GB-115 vs NA-Selank Amidate
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, side effects, and research
Also: Ranquilon, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester
GB-115 is a synthetic dipeptide anxiolytic developed in Russia, chemically the amide of N-phenylhexanoyl-glycyl-L-tryptophan and described as a retro-analogue of cholecystokinin-4. Rather than acting like a benzodiazepine, it blocks cholecystokinin receptors, a different anti-anxiety route. It has been studied in animals and in a small pilot human study, but it is not an approved or widely available medication.
Also: N-Acetyl Selank Amidate, NA-Selank
NA-Selank Amidate is a chemically stabilized version of Selank, a Russian anxiolytic peptide derived from the immune fragment tuftsin. The acetyl group on one end and the amide on the other are there to slow enzymatic breakdown, which is a real and sensible modification. What has not been established is whether that translates into a meaningfully better result than plain Selank in humans.
Key Comparison Insights
- Both peptides belong to the Cognitive category, suggesting similar primary applications.
Detailed Comparison
| Attribute | GB-115 | NA-Selank Amidate |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive | Cognitive |
| FDA Status | Not FDA Approved | Not FDA Approved |
| Clinical Status | Pre I II III IV FDA | Pre I II III IV FDA |
| Mechanism of Action | Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, and activating its CCK-2 (also called CCK-B) and CCK-1 receptors tends to trigger anxiety and panic-like states. GB-115 works as an antagonist at these cholecystokinin receptors, meaning it occupies the receptor and blocks CCK from setting off that anxiety signaling. In animal work it specifically prevented anxiety provoked by CCK-4, which shares a pharmacological target with GB-115. This CCK-blocking mechanism is the proposed explanation for its calming effect, and it is distinct from the GABA system that classic sedatives act on. | Selank is a synthetic analog of tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory peptide fragment. Its reported mechanism has two strands. The first is modulation of GABAergic signalling, which is the basis of its anxiolytic reputation, achieved without the sedation, tolerance or dependence associated with benzodiazepines. The second is an effect on the balance of monoamines and on BDNF expression, which is where the cognitive and mood claims come from. It also retains some of tuftsin's immunomodulatory activity, including effects on interleukin expression. The N-acetylation and C-terminal amidation in this version block the exopeptidases that would otherwise clip the peptide quickly, extending how long it survives after administration. That is a pharmacokinetic change, not a new mechanism. |
| Common Dosing | 6 mg daily (2 mg three times daily) 2-3 times daily (morning, afternoon, evening) | 250-500 mcg daily (intranasal) Once or twice daily |
| Administration | Oral tablets or sublingual | Intranasal is the standard route. Subcutaneous is reported but less common. |
| Typical Duration | 21+ days in clinical trials, effects noted by day 7 | Community protocols commonly report 2-4 weeks, though Selank's clinical use does not indicate a dependence risk requiring cycling |
| Best Time to Take | Morning and throughout the day | Morning or split across the day |
Possible Side Effects May vary by individual |
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| Research Summary | The research record is real but thin and almost entirely from a single Russian group. In rodent studies (rats, BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice), GB-115 reduced anxiety induced by CCK-4 and by yohimbine, with effects that varied by mouse strain, and it stayed effective after long-term dosing without producing tolerance or a withdrawal syndrome when stopped. Preclinical safety work has also been published. The only human data comes from a small pilot clinical study of 25 patients with generalized anxiety disorder given 6 mg daily for 21 days, where anxiety scores on the Hamilton scale fell substantially and fatigue scores improved. Importantly, that study was a single-arm pilot with no placebo or control group, so it cannot prove the drug caused the improvement. There are no large randomized controlled trials, no Western regulatory approval, and the evidence base remains preliminary. | Selank itself has a real research base, almost all of it Russian, including clinical work in generalised anxiety disorder where it performed comparably to benzodiazepines without the sedation and withdrawal profile, plus animal work supporting the BDNF and monoamine effects. That literature is genuine but it is largely published in Russian journals, has not been replicated in large Western trials, and has not been through FDA or EMA assessment. The amidate variant specifically has essentially no independent published pharmacology. The stability argument is chemically sound and is the same modification used across many research peptides, but nobody has published a human comparison showing it outperforms standard Selank at equivalent doses. Treat the parent compound's evidence as real but geographically narrow, and the variant's advantage as plausible rather than demonstrated. |
Frequently Asked Questions: GB-115 vs NA-Selank Amidate
What is the difference between GB-115 and NA-Selank Amidate?
GB-115 is a cognitive peptide that gb-115 is a synthetic dipeptide anxiolytic developed in russia, chemically the amide of n-phenylhexanoyl-glycyl-l-tryptophan and described as a retro-analogue of cholecystokinin-4. rather than acting like a benzodiazepine, it blocks cholecystokinin receptors, a different anti-anxiety route. it has been studied in animals and in a small pilot human study, but it is not an approved or widely available medication. NA-Selank Amidate is a cognitive peptide that na-selank amidate is a chemically stabilized version of selank, a russian anxiolytic peptide derived from the immune fragment tuftsin. the acetyl group on one end and the amide on the other are there to slow enzymatic breakdown, which is a real and sensible modification. what has not been established is whether that translates into a meaningfully better result than plain selank in humans. The main differences lie in their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.
Which is better, GB-115 or NA-Selank Amidate?
Neither is universally "better" - the choice depends on your specific goals. GB-115 is typically used for cognitive purposes, while NA-Selank Amidate is used for cognitive. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine which may be appropriate for your situation.
Can GB-115 and NA-Selank Amidate be used together?
Some peptide protocols combine multiple compounds for synergistic effects. However, using GB-115 and NA-Selank Amidate together should only be considered under medical supervision, as both compounds have their own side effect profiles and potential interactions. Research on their combined use may be limited.