DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide)
DSIP is a 9-amino-acid neuropeptide that normalizes sleep architecture by promoting deep delta-wave sleep without acting as a sedative. In a 1984 study, 10 DSIP injections normalized sleep in 6 of 7 severe insomniacs for 3-7 months. It also modulates the HPA stress axis and stimulates GH secretion. Not FDA-approved.
FormBlends Peptide Context
Reviewed May 14, 2026Read Dsip peptide guide with the practical follow-up in mind. If the topic involves peptide therapy, the next useful step is usually to verify evidence strength, access rules, pharmacy pathway, total cost, and the personal safety details that only a clinician can review.
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Clinical decision snapshot
DSIP authority snapshot
DSIP is evaluated by mechanism, evidence quality, regulatory status, practical access, and safety questions a licensed clinician would need to review before use.
Evidence signal
Early clinical or translational evidence
Regulatory reality
Expected to return to Category 1 (compoundable), pending formal publication
Safety screen
Fatigue or morning lethargy (dose-dependent), Injection site reactions, Headache or dizziness (rare) should be reviewed in context.
This page currently connects to 6 source-backed evidence items through visible references or structured citation data.
Decision path
What is the supervised-review path for DSIP?
DSIP should be evaluated by evidence quality, safety status, source quality, dosing context, and whether the goal fits a legitimate clinical pathway. This page is a research and decision aid, not a self-prescribing guide.
- Peptide
- DSIP
- Category
- Cognitive
- Evidence
- Early clinical or translational evidence
- FDA status
- Not FDA approved
Step 1
Check evidence level
DSIP has limited but intriguing clinical data. Schneider-Helmert (European Neurology 1984, PMID: 6391925) showed 10 DSIP injections normalized sleep in 6 of 7 severe insomniacs for 3-7 months. A follow-up double-blind study (PMID: 1299794) showed statistically measurable but weak effects. A narcolepsy case report showed reduced sleep attacks. No modern large-scale trials exist.
Review evidenceStep 2
Screen safety context
Fatigue or morning lethargy (dose-dependent), Injection site reactions, Headache or dizziness (rare) should be discussed in light of history, dose, and source.
Check side effectsStep 3
Confirm access route
If FormBlends offers access, review the product page and provider pathway before deciding.
Review product accessLast updated: April 6, 2026
Typical Dosage
100-300 mcg subcutaneous injection, administered 30-60 minutes before sleep. Clinical research used approximately 1.5-2 mg IV (25 nmol/kg). Typical cycle: once daily for 2-4 weeks.
Administration
Subcutaneous injection, Intravenous (research), Intranasal spray
Typical Cost
$30-60 per 5 mg vial (research); $100-250/month compounded
FDA Status
Not FDA Approved
Half-Life
7-15 minutes in plasma. Despite this short half-life, downstream signaling cascades persist through the entire sleep period.
Onset of Action
Sleep effects within 30-60 minutes of administration. Full sleep architecture normalization may require multiple consecutive nights of dosing.
Bioavailability
High via IV and subcutaneous injection. May form complexes with carrier proteins in vivo to resist rapid degradation.
About DSIP
DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is a nonapeptide with the sequence Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu. CAS number: 62568-57-4. Molecular weight: 848.81 Da. First isolated from rabbit brain tissue by Swiss researchers in 1974. What makes DSIP unusual is that despite over 40 years of study, no one has identified a dedicated receptor for it. Most peptides work by binding a specific receptor. DSIP appears to initiate signaling cascades through multiple systems (possibly NMDA, GABA-A, glycine, and opioid pathways) without having a single known target. Naloxone blocks some of its effects, suggesting opioid pathway involvement, but that's not the whole picture. The clinical data is small but genuinely interesting. Schneider-Helmert published a series of studies in European Neurology in 1984. In the insomnia trial (PMID: 6391925), 7 patients with severe insomnia received 10 DSIP injections. Sleep normalized in 6 of 7 patients, and the effects lasted 3-7 months after treatment ended. That's unusual for any sleep intervention. A separate narcolepsy case report (PMID: 6548968) showed reduced daytime sleep attacks and improved alertness. A chronic pain pilot (PMID: 6548970) showed reduced pain in 6 of 7 patients. The catch: a later double-blind study (PMID: 1299794) showed only weak effects that didn't translate to subjective sleep quality improvement. The sample sizes across all studies are tiny. No modern large-scale trial has been conducted. DSIP fills a specific gap in peptide therapy. Most sleep medications work by sedation (forcing sleep). DSIP normalizes sleep architecture by promoting natural delta-wave patterns. It also modulates the HPA stress axis by lowering ACTH, and it stimulates GH and GHRH secretion while inhibiting somatostatin. These secondary effects on stress hormones and GH release may explain some of the recovery benefits that practitioners report. The plasma half-life is only 7-15 minutes, which seems like it shouldn't work for an overnight sleep compound. But DSIP appears to trigger downstream cascades that persist long after the peptide itself is cleared. It may also form complexes with carrier proteins in blood that extend its functional duration. DSIP was placed on the FDA Category 2 restricted list in September 2023 and appears on the expected list returning to Category 1 under the 2026 HHS announcement, though the formal reclassification hasn't been published yet.
