Follistatin vs Semax
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Follistatin
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that inhibits myostatin, the protein responsible for limiting muscle growth. By blocking myostatin, follistatin can theoretically allow for increased muscle development beyond natural limits.
Full details →Semax
Semax is a synthetic peptide derived from ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Developed in Russia as a nootropic and neuroprotective agent.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | Semax |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to and neutralizes myostatin and activin, both of which are negative regulators of muscle mass. This removes the natural brake on muscle growth, allowing for enhanced hypertrophy. | Enhances BDNF expression, modulates dopamine and serotonin systems, and provides neuroprotective effects. Increases attention, memory formation, and learning. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Intranasal: 200-600mcg 2-3 times daily. Higher doses (up to 1mg) used in clinical settings for stroke recovery. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Primarily administered intranasally. N-Acetyl Semax Amidate (NASA) is a modified version with enhanced stability and potency. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Generally well-tolerated. May cause mild irritability or hair shedding in some users. |
| Best For |
Key Differences
Unique to Follistatin:
Unique to Semax:
Detailed Analysis
Follistatin and Semax are used for different purposes and have limited overlap in their applications.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Follistatin for Muscle Growth. Choose Semax for Cognitive Performance.