidsType
PeptideSemax Protocols
Subcutaneous injection is the primary research-community route for Semax, delivering 300–800 mcg per dose directly into systemic circulation. Preferred injection sites are the belly fat or outer thigh, administered in the morning before 2 PM to avoid sleep disruption.
| Goal | Dosage | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establish baseline tolerance before escalating to therapeutic cognitive dose | 300 | 1 day range | SubQ |
| Daily cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective maintenance at therapeutic dose | 600 | 1 day range | SubQ |
| Improve working memory and sustained focus during high-demand cognitive periods | 500 | 1 day range | SubQ |
| Support mood stability and stress resilience via monoamine and BDNF modulation | 600 | 1 day range | SubQ |
| Maximize cognitive output and neuroplasticity in experienced users with established tolerance | 800 | 1 day range | SubQ |
Reconstitution Instructions
Materials needed:
Steps to reconstitute
- Wipe hands thoroughly and clean the rubber tops of both the Semax vial and BAC water vial with fresh alcohol prep pads
- Draw 2–3 mL of bacteriostatic water into a 3 mL syringe (2 mL for a 5 mg vial, 3 mL for a 10 mg vial)
- Inject the BAC water slowly down the inside wall of the Semax vial — never directly onto the powder
- Gently roll the vial between your palms until the powder is fully dissolved — do not shake
- Let the vial sit for 1–2 minutes, then roll again to confirm complete dissolution
- Refrigerate the reconstituted vial immediately at 2–8°C in a dark container; use within 30 days
- Draw the prescribed volume into an insulin syringe and clean the injection site (abdomen or outer thigh) with an alcohol pad; allow to dry
- Pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45-degree angle; inject slowly and steadily without aspirating
- Withdraw the needle at the same angle and apply gentle pressure with clean gauze — do not rub
- Rotate injection sites daily, keeping at least 1–2 inches between sites, and dispose of used needle in a sharps container
Semax Cycle
The Semax Cycle section explains how long a typical cycle lasts and what to expect during each phase. Over time, your body can become less responsive with continuous use.
Taking breaks between cycles may help maintain effectiveness and support better overall results.
- Day 1-3
- Initial cognitive clarity and focus enhancement, possible mild nasal sensation
- Week 0-0
- Improved attention span during demanding tasks
- Week 2-3
- Enhanced memory consolidation, stable mood
- Week 0-0
- Peak cognitive benefits with improved stress resilience and mental flexibility
- Week 0-0
- Gradual baseline return over 3-7 days; some benefits persist
Dosing tools
Semax Peptide Dosage Calculator
Calculate peptide doses with our visual syringe guide.
mg
Enter the total amount of peptide in the vial in milligrams (as stated on the label).
The dose you want to inject per administration, in mcg or mg.
1,000 mcg = 1 mg
1 mL
2 mL
3 mL
5 mL
Custom
Volume of bacteriostatic water you add to reconstitute the powder. Use BAC water for preservation.
Injection Results
Based on your vial and dilution inputs.
Semax
SINGLE COMPOUNDVolume per injection
0.05
mL
Concentration
10.00
mg/mL
Doses per vial
20
doses
Total injections per vial
20 injections
How it works
Based on a 10 mg Semax vial diluted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 500 mcg injection equals 0.05 mL.
1mL / 100 units
5 units
0.050 mL
Reference Guide
Dosing Cycle
- Peptide
- Semax
- Dosing
- 300mcg per administration
- Dosing Frequency
- twice daily intranasally
- Cycle Duration
- 2–4 week cycles with breaks
- Storage
- Lyophilized: store below -20°C long-term, stable at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8°C, use within 30 days; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Note: Triple agonist; microdose for fewer side effects
Reconstitution Tips
- Use bacteriostatic water (BAC) — contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol for preservation
- Inject water slowly — aim down the vial wall, not directly onto powder
- Never shake — gently swirl or roll the vial until dissolved
- Store properly — refrigerate at 2-8°C after reconstitution
- Use within 28 days — most reconstituted peptides remain stable for about 4 weeks
- Keep sterile — always clean vial tops with alcohol before drawing
Peptide Interactions
Research suggestions of Semax interactions with other common peptides and substances.
Healing
bpc
Longevity
BPC-157
COMPATIBLE
Both support neuroplasticity through different mechanisms.
Cognitive
sel
Longevity
Selank
SYNERGISTIC
Complementary anxiolytic effects; popular combination.
Side effects
Contraindications
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Known peptide allergies
Do not exceed 4-week continuous use without medical supervision
Stop signs
Severe nasal irritation, bleeding, or persistent congestion
Unusual anxiety, agitation, or sleep disturbances
Headaches worsening with use
Signs of allergic reaction (rash, breathing difficulty)
Significant blood pressure changes or heart palpitations
Bad signs
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Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide dosage calculator?
A peptide dosage calculator is a free tool that converts your vial size, bacteriostatic water volume, and target dose into an exact syringe draw volume. Instead of doing the reconstitution math by hand, you enter three inputs and instantly get the concentration of your solution and how many milliliters or syringeunits to draw. This calculator works for single peptide compounds and multi-peptide blends.
How do I calculate peptide dosage from a vial?
To calculate your peptide dose, divide the total peptide content of your vial in micrograms by the volume of bacteriostatic water you added in milliliters. This gives you your solution concentration in mcg/mL. Then divide your target dose by that concentration to get your draw volume. For example, a 5mg (5,000 mcg) vial reconstituted with 2mL of BAC water gives a concentration of 2,500 mcg/mL. A 250 mcg dose would require drawing 0.1mL. This calculator automates all of those steps instantly.
How much Bacteriostatic water should I add to a peptide vial?
Most people add 2mL to 3mL of bacteriostatic water per vial, but the right amount depends on the dose you want to draw and the syringe size you are using. Adding 1mL to a 5mg vial gives you a concentration of 5,000 mcg/mL, making each dose very small in volume. Adding 2mL gives you 2,500 mcg/mL, which is easier to measure on a standard insulin syringe. A general guideline is to choose a volume that puts your typical dose somewhere between 10 and 30 units on a U-100 syringe. Use the calculator above to test different water volumes and find what works for your dose.
How are peptides different from proteins?
Both are made of amino acids, but peptides are much smaller than proteins. Because of their tiny size, peptides can act like tiny messengers in the body, sending specific signals to your cells to tell them exactly what to do.
SemaxResearch References
Semax is an approved compound
Semax
Semax is an approved compound
Cognitive Enhancement in Fatigued Workers
Human study with 250-1000mcg intranasal single dose showed 71% accuracy on memory tests vs 41% in controls.
1996
Stroke Recovery Clinical Trial
110 patients with ischemic stroke showed increased BDNF levels correlated with early rehabilitation when using Semax with conventional therapy.
2018
fMRI Default Mode Network Study
24 healthy middle-aged participants showed increased fMRI default mode network activity relative to placebo.
2018
Neuroprotective Effects in Brain Ischemia
Rat focal ischemia model showed Semax affected expression of 96 genes related to immune and vascular systems.
2014
Calculate peptide dosages
Learning how to calculate a peptide dose? Use our beginner-friendly peptide dosage, blend, and accumulation calculators. Enter vial size, reconstitution volume, and target dose to get exact draw volumes instantly. No guesswork, just clear guidance that helps prevent common mistakes.
