frankramsey
Iron
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Soft Launch - I was intending on posting this later but my results so far have been great so I figured I'd add to this post as I go along.
I did a couple of psychometric tests before starting to see if it changed me. The website is called Human Benchmark.
I also did reaction time tests since semax isn’t meant to affect that - and hopefully subtracting the percentage improvement made in that test would discount me getting better at the tests and make any improvements more solely attributed to semax (although it shouldn’t really work like that).
As such, my primary endpoint was improvement on the visual memory test, when subtracting improvements in reaction time after 3 weeks of usage.
Before:
2nd September:
Visual Memory Test: Level 13, Level 11, Level 13
Reaction Time: 241ms, 224ms, 217ms
Mean:
13th September 3 days on Semax (drunk - mirin’ my own professionality)
Visual Memory Test: Level 11, Level 15, Level 15
Reaction Time: 259ms, 246ms, 237ms
10th September: 1 week on Semax
Visual Memory Test: Level 16, Level 16, Level 15
Reaction Time: 219ms, 204ms, 208ms
2 weeks on Semax:
Visual Memory Test:
Reaction Time:
My testing was not extensive. No matter how much personal anecdotal evidence I gather on a medication, it doesn’t validate it as a treatment. Only Phase 3 clinicals and reputable health regulatory organisations can do that.
Intended Use: brain trauma, stroke, TIA, memory and cognitive disorders, peptic ulcers, optic nerve disease
MoA: unknown, increases BDNF as a result, but it is unclear whether this is due to antagonism/partial agonism of types of melanocortin receptors or inhibiting enkephalinases.
Additional Info: N-acetyl semax amidate is the 3.0 version of semax. It’s the most potent and the most stable variant
Structure: peptide, synthetic analogue of ACTH fragment.
Pharmacodynamics (how the drug treats the body):
Rapidly elevates levels and expression of BDNF
And its signalling receptor, Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), in the hippocampus
Rapidly activated serotonergic and dopaminergic brain systems.
Accordingly, it produces antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
Pharmacokinetics (how the body treats the drug):
Poor oral bioavailability, and is administered parenterally as a nasal spray or subcutaneous injection.
Structure: peptide, synthetic analogue of ACTH fragment.
Pharmacodynamics (how the drug treats the body):
Rapidly elevates levels and expression of BDNF
And its signalling receptor, Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), in the hippocampus
Rapidly activated serotonergic and dopaminergic brain systems.
Accordingly, it produces antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
Pharmacokinetics (how the body treats the drug):
Poor oral bioavailability, and is administered parenterally as a nasal spray or subcutaneous injection.
Dosages:
Standard daily dose: 300-600mcg per day
Advanced Range: up to 900mcg per day (split into 2-3 doses)
Cycle length: 10-14 days on, 7 days off
Most users respond well to microdosing in the 100-200mcg range 1-3/day
Standard daily dose: 300-600mcg per day
Advanced Range: up to 900mcg per day (split into 2-3 doses)
Cycle length: 10-14 days on, 7 days off
Most users respond well to microdosing in the 100-200mcg range 1-3/day
Prescription: in Russia and Eastern Europe (on the Russian List of Vital and Essential Drugs Approved by the Russian Federation government on 7th December 2011)
Approval: Not evaluated, approved, or marketed in most other countries
Trial Data (Humans):
1996 Study
250-1000μg improved attention and short-term memory in 11 healthy subjects (71%>41% in a follow-up memory test).
2018 study
110 patients recovering from ischemic stroke reported increases in BDNF after administration of Semax.
2018 study (2)
24 healthy participants, Semax increased fMRI default mod network activity relative to placebo
No studies outside of Russia and post-Soviet states. (July 2025)
Approval: Not evaluated, approved, or marketed in most other countries
Trial Data (Humans):
1996 Study
250-1000μg improved attention and short-term memory in 11 healthy subjects (71%>41% in a follow-up memory test).
2018 study
110 patients recovering from ischemic stroke reported increases in BDNF after administration of Semax.
