DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide)
Also called Delta sleep-inducing peptide, DSIP, Emideltide
Research and education only. Not medical advice. Talk to a doctor.
In 30 seconds
A 9-amino-acid peptide named in 1977 after it increased deep-sleep brain waves in rabbits.[1]
Small human sleep studies found weak effects.[3][4]
Not FDA-approved.[5]
How far has the research gotten?
The molecule
Research over time
Papers on PubMed each year that mention DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide).1 papers in 2025A 2006 review noted that no DSIP gene, precursor or receptor had been found.[2]
What studies used
What each paper reports. A record of published research, not a recommendation.Sequence characterization of DSIP and double-blind comparison of synthetic DSIP, five possible metabolic fragments and related peptides for effects on delta and spindle EEG activity.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1977 · PubMed 265572What the paper reports
not stated in abstract (intraventricular infusion)
Who: Rabbits (58 including controls)Polysomnographic sleep measures; the authors concluded that the sleep improvement observed was of little clinical significance.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Res · 1987 · PubMed 3583493What the paper reports
25 nmol/kg intravenously during four nights (double-blind crossover vs placebo)
Who: Humans (adults with chronic insomnia)Objective (polysomnography) and subjective sleep quality and tiredness; effects were weak and the authors judged short-term DSIP unlikely to be of major therapeutic benefit.
Neuropsychobiology · 1992 · PubMed 1299794What the paper reports
25 nmol/kg body weight intravenously in the afternoon before each of nights 3, 4 and 5 (placebo: glucose solution)
Who: Humans (16 adults with chronic insomnia)FDA's list of bulk substances it says may raise significant safety risks if pharmacies compound them. DSIP was on it until its nomination was withdrawn.[7]
What it is, in full 4
DSIP is a nine-amino-acid peptide (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu) that a Swiss group isolated from rabbits and named in 1977 after it increased slow-wave (delta) EEG activity when infused into rabbit brain ventricles.[1][2]
A 2006 review called the evidence linking DSIP to sleep weak, partly because no DSIP gene, precursor protein or receptor had been identified.[2]
Small double-blind studies in adults with chronic insomnia reported only weak or clinically minor changes in sleep measures with intravenous DSIP.[3][4]
In reviewing a compounding nomination, FDA said it had not identified safety-related information on emideltide (DSIP) for the proposed route of administration.[7]
Regulatory details 4
A search of FDA's Drugs@FDA data (openFDA) for 'emideltide' and 'delta sleep' returned no matching application or product.[5]
Checked 2026-10-06DSIP/emideltide does not appear in category 1, 2 or 3 of FDA's 503A nominated bulk drug substances list updated May 14, 2026.[6]
Checked 2026-10-06FDA lists 'Emideltide (DSIP)' among bulk drug substances previously in category 2 whose nominations were withdrawn, citing possible immunogenicity risk for certain routes and complexities with peptide-related impurities and API characterization.[7]
Checked 2026-10-06DSIP is not named in the 2026 List. Section S0 (prohibited at all times) covers any pharmacological substance not addressed elsewhere on the List that has no current approval by any government health authority for human therapeutic use; whether S0 applies to a given product is for anti-doping authorities to determine.[8]
Checked 2026-10-06Human trials on ClinicalTrials.gov
On 2026-10-06, ClinicalTrials.gov intervention-field searches for 'DSIP' and 'emideltide' returned no studies, and a search for 'delta sleep-inducing peptide' returned one record (NCT05251207) whose listed interventions are L-carnitine, L-leucine and a circadian-cycle change rather than DSIP.[9][10]
All sources 10
- Schoenenberger GA, Monnier M. Characterization of a delta-electroencephalogram (-sleep)-inducing peptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1977. PMID 265572PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle. J Neurochem. 2006. PMID 16539679PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Monti JM et al. Study of delta sleep-inducing peptide efficacy in improving sleep on short-term administration to chronic insomniacs. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1987. PMID 3583493PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- Bes F et al. Effects of delta sleep-inducing peptide on sleep of chronic insomniac patients. A double-blind study. Neuropsychobiology. 1992. PMID 1299794PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- openFDA Drugs@FDA API query for 'emideltide' (no matches; same result for 'delta sleep')U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FDA: Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A (category lists, updated May 14, 2026)U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- FDA: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (content current as of 04/22/2026)U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- WADA: World Anti-Doping Code International Standard, Prohibited List 2026 (in effect 1 January 2026)World Anti-Doping Agency
- ClinicalTrials.gov API search, intervention = delta sleep-inducing peptideClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- ClinicalTrials.gov API search, intervention = DSIP (also run for 'emideltide')ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
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