Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Cerebrolysin | Selank | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 10-30 mL daily via intravenous infusion for neurological indications. 5-10 mL for cognitive optimization. | Research indicates 250-500 mcg daily via intranasal administration (0.15% solution, 2-3 drops per nostril). |
| Timing | Morning administration preferred for cognitive effects. IV infusion over 15-20 minutes. | Can be dosed morning through evening. Unlike Semax, Selank is calming and can be used at night. |
| Cycle Duration | 10-20 day intensive cycles repeated every 3-6 months. Some protocols use ongoing 3x weekly maintenance. | 14-21 day cycles with equal rest periods. |
| Evidence Level | moderate_human | moderate_human |
Cerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived peptide preparation containing a standardized mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides (<10 kDa) and free amino acids obtained through enzymatic proteolysis. It exerts multimodal neurotrophic effects by simultaneously upregulating VEGF, BDNF, IGF-1, and NGF while downregulating TNF-alpha. Cerebrolysin increases furin protease concentration, which promotes pro-NGF to mature NGF conversion. It activates TrkB receptor signaling (BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway), inhibits neuronal apoptosis, reduces microglial activation, and promotes neurogenesis.
Research indicates 10-30 mL daily via intravenous infusion for neurological indications. 5-10 mL for cognitive optimization.
Morning administration preferred for cognitive effects. IV infusion over 15-20 minutes.
10-20 day intensive cycles repeated every 3-6 months. Some protocols use ongoing 3x weekly maintenance.
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin (from IgG heavy chain) with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension for metabolic stability. It allosterically modulates GABA-A receptors, enhancing GABA binding and GABAergic neurotransmission. Selank modifies mRNA levels of 84 genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission in the frontal cortex, enhances enkephalinase inhibition (increasing endogenous enkephalin levels), and modulates serotonergic and noradrenergic systems to produce anxiolytic and nootropic effects.
Research indicates 250-500 mcg daily via intranasal administration (0.15% solution, 2-3 drops per nostril).
Can be dosed morning through evening. Unlike Semax, Selank is calming and can be used at night.
14-21 day cycles with equal rest periods.
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