Methylene Blue vs Selank
Side-by-side comparison of Methylene Blue and Selank: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
Price snapshot
Methylene Blue
Selank
Methylene Blue
Methylene blue (methylthioninium chloride) is a phenothiazine dye with a 150-year pharmacology record. It was the first fully synthetic drug ever used in medicine (Ehrlich, 1891 for malaria) and remains on the WHO Model…
Lowest listed price: $19.99 across 3 listings
Full Methylene Blue 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 | Methylene Blue | Selank |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Nootropics | Nootropics |
| Research Stage | Approved medicine: injection for acquired methemoglobinemia (US and EU) and, in the EU, an oral dye tablet for colonoscopy (Lumeblue); no cognitive or performance use is approved | Approved (Russia, as anxiolytic and nootropic medication) |
| Mechanism of Action | Methylene blue (MB) has a multi-target redox mechanism that explains why it appears in such disparate indications as malaria, methemoglobinemia, septic shock, vasoplegia, Alzheimer's (TRx0237), and cognitive enhancement: 1. Alternative mitochondrial electron… | 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 | 0.5 mg - 4 mg/kg daily (oral) | 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 | Expected / benign - Blue-green urine and stool — universal, not a problem, clears within 24-48 hours of last dose. - Blue discoloration of sclera and skin at sustained higher doses; reversible. - Metallic taste and mild mucosal tingling at oral doses 30 mg. -… | 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 | 319.85 g/mol | 751.9 Da |
| Common Vial Sizes | — | 5mg, 10mg |
Price History
3 data points- Half Nattys
- Ion Peptide
- Disguised Alpha
Price History
5 data points- OF
- Half Nattys
- Ion Peptide
- BHG Labs
Methylene Blue: potential benefits
- Mitochondrial electron transport bypass (Complex I/III)
- Cytochrome c oxidase activation (+30-70%)
- Memory consolidation and retrieval
- Sustained attention and processing speed
- Antioxidant recycling of ascorbate and glutathione
- Tau aggregation inhibition (Alzheimer's-relevant)
- FDA-indicated treatment for methemoglobinemia
- Adjunct for vasoplegic shock (off-label)
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 Methylene Blue and Selank?
Methylene Blue is a nootropics that methylene blue (mb) has a multi-target redox mechanism that explains why it appears in such disparate indications as malaria, methemoglobinemia, septic shock, vasoplegia,…. 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, Methylene Blue or Selank?
Methylene Blue 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, Methylene Blue or Selank?
Lowest listed price on BodyHackGuide: Methylene Blue from $19.99, 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 Methylene Blue and Selank?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Methylene Blue 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 Methylene Blue or Selank
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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.