Melatonin vs Selank
Side-by-side comparison of Melatonin and Selank: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
Price snapshot
Melatonin
Selank
Melatonin
Melatonin (chemical name N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an endogenous neurohormone synthesized primarily by the pineal gland and, in smaller quantities, by the retina, gut, skin, bone marrow, lymphocytes, and…
Lowest listed price: $44.99 across 1 listing
Full Melatonin profileSelank
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, 750 Da molecular weight) developed in the 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a synthetic analog of tuftsin…
Lowest listed price: $25.00 across 6 listings
Full Selank profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Melatonin | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Sleep & Circadian | Nootropics |
| Research Stage | Preclinical | Approved (Russia, as anxiolytic and nootropic medication) |
| Mechanism of Action | Melatonin operates through at least four distinct mechanistic pathways that together account for its diverse physiological effects: (1) MT1/MT2 receptor activation for circadian and sleep effects; (2) nuclear receptor (ROR/RZR) modulation for anti-inflammatory… | Primary Mechanism: Multi-System Neurochemical Modulation Selank does not have a single clean receptor-binding mechanism. Unlike benzodiazepines (GABA-A positive allosteric modulators), SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibition), or buspirone (5-HT1A partial… |
| Half-Life | — | ~2-3 minutes plasma half-life (functional anxiolytic and nootropic effects persist 12-24 hours due to gene expression and neurotransmitter modulation) |
| Typical Dose Range | — | 250-750 mcg intranasal daily (0.15% solution: 2-3 drops per nostril 2-3x daily); typical course is 14-21 days |
| Dosing Frequency | — | Intranasal 1–3 times daily |
| Administration | — | Intranasal |
| Side Effects | Melatonin has an exceptionally wide safety margin and has been used in clinical doses up to 300mg/day in oncology protocols without serious acute toxicity. However, side effects are common at supraphysiological doses (3mg and above) and are often misattributed… | Overall Safety Profile Selank has one of the best safety profiles in the anxiolytic space. Over 15+ years of Russian clinical use and research, the compound has been associated with essentially no serious adverse events at therapeutic doses. This compares… |
| Molecular Weight | — | 751.9 Da |
| Common Vial Sizes | — | 5mg, 10mg |
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Melatonin: potential benefits
- No structured benefit list published.
Selank: potential benefits
- Anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines but without sedation or dependence in Russian clinical trials (PMID: 18454096)
- Positive allosteric modulation of brain GABA receptors through a non-benzodiazepine binding site (PMID: 30255741)
- Immunomodulation via Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and IL-6 regulation in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders (PMID: 18577961)
- Cognitive and memory support linked to BDNF upregulation in the hippocampus in preclinical models (PMID: 18841804)
- Modulation of the endogenous enkephalin-opioid system supporting mood and stress tolerance (PMID: 22550852)
- Anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic effects through normalization of stress-induced cytokine dysregulation
- Non-addictive anxiolytic profile - no tolerance, withdrawal, or dependence reported across years of Russian clinical use
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Melatonin and Selank?
Melatonin is a sleep & circadian that melatonin operates through at least four distinct mechanistic pathways that together account for its diverse physiological effects: (1) mt1/mt2 receptor activation for circadian…. Selank is a nootropics that primary mechanism: multi-system neurochemical modulation selank does not have a single clean receptor-binding mechanism. unlike benzodiazepines (gaba-a positive allosteric…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (not reported vs ~2-3 minutes plasma half-life (functional anxiolytic and nootropic effects persist 12-24 hours due to gene expression and neurotransmitter modulation)), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, Melatonin or Selank?
Melatonin has a half-life of not reported. Selank has a half-life of ~2-3 minutes plasma half-life (functional anxiolytic and nootropic effects persist 12-24 hours due to gene expression and neurotransmitter modulation). Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, Melatonin or Selank?
Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: Melatonin from $44.99, Selank from $25.00. Prices are pulled from the vendor listings tracked on BHG and change frequently. See the compare tables on each compound page for the current set of offers.
Can you stack Melatonin and Selank?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Melatonin and 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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Listings from the vendors we track. Prices change often, so check the vendor before you buy.
Before you buy Melatonin or Selank
Check the vendor trust score. Every supplier we track is rated 0-100 on COA verification, payment transparency, shipping, reviews, and listings: one published, reproducible methodology, applied to every vendor.
Related comparisons
Research use only. BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. Every vendor is ranked on the same public, reproducible methodology. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.