Semax is a new heptapeptide nootropic that shares a similar history, potency and chemical make-up with Noopept powder. Semax was developed in 1982 by a research team from the Institute of Molecular Genetics at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. It was initially pursued as a treatment for stroke victims suffering bran damage but was subsequently determined to promote significant cognitive enhancement in health individuals as well. This nootropic stimulates the Central Nervous System and increases memory, focus, mental and physical performance, and analytical skills. It is regarded as much safer than other stimulants and does not cause negative side effects like Adderall, Ritalin or Ephedrine. How does Semax work and what are some of the benefits of this drug?
Semax Review
Semax is a neuroactive peptide derived from corticotropin with the structure Pro8-Gly9-Pro10 ACTH(4-10). It has been described as 1000 times stronger than Nootropil (Piracetam) which makes it similar in concentration to Noopept, Sunifiram and Unifiram. Since 2011, it has been classified as a Vital and Essential drug in Russia. Clinical uses of Semax are common in Russia and the Ukraine where it is prescribed for its neuroprotective and neurorestorative characteristics. It is particularly beneficial to ischemic stroke victims and individuals who have suffered other forms of head trauma but has also been used in the treatment of cognitive disorders, optic nerve disease and peptic ulcers.
Semax works by modulating receptors in the Limbic Reticular complex and for the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, adenosine, histamine and others. It also activates NMDA receptors for glutamate in the central and peripheral nervous system and enhances energy metabolism in your neurons. Additionally, Semax increases synthesis of neurotrophins, proteins and biosubstrates to protect and repair neurons while also reducing inflammation. This drug exhibits highly neuroprotective properties and has been recorded to increase mRNA for Nerve Growth Factor by 500% and for Brain Derived Neurotropic Growth Factor by 800%.
The purported benefits of Semax are extensive, promising increased memory, learning, alertness, reasoning, perception, concentration, energy, immune system functioning and even better mood. Many of these benefits are derived from the fact that Semax has a psychostimulant effect, but it lacks the negative side effects that normally go hand-in-hand with CNS stimulants. In some user experiences and reviews of Semax, it is described as lessening the perception of mental strain and allowing you to be more productive. Experience logs often state that this drug makes all of your cognitive tasks seem to flow easier, faster and with less effort.
Other benefits related to learning and memory come from the fact that Semax boosts neuroplasticity and increases Glutamatergic and Cholinergic activity. Semax has been observed to improve the adaptive capacity of the brain to environmental sources of stress and to lessen symptoms of fatigue after long hours of exhaustive mental work. It may be useful as a treatment for depression, anxiety and even sleep disorders by increases Dopamine and Serotonin levels as well. There is also the possibility of using Semax to cure or reduce signs of Alzheimer’s and other degenerative cognitive disorders or memory loss due to aging. With such a wide range of mechanisms of action, Semax should be a fruitful topic of research in the coming years.
Semax Dosage
The effective dosage of Semax is said to be 1000 times smaller than Piracetam by weight. Semax is typically sold in a 0.1% or a 1% nasal spray solution in bottles of 3 ml which contain 60 doses each. Some nootropic users are wary of taking Semax because it is administered as a nasal spray. While this does make it somewhat unique compared to other nootropic powders or pills that are ingested orally or dosed sublingually, you should not avoid Semax solely for this reason. Ultimately this just means that Semax is more effective when absorbed into your system via the nasal mucous membrane as opposed to being passed through your digestive system.
The suggested dose of Semax for cognitive enhancement purposes is two to three drops of 0.1% solution in each nostril taken twice a day. This amounts to 50 mcg of active ingredient per spray which means if you were spraying twice in each nostril you would be getting 200 mcg of Semax per dosing. Users may actually only need one dosage of Semax per day due to the very long half-life of the drug which can range from 12-24 hours. It is recommended that you cycle this drug for 14 days on at a time and then break from using it for 14 days before starting again. The 1% Semax drop solution should be reserved for stroke victims or more serious medical purposes and should not be used for more than 14 days in a row.
Semax Side Effects
Despite its extremely high potency, Semax is considered safe with no serious side effects. There are no known interactions with other drugs, signs of addiction or symptoms of withdrawal from this nootropic drug. It has an exceptionally low toxicity profile both in the liver and in the brain. However, it is important to remember that this is still a newer nootropic with less history of use in the world of brain enhancing compounds. As such, there are fewer user reports to go on whendetermining the safety of this drug. This means that there are some inherent risks in taking such a novel substance even if early research indicates it is very safe.
A telomere is a region of repetitive 
Female outbred Swiss-derived SHR 2-month-old mice (108 specimens) were purchased from the Rappolovo Animal Farm of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (St. Petersburg). The mice were kept in polypropylene cages (30×21×9 cm), 5 mice to a cage, at a temperature of 22±2◦ C. A regimen was followed of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.
