---
title: "What Is Semax Studied For? The Research So Far"
url: https://www.primaralabs.com/answers/what-is-semax-studied-for
source: Primara Labs, markdown mirror of the HTML page
---

# What is semax studied for?

Semax is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide derived from a fragment of the hormone ACTH, studied mainly in Russia for recovery after stroke and for brain function. As of 23 September 2026, its human studies are small and their randomisation is not confirmed in English abstracts, so the evidence is rated small human studies.

Primara Labs sells some of the compounds covered here. Every figure on this page links to its source and the date it was checked.

Updated 23 September 2026

01

## What it is

Semax is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from a fragment of ACTH. In rats it binds specific sites in the basal forebrain and raises BDNF and its receptor trkB. No defined receptor target in people is reported.

02

## Human studies

In a Russian study of 110 patients in rehabilitation after ischaemic stroke, the groups given semax had higher blood BDNF and better improvement on the Barthel index than groups not given it; the abstract does not state how patients were allocated.

In an open-label study of 27 patients with motor neuron disease, semax did not change clinical rating scales but improved total quality-of-life score.

In 24 healthy volunteers, resting-state brain imaging showed a larger default mode network subcomponent within 20 minutes in the 14 given semax than in the 10 given placebo.

03

## Animal work and safety data

In rats, one dose of semax raised hippocampal BDNF protein 1.4-fold and activation of its receptor trkB 1.6-fold. This was in rats.

No human adverse event data are published in the English-language abstracts the Research Desk searched on 23 September 2026. The US FDA lists semax on its compounding safety-risk page, citing no or limited safety information.

04

## The papers behind it

Small Russian human studies without confirmed randomisation, and rat work.

Brain Res 2006: In rats, one dose of semax raised hippocampal BDNF protein and trkB activation.

J Neurochem 2006: Semax bound specifically in rat basal forebrain membranes and raised BDNF there within 3 hours.

Cell Mol Neurobiol 2010: After an induced stroke in rats, semax increased transcription of neurotrophins and their receptors.

Sources

## Where every figure comes from

1.  [Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr 2018](https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro20181183261-68) · checked 23 September 2026
2.  [Europe PMC 18379501](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/18379501) · checked 23 September 2026
3.  [Bull Exp Biol Med 2018](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-018-4234-3) · checked 23 September 2026
4.  [Europe PMC search, semax](https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/webservices/rest/search?query=%28TITLE_ABS%3A%22semax%22%29&resultType=core&format=json&pageSize=50) · checked 23 September 2026

Last reviewed 23 September 2026

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