Semax was first created in the early 1980s by a research team in Russia. Interestingly, they were pursuing a possible treatment for people suffering from brain damage as a result of a stroke. Later on, it was thought to boost cognition and reduce stress in healthy people and is now in the category of nootropics. 

What are Some of the Benefits of Semax?

Semax benefits the brain in many different ways. Without getting too technical, let’s take a look at some of the major benefits of using semax. The following conditions may benefit from the use of semax.

Semax Increases Brain BDNF Levels

Neurogenesis is a term meaning “the birth of new neurons in the brain”, and neurotrophins are the chemicals that provide stimulation and control of neurogenesis.  Among the most active neurotrophins is BDNF – a critical component for long-term memory and learning. BDNF has also been identified to aid with neuroplasticity, which helps the brain to recover from injury.

Lowers the Breakdown of Enkephalin

Enkephalin is a compound found in a human vertebrate as well as in the spinal cord, the brain, intestines, adrenal glands, kidneys, heart, skin tissue, joints, and lungs.  They help to maintain normal brain function and aid in learning and memory, and there is some research to suggest Semex may slow its natural breakdown.

Semax Helps Prevent Oxidative Damage

Oxidative damage is a result of oxidative stress, which is a lack of balance of free radicals and anti-oxidants. Semax has been effective in controlling and preventing oxidative degeneration by increasing the number of anti-oxidants.

Damage from Strokes

Semax may help to protect the brain from stress and damage and even from strokes.  In a clinical study with people who were recovering from an ischemic stroke, semax was added as part of intensive conventional therapy to help speed up the restoration of brain functions.

In another trial, results show reduction in reduce brain damage in participants who experience a reduction of blood flow to the brain. Additionally, it lessens the chances of a future possible stroke. It is also well-tolerated by those who participated in the trial.

Optic Nerve Damage

One report shows that semax when in combination with other anti-inflammatory treatments, may help slow down the severity and progression of optic nerve disease.

Semax for Memory Loss

Semax has its nootropic status thanks to multiple reports and studies that deem it as a potential cognition-boosting drug.  In one study, it was reported that it increases memory and concentration while performing highly demanding tasks.

Furthermore, semax increases neural activity in the part of the brain that is involved with episodic memory. Some researchers suggest that the cognitive effects of semax may be due in part to mechanisms that improve brain circulation and resistance to oxidative stress.

Stress Levels

Stress can be brought on by a number of different emotional or physical triggers. It is your body’s natural reaction to a demand or challenge, and there are both negative and positive forms of stress, which come in short bursts and it helps us meet deadlines or avoid danger. However, long term negative stress may be harmful to your overall health. Amazingly, semax is able to offset some of the biological changes and damage related to high-stress levels, most notably in the spleen and liver.

Cardiovascular Health

In some animal studies, semax reports protecting the heart against damage done after a heart attack or stroke.  It also could potentially prevent the growth of the heart (hypertrophy) that results from high blood pressure, which may even protect the heart against future cardiovascular episodes. So think of semax as a suit of armor around your heart and brain!

Pain Relief

When you experience some forms of pain, your brain releases neurotransmitters called enkephalins. These neurotransmitters will dull the pain sensation. However, it will also change the perception of the pain by curtailing the feelings of panic about the pain. Semex may help reduce pain by slowing the breakdown of enkephalins in the brain. The benefit of this is that it dulls your pain for a longer time.

Semax Side Effects

As with any drug, speak with your primary care physician before starting any new supplement. Also, please note that the semax supplement is not approved by the FDA in the United States for any medicinal use. Therefore, please note that most of the side effects known are from trials done in Russia. However, those reports do not list any serious side effects for semax. Additionally, there are some minor side effects that include nausea, drowsiness, dry mouth, and an increase of sweating. Unfortunately, hair loss is also a common side effect.

Where to Buy Semax

Since it is not an over-the-counter or prescribed medication in the U.S., the best place to find and buy semax is online through most nootropic websites. However, if purchasing it online, it is best to do your homework and check user reviews thoroughly. Doing so ensures that you are purchasing a quality product! 

Semax Dosage

Before starting semax, visit your doctor to discuss and make sure about any negative interactions with other medications you currently take. 

The recommended dosages for semax range from 300mcg to 600mcg. It is advisable for new semax users to begin at the lower end of the range to evaluate its effect on the body before increasing.

Semax nasal drops are another popular way to take the drug. For this, about 2-3 small drops into each nostril, 2-3 times is the recommendation. For those taking semax as part of recovery therapy, 4 drops into each nostril, 6 times a day may be used.

A semax injection is another way to administer a dosage, especially for users who would prefer not to use the nasal drops. Of course, semax is more potent as an injection versus the nasal drops, therefore the dosage may be lower as a result.

Conclusion

To recap, semax is a peptide with its origins in the early 1980s in Russia. Since then it has gone on to earn its nootropic classification thanks to its uses as a neurotransmitter-booster and its uses in improving memory, reducing stress, and pain alleviation. If you’re looking for something different that might help with any of those symptoms, make sure to give it a try!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.