Comparison Centre
Two compounds, the same questions, no cherry-picking
Marketing compares compounds on whichever measure flatters them. This compares them on the same fields every time — including the awkward ones like how much human safety data exists. Every score here rates the evidence, not the compound: a higher number means stronger or more mature research, not that something is safer or works better.
Sharing keeps the two compounds you picked.
How to read these scores
Every number here rates the evidence, not the compound. They are editorial 0-100 strength ratings, not percentages, and not a rating out of five stars.
- Human efficacy evidence strength — Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
- Preclinical evidence strength — Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
- Human safety evidence strength — Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number. A score of 80 does not mean “80% safe”.
- Evidence level (L0-L5) — the strongest type of study behind the compound, from anecdote (L0) to large replicated human trials (L5). It is a description of the study evidence, not a quality, safety or recommendation rating.
- Confidence — how likely we think it is that this rating changes as new research lands. Low confidence means the picture is unsettled, not that the compound is bad.
None of these ratings is medical advice, a safety guarantee, or a recommendation to use anything. How we grade evidence.
PE-22-28
A rodent-stage antidepressant candidate being discussed online as a nootropic peptide.
Semax
A synthetic heptapeptide derived from an ACTH fragment, registered as nasal drops in Russia and heavily marketed elsewhere as a nootropic.
How far human research has progressed
PE-22-28
Preclinical (rodent) on our curated record; no verified completed human trialSemax
Registered in one national market; limited Western-quality controlled evidenceHuman efficacy evidence strength
Higher = more and better-quality human evidence. It does not mean the effect is bigger or that the compound works for you.
PE-22-28
Semax
Preclinical (animal / lab) evidence strength
Higher = more animal, tissue or cell research. Preclinical results are a starting point, not proof of a human benefit.
PE-22-28
Semax
Human safety evidence strength
Higher = more mature, better-documented human safety data. It does not mean the compound is safer than one with a lower number.
PE-22-28
Semax
Regulatory status (legal position, not proof it works)
PE-22-28
Not an approved medicine and not, on our curated record, established in any completed human trial. It is sold as a research chemical and discussed in nootropic and depression communities.Semax
Not approved by the FDA or other major Western regulators. FDA material notes Semax is registered in Russia as nasal drops, while intranasal and injectable products marketed in the US are not FDA-approved. FDA has identified it as a bulk substance presenting significant safety risks for compounding — a compounding safety classification, not an 'FDA ban' — and it was covered by FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting on 23-24 July 2026.Common claims
PE-22-28
- · Fast-acting antidepressant effect
- · Neurogenesis and cognitive enhancement
- · Safer than conventional antidepressants
Semax
- · Improves memory, focus and mental performance
- · Speeds recovery after stroke
- · Helps anxiety and migraine
How settled our evidence rating is
PE-22-28
Semax
Cancer-related questions raised by the biology
These are theoretical or monitored questions raised by how a compound works. They are not evidence that it causes cancer.
PE-22-28
No cancer signal established. Human data are absent rather than reassuring.Semax
No established human cancer signal and no systematic data either way. The honest position is unstudied.What this adds up to, in plain English
PE-22-28
The interesting work is in animals and lab studies. Treating it as an established human treatment is not supported by evidence.Semax
The interesting work is in animals and lab studies. Treating it as an established human treatment is not supported by evidence.A comparison is not a recommendation