Kavain vs N-Acetyl-Selank
Side-by-side comparison of Kavain and N-Acetyl-Selank: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
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Kavain
N-Acetyl-Selank
Kavain
Kavain (kawain) is the principal kavalactone in kava (Piper methysticum) and the main compound behind kava's calming, anxiolytic effect. It positively modulates GABA-A receptors outside the benzodiazepine site and…
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Full Kavain profileN-Acetyl-Selank
N-Acetyl-Selank is the N-terminally acetylated analog of Selank, a tuftsin-derived heptapeptide used intranasally for its reported anxiolytic and nootropic effects. The acetyl group is claimed to improve stability and…
Lowest listed price: $79.99 across 2 listings
Full N-Acetyl-Selank profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Kavain | N-Acetyl-Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Nootropics | Cognitive |
| Research Stage | Preclinical for isolated kavain (in-vitro and animal mechanistic data). Human randomized controlled trials exist for the parent standardized kava extract, of which kavain is the principal kavalactone; the single molecule itself has not been trialed alone. | Preclinical (the N-acetyl analog has no dedicated studies); parent Selank has limited clinical use in Russia |
| Mechanism of Action | Kavain is the most abundant kavalactone in kava (Piper methysticum) and the main driver of the plant's calming activity. It is a research-use-only compound; the mechanisms below come from in-vitro and animal work on isolated kavain plus human trials of the… | N-Acetyl-Selank is the N-terminally acetylated analog of Selank, a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from the endogenous immunopeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tail added to slow enzymatic breakdown.… |
| Half-Life | Not firmly established for isolated kavain in humans. Kavalactones are lipophilic and rapidly absorbed, with subjective effects generally lasting a few hours. Limited pharmacokinetic data preclude a precise elimination half-life. | Not established for the N-acetyl analog. Parent Selank has a very short plasma half-life (on the order of minutes, as expected for a small peptide) but produces behavioral effects lasting hours, attributed to active fragments and downstream enkephalin/GABA modulation. N-acetylation is claimed to slow N-terminal degradation and extend duration, but this is unquantified in published literature. |
| Typical Dose Range | 50-250 mg | 100-900 mcg |
| Dosing Frequency | 1-2 times daily, as needed; not intended for continuous long-term daily use | Once or twice daily (intranasal); some advanced users split into 2-3 doses |
| Administration | — | — |
| Side Effects | Commonly mild: GI upset/nausea, headache (more headaches were reported in the kava arm than placebo in a GAD trial [PMID:23635869]), daytime drowsiness, and mild dizziness. With chronic heavy use: 'kava dermopathy', a reversible dry, scaly, yellowed skin rash.… | In short Russian clinical trials, parent Selank was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse effects reported [PMID:18454096]. Reported or plausible effects (largely extrapolated to the analog): mild nasal irritation or congestion from the spray,… |
| Molecular Weight | 230.26 g/mol (C14H14O3; PubChem CID 837). Naturally occurring form is the (+)-enantiomer. | ~793.9 g/mol (theoretical: Selank ~751.9 g/mol + N-terminal acetyl, ~+42). Approximate molecular formula C35H59N11O10. |
| Common Vial Sizes | — | — |
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Kavain: potential benefits
- Reduced anxiety and nervous tension - the parent standardized kava extract (of which kavain is the principal kavalactone) produced a moderate anxiolytic effect versus placebo in generalized anxiety disorder RCTs [PMID:23635869][PMID:19430766]
- Physical and mental relaxation without the heavy sedation or dependence profile of benzodiazepines, since kavain modulates GABA-A outside the benzodiazepine site [PMID:27332705]
- Calming and sleep-onset support, reported anecdotally with evening kava/kavain use (isolated-kavain benefit is extrapolated from extract data plus community use, not directly trialed)
- Mild muscle relaxation and a soothing analgesic feel, consistent with kavain's effects on voltage-gated Na+ and L-type Ca2+ channels [PMID:9690349][PMID:11642654]
- Sociable, clear-headed calm frequently described in traditional and community use of kava beverages
N-Acetyl-Selank: potential benefits
- Anxiolytic (calming) effects - the most-studied action of parent Selank, including a Russian clinical trial in generalized anxiety disorder [PMID:18454096]
- Nootropic / cognitive support - reported attention and memory benefits in rodent models, linked to BDNF changes [PMID:31625062]
- Stress resilience reported without the sedation, tolerance, or dependence typically seen with benzodiazepines (preclinical framing) [PMID:30255741]
- Possible support during withdrawal states (alcohol, opioid) in animal models [PMID:24913576][PMID:36322304]
- Claimed longer duration vs. plain Selank from N-terminal acetylation - a community/vendor claim not verified in published data
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Kavain and N-Acetyl-Selank?
Kavain is a nootropics that kavain is the most abundant kavalactone in kava (piper methysticum) and the main driver of the plant's calming activity. it is a research-use-only compound; the mechanisms below…. N-Acetyl-Selank is a cognitive that n-acetyl-selank is the n-terminally acetylated analog of selank, a synthetic heptapeptide (thr-lys-pro-arg-pro-gly-pro) derived from the endogenous immunopeptide tuftsin…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (Not firmly established for isolated kavain in humans. Kavalactones are lipophilic and rapidly absorbed, with subjective effects generally lasting a few hours. Limited pharmacokinetic data preclude a precise elimination half-life. vs Not established for the N-acetyl analog. Parent Selank has a very short plasma half-life (on the order of minutes, as expected for a small peptide) but produces behavioral effects lasting hours, attributed to active fragments and downstream enkephalin/GABA modulation. N-acetylation is claimed to slow N-terminal degradation and extend duration, but this is unquantified in published literature.), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, Kavain or N-Acetyl-Selank?
Kavain has a half-life of Not firmly established for isolated kavain in humans. Kavalactones are lipophilic and rapidly absorbed, with subjective effects generally lasting a few hours. Limited pharmacokinetic data preclude a precise elimination half-life.. N-Acetyl-Selank has a half-life of Not established for the N-acetyl analog. Parent Selank has a very short plasma half-life (on the order of minutes, as expected for a small peptide) but produces behavioral effects lasting hours, attributed to active fragments and downstream enkephalin/GABA modulation. N-acetylation is claimed to slow N-terminal degradation and extend duration, but this is unquantified in published literature.. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Can you stack Kavain and N-Acetyl-Selank?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Kavain and N-Acetyl-Selank should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
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