Read the setting with the finding
Rat tissue, isolated serum, a brain scan and an anxiety rating answer different questions. The entries below identify those settings alongside the publication. Where a clinical abstract does not describe randomization or blinding, that uncertainty remains relevant even if its conclusion sounds confident.
Semax and a nerve-cell support protein
Dolotov and colleagues, 2006. Rat basal-forebrain protein and binding experiments; this is animal research.
DOI 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03658.x
Selank and GABA-related gene activity
Volkova and colleagues, 2016. Rat frontal-cortex gene measurements, rather than human anxiety outcomes.
DOI 10.3389/fphar.2016.00031
Two peptides in a serum enzyme experiment
Kost and colleagues, 2001. Human serum outside the body; not a patient treatment trial.
DOI 10.1023/a:1011373002885
Selank in an anxiety comparison
Zozulia and colleagues, 2008. Russian clinical report with 62 patients; no placebo arm, randomization and blinding not stated in the abstract.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096/
Selank added to another anxiety medicine
Medvedev and colleagues, 2015. Russian report with 70 patients; add-on comparison without placebo; randomization not stated in the abstract.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26356395/
The first DSIP characterization
Schoenenberger and Monnier, 1977. Rabbit experiments relating the isolated peptide to electrical sleep patterns.
DOI 10.1073/pnas.74.3.1282
A critical account of DSIP biology
Kovalzon and Strekalova, 2006. Review of unresolved mechanism and weak support for the proposed sleep role.
DOI 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03693.x
An early human DSIP sleep experiment
Schneider-Helmert and colleagues, 1981. Six participants with chronic insomnia; a small early investigation using intravenous administration.
DOI 10.1007/BF01971753
FDA’s evaluation of Semax substances
FDA staff briefing prepared for July 2026. A scientific and regulatory assessment, not a final rule or an advisory-panel vote record.
https://www.fda.gov/media/193348/download
Semax alongside stroke rehabilitation care
Gusev and colleagues, 2018. Russian report with 110 patients; randomization and blinding not described in the abstract.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29798983/
A small Semax brain-imaging comparison
Lebedeva and colleagues, 2018. Healthy volunteers: 14 receiving Semax and ten placebo; imaging measurements rather than everyday memory testing.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30225715/
FDA’s peptide safety concerns
FDA page current as of April 22, 2026. Withdrawn nominations remain accompanied by safety concerns; withdrawal is not clearance.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks
FDA on compounded medicines
FDA explains the absence of premarket review of compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness and quality.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/understanding-risks-compounded-drugs
A later double-blind DSIP insomnia study
Schneider-Helmert, 1992. Research in people with chronic insomnia reported modest effects of limited clinical importance.
DOI 10.1159/000118919

Regulatory context and access
The FDA’s peptide safety page, current as of April 22, 2026, places Semax, Selank acetate and DSIP in its table of withdrawn nominations. Withdrawal does not establish clearance, approval or permission to compound. The safety concerns printed beside those entries remain part of the record; the page does not give a substance-specific withdrawal date.
Promise Peptides currently provides a U.S. prescribing route through licensed U.S. providers who review each request. A review can determine that a person is ineligible; availability depends on state and treatment. Licensed U.S. compounding pharmacies prepare prescriptions. The medicines described here are compounded and are not FDA-approved.
LegitScript certification does not confer FDA approval or answer a clinical evidence question. Our access guide explains the different roles, while the research guide follows the limitations in the studies themselves.