IllumiNeuro (NA-Selank + NA-Semax + PE-22-28 + Pinealon)
Educational information only — not medical advice. Many listed compounds are not FDA-approved for human use. Consult a licensed clinician before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol.
Overview
IllumiNeuro is a combination research product that packages four separate cognition-oriented peptides into one pre-mixed vial: N-Acetyl Selank, N-Acetyl Semax, PE-22-28, and Pinealon. It is marketed toward neuroprotection, cognitive enhancement, and mood support, bundling compounds that are otherwise studied individually.
The “N-Acetyl” versions of Selank and Semax are acetylated analogs of the original peptides, modified in an attempt to improve stability and duration compared with the parent molecules. The underlying peptides — Selank (a tuftsin analog) and Semax (an ACTH(4–10) analog) — were developed in Russia and have been used there clinically, while PE-22-28 and Pinealon remain largely research-stage compounds.
None of the components are approved by the FDA or another major regulator for human therapeutic use, and the blend as a specific combination product has not itself been studied in trials. Evidence for the individual peptides ranges from limited human data to preclinical only.
How it works
The four peptides act through different, complementary-sounding pathways. Selank is studied for anxiolytic and immunomodulatory effects and has been reported to influence GABAergic signaling and enkephalin activity, while Semax is studied for neurotrophic effects, most notably increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression without the hormonal activity of its ACTH parent peptide.
PE-22-28 is derived from spadin and is studied as an inhibitor of the TREK-1 potassium channel, a mechanism linked in animal models to antidepressant-like effects and hippocampal neurogenesis. Pinealon (the tripeptide EDR) is studied for antioxidant and neuroprotective activity, with preclinical reports of reduced oxidative stress and modulated gene expression in neurons. How these mechanisms interact when the peptides are combined in one vial has not been characterized.
Reported benefits
- Reported anxiolytic and calming effects, attributed mainly to the Selank component
- Studied for cognitive support, focus, and memory (largely from Semax and PE-22-28 research)
- Reported mood support and antidepressant-like effects in preclinical PE-22-28 models
- Studied for neuroprotection and antioxidant activity (Pinealon and Semax preclinical data)
These are reported and studied effects for the individual peptides, not guaranteed outcomes for the blend.
Considerations & side effects
Because IllumiNeuro combines four compounds, its safety profile is harder to characterize than that of any single peptide, and no human data exists for the combination itself. The individual peptides are generally reported to be well tolerated in the available studies, with commonly reported effects including injection-site irritation, nasal irritation with intranasal use, headache, and transient changes in mood or alertness. Long-term safety data is lacking for all four.
Purity and exact ratios vary widely in the research-chemical market, and a pre-mixed blend removes the ability to adjust or isolate any single component. IllumiNeuro is not a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a qualified clinician.
Frequently asked
What is IllumiNeuro?
IllumiNeuro is a pre-mixed research blend that combines four cognition-focused peptides in a single vial: N-Acetyl Selank, N-Acetyl Semax, PE-22-28, and Pinealon. It is marketed toward neuroprotection, cognitive support, and mood.
What do the four components do?
N-Acetyl Selank is a stabilized analog of the anxiolytic peptide Selank; N-Acetyl Semax is a stabilized analog of the nootropic peptide Semax; PE-22-28 is a spadin-derived peptide studied for antidepressant-like effects and neurogenesis; and Pinealon (EDR) is a short peptide studied for neuroprotection and antioxidant activity.
Are these peptides FDA-approved?
No. None of the four component peptides are approved by the FDA or another major regulator for human therapeutic use. Selank and Semax have been used clinically in Russia, but the blend itself is sold for research purposes only.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence is limited and largely preclinical. Selank and Semax have the most human data (mostly Russian-language studies), while PE-22-28 and Pinealon evidence comes almost entirely from cell and animal models. The specific four-peptide combination has not been studied as a product.
How is it typically administered?
The component peptides are commonly studied by subcutaneous injection or intranasal application after reconstitution. As a blend, it is sold as a single pre-mixed vial.
References
- Zozulia AA, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of the peptide anxiolytic selank in generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. ↗
- Medvedeva EV, et al. The peptide Semax affects expression of genes related to the immune and vascular systems in rat brain focal ischemia (genome-wide analysis). ↗
- Mazella J, et al. Spadin, a sortilin-derived peptide targeting TREK-1 channels: a new concept in antidepressant drug design (PE-22-28 parent peptide). ↗
- Kolchina N, et al. EDR peptide (Pinealon): possible mechanism of gene expression and protein synthesis regulation involved in Alzheimer's disease. ↗
Related compounds
Nootropic blend combining Semax (an ACTH(4-10) analog that modulates BDNF and focus) with Selank (a tuftsin analog with GABAergic anxiolytic activity). Frequently sold as a stable N-acetyl amidate nasal spray or lyophilized powder.
Synthetic heptapeptide derived from Spadin. Acts as a TREK-1 potassium channel blocker with rapid antidepressant effects and enhanced neurogenesis. 300-500x more potent than full-length Spadin.
Standardized neuropeptide preparation with neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. Used clinically in 50+ countries for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and dementia treatment.