How DSIP Works
DSIP modulates the sleep-wake cycle through the central nervous system without a known dedicated receptor. It promotes slow-wave (delta) sleep by normalizing sleep architecture rather than forcing sedation. It decreases basal ACTH levels and blocks stress-related cortisol release through HPA axis modulation. DSIP also stimulates GHRH and GH secretion while inhibiting somatostatin. Despite a plasma half-life of only 7-15 minutes, it triggers downstream signaling cascades that persist through the entire sleep period.
Receptor targets:
Benefits
- Normalizes sleep architecture without sedation
- Promotes deep delta-wave sleep
- Modulates HPA stress axis (lowers ACTH and cortisol)
- Stimulates natural GH secretion during sleep
- Sleep normalization lasted 3-7 months after a 10-injection course
- Reduced pain levels in 6 of 7 chronic pain patients in pilot study
What Does the Research Say?
DSIP has limited but intriguing clinical data. Schneider-Helmert (European Neurology 1984, PMID: 6391925) showed 10 DSIP injections normalized sleep in 6 of 7 severe insomniacs for 3-7 months. A follow-up double-blind study (PMID: 1299794) showed statistically measurable but weak effects. A narcolepsy case report showed reduced sleep attacks. No modern large-scale trials exist.
DSIP in insomnia
European Neurology, 1984 · DOI · PubMed
10 DSIP injections normalized sleep in 6 of 7 severe insomniacs with effects lasting 3-7 months after treatment cessation
PubMed evidence trail
Research sources used to frame this page
For DSIP, FormBlends checks the page topic against primary trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, and current PubMed-indexed literature where available. These citations are context, not a claim that every study applies to every patient.
Emerging pharmacotherapies for obesity: A systematic review
Broad context for new and established obesity-drug categories.
PubMed
Glucagon-like receptor agonists and next-generation incretin-based medications
Current review for incretin-based obesity medications and cardiometabolic effects.
PubMed
Potential Side Effects
- Fatigue or morning lethargy (dose-dependent)
- Injection site reactions
- Headache or dizziness (rare)
- Nausea (occasional)
- Possible immune response (FDA flagged immunogenicity concern)
Drug Interactions
| Compound | Interaction | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| ACE inhibitors (captopril) | DSIP is metabolized by peptidases. ACE inhibitors inhibit peptidase activity, potentially prolonging DSIP effects. Avoid co-use until studied. | moderate |
| Benzodiazepines, sedatives, alcohol | DSIP may modulate GABA and NMDA receptors, creating additive sedation risk. | moderate |
| Other sleep medications (zolpidem, melatonin) | Increased risk of excessive drowsiness when combined. | minor |
Who Is DSIP For?
Women
No sex-specific clinical data. DSIP stimulates LH release, which could theoretically affect reproductive hormone cycling. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Adults Over 50
Natural DSIP levels decline with age, making age-related deep sleep decline a primary use case. Reduced delta-wave sleep is one of the most consistent changes in aging, and DSIP targets this directly.
Athletes
DSIP is not on the WADA Prohibited List as of 2026. Its effects on GH secretion and recovery could attract future regulatory attention, but it is currently not banned.
Regulatory Status
FDA Approved
No
Compounding Legal
No
2026 HHS Status
Expected to return to Category 1 (compoundable), pending formal publication
DSIP was placed on the FDA Category 2 list in September 2023. It appears on the expected list of peptides returning to Category 1 under the February 2026 HHS announcement, but no formal FDA Federal Register notice has been published as of April 2026.
Last verified: 2026-04-06
Stacking Options
DSIP is commonly stacked with the following peptides for enhanced results:
Conditions Addressed
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