2018 study (2)
24 healthy participants, Semax increased fMRI default mod network activity relative to placebo
No studies outside of Russia and post-Soviet states. (July 2025)
Storage
Lyophilised powder - For long-term use, store at -20°C but bring to room temperature when you want to reconstitute
Reconstitute with sterile bacteriostatic water (0.9% NaCl preferred)
Lyophilised powder - For long-term use, store at -20°C but bring to room temperature when you want to reconstitute
Reconstitute with sterile bacteriostatic water (0.9% NaCl preferred)
TEAEs (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events)
Very minimal side effects, even after being used in Russia clinically for decades, even in patients with severe neurological damage
Common: mild nasal irritation, headache, restlessness
Rare: mood fluctuations, hypertension, sleep disruption
At-risk groups:
Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension,
Those using SSRIs or dopamine-targeting medications,
Anyone with a history of neurological hypersensitivity.
Very minimal side effects, even after being used in Russia clinically for decades, even in patients with severe neurological damage
Common: mild nasal irritation, headache, restlessness
Rare: mood fluctuations, hypertension, sleep disruption
At-risk groups:
Individuals with uncontrolled hypertension,
Those using SSRIs or dopamine-targeting medications,
Anyone with a history of neurological hypersensitivity.
I purchased from Biolabshop. The website has mixed reviews from this forum and trust-assessment forums online. However, most of the qualms seem to be concerning poor customer service and being sent incorrect products - neither of which I experienced.
I used 50mg of Semax with 10mL of 0.9% NaCl Bacteriostatic Solution, which works out to a 5mg/mL solution (keep in mind for tutorial videos on reconstitution that 1cc=1mL). A single spray gives 0.1mL, so each spray gave me 0.5mg=500mcg of Semax.
I used 50mg of Semax with 10mL of 0.9% NaCl Bacteriostatic Solution, which works out to a 5mg/mL solution (keep in mind for tutorial videos on reconstitution that 1cc=1mL). A single spray gives 0.1mL, so each spray gave me 0.5mg=500mcg of Semax.
Issues with my approach
I did not undergo an ascending dose.
I did not do microdosing.
My reconstitution technique was definitely sloppy since it was my first time doing it.
I did not undergo an ascending dose.
I did not do microdosing.
My reconstitution technique was definitely sloppy since it was my first time doing it.
I did a couple of psychometric tests before starting to see if it changed me. The website is called Human Benchmark.
I thought I would perform markedly high in memorisation-based tests due to my background as a former professional chess player.
However, I watched this video, and it looks like chess doesn’t help that much with this stuff: !
Also, Derr Spiegel did a test on Kasparov (a famous chess player), who was unremarkable at some similar tasks.
However, I watched this video, and it looks like chess doesn’t help that much with this stuff: !
Also, Derr Spiegel did a test on Kasparov (a famous chess player), who was unremarkable at some similar tasks.
I also did reaction time tests since semax isn’t meant to affect that - and hopefully subtracting the percentage improvement made in that test would discount me getting better at the tests and make any improvements more solely attributed to semax (although it shouldn’t really work like that).
As such, my primary endpoint was improvement on the visual memory test, when subtracting improvements in reaction time after 3 weeks of usage.
Before:
2nd September:
Visual Memory Test: Level 13, Level 11, Level 13
Reaction Time: 241ms, 224ms, 217ms
Mean:
13th September 3 days on Semax (drunk - mirin’ my own professionality)
Visual Memory Test: Level 11, Level 15, Level 15
Reaction Time: 259ms, 246ms, 237ms
10th September: 1 week on Semax
Visual Memory Test: Level 16, Level 16, Level 15
Reaction Time: 219ms, 204ms, 208ms
2 weeks on Semax:
Visual Memory Test:
Reaction Time:
My testing was not extensive. No matter how much personal anecdotal evidence I gather on a medication, it doesn’t validate it as a treatment. Only Phase 3 clinicals and reputable health regulatory organisations can do that.
I decided to test short-term memory, as many users on r/Nootropics have verified that it works best on that.
They also remarked that the effects wear off after 6 months.
Reference:
They also remarked that the effects wear off after 6 months.
Reference:
