Dimitar Marinov, Ph.D.
Dimitar Marinov, Ph.D.Semax side effects are of particular interest to researchers who plan on incorporating the peptide in their experiments.
For research professionals looking for the latest clinical data regarding Semax's potential side effects and health concerns, this is the right place.
Inside this comprehensive review, we break down the latest data on Semax's safety profile, risks, and more. We also answer other important questions, including:
- What is the minimum effective dose for Semax?
- How quickly might research subjects experience therapeutic benefits?
- Has Semax been used in any long-term research studies, and if so, what were the results?
Our team of experts has analyzed the latest clinical data on Semax to provide up-to-date information. We will also share information on our most reliable vendors of Semax for educational purposes.
Buy Semax Nasal Spray from our top-rated vendor...
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What is Semax?
Semax, or ACTH (4-7) Pro-Gly-Pro, was originally developed by Soviet scientists in the 1980s. It is used clinically in Russia and Ukraine to treat and manage a range of neurological conditions [1, 2, 3].
Indications for Semax include optic nerve damage, acute stroke, chronic ischemic brain disease, and other encephalopathies [1]. In addition, the peptide may offer nootropic benefits for healthy individuals [4].
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide that is an analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)—a naturally occurring hormone that plays a key role in regulating the production of androgens and the stress hormone cortisol [2, 5].
More specifically, Semax is made of the first four amino acids of the ACTH(4-10) fragment, bound to a Pro-Gly-Pro fragment at the C-terminus [6].
Similar to the ACTH(4-10) fragment, Semax was designed to lack any of the hormone-stimulating and other endocrine effects of ACTH. Semax also has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after intranasal or parenteral administration [2, 7, 8].
In fact, the peptide appears in brain tissue within minutes of intranasal or parenteral administration and appears to exert a variety of effects, mainly associated with cognition enhancement and neuroprotection [1, 9, 10].
Thus, researchers who plan on using Semax in their research can purchase either nasal spray or lyophilized powder as reference material.
How Does Semax Work?
Semax works by passing through the BBB and exerting a variety of effects on brain tissue. For example, Semax may interact with key neurotransmitters, including [11, 12, 13]:
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Enkephalins (ligands to the opioid receptors)
These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in overall brain health, as well as mood, memory, reward-related behavior, and concentration [11, 12, 13].
Semax also works via increasing levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and NGF (nerve growth factor), which are growth factors with a role in brain cell survival, differentiation, and neuroplasticity [6, 14].
Upregulation of BDNF and NGF may increase the tolerance of brain cells to hypoxia and reduce inflammation in stroke patients while providing nootropic benefits in healthy individuals [6, 14].
Semax may also upregulate the expression of the receptors via which BDNF exerts its effect on brain cells, called the tropomyosin-related kinase B (trkB, aka tropomyosin receptor kinase B) receptors. This may provide further benefits for neuroplasticity and brain cell survival [15].
Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in the recovery from various neurological diseases, and by facilitating it, Semax appears to improve outcomes for subjects with advanced neurological diseases.
Common Semax Side Effects
Based on both clinical and preclinical research, Semax is generally well-tolerated. In fact, the majority of clinical trials have employed the use of intranasal Semax on test subjects and do not report any side effects at all [16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22].
Safety of Semax Nasal Spray
The available data reports Semax nasal spray doses ranging from 600mcg/daily for 10 days in individuals with chronic ischemic brain disease to 12mg/daily for 10 days, followed by 14 days off and another 10 days on, in individuals with motor neuron disease (MND) [16, 17].
The longest trial with intranasal Semax also lasted for up to 30 consecutive days and involved 36 test subjects with glaucoma-related optic nerve damage. Once again, the authors did not report any notable side effects with intranasal Semax [20].
Nevertheless, it is possible that intranasal administration of peptides, including the use of Semax nasal spray, may cause transient complaints related to nose and throat irritation and change in smell and taste.
Potential but not yet proven side effects of Semax may include increased anxiety, primarily due to its stimulant-like effects.
One trial reporting on the peptide’s nootropic effect in 16 healthy but fatigued individuals suggests that a single intranasal dose of 1mg (about 16mcg/kg of body weight) may have resulted in slightly elevated anxiety levels [4].
Several studies exploring the potential adverse effects of heightened brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels have also reported a potential link to increased hair loss in individuals predisposed to baldness [23]. While Semax enhances BDNF, the specific risk of such side effects remains uncertain.
Safety of Semax Injections
The safety and potential side effects of subcutaneous Semax have not been studied in clinical settings. Instead, researchers testing Semax injections have done so only in animal studies [7, 10, 24, 25, 26, 27].
The available data reports that the peptide is well tolerated and does not cause any specific adverse reactions [7, 27]. When employing subcuatneous Semax in lyophilized powder form, researchers must also consider the risk of side effects related to said route.
For example, subcutaneous injections have known risks of local reactions such as redness, swelling, bleeding, and infection at the injection site. These side effects are infrequent and self-limiting. Allergic reactions are also possible, especially allergies related to other substances in the peptide, such as the benzyl alcohol in the bacteriostatic water used for reconstituting Semax.
There are no clinical or preclinical trials reporting serious adverse events following the use of intranasal or subcutaneous Semax.
Nevertheless, researchers must note that the available scientific data on the safety of Semax is scarce, and more research is needed to evaluate the potential risk of adverse reactions.
Semax Precautions and Contraindications
Researchers should keep in mind that the safety of the peptide has not been evaluated in a range of physiological conditions, including pregnancy. Further, the peptide has not been studied in subjects with liver or kidney problems.
