Cognitive & neuro peptides

Three of the five compounds in this category come from Russian research programs, and two of them hold Russian approvals. That creates a specific evidence problem: real clinical data exist, published mostly in Russian, with limited independent Western replication.

What the approvals cover. Russia approves Selank for generalized anxiety disorder. A 2008 comparison against the benzodiazepine medazepam found similar anxiolysis with an added antiasthenic effect. Russia approves Semax for stroke recovery and for disorders of cognition and the optic nerve. Russia also lists it as an essential drug.

Neither compound holds an FDA or EMA approval. At its July 2026 meeting, the FDA proposed not to add Semax to the 503A bulks list.

Where the evidence contradicts itself. DSIP is the honest example. One intravenous trial improved sleep in people with chronic insomnia. A double-blind study found no major benefit, and a crossover study found no significant difference from placebo. Indexed reviews call the underlying sleep-factor hypothesis weak, and no isolated receptor or gene exists. We publish all three results.

Where a source failed. The journal retracted a key paper on the HGF/c-Met mechanism for Dihexa, because of data fabrication. Animal cognition data from other groups still exist. The mechanism claim that rests on the retracted paper does not.

Where no test exists. Pinealon has preclinical data from a single institute. It has no independent replication, no trial registration, and no human trial.