Selank vs Phenibut
Independent, side-by-side comparison of Selank and Phenibut: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and live vendor pricing. Updated continuously as new research and listings land.
Live price snapshot
Selank
Phenibut
Selank
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…
Live lowest price: $25.00 across 7 vendors
Full Selank profilePhenibut
Phenibut is the common Western name for β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid (beta-phenyl-GABA; Russian trade names Phenibut/Фенибут, Noofen, Anvifen), a Soviet-era anxiolytic and nootropic developed in the 1960s at the Herzen…
Live lowest price: $65.00 across 1 vendor
Full Phenibut profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Selank | Phenibut |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Nootropics | Nootropics |
| Research Stage | Approved (Russia, as anxiolytic and nootropic medication) | Prescription Medicine (Russia/CIS) / Unregulated Elsewhere |
| Mechanism of Action | 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… | Phenibut's pharmacology is dominated by activity at the GABA-B receptor, with secondary effects at GABA-A receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels. Understanding these three components is essential to understanding both its therapeutic effects and its… |
| Half-Life | ~2-3 minutes plasma half-life (functional anxiolytic and nootropic effects persist 12-24 hours due to gene expression and neurotransmitter modulation) | 5-8 hours (plasma); central CNS effect 10-16 hours |
| 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 | Oral |
| Side Effects | 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… | Phenibut's side effects fall into three categories: acute-dose effects (largely dose-dependent sedation and impairment), withdrawal effects (physiologically similar to benzodiazepine/alcohol withdrawal), and interactions with other CNS depressants (additive… |
| Molecular Weight | 751.9 Da | 179.22 g/mol (free base); 215.68 g/mol (HCl salt) |
| Common Vial Sizes | 5mg, 10mg | — |
Price History
5 data points- OF
- Nova Peptides
- VANDL Labs
- Adera
- Ion Peptide
Price tracking
Selank — potential benefits
- Anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines without sedation or dependence (PMID: 18577768)
- GABA-A positive allosteric modulation through non-benzodiazepine mechanism (PMID: 22561332)
- Immunomodulation through IL-6 regulation and Th1/Th2 balance (PMID: 19028002)
- Cognitive enhancement and improved memory consolidation via BDNF upregulation
- Enkephalinase inhibition stabilizing endogenous opioid peptides for mood support
- Anti-inflammatory effects through normalization of stress-induced cytokine dysregulation
- Non-addictive anxiolytic — no tolerance, withdrawal, or dependence reported in 20+ years of use
Phenibut — potential benefits
- No structured benefit list published.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Selank and Phenibut?
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…. Phenibut is a nootropics that phenibut's pharmacology is dominated by activity at the gaba-b receptor, with secondary effects at gaba-a receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels. understanding these three…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (~2-3 minutes plasma half-life (functional anxiolytic and nootropic effects persist 12-24 hours due to gene expression and neurotransmitter modulation) vs 5-8 hours (plasma); central CNS effect 10-16 hours), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, Selank or Phenibut?
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). Phenibut has a half-life of 5-8 hours (plasma); central CNS effect 10-16 hours. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Which is cheaper, Selank or Phenibut?
Current lowest live price on BodyHackGuide: Selank from $25.00, Phenibut from $65.00. 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 Selank and Phenibut?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Selank and Phenibut 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.
See current vendor prices
Live listings from the vendors we track, refreshed continuously.
Related comparisons
Research use only. BodyHackGuide is an independent research 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. We earn an affiliate commission on some outbound clicks — this never affects the data or pricing shown. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.