DSIP
Endogenous nonapeptide neuropeptide (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu)
- Class
- Sleep neuropeptide
- Half-life
- ~15 min (plasma)
- Route
- Subcutaneous (SubQ)
- Cadence
- Daily
- Evidence
- Mixed / early human
Overview
DSIP was discovered in the 1970s after researchers isolated it from rabbit brain blood during electrically-induced sleep. The name stuck — but the mechanism, the gene that encodes it, and even whether it's primarily a sleep peptide are all still open questions almost 50 years later. It's a 9-amino-acid chain that shows up in the hypothalamus, pituitary, gut, and pancreas, often co-localized with hormones like ACTH and glucagon.
The early human trials (all from the 1980s) are small but surprisingly positive — 6-10 insomniacs per study, mostly finding better sleep efficiency, fewer awakenings, and more slow-wave sleep without sedation or next-day hangover. The catch: those studies used slow intravenous infusion of about 25 nmol/kg. The peptide degrades in under 15 minutes in plasma, and whether subcutaneous or intranasal delivery — the routes the research market uses — hits the same targets is genuinely unclear.
DSIP's listed effects go way beyond sleep: pain reduction (opioid-mediated, blocked by naloxone), cortisol suppression, growth-hormone release, anticonvulsant activity, and even efficacy in alcohol and opiate withdrawal trials in Russia. The problem is that no one knows *how* — the receptor hasn't been found, the gene hasn't been cloned, and some researchers think 'DSIP' is actually a family of related peptides or a fragment of something larger. It's real, it does things in animals and people, but calling it well-characterised would be generous.
Safety considerations
A few of the safety signals worth knowing — the full list, with dosing context and what to monitor, is inside AIx Core.
- Not approved by FDA, EMA, or any other regulator. Research-only peptide.
- FDA lists DSIP as a bulk substance with 'significant safety risk' due to potential immunogenicity (immune reaction to the peptide itself, especially with low-purity synthesis byproducts). No published cases of serious immune reactions exist, but the theoretical risk is real.
- No lethal dose has ever been established in animals — researchers couldn't kill lab animals at any tested dose. Human trials in the 1980s reported zero serious adverse events, though transient headache, nausea, and dizziness occurred in some participants.
+ 3 more safety notes inside AIx Core →
Commonly monitored
Markers and signals people track when researching DSIP.
- Subjective sleep quality — total sleep time, time to fall asleep, number of night awakenings
- Daytime alertness vs grogginess (dose-dependent; too much DSIP causes headaches and grogginess)
- Cortisol (DSIP suppresses ACTH and cortisol in some — but not all — studies)
- Growth hormone (some animal studies show GH release; human data mixed)
- Injection-site reactions (subcutaneous delivery; purity matters)
Frequently asked questions
What is DSIP?
Endogenous nonapeptide neuropeptide (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu). DSIP was discovered in the 1970s after researchers isolated it from rabbit brain blood during electrically-induced sleep. The name stuck — but the mechanism, the gene that encodes it, and even whether it's primarily a sleep peptide are all still open questions almost 50 years later. It's a 9-amino-acid chain that shows up in the hypothalamus, pituitary, gut, and pancreas, often co-localized with hormones like ACTH and glucagon.
How is DSIP administered?
Subcutaneous (SubQ), typically daily.
What is the half-life of DSIP?
~15 min (plasma) — Degrades rapidly in vitro; may form carrier complexes in vivo that extend duration.
Is DSIP approved for human use?
DSIP is investigational — not approved by the FDA, EMA, or MHRA for human use at the time of writing.
What does the evidence show for DSIP?
Evidence tier: Mixed / early human. Schneider-Helmert 1981 (Experientia): 6 chronic insomniacs, single IV dose 25 nmol/kg. Result: longer sleep, fewer awakenings, slightly more REM, no daytime sedation or side effects. Sleep-promoting effect appeared in the second hour post-injection (first hour showed mild arousal).
What is commonly monitored when researching DSIP?
Commonly tracked markers + signals: Subjective sleep quality — total sleep time, time to fall asleep, number of night awakenings, Daytime alertness vs grogginess (dose-dependent; too much DSIP causes headaches and grogginess), Cortisol (DSIP suppresses ACTH and cortisol in some — but not all — studies), Growth hormone (some animal studies show GH release; human data mixed), Injection-site reactions (subcutaneous delivery; purity matters).
Open this in AIx Core for the full picture
Mechanism breakdown, receptor pathway diagram, full safety list, monitored items, source citations, and one-tap add-to-protocol. Free with any account.