DSIP
Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide · DSIP nonapeptide
Nonapeptide named for slow-wave sleep; modern human RCT data are absent
Overview
DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) is a naturally occurring nine-amino-acid neuropeptide first isolated in the 1970s from the blood of sleeping rabbits, named for its apparent association with slow-wave (delta) EEG activity. Beyond sleep it has been studied for roles in stress buffering, thermoregulation, pain, and neuroendocrine signaling, and it is used in community settings primarily as a sleep aid.
The peptide's pharmacology remains unusually ill-defined: no single receptor has been firmly established, and research instead points to indirect interactions with NMDA-receptor, alpha-adrenergic, opioid, and HPA-axis signaling. It is generally described as modulating sleep architecture rather than acting as a sedative — it does not knock a person out the way a hypnotic does, which is part of why its real-world effects are subtle and inconsistent.
The human evidence base is thin and dated. Small trials in the 1980s (typically six to fourteen subjects) reported modest improvements on some sleep metrics, while others found no significant difference from placebo; no modern large randomized controlled trial exists. Community subcutaneous dosing clusters around 100–300 mcg taken in the evening, whereas older clinical work used intravenous dosing around 25 nmol/kg. All figures here are summarized for research reference only.
Key parameters
- Dose range
- 100–300 mcg per dose (community); 25 nmol/kg IV in older trials
- Frequency
- Once in the evening, 1–3 h before sleep
- Half-life
- Very short in plasma (on the order of minutes)
- Route
- Subcutaneous (intravenous in older clinical studies)
- Vial sizes
- 5 mg
- Regulatory status
- Not approved as a drug by any regulator and placed on the FDA's Category 2 'do-not-compound' list (2023). Research use only.
Mechanism of action
Sleep-architecture modulation
Associated with the promotion of slow-wave (delta) sleep and a smoothing of sleep architecture rather than outright sedation; the effect appears to be regulatory, helping normalize disturbed sleep rather than forcing it.
HPA-axis / stress modulation
Reported to influence the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and stress-hormone responses, which is the basis of its proposed stress-buffering and adaptogenic-like effects.
Indirect neurotransmitter interactions
Without a confirmed dedicated receptor, its actions are linked to modulation of NMDA-receptor, alpha-adrenergic, and opioid signaling, alongside possible antioxidant and analgesic effects described in older studies.
Dosing protocol & phases
| Phase | Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (community) | Ongoing or short cycles | 100–200 mcg subcutaneously in the evening | Most common community range, taken 1–3 hours before bed; not clinically established. |
| Higher (community) | Short cycles | 200–300 mcg subcutaneously | Used by some with comparatively limited safety data; cycles are often kept short (e.g. 4 weeks). |
Reconstitution guide
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.
5 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration2,500 mcg/mL · 2.5 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 0.04 mL | 4 |
| 200 mcg | 0.08 mL | 8 |
| 300 mcg | 0.12 mL | 12 |
Compact mix from a 5 mg vial; note the very small draw volumes at typical doses.
5 mg vial + 5 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration1,000 mcg/mL · 1 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 mcg | 0.1 mL | 10 |
| 200 mcg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
| 300 mcg | 0.3 mL | 30 |
More dilute mix from the same 5 mg vial, giving larger and easier-to-measure draws for these small doses.
Reconstitution calculator
Pre-filled with DSIP's vial sizes. Adjust the water volume and target dose to see the exact draw, with warnings for doses that are hard to measure or won't fit a syringe.
At 2,500 micrograms per millilitre, a 100 microgram dose is 0.04 millilitres, or 4 units on a U-100 syringe, giving 50 doses per vial.
This draw is only 4 units — small volumes are hard to measure accurately. Consider using less bacteriostatic water to make each dose a larger, easier-to-read draw.
Supplies needed
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Recommended supply
DSIP — research vial
From our verified partner Dynotides, with a third-party certificate of analysis per batch.
Injection supplies
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Bacteriostatic water
Diluent for reconstituting lyophilized vials.
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Insulin syringes (U-100)
0.3–0.5 mL, 29–31 G for accurate small draws.
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Alcohol prep pads
Sterile swabs for the vial stopper and site.
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Sharps container
Safe disposal of used needles.
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Storage fridge
Keeps reconstituted vials at 2–8 °C.
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Insulated travel case
Cooled, TSA-friendly case for travel.
Missed-dose guidance
DSIP is used as-needed for sleep, so a missed evening dose is simply skipped rather than doubled or taken late at night. There is no approved-label guidance.
Side effects & safety
| Category | Effect | Trial incidence |
|---|---|---|
| Neurological | Mild transient headacheReported in older human trials. | — |
| Gastrointestinal | NauseaReported in older human trials. | — |
| Neurological | Dizziness | — |
| General | Morning sluggishness or vivid dreamsAnecdotal/theoretical; varies between users. | — |
| Injection site | Local reactions | — |
| General | Long-term safety not establishedNo modern large trials; chronic-use data are absent. | — |
Clinical trials & evidence
1980s human sleep trials
Small clinicalSeveral nights (4–7) · Small samples (~6–14 subjects each)
Mixed results — modest improvement on some sleep metrics in some studies, no significant difference from placebo in others. No ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers (predate the registry).
Trial identifier needs verification
Preclinical sleep/stress studies
Preclinical (animal)Varies · Rabbit and rodent models
Delta-wave EEG changes and stress/thermoregulatory effects described; the peptide was originally isolated from sleeping rabbits.
Trial identifier needs verification
Storage & handling
- Lyophilized
- Store lyophilized powder frozen (around −20 °C) for long-term storage, protected from light; brief refrigeration is acceptable short-term.
- Reconstituted
- Refrigerate the reconstituted solution at 2–8 °C and use within a few weeks; do not freeze.
Comparisons
| Vs. | Target | Half-life | Dosing | Efficacy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selank | Sleep/stress nonapeptide vs tuftsin-derived anxiolytic | Very short (both) | Subcutaneous evening vs intranasal | DSIP aimed at sleep, Selank at anxiety; both have limited Western evidence | Neither approved (DSIP on FDA do-not-compound list) |
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
Does DSIP reliably induce sleep?
Despite its name, the evidence that DSIP consistently induces sleep in humans is limited and mixed. It is better described as modulating sleep architecture than as a sedative, and the human trials are small and decades old.
Why are the injection volumes so small?
Typical community doses are only 100–300 micrograms, so from a standard 5 mg vial the draw is just a few units on an insulin syringe. Diluting the same vial with more bacteriostatic water (for example into 5 mL) gives larger, easier-to-measure volumes for the same dose.
Is DSIP legal to compound?
In the United States the FDA placed DSIP on its Category 2 'do-not-compound' bulk-substances list in 2023, and it is not an approved drug anywhere. It is handled here purely as a research-reference compound.
Related protocols
Selank
TP-7
Heptapeptide anxiolytic developed from the immunopeptide tuftsin
Looking to match this protocol to a verified research vial? Our partner supplier publishes a certificate of analysis per batch.
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.