Updated August 2026
DSIP Dosage: Research Protocols, Human Studies, and Safety
Research note: DSIP has been given to humans, but mostly as 25–30 nmol/kg IV in small 1980s–90s sleep studies with mixed results. Contemporary 100–400 mcg SC bedtime protocols are community conventions — no controlled human SC sleep trial identified. Plasma ~8 min IV half-life (limited data) does not define SC dosing interval. No confirmed receptor or gene.
DSIP (emideltide) is a nine-amino-acid peptide (WAGGDASGE, MW ~848.8 g/mol) named for early delta-sleep association. The name is more certain than the biology — no dedicated receptor, gene, or precursor confirmed.
Historical insomnia research used 25–30 nmol/kg IV (~21–25 mcg/kg, ~1.5–1.8 mg for 70 kg). Some studies reported better sleep efficiency or latency; Bes 1992 and Monti 1987 found weak or limited benefit. Online protocols use 100–400 mcg SC — different route, unknown bioavailability.
FDA July 2026 PCAC voted 7–6 against recommending emideltide for 503A compounding. Proposed next study: SC sentinel escalation 50 → 150 → 300 → 600 mcg with PSG, PK, and cardiovascular monitoring.
DSIP dosage in 30 seconds
| Question | Current answer |
|---|---|
| Sequence | WAGGDASGE · emideltide · MW ~848.8 g/mol |
| Human sleep anchor | 25–30 nmol/kg IV (~21–25 mcg/kg) |
| 70 kg IV total | ~1.5–1.8 mg |
| Community SC range | 100–400 mcg · anecdotal |
| Human SC sleep trial | None identified |
| IV half-life (limited) | ~8 minutes |
| Receptor / gene | None confirmed |
| Proposed SC study | 50–600 mcg SAD · 150/300 mcg × 14 nights MAD |
What is DSIP?
Delta sleep-inducing peptide was isolated from cerebral venous blood of sleeping rabbits and later synthesized as a nonapeptide. Emideltide is the recognized nonproprietary name.
DSIP-like immunoreactivity appears in tissues, but a gene encoding DSIP, clear precursor, and dedicated receptor have not been identified. Defensible description: defined synthetic peptide with historical sleep, neuroendocrine, stress, pain, and withdrawal research — endogenous identity and primary mechanism unresolved.
Identity gate
Confirm DSIP / emideltide vs emideltide acetate — assay basis required
Confirm free base vs acetate and peptide-content assay
Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu · MW ~848.8 g/mol · CAS 62568-57-4. Free-base and acetate differ in counterion mass, solubility, and assay basis.
Why DSIP is scientifically controversial
Evidence problems
No receptor · small IV trials · mixed sleep outcomes · SC PK unknown
- Confirmed receptor
- None
- Confirmed gene/precursor
- None identified
- Historical trial size
- Mostly 6–18 participants
- Sleep outcome consistency
- Mixed — weak independent replication
- Route of human evidence
- Predominantly IV — not SC/nasal
- SC human PK
- Not characterized
- Controlled SC sleep trial
- None identified
The name “delta sleep-inducing peptide” should not be treated as proof of reliable stage N3 increase in humans.
Research and compounding status
No FDA-approved indication or prescribing dosage. July 2026 PCAC voted narrowly against 503A inclusion for emideltide free base and acetate. FDA emphasized IV-dominated human data, no SC PK/safety/efficacy, chronic-use uncertainty, and injectable peptide quality concerns.
Converting the historical dose
mcg/kg = nmol/kg × 0.8488 (MW 848.8 g/mol). Calculations compare quantities only — IV, SC, and intranasal are not interchangeable without measured exposure.
Historical IV dose
nmol/kg → mcg/kg → total mg (IV research anchor only)
nmol/kg preset
Most repeated sleep studies
mcg/kg
21.2
Total mcg
1485
Total mg (IV)
1.49 mg
Formula: mcg/kg = nmol/kg × 0.8488. IV historical anchor — not interchangeable with fixed SC mcg without measured bioavailability.
Molar to mass dose
| nmol/kg | mcg/kg | ~70 kg total | ~80 kg total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 21.2 | 1.49 mg | 1.70 mg |
| 30 | 25.5 | 1.78 mg | 2.04 mg |
| 35 | 29.7 | 2.08 mg | 2.38 mg |
| 50 | 42.4 | 2.97 mg | 3.40 mg |
Human sleep studies
Most replicated amount: 25–30 nmol/kg IV — not fixed 100–400 mcg SC. Better-controlled independent work (Bes 1992, Monti 1987) was less persuasive than early network studies.
Outcomes varied among stage 2, slow-wave sleep, REM, total sleep time, awakenings, and next-day function — not uniform “deep sleep increase.”
Human sleep literature
25–30 nmol/kg IV · mixed efficacy · small n
| Study | n | Dose | Finding | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schneider-Helmert 1981 | 6 | 25 nmol/kg IV | ↑ sleep time in observation period | Tiny pilot |
| Schneider-Helmert 1986 | 18 | 30 nmol/kg IV | Improved latency, TST, efficiency | No adequate concurrent control |
| Monti 1987 | 6 | 25 nmol/kg IV | Small stage-2 changes; weak clinical benefit | Baseline differences |
| Bes 1992 | 16 | 25 nmol/kg IV | No significant overall sleep improvement | Independent negative-leaning result |
| Hruz 2001 | Small | 5 mcg/kg IN | ↑ P300 amplitude | Not insomnia trial |
Other human research
Withdrawal (Dick, Backmund): 25–35 nmol/kg IV intensive regimens — open-label, hypotension cases, not home protocols. ACTH/cortisol: mixed — Bjartell ↓ ACTH; Späth-Schwalbe no CRH/meal effect. Anesthesia (Pomfrett 2009): 25–100 nmol/kg IV — ↑ HR, ↓ HRV under isoflurane.
