Compound profile

DSIP

Sleep-related nonapeptide

A naturally occurring nonapeptide first isolated in the 1970s and named for a delta-sleep effect that later research has struggled to confirm.

Reviewed for accuracy · Last reviewed July 8, 2026
ClassEndogenous nonapeptide
SequenceTrp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu
RouteStudied via IV and subcutaneous injection
Approval statusNot FDA-approved; research compound

Overview

DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) is a naturally occurring nine-amino-acid peptide first isolated from rabbit brain blood by the Schoenenberger-Monnier group in Basel in the mid-1970s. It was named for an apparent ability to enhance delta-wave (deep) sleep EEG patterns, and early work also linked it to stress, pain, hormonal rhythms, and alcohol and opioid withdrawal.

The evidence is genuinely limited: most human and animal studies are old, small, and inconsistent, and DSIP's role as a true sleep-inducing factor is debated. No DSIP gene, protein, or receptor was ever isolated, and a 2006 review called the sleep hypothesis weak. Treat any claimed benefit as preliminary and unproven. DSIP is not FDA-approved.

Dosing

There is no standardized or clinically validated human dose for DSIP. Older studies used varied intravenous and subcutaneous amounts, and any figures circulating online are anecdotal rather than based on an approved protocol.

Read the full DSIP dosage guide →

Side effects

The human safety profile is poorly characterized. Older studies described DSIP as generally well tolerated, but the data are thin, old, and not a substitute for modern safety evaluation.

Read the full DSIP side effects guide →

Storage

As a peptide, DSIP is typically kept lyophilized and refrigerated before mixing, and refrigerated once reconstituted. Handling guidance is generic because no approved label exists. See the full storage & safety guide for handling and disposal basics.

FAQ

Is DSIP proven to improve sleep?No. Its sleep effect was reported in old animal and small human studies, but results are inconsistent and a 2006 review judged the sleep hypothesis weak. Its role as a true sleep-inducing factor is debated.
Is DSIP FDA-approved?No. DSIP is not approved for any use and is sold only as a research compound.
What was DSIP originally studied for?Beyond delta sleep, early research explored stress, chronic pain, hormonal and circadian rhythms, and alcohol and opioid withdrawal, mostly in small or preclinical studies.

References

  1. Characterization of a delta-electroencephalogram (-sleep)-inducing peptideProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA · 1977 · PMID 265572 · DOI 10.1073/pnas.74.3.1282
  2. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a reviewNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · 1984 · PMID 6145137 · DOI 10.1016/0149-7634(84)90022-8
  3. Characterization, properties and multivariate functions of delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP)European Neurology · 1984 · PMID 6548966 · DOI 10.1159/000115711
  4. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddleJournal of Neurochemistry · 2006 · PMID 16539679 · DOI 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03693.x
Reviewing the research on DSIP? PepHub can help you keep notes and sources in one place.Coming soon

This page is an independent educational reference and is not medical advice, and does not indicate any approval status for any use. Talk to a doctor before starting any compound.