The plain-English version
Standard protocol is 250 to 500 micrograms (a few drops in each nostril) two to three times per day, for about 14 days. Acute stroke protocols use higher daily totals (600-900 mcg) for longer. Semax is intranasal (a nose spray), not an injection. Always with a doctor.
Route: intranasal spray. Evidence tier for the dose: Strong clinical. Multiple human studies support the dosing protocol; not yet FDA-labeled for this exact indication but close.
The dose at a glance
| What's typical | What's the max in research |
|---|---|
| Starting dose: 250 mcg intranasal (split between both nostrils) twice daily for the first 3 days. | Max observed in research: Stroke trial protocols used up to 1,800 mcg per day in the acute phase. Cognitive use rarely needs more than 900 mcg per day total. |
| Maintenance dose: 250 to 500 mcg, 2-3 times per day during a 14-day cycle for cognitive use. 600-900 mcg per day for stroke recovery. | |
| Frequency: 2 to 3 times per day for cognitive use. Stroke recovery: divided doses 3-4 times per day for 10-14 days. | Half-life: Plasma half-life is short (estimated under 1 hour). Effects on BDNF and dopamine signaling are believed to last 4-6 hours. |
Titration (how to ramp the dose)
Most users skip formal titration (slow ramp-up). Some start at 100 mcg per dose to test tolerance.
Cycle length and time off
On cycle: 14 days per cycle for cognitive use. Stroke acute care: 10-14 days continuous.
Off cycle: 1 to 2 weeks off for cognitive cycles. No tolerance buildup documented at standard doses.
Timing notes: Morning and midday for cognitive use. Avoid evening doses - can be activating and disrupt sleep onset. Spray with head tilted slightly back, alternate nostrils between doses.
What's commonly prescribed (per published protocols and clinical write-ups)
Semax is a prescription drug in Russia (sold by Innovative Pharmacy Technologies as both Semax 0.1% and Semax 1% nasal solutions). Not FDA-approved in the US - sold as a research peptide, commonly as a 0.1% or 1% intranasal spray bottle. Russian-trained psychiatrists and longevity-focused clinics in the US sometimes write off-label scripts. Compounding pharmacies will fill intranasal Semax (1-10 mg/mL is typical).
Source: prescribing labels, published protocols, and clinical write-ups. We have not independently tested each prescriber pattern.
Reconstitution (mixing the vial)
Semax intranasal spray ships pre-mixed (already liquid) at a labeled concentration like 1 mg/mL (0.1% solution). At 1 mg/mL, one full pump (about 100 microliters) delivers around 100 mcg. The 1% solution (10 mg/mL) is much stronger and used mainly for stroke protocols. If your pharmacy filled the bottle with a different concentration, recalculate from the mg/mL printed on your bottle label - not from this page.
Reconstitution = mixing freeze-dried (lyophilized) powder with bacteriostatic water (sterile water with preservative) so you can draw a dose into a syringe.
Where to get it
Honest take on where to source this peptide. Open the free account first; that's how we get credited even if you skip the code at checkout.
Compounded peptide vendor
Limitless Biotech
Fits: You already know what research-grade peptides are and you've decided this is the route you want. Limitless is the second vendor we have an affiliate link with for this category; we earn a commission if you buy through it.
Watch: Limitless's products are labeled "For Research Only" and are not FDA-approved for human use. The FDA has been actively issuing warning letters against vendors in this category in 2025 and 2026. Limitless is not a 503A or 503B compounding pharmacy. If you want a prescribing doctor and a real pharmacy, this is not that route.
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Drug interactions to watch
- MAOI antidepressants - theoretical interaction with dopamine modulation; coordinate with prescriber.
- Stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, modafinil) - additive activating effect possible; start low.
- SSRIs and SNRIs - no documented interaction, but BDNF pathway overlap exists.
Who should not take this (contraindications)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no safety data).
- Known hypersensitivity to the peptide.
- Acute psychotic disorders.
Common side effects
- Mild nasal irritation in the first few days.
- Brief headache or feeling of activation after the first 1-2 doses.
- Sneezing right after the spray.
- Transient anxiety or restlessness in some users (more common than with Selank).
Serious side effects (call a doctor)
- No serious side effects documented in Russian research.
- Allergic reaction (nasal swelling, rash) - rare.
What to monitor while you're on it
- Cognitive testing (MMSE, MoCA, or simple timed tasks) at baseline and end of cycle.
- Sleep diary - rule out late-day dosing disrupting sleep.
- Mood and anxiety scale (GAD-7, PHQ-9) at baseline and end.
How to stop
Just stop at the end of the cycle. No taper needed.
Where this dosing comes from
- Gusev et al., Semax in ischemic stroke (2005)
- Asmarin et al., Semax pharmacology review (1997)
- Russian Federation prescribing information for Semax 0.1% and 1%
- US compounding and research peptide vendor protocols (2020-2025)
Where these doses come from
These doses come from human trials and prescribing protocols used by clinicians. Not FDA-approved at this exact dose, but well-supported by published data.
Always work with a real prescriber. Don't self-prescribe.
Safety reminder: None of this replaces a doctor. Peptides are gray-market in the US for most uses. Talk to a real prescriber before you change anything.
Where to go next
- Full Semax directory entry - status, sourcing, studies, what to skip
- Semax for stroke recovery
- Semax for focus
- Semax for neuroprotection
- Semax for depression support
- What are peptides - if you skipped the foundation
- How peptides actually work - mechanism in plain English
- Subscribe to the dispatch
None of this replaces a doctor. Peptides are gray-market in the US for most uses. Talk to a real prescriber before you change anything.