FDA identified 25–150 nmol/kg IV in ~209 people over 1–15 days — exposure total, not efficacy proof.
Commonly reported research protocols
Reported protocols
100–400 mcg SC community conventions — no controlled SC sleep trial
- Dose
- 150–300 mcg
- Frequency
- Once before bed
- Route
- SC
- Duration
- 2–4 weeks
- Evidence basis
- Repeated online/clinic convention
Anecdotal versus clinically studied dosing
Evidence split
Historical IV nmol/kg vs contemporary fixed SC mcg
Historical human research (mostly IV)
25–30 nmol/kg · small trials · mixed results
- Typical dose
- 25–30 nmol/kg (~21–25 mcg/kg)
- Route
- Intravenous infusion/bolus
- 70 kg total
- ~1.5–1.8 mg IV
- Duration
- Often 1–7 treatment days
- Monitoring
- Sleep lab / PSG in some studies
- SC sleep trial
- None identified
Contemporary community protocols
100–400 mcg SC — route/PK unvalidated
- Typical dose
- 100–300 mcg fixed SC
- Route
- Subcutaneous; sometimes intranasal
- Timing
- 30–60 min before bed
- Frequency
- Nightly, 3× weekly, or 5 on/2 off
- Duration
- 2–8 weeks
- Evidence
- Uncontrolled reports
For 70 kg, 25 nmol/kg IV ≈ 1.49 mg vs 200 mcg SC ≈ one-seventh nominal mass with unknown bioavailability. Neither direction proves the other route safe or effective.
Body weight and escalation
Historical IV used weight-based dosing; contemporary SC uses fixed mcg. No validated weight-adjustment model for SC. Online 100 → 300 mcg weekly escalation schedules are community conventions, not clinical titration.
Animal and preclinical dosage
Rabbit ICV/IV, rat IV/IP, cat SC, rat intranasal stroke model — inconsistent across species, circadian phase, and route. No animal-to-human conversion establishes contemporary SC protocol when human IV data already exist.
Powder, vial, and subcutaneous math
Community SC amounts require a validated peptide-content assay and sterile/endotoxin-controlled product. Calculator below is arithmetic only — does not validate research-vial injection.
Reconstitution math
Vial mg + diluent → mcg/mL → volume for target SC mcg (arithmetic only)
Concentration
2500 mcg/mL
Volume
0.08 mL
Insulin syringe
8 units
Assumes validated peptide-content assay and sterile/endotoxin-controlled product. Does not validate research-vial injection.
Route problems
Oral: not established. SC: no human sleep PK. Intranasal: one P300 report — not insomnia dose. IV at home: infusion-rate sensitivity in early work — not DIY. Bacteriostatic water reconstitution without validated cosolvent is questionable for poorly soluble material.
Complete proposed SC research protocol
Phase 1b: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SC emideltide in insomnia disorder. Part A SAD: 50, 150, 300, 600 mcg SC 90 min before bed with dense PK (5–480 min). Part B: 14-night MAD — placebo, 150 mcg, 300 mcg nightly with PSG nights 1/7/14.
Proposed Phase 1b SC design
SAD 50 → 150 → 300 → 600 mcg · MAD 150/300 mcg × 14 nights + PSG
Part A — Single ascending dose (SC, 90 min before bed)
| Cohort | Dose | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | 50 mcg SC | Below community range |
| A2 | 150 mcg SC | Lower community center |
| A3 | 300 mcg SC | Upper-middle community amount |
| A4 | 600 mcg SC | Conditional exposure cohort |
Part B — Multiple ascending dose (14 nights)
| Arm | Dose | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|
| Placebo | Placebo | PSG nights 1, 7, 14 · PK · BP/HR |
| 150 mcg nightly × 14 | 150 mcg nightly | PSG nights 1, 7, 14 · PK · BP/HR |
| 300 mcg nightly × 14 | 300 mcg nightly | PSG nights 1, 7, 14 · PK · BP/HR |
Requires GMP SC formulation, GLP tox by intended route, validated LC-MS/MS, and IRB/regulatory approval — not a personal protocol.
Prerequisites: GMP formulation, GLP tox by intended route, validated LC-MS/MS, aggregate/endotoxin control, IRB/regulatory approval.
Safety and side effects
Safety monitoring
IV withdrawal hypotension · no controlled SC incidence table
- IV withdrawal studies (FDA review)
- Perspiration, headache, nausea, vertigo; hypotension in several cases — confounded by withdrawal state
- Anesthesia study
- ↑ heart rate, ↓ HRV under isoflurane — not bedtime incidence data
- SC community use
- No controlled human SC adverse-event incidence table
- Product quality
- Aggregation, endotoxin, impurities — FDA flagged emideltide characterization gaps
How DSIP may work
No single confirmed receptor. Hypotheses: indirect opioid-system signaling (not direct receptor agonist), GABA/glutamate modulation, neuroendocrine effects, circadian-state dependence. “Facilitates sleep when conditions allow” ≠ proven circadian reset.
Claims versus evidence
Claim checker
Common DSIP claims vs the evidence record
DSIP reliably increases deep delta sