Neurohacking: Nootropics, Selank, and Semax

Today, we’re talking about how nootropics and peptides like Semax (See-max) and Selank (SEH-lank) work together to support cognitive health, improve focus, and reduce mental fatigue.

Let’s start with nootropics. These are substances that are designed to support and enhance mental performance. Some work by improving memory, others help with focus, alertness, or reducing brain fog.

Nootropics can be:

• Natural, like L-theanine or Lion’s Mane
  
  

• Nutraceuticals, like Alpha-GPC or CDP-Choline, which support neurotransmitter production
  
  

• Or synthetic, like Modafinil or racetams “RASS-uh-tams”, which are often used off-label to promote wakefulness and focus
  
  

Most nootropics work by affecting levels of key brain chemicals like dopamine, acetylcholine, or norepinephrine. They don’t “make you smarter,” but they can improve how efficiently your brain is working—especially under stress or fatigue.

Now, let’s talk about peptides—specifically Selank and Semax, which are two of the most well-known nootropic peptides.

Selank is more about calming and emotional regulation, while Semax leans into cognitive enhancement and brain performance. Think of Selank as the anti-anxiety sidekick and Semax as the mental sharpener.

Selank works by boosting GABA activity, which helps calm the nervous system. That’s why it’s often used to reduce stress and anxiety without causing drowsiness or dependence — unlike traditional anti-anxiety meds. Interestingly, it also slightly increases BDNF, the brain growth factor that supports memory and learning. Semax, on the other hand, has a much stronger impact on BDNF. It’s derived from ACTH, but it doesn’t raise cortisol levels. Instead, it enhances BDNF, dopamine, and serotonin activity, making it great for improving focus, mental energy, and even mood.

And that’s what makes them such a powerful combo for some people. Selank helps create a calm, clear mental space — kind of like reducing background noise — while Semax boosts the brain’s signal, improving neuroplasticity, motivation, and mental clarity. Together, they offer a full-spectrum brain support: emotional balance and cognitive performance. Whether you're dealing with brain fog, anxiety, or just want to perform at a higher level, these peptides could be worth exploring.

Stacking Nootropics with Peptides

One of the most popular strategies for cognitive support is to combine or stack peptides with nootropics.

For example:

• Selank pairs well with L-theanine for calming, focused energy. L-theanine, an amino acid found primarily in green tea, promotes relaxation and reduces stress without causing drowsiness by increasing calming neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin. Lion’s Mane mushroom, a natural nootropic found in both wild and cultivated forms, can be stacked with Semax to naturally support memory, focus, and neurogenesis.

• Semax can be used with Alpha-GPC to support both short-term concentration and long-term brain health. Alpha-GPC (Alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a choline-containing nutraceutical, often derived from soy or sunflower lecithin, that acts as a powerful nootropic. It increases levels of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter involved in learning, memory, focus, and muscle control. Because of its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently, Alpha-GPC is often used to enhance cognitive function, support brain health and neuroprotection, and improve physical performance by boosting power output and recovery in athletes.

• Semax can also be used with CDP-Choline for memory support, brain fog, and age-related cognitive decline. It too is a nutraceutical that provides choline, which the brain uses to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory, learning, and focus. It also delivers cytidine, which converts into uridine—a compound that supports neuron repair and brain cell membrane synthesis. 

Alright, so one question we get a lot is, “What’s the difference between CDP-Choline and Alpha-GPC?”

It’s a good one—because they’re both great choline sources, but they work a little differently. Alpha-GPC delivers choline more directly, which means you’ll feel that boost in focus and mental energy a bit faster. It’s especially handy if you’re doing high-intensity brain work or even something athletic.

Lastly, I also want to dive into something a lot of people are curious about, Modafinil and racetams (RASS-uh-tams). 

Modafinil (Provigil) is a prescription, stimulant medication used to treat sleep disorders (e.g., narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea) and shift work disorder. It’s also used off-label as a focus-enhancing nootropic. It works by promoting wakefulness in the CNS. Researchers don’t know exactly how it works, but it appears to affect areas in the brain that control attention and wakefulness.

Racetams (e.g., Piracetam, Aniracetam, or Oxiracetam) are a class of compounds that enhance acetylcholine activity and neuroplasticity, leading to better learning, memory, and focus with subtle, non-stimulant effects. 

While Modafinil provides a noticeable surge in alertness and productivity, racetams offer a more gradual cognitive boost that can be ideal for sustained mental performance.

Just remember, peptides provide foundational support—helping your brain repair and function better long-term. Nootropics can then layer on immediate effects, like sharper focus or improved mood.

Thanks for listening to The Peptide Podcast. If you found this episode helpful, please follow or leave a review. And if there’s a topic you’d like to hear more about, feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you. As always, have a happy, healthy week!

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