yes i take peptides · shopping companion

Semax

Category · For CognitionStatus · RXCitations · 60

The verdict

Depends — Semax has a real Russian trial base for ischemic stroke recovery, but the entire evidence record is single-source (Institute of Molecular Genetics RAS / Russian stroke centers), Western replication is absent, and the non-stroke uses people actually buy it for (ADHD, focus, cognitive enhancement in healthy adults) have far thinner data.

By source — cost, legality, risk

Brand — Semax (Russia, 1997)
$30–$60/mo at Russian retail (US import restricted)
Rx in Russia · NOT FDA-approved in US · import legally restricted
Real product but not legally available to US patients without an importation issue.
Compounded 503A pharmacy
$90–$220/mo where sold
Rx · off-label intranasal
Mid. Compounded intranasal is the US-legal analog; some compounders also offer subcutaneous.
RUO research peptide
$25–$70/mo
Sold 'for research only'
Highest. Dominant channel outside Russia; needs DIY intranasal vehicle.
Gray-market raw
$7–$9/mo
Unregulated overseas import
Crypto/Wise pay; one 10mg×10 box covers many months at typical intranasal dose.

Sources · top 5 of 60

01Liu R, et al. Semax peptide targets the μ opioid receptor gene Oprm1 to promote deubiquitination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female mice. British journal of pharmacology. 2025;182(22):5489-5516. PMID: 40692165.
02Rahman OF, et al. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews. 2026;10(1). PMID: 41490200.
03Glazova NY, et al. Semax, synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue, attenuates behavioural and neurochemical alterations following early-life fluvoxamine exposure in white rats. Neuropeptides. 2021;86:102114. PMID: 33418449.
04Sciacca MFM, et al. Semax, a Synthetic Regulatory Peptide, Affects Copper-Induced Abeta Aggregation and Amyloid Formation in Artificial Membrane Models. ACS chemical neuroscience. 2022;13(4):486-496. PMID: 35080861.
05Eremin KO, et al. Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue with nootropic properties, activates dopaminergic and serotoninergic brain systems in rodents. Neurochemical research. 2005;30(12):1493-500. PMID: 16362768.