NA-Semax
- Status
- Preclinical, , not approved for human use
- Evidence
-
Not graded on a research bench yet
NA-Semax is the N-acetyl-l-aspartyl variant of Semax — the original ACTH(4-7) Pro-Gly-Pro analog developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences in the 1990s.
Reviewed
01Overview
What NA-Semax is
The aspartate addition at the N-terminus is reported to improve metabolic stability against aminopeptidase cleavage, extending the in vivo half-life from minutes (parent Semax) to plausibly tens of minutes after intranasal dosing.
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As of 2026, NA-Semax sits in the same research-peptide tier as standard Semax — it is not FDA-approved for any indication and is sold as a research chemical with limited peer-reviewed primary literature on the acetylated variant specifically. Most published Semax pharmacology applies by analogy, with the caveat that the half-life difference may shift optimal dosing frequency.
Reported nonclinical pharmacology mirrors Semax: BDNF upregulation, dopaminergic modulation in mesolimbic circuits, and increased serotonin and dopamine turnover in the cortex and hippocampus. The N-acetyl modification is reported to improve blood-brain-barrier transport, though direct PK comparisons in published literature remain thin.
How it works
Mechanism of action - pharmacological summary (research-use-only):
Almost all mechanistic data come from the parent peptide Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro); the N-acetylated analogue has no dedicated published pharmacology of its own, so the profile below is inferred from Semax, with N-terminal acetylation added for enzymatic stability.
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- BDNF / neurotrophin modulation - parent Semax is reported to raise brain-derived neurotrophic factor and related neurotrophins (NGF, NT-3) and their receptors in cortex and hippocampus, a neuroplasticity pathway characterized mainly in rodent ischemia models (Stavchansky 2011, PMID 22295573). Benefits for human cognition or mood have not been demonstrated in controlled trials.
- Monoaminergic modulation - Semax raises striatal serotonin turnover (5-HIAA) and potentiates amphetamine-evoked dopamine release, but does not raise baseline dopamine on its own (Eremin 2005, PMID 16362768). There is no published evidence for D2-receptor sensitization or a discrete VTANAc "drive" circuit.
- Anti-inflammatory - in rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, Semax blunts the ischemia-induced rise in proinflammatory transcripts including Il1a, Il1b and Il6 plus the chemokines Ccl3/Cxcl2; TNF- message was expressed too weakly to quantify in that study (Dergunova 2021, PMID 34097675).
- Aminopeptidase resistance - N-terminal acetylation is expected to slow aminopeptidase cleavage and extend in-vivo persistence versus unmodified Semax, but no published head-to-head pharmacokinetic comparison exists, so the magnitude is unverified.
02Research
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03Safety
NA-Semax side effects and interactions
Side effects
Low riskStop use if
- Pregnancy/lactation
- Active mania
- Known peptide allergy
Common
- Mild nasal irritation
- Brief alertness spike
Less common
- Headache at high doses
- Sleep disruption if dosed late
Who should not use it
Contraindications
Research-use-only; not for human or veterinary use. No formal contraindication data exist for N-acetyl-Semax. As a precaution, this compound should not be used by:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (no reproductive or developmental safety data).
- Anyone with a known hypersensitivity to Semax, ACTH(4-10)-fragment peptides, or product excipients.
- People with active psychiatric instability (e.g., mania or psychosis) or poorly controlled anxiety, given the activating/stimulatory profile of the parent peptide.
- Anyone with significant nasal or sinus pathology if using the intranasal route.
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No human drug-interaction studies have been performed. The monoaminergic activity seen with parent Semax - potentiation of amphetamine-evoked dopamine release (Eremin 2005, PMID 16362768) - is a theoretical basis for caution when combined with stimulants or other monoaminergic/serotonergic agents.
Interactions
Not in our record
This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds.
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04Dosing
Free with emailNA-Semax dosage and protocols
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- Dose, route, how often and how long
- Beginner, intermediate and advanced protocols
- Stacking notes
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05Prices
NA-Semax prices
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06Chemistry
Chemistry and structure
- Molecular formula
- C40H56N12O11
- Molecular mass
- ~856.0 g/mol (C39H53N9O11S)
- Amino acid sequence
- Ac-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (Ac-MEHFPGP)
08Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is NA-Semax used for in research?
NA-Semax is the N-acetyl-l-aspartyl variant of Semax — the original ACTH(4-7) Pro-Gly-Pro analog developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences in the 1990s. The aspartate addition at the N-terminus is reported to improve metabolic stability against aminopeptidase cleavage, extending the in vivo half-life from minutes (parent Semax) to plausibly tens of minutes after intranasal dosing.
As of 2026, NA-Semax sits in the same research-peptide tier as standard Semax — it is not FDA-approved for any indication and is sold as a research chemical with limited peer-reviewed primary literature on the acetylated variant specifically. Most published Semax pharmacology applies by analogy, with the caveat that the half-life difference may shift optimal dosing frequency.
Reported nonclinical pharmacology mirrors Semax: BDNF upregulation, dopaminergic modulation in mesolimbic circuits, and increased serotonin and dopamine turnover in the cortex and hippocampus. The N-acetyl modification is reported to improve blood-brain-barrier transport, though direct PK comparisons in published literature remain thin.
What forms does NA-Semax come in?
NA-Semax is available in vials, capsules, and sprays forms.
How much does NA-Semax cost?
BodyHackGuide tracks no vendor for NA-Semax yet, so no price is stated.
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