Sleep & Recovery

DSIP

Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide

Nine-residue peptide from 1970s delta-sleep literature. Minutes-class plasma t½. Not a hypnotic NDA, not a withdrawal protocol, not a cortisol-reset drug.

Not FDA-approved - research chemical
Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team
Last updated: August 2026Evidence: Low3 peer-reviewed citations
Typical research dose
100-300 mcg before bed
Frequency
1× daily before bed
Half-life
~2-3 minutes (plasma)
Common vials
5 mg
CAS
62568-57-4
Molecular weight
848.82 g/mol

Use-case scores

0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.

  • Recovery & sleep3/10

    Graf-era human and animal sleep papers exist. Minutes-class half-life. Not a hypnotic NDA. Community/small-human: 3.

Compound card

Sequence
WAGGDASGE
Class
Delta-sleep-inducing nonapeptide
Formula
C35H48N10O15
Status
Not FDA-approved · research use
Dose it
5 mg + 2.5 mL BAC water → 2 mg/mL · 100 mcg ≈ 5 units (U-100)
Open in calculator

How it works

DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is a naturally occurring nonapeptide that promotes delta-wave (Stage 3/4 deep) sleep - the most restorative phase of the sleep cycle. It was first isolated from rabbit brain venous blood in 1974 at the University of Geneva.

DSIP modulates several neurochemical systems: it enhances serotonin release, reduces stress-related ACTH and cortisol levels, and normalizes circadian rhythms. Unlike sedative-hypnotics (benzodiazepines, z-drugs), DSIP promotes delta-wave architecture rather than artificially sedating, maintaining natural sleep stage progression.

Source: PMID: 6325741

Background & History

DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is a nonapeptide first isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood by Marcel Monnier at the University of Basel in 1977. It was the first peptide identified specifically for sleep regulation and produced normal physiological slow-wave sleep in animal and human experiments without the hangover effects of pharmacological sleep aids. Its mechanisms include modulation of serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA systems, as well as normalization of cortisol circadian rhythms - making it useful beyond sleep into stress resilience.

Research Use Cases

  • ✓Identity: 1970s nonapeptide vs a hypnotic NDA (there is not one)
  • ✓Minutes-class t½ vs bedtime folklore
  • ✓Not a withdrawal or insomnia protocol on this site

Dosing

PhaseDoseFrequencyNotes
Sleep Protocol200 - 500 mcgSC injection 30-60 min before sleep, 5-10 days on / rest offShorter half-life requires careful timing. May require a cycle of several nights to establish delta-wave entrainment.

Administration

Route / form
Subcutaneous injection
Timing
30-60 minutes before desired sleep time.
Empty stomach?
No - Food timing is not critical.

Timeline

Night 1-3
Improved sleep onset. Some users report vivid dreams as delta-wave activity increases.
Night 5-10
Enhanced deep sleep duration. Improved morning recovery and HRV.

Who it is for

Deep Sleep / Insomnia

Low

Promotes delta-wave sleep without sedation. Limited modern clinical trials but significant preclinical and historical research.

Cortisol / Stress Normalization

Low

Reduces ACTH and cortisol - may improve sleep quality in high-stress individuals.

Reconstitution

VialWaterConcentrationExample dose
5 mg lyophilized2.5 mL BAC2 mg/mL100 mcg on 5 mg / 2.5 mL (2 mg/mL) = 0.05 mL = 5 units on a U-100.

Change vial size or water volume? Open the reconstitution calculator.

Safety & Considerations

Research peptide. Limited modern human safety data. Generally well-tolerated in older studies. May cause morning grogginess at higher doses. Not for use with CNS depressants.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)
Research Only
WADA Status (2026)
Not Listed

Not currently on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Policies may change - verify before competition.

Classification

Research Chemical

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

Limits of current evidence

  • PMID 6325741 is historical, not a 2026 insomnia Phase 3.
  • This site will not treat insomnia, PTSD, or withdrawal from a DSIP page.

Verdict

DSIP is a nine-residue peptide from the 1970s sleep literature. Plasma t½ is minutes. It is not Ambien, not a withdrawal protocol, and not a cortisol-reset drug.

Interactions & Contraindications

Additive sedative effects with benzodiazepines, z-drugs, or antihistamines - reduce doses of sleeping medications when using DSIP. Alcohol amplifies CNS depressant effects. May normalize cortisol rhythm - if using steroids/HRT, timing may be affected.

Synergies & Common Stacks

Daytime tuftsin analog vs nighttime DSIP folklore. Two SKUs is not a stress-sleep protocol and not a US insomnia NDA.

Epitalon restores melatonin production; DSIP induces slow-wave sleep. Together they address both melatonin quantity and sleep quality architecture.

Appears in goal guides

Goal guides are maps, not clinic protocols. A mention here is not a treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does DSIP differ from sleep drugs like Ambien?▼
Unlike sedative-hypnotics that knock you unconscious and distort sleep architecture, DSIP specifically promotes delta-wave (deep) sleep while maintaining natural sleep stage progression. It works with your sleep biology rather than overriding it.
What is the best time to inject DSIP?▼
30-60 minutes before desired sleep onset. SubQ injection. Some protocols run 5-10 nights consecutively to establish delta-wave entrainment.

References

  1. Schoenenberger GA, Monnier M “"Isolation and characterization of a sleep-inducing factor from rabbit brain".” PNAS (1977). PMID: 73474
  2. Schneider-Helmert D, Schoenenberger GA. “Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): an update.” Peptides (1983). PMID: 6318203
  3. Schneider-Helmert D. “Effect of DSIP on sleep disorders in depressive patients.” Eur Neurol (1984). PMID: 6430276
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