What it is
DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) is a nonapeptide first described in the 1970s in sleep neurochemistry research. It appears in the sleep-architecture and neuroendocrine literature, where it was investigated as a possible endogenous sleep factor. Its published human record consists of a handful of small trials in chronic insomnia run in the 1980s and early 1990s.
How it works
No receptor for DSIP has been identified, and the mechanism is not established. Review authors have proposed that the observed activity may belong to a DSIP-like factor rather than the synthetic nonapeptide. They note the link to sleep was never fully characterised.
Regulatory status
- Cosmetic ingredient
- Research compound
- In clinical trials
- Approved medicine
Not approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA. Some are registered in individual countries. Supplied for laboratory research only.
What published research is studying
- Sleep latency, sleep efficiency and nocturnal awakenings in adults with chronic insomnia (small double-blind trials)
- 24-hour sleep-wake behaviour and daytime alertness in severe chronic insomnia
- Sleep architecture and slow-wave sleep in animal models
- Whether an endogenous DSIP-like factor exists at all, an open question in review literature
Key findings
In a double-blind crossover study in chronic insomniacs, DSIP shortened NREM sleep latency and reduced nocturnal awakenings. The authors judged the improvement of little clinical significance.
Monti JM et al., Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1987In a double-blind study of 16 adults with chronic insomnia over three laboratory nights, DSIP gave higher sleep efficiency and shorter sleep latency than placebo. The authors called the effect marginal.
Bes F et al., Neuropsychobiology 1992In 14 middle-aged adults with severe chronic insomnia, DSIP improved night sleep with repeated doses, and daytime alertness and performance rose significantly.
Schneider-Helmert D, Eur Neurol 1987In an open, uncontrolled trial, 7 patients with severe insomnia received a series of 10 injections and sleep was reported normalised in all but one case.
Kaeser HE, Eur Neurol 1984
What the studies measured
Study durations
- Double-blind insomnia study: three laboratory nights per condition (Bes et al. 1992).
- Open insomnia trial: a series of 10 injections, with follow-up of 3 to 7 months (Kaeser 1984).
- Severe chronic insomnia study: repeated dosing with 24-hour sleep-wake recording (Schneider-Helmert 1987).
Endpoints
- Sleep latency
- Sleep efficiency
- Number of nocturnal awakenings
- Total waking time
- Daytime alertness and performance
How strong is the evidence?
Human data exist but come from small, mostly single-centre trials run in the 1980s and early 1990s, and their results conflict; no modern randomised trial has replicated them.
Common questions
Is DSIP an approved medicine?
Research compound. Not approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA. Some are registered in individual countries. Supplied for laboratory research only.
How much human research is there on DSIP?
Human data exist but come from small, mostly single-centre trials run in the 1980s and early 1990s, and their results conflict; no modern randomised trial has replicated them.
Does UU supply DSIP?
Yes, as premium-grade research material for laboratory use. Every batch is tested by an independent lab and the certificate of analysis is published.