Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Epitalon (Epithalon) | Semax | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 5-10 mg daily via subcutaneous injection for 10-20 day cycles. | Research indicates 200-600 mcg daily via intranasal administration (0.1% solution, 2-3 drops per nostril). |
| Timing | Evening administration preferred (aligns with pineal/melatonin function). Some protocols split doses AM/PM. | Morning and early afternoon dosing (avoid evening — may cause stimulation/insomnia). Intranasal preferred for rapid CNS delivery. |
| Cycle Duration | 10-20 day intensive cycles repeated every 4-6 months. Not used continuously. | 10-14 day cycles with equal rest periods. Some protocols use 3-5 day on / 2 day off patterns. |
| Evidence Level | animal_plus_anecdotal | moderate_human |
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly / AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide based on the natural pineal gland peptide epithalamin. It activates telomerase by inducing expression of the catalytic subunit hTERT, resulting in telomere elongation averaging 33.3% in human somatic cells. Epitalon restores pineal melatonin synthesis and circadian gene expression in aged organisms, increases BDNF, and upregulates CREB1. It also modulates the neuroendocrine system through its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and antioxidant enzyme regulation.
Research indicates 5-10 mg daily via subcutaneous injection for 10-20 day cycles.
Evening administration preferred (aligns with pineal/melatonin function). Some protocols split doses AM/PM.
10-20 day intensive cycles repeated every 4-6 months. Not used continuously.
Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment that rapidly upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its signaling receptor TrkB in the hippocampus (1.4-fold BDNF protein increase, 3-fold exon III BDNF mRNA increase). It activates dopaminergic and serotonergic brain systems, enhances neurotrophin gene expression (BDNF, NGF), and modulates intracellular calcium dynamics in brain neurons. Semax lacks ACTH's corticotropic activity, acting purely as a nootropic/neuroprotective agent.
Research indicates 200-600 mcg daily via intranasal administration (0.1% solution, 2-3 drops per nostril).
Morning and early afternoon dosing (avoid evening — may cause stimulation/insomnia). Intranasal preferred for rapid CNS delivery.
10-14 day cycles with equal rest periods. Some protocols use 3-5 day on / 2 day off patterns.
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