What is Semax?
As briefly mentioned, Semax is a synthetic peptide drug that is based on the molecular structure of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
In Russia, Semax was originally used as a medicine to prevent and cure circulatory diseases like strokes. Later, it was used to treat cognitive impairments in elderly patients.
Since then, Semax is mainly used for its nootropic properties, or more specifically alleged pro-cognitive ones.
It's believed that the drug improves memory formation and recall processes by regulating neurotransmitter release.
Since there are currently no adequate human studies on the drug, its effectiveness and possible side effects remain largely unknown.
There are only a few studies on the drug's effectiveness for treating certain diseases like neurodegeneration, optic nerve damage, and mood disorders.
However, these studies were conducted in animals - not humans; thus their results cannot be applied or translated directly to people.
It's also worth noting that Semax hasn't been licensed by the FDA for any medical or other application.
Mechanisms of Actions
Semax's mechanism of action is still not entirely clear, as there haven't been enough studies that would explain how it works.
That being said, some limited research shows that Semax affects the release of certain neurotransmitters in the human brain – namely dopamine and acetylcholine – which have a significant impact on mood, learning capabilities, motivation, and attention.
In fact, it's believed that Semax could help in cognition restoration after brain injuries, especially in elderly patients who are most affected by age-related cognitive disorders.
What is known about the drug's mechanisms of action is that it stimulates the secretion of ACTH from the pituitary gland.
This process then triggers the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are neurotransmitters that affect a wide range of brain functions.
Semax is also believed to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
BDNF is a protein that encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses in the brain.
Specifically, Semax has been shown to increase the levels of BDNF in certain areas of the brain during neurodegenerative diseases.
BDNF is also associated with improved memory formation and learning abilities, thus increasing its amounts in various parts of the brain could be beneficial to cognitive functions.
Semax also reduced the breakdown of enkephalins.
In the brain, Enkephalins are short peptides that function as neurotransmitters. They decrease substance P release in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and pain fibers activation.
The transmission of opiates is blocked at sympathetic and locus coeruleus synapses.
What that means is that they play an important role in regulating pain and mood; thus their functional disruption has been linked to depression.
Increased enkephalin levels could be another way that Semax might improve the mood of people with low quality of life.
Finally, Semax is thought to safeguard the nervous system from oxidative damage.
What are the benefits of Semax?
Semax is mostly used for its nootropic, or more specifically pro-cognitive, effects.
It's believed that the drug improves memory formation and recall processes by regulating neurotransmitter release.
