DSIP

Neuropeptide · Also known as Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide

What is dsip?

A naturally occurring neuropeptide first isolated from rabbit brain tissue in 1977. It promotes slow-wave (delta) sleep and modulates stress-related hormonal pathways, with additional research into its potential for treating withdrawal syndromes.

DSIP is a nine-amino-acid neuropeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and influences sleep architecture, stress response, and neuroendocrine regulation. Early clinical studies showed it could increase total sleep time and promote deeper sleep, though results across trials have been mixed. Notably, DSIP has shown promise in clinical trials for alleviating opioid and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Its safety profile appears favorable. researchers have never been able to determine an LD50 in animal studies because no lethal dose could be established.

Key takeaway: DSIP is a naturally occurring sleep peptide with a remarkably safe profile in studies, though clinical results for insomnia have been mixed and long-term human data remains limited.

Benefits & evidence

Sleep quality improvement Moderate confidence
Stress reduction Moderate confidence
Withdrawal symptom relief Moderate confidence
Pain modulation Preliminary confidence
Neuroendocrine regulation Preliminary confidence

How it works

DSIP promotes sleep by enhancing slow-wave (delta) sleep patterns, reducing cortical arousal, and modulating levels of sleep-related hormones including melatonin. It interacts with NMDA receptors in the brain and potentiates GABAergic neurotransmission, both of which contribute to its sedative and anxiolytic effects.

Beyond sleep, DSIP modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response by influencing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) pathways. It also acts antagonistically on opioid receptors, which explains its observed benefits in addiction withdrawal studies where it alleviated symptoms in a majority of opioid-dependent and alcohol-dependent patients.

Dosing information

Typical dosing protocol
Starting dose

100-200 mcg before bed

First 1-2 weeks
Maintenance dose

200-300 mcg before bed

2-4 week cycles

Administered subcutaneously 30-60 minutes before sleep. Some protocols use intermittent dosing (3-5 times per week) rather than nightly. Effects appear to be highly individual. Consult a healthcare provider.

Side effects

Most side effects tend to improve as your body adjusts.

Injection site reaction Common
Transient headache Uncommon
Mild nausea Uncommon
Dizziness Uncommon

Research (10 studies)

Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026