Subjects who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any history of liver and kidney disease, should be excluded from participation in a Semax study.
While there are no clinical studies available online that report on the use of Semax in pediatric subjects, the peptide is approved in Russia for children aged 3 or older in nasal drop form under the brand name Minisem [1].
According to some researchers, Semax has a mild stimulatory effect which may indicate that the peptide is not suitable for subjects with anxiety-related disorders [4].
While intranasal Semax has been studied in elderly populations (over the age of 65), lower doses are recommended for such individuals as they may be more sensitive to its effects [20].
Overall, researchers should take special precautions when administering Semax to test subjects and monitor for side effects, including the subjects' neurological, psychological, and physical status, as well as their EEG signals. Higher doses may lead to unexpected side effects that are yet to be described in the scientific literature.
Tips for Safe Semax Use
To ensure safety and success in Semax research, it is vital to follow a prudent dosing schedule. Here is a summary of the research on Semax dosing and safe use:
- Route of Administration and Study Duration: The majority of clinical studies have employed intranasal Semax, however at dosages ranging from 600mcg to 12000mcg per day [16, 17]. The duration of these studies has varied, with some trials administering intranasal Semax daily for up to 30 consecutive days [20].
- Semax Cycling: Research reveals that Semax cycling may also be a valuable strategy. An example cycling approach would be 10 days of Semax application followed by a 14-day discontinuation period and then another 10 days of administration [16].
- Starting Semax Dose: While data on intranasal Semax is available, no published studies have examined the potential dosage of injectable Semax in clinical settings. Whether applying Semax, researchers are recommended to start with a lower dose ranging from 300-600mcg/daily and monitor for side effects. The starting dose may be adjusted based on route of administration and formula.
- Full Semax Dose: Based on the subject’s initial response, researchers may consider increasing to a full dose between 500mcg daily for up to 60 days and 1000mcg daily for up to 30 days. Following the experiment, it is crucial to provide a rest period at least equivalent to the study’s duration before restarting Semax.
Researchers may take the following steps to minimize the risk of unexpected negative effects from Semax:
- Encourage research subjects to stay adequately hydrated by consuming an adequate amount of water throughout the day.
- Instruct test subjects to limit the use of other nootropics in combination with Semax, as this may increase the risk of short-term side effects and may not be suitable for all participants.
- Instruct research participants to maintain a healthy diet throughout the study period.
- Advise research subjects to restrict their caffeine intake, as Semax itself acts as a mild stimulant.
By adhering to these precautions, researchers can ensure the safety and well-being of their subjects during Semax-related research studies.
Where to Buy Semax Online? | 2024 Edition
Semax is legally available for online purchase to qualified research professionals. While researchers can source Semax through a number of vendors, we strongly advise buying strictly from a vetted source.
Here are our top picks for buying either Semax nasal spray or Semax lyophilized powder:
Limitless Life
We wholeheartedly recommend Limitless Life as a reputable source of peptide-based nasal sprays, including Semax.
We love this vendor for the following reasons:
- Third-Party Lab Testing: Limitless Life ensures product purity and consistency by sending in their Semax for quality testing by a third-party laboratory. Their Semax nasal spray products are all advertised to meet a high standard of purity.
- Excellent Support and Service: The vendor’s care team is exceptionally responsive and professional, and may be reached via email or phone during regular business hours.
- Quick and Free Shipping: Limitless Life provides free shipping for U.S. orders of $350+ and guarantees swift delivery, processing most orders on the same day they are placed.
The vendor also offers an N-Acetyl Semax Amidate nasal spray for researchers interested in studying the modified version.
Overall, we highly recommend them as an exceptional vendor of peptide nasal sprays, including their Semax and N-Acetyl Semax Amidate products.
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PureRawz
When it comes to Semax lyophilized powder, PureRawz is our top recommendation.
The vendor has a stellar reputation as a reliable supplier of research-grade peptides and nootropics, with advantages like:
- Exceptional Purity: PureRawz stocks only lab-tested peptides. This allows the company to make good on its commitments to transparency and product quality.
- Swift Shipping: Researchers based in the United States can expect to receive their orders rather quickly with PureRawz. Orders over $100 even qualify for free shipping.
- Responsive Service: PureRawz values satisfaction and provides dedicated support accessible through phone, live chat, and email. They strive to address any queries or concerns promptly, and responses are typically issued within one business day.
PureRawz likewise offers N-Acetyl Semax Amidate for researchers interested in exploring the potentially more potent iteration.
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Bacteriostatic Water for Semax
Researchers who opt to administer Semax subcutaneously in their studies are likely to receive a lyophilized powder that requires reconstitution with a sterile solvent before use.
Experts recommend using bacteriostatic water to reconstitute Semax. This solvent contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which is an effective preservative that suppresses bacterial growth and is non-toxic to test subjects [28].
To source high-quality bacteriostatic water and other research materials, we highly recommend here as our most trusted supplier.
Using Semax Safely | Overall
Semax is among the most promising research peptides for improving neurological health and exerting nootropic effects in test subjects. It is available and effective in a variety of forms, including nasal spray.
Published clinical studies report that intranasal Semax is well tolerated by test subjects and does not cause notable side effects. While injectable Semax has been studied primarily in animal studies, the findings likewise do not report any safety issues.
Despite Semax’s excellent safety record, researchers are still advised to carefully monitor the neurological, psychological, and physical statuses of test subjects, especially at higher doses.
To obtain research-grade Semax, we recommend visiting Limitless Life Nootropics for Semax nasal sprays.
David Warmflash, M.D.