SEMAX

What is Semax?

Semax is a synthetic peptide that was first developed by Russian researchers in the 1980s. It is authorized in Russia and Ukraine for indications including ischemic brain stroke, encephalopathy, optic nerve atrophy, and cognitive disorders such as dementia.

Research suggests that Semax may offer potential benefits to patients suffering from a variety of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke.

Modern researchers report that Semax can reach significant concentrations in central nervous tissues and exert its purported benefits on the brain, such as neuroprotection and enhanced cognitive performance

How Does Semax Work?

Semax is a research peptide that is designed to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) while avoiding the hormonal effects of ACTH. Instead, Semax may improve overall brain health and enhance cognitive performance via the following mechanisms:

• Interacting with dopamine, serotonin, and enkephalin signalling, and
• Elevating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels in the brain for enhanced neurogenesis and neuro-regeneration. 

Researchers report that Semax may exert its neuroprotective benefits by upregulating both BDNF levels and the corresponding tropomyosin-related kinase B (trkB, aka tropomyosin receptor kinase B) receptors found in brain cells.

BDNF is a neurotrophic growth factor that is key to brain cell survival and neuroplasticity. Semax appears to upregulate BDNF levels 1.4-fold and the trkB receptor expression 2-fold 

Semax may also provide benefits outside the nervous system, such as regulating blood flow, microcirculation, and vascular permeability in the gastrointestinal system. As a result, the peptide may have anti-ulcer effects, but more research is required to confirm these benefits.

Semax Benefits

Researchers are actively investigating the potential effects of Semax on the brain and other organs. Preliminary research suggests that potential benefits of Semax include:

• Cognitive enhancement
• Mood regulation
• Neuroprotective properties
• Gastroprotection

Semax Dosage and Administration

It's critical to understand data on Semax dosing prior to using the peptide in research. Intranasal Semax is officially approved in Russia as two different formulations: a 0.1% solution and a 1% solution, which differ in indications and dosing recommendations.

According to the official recommendations on the Semax Nasal Drops 0.1%, the peptide is administered as follows:

• Mental fatigue: 400–900mcg/day split between two or three administrations for 3-5 days.
• Mild cognitive dysfunctions in children and adolescents aged 7-18: 200–400mcg split between 2 administrations per day for 30 days.
• Optic nerve disorders: The daily dose is 600–900mcg, split between two to three administrations for 7–10 days.
• Amnestic cognitive impairment (cerebrovascular lesions, dyscirculatory encephalopathy, etc.): 200–2000mcg (3–30mcg/kg)/dose, applied four times daily for 10-14 days. The total daily dose is 800–8000mcg (7–70mcg/kg).

Semax Nasal Drops 1% are clinically administered as follows:

• Stroke of moderate severity: 2000mcg-3000mcg administered three to four times a day, with 3-4 hour intervals between each application, for 10 days. The total daily dose is 6000mcg-12000mcg.
• Severe stroke: 3000mcg-4000mcg administered four to six times daily, at intervals of 2.5–3 hours, for up to 10 days. The total daily dose is 12000mcg-20000mcg.

Some trials have also employed 1% Semax nasal spray cycling, involving 10 days on and 20 days off, followed by 10 days of administration, at doses of 6000mcg/daily in stroke patients.

On the other hand, 0.1% intranasal Semax has been used for up to 30 days in adult glaucoma patients.

Unfortunately, there are no officially approved dosing guidelines or clinical studies examining the potential dosage of injectable Semax. Further, it may be difficult to extrapolate the data from the dosing of intranasal Semax to injectable Semax.

Therefore, scientists and qualified professionals may consider employing a dosing regimen of 1000mcg/daily or less in their research with injectable Semax.

• Daily Injectable Dosage: 500mcg-1000mcg of Semax, injected subcutaneously, depending on the subjects' responsiveness.
• Study Duration: Up to 30 days at doses of 1000mcg/daily. Researchers may also consider 500mcg/daily for up to 60 days.
• Semax Cycle: Ensure a rest period at least equivalent to the study duration.
• Notes: A 30mg vial of Semax for reconstitution provides 30 doses of 1000mcg/daily or 60 doses of 500mcg/daily. Monitor subjects' neurological, psychological, and physical status and EEG signs.