DSIP: clinical evidence record
Also known as: Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-05-22
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AI-friendly summary · DSIP
Sparse literature base. Some sleep-effect work in animal models (mixed and species-dependent). Stress-response and HPA-axis modulation reported in older preclinical work. No modern phase II or III human RCTs.
Mechanism of action
How DSIP works
Endogenous nine-amino-acid peptide first isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood by Schoenenberger and Monnier in 1977. Named for its association with delta-wave EEG sleep activity. Mechanism remains incompletely characterised despite decades of research.
Top peer-reviewed citations
Selection of the most-cited peer-reviewed literature on DSIP. Where a verified PMID or DOI is shown, the citation links to the original record. Other citations list the title, authors, journal and year so the reader can locate the paper through the journal index or the PubMed search linked below. PeptideClear publishes editorial commentary, not clinical guidance.
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Characterization of a delta-electroencephalogram (-sleep)-inducing peptide
Schoenenberger GA, Monnier M. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1977.
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The delta EEG (sleep)-inducing peptide (DSIP). XI. Amino-acid analysis, sequence, synthesis and activity of the nonapeptide
Schoenenberger GA, Maier PF, Tobler HJ, et al.. Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology, 1978.
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Acute and delayed effects of DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) on human sleep behavior
Schneider-Helmert D, Gnirss F, Monnier M, et al.. International journal of clinical pharmacology, therapy, and toxicology, 1981.
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Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle
Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Journal of neurochemistry, 2006.
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Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a review
Graf MV, Kastin AJ. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 1984.
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Diurnal rhythm of plasma delta-sleep-inducing peptide in humans: evidence for positive correlation with body temperature and negative correlation with rapid eye movement and slow wave sleep
Friedman TC, Garcia-Borreguero D, Hardwick D, et al.. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 1994.
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Delta sleep-inducing peptide
Pollard BJ, Pomfrett CJ. European journal of anaesthesiology, 2001.
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Delta-sleep-inducing peptide reduces CRF-induced corticosterone release
Graf MV, Kastin AJ, Coy DH, et al.. Neuroendocrinology, 1985.
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Delta sleep-inducing peptide and glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper: potential links between circadian mechanisms and obesity?
Gimble JM, Ptitsyn AA, Goh BC, et al.. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 2009.
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Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews, 2026.
Full PubMed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=delta+sleep+inducing+peptide+DSIP.
UK regulatory status
Plain-English summary of where DSIP sits under the four UK and international frameworks that govern peptide supply. Editorial commentary, not legal advice.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: Not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- MHRA medicines classification: No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- WADA Prohibited List: Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List.
Risks and unknowns
What the literature does not yet show about DSIP
Known concerns
- Most published efficacy claims for DSIP require careful interpretation. Read the cited papers in full before drawing conclusions.
- Purity of UK research-peptide supply varies between retailers. Certificates of analysis and HPLC documentation differ.
- Cold-chain handling between manufacture and delivery is not standardised across the research-peptide market.
- Independent replication of single-group findings is the key check on any preclinical claim.
Open questions in the literature
- Where human pharmacokinetics have not been formally characterised, dose translation from animal models is not reliable.
- Long-term safety profile beyond the duration of published studies remains an open question.
- Interactions with other prescribed or unlicensed substances are typically not studied.
Regulatory note
No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine. Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List. The moment a UK seller or commentator makes a therapeutic claim, MHRA can treat the product as an unlicensed medicinal product.
Important: PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia commentary only and does not recommend human use. Speak to a UK-registered prescriber before any medical decision.
Related reading on PeptideClear
Frequently asked questions
What is the evidence level for DSIP?
What is the UK regulatory status of DSIP?
Has DSIP been tested in human clinical trials?
Where can I read the source literature for DSIP?
Last verified 2026-05-22. Editorial commentary, not legal or clinical advice. Citations without a linked identifier can be located through the PubMed search and the journal index.