DSIP
Also sold as Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide.
- Half-life
- 0.3 h
- Steady state
- ~0 d
- Class
- Sleep
- Category
- Peptide
Published population averages. Steady state is the usual five half-life rule of thumb, not a measurement. See peptide half-life, explained.
Overview
Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide (DSIP) is a naturally occurring nonapeptide originally isolated from rabbit brain tissue in 1977. It was named for its ability to induce delta (slow-wave) sleep, the deepest restorative phase of sleep. Interest has expanded to stress resilience, pain modulation, and neuroendocrine regulation, though research has been inconsistent.
How it works
Mechanism remains incompletely understood. Modulates GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission to promote slow-wave sleep. Reduces ACTH and cortisol levels under stress. Interacts with opioid receptors (mu and delta). May modulate circadian pacemaker activity. Effects on sleep EEG include increased delta power and reduced sleep latency in some studies.
Half-life and peak
Very short plasma half-life of approximately 15–20 minutes due to rapid enzymatic degradation. Despite short half-life, sleep effects persist 6–8 hours — suggesting rapid CNS uptake and downstream cascade activation. Typically dosed 100–300 mcg IV or subcutaneous before bedtime.
What it is studied for
Sleep architecture improvement (delta wave induction), insomnia, chronic pain, stress and corticotropin modulation, opioid withdrawal support, narcolepsy.
Research status
Published research from 1970s–2000s, primarily European and Russian groups. Results have been inconsistent across studies. No FDA clinical trials. No regulatory approval anywhere. Academic interest has declined. Used off-label in sleep optimization and longevity medicine.
Sources
- DSIP — original isolation and characterization · doi.org
- DSIP and sleep regulation review · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- DSIP stress-protective effects · doi.org
- DSIP metabolism and distribution · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Educational reference only. This page describes what is published about a compound; it is not medical advice, not a recommendation to take anything, and not a dosing guide. Several compounds in this catalog are investigational and are not approved medicines. Talk to a doctor.