Understand the source comparison
Use Peptides for Depression: Mechanism Comparison
Selank Enkephalin modulation + HPA axis regulation Anxious depression, high cortisol 300–600mcg intranasal 2x/day, 14–28 days Moderate (3 RCTs, n=247) First-line for anxiety-driven depression; fast onset, minimal sides Cerebrolysin BDNF/NGF upregulation Post-s
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- Selank
- Enkephalin modulation + HPA axis regulation
- Anxious depression, high cortisol
- 300–600mcg intranasal 2x/day, 14–28 days
- Moderate (3 RCTs, n=247)
- First-line for anxiety-driven depression; fast onset, minimal sides
- Cerebrolysin
- BDNF/NGF upregulation
- Post-stroke depression, vascular
- 30mL IV daily × 10–20 days
- Strong (meta-analysis, n=1,773)
- Gold standard for TBI/stroke cases; requires clinical administration
- P21
- CNTF-like STAT3 activation
- Anhedonic depression, cognitive slowing
- 1–5mg subcutaneous daily, 30+ days
- Weak (animal models, case reports)
- Promising for treatment-resistant cases; human trial data limited
- Semax
- Melanocortin receptor agonism
- Cognitive impairment + low mood
- 600–1200mcg intranasal 2x/day
- Moderate (2 RCTs, n=128)
- Nootropic overlap; works for executive dysfunction comorbid with depression
- Dihexa
- HGF mimetic, synaptogenesis
- Severe anhedonia, neurodegeneration
- 5–10mg oral daily (research only)
- Very weak (preclinical only)
- Theoretically potent but zero clinical safety data in humans