DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is a naturally occurring nonapeptide (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu, C35H48N10O15) first isolated from rabbit brain in 1977 by Schoenenberger and Monnier. Named for inducing delta (slow-wave) EEG patterns in animals, it interacts with multiple neuroendocrine and neuronal pathways including GABAergic and glutamatergic systems, the HPA axis (modulating ACTH and cortisol), and endogenous opioid pathways. Human studies have produced inconsistent results for sleep, though some smaller European studies suggest benefits for insomnia and stress-related sleep disruption. Its structure is unlike any other known peptide family.
Category: Sleep / Neuropeptide. Evidence rating: D (animal/preclinical only).
Clinical status: Research-only / Not approved for any indication
DSIP (C35H48N10O15) modulates the central nervous system through interactions with GABA and NMDA receptors, reducing excitatory neuronal activity to facilitate onset and maintenance of deep sleep. It impacts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, modulating ACTH and cortisol secretion to…
Research base: 1 registered clinical trial and 8 indexed publications reference DSIP.
Safety considerations: Well-tolerated in research settings with minimal adverse effects reported; Occasional mild dizziness or nausea, typically resolving within a short period; Short half-life in blood -- rapid enzymatic degradation.
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 2026-08-12.
The evidence is inconsistent. Original animal studies were promising, but human studies have produced mixed results. Some smaller European studies (1980s-1990s) suggested benefits for insomnia and stress-related sleep disruption, but no modern controlled trials have been conducted.
Named based on the 1977 finding that it induced delta (slow-wave) EEG patterns in rabbits. Whether it has a specific physiological role in human sleep is still debated. Its distribution in the brain suggests roles beyond sleep regulation.
Research doses range from 50-300 mcg per day via subcutaneous or intravenous injection, typically 30-60 minutes before bedtime. Some protocols involve repeated dosing due to the short half-life. Cycles of 4-6 weeks are common in research settings.
Some older research explored DSIP for managing withdrawal symptoms (alcohol, opioid). Results were preliminary and this application has not been validated in modern clinical trials.
No. DSIP and melatonin are different molecules with different mechanisms. Melatonin is a hormone primarily from the pineal gland that regulates circadian rhythm. DSIP is a neuropeptide that modulates multiple systems including GABAergic, glutamatergic, and HPA axis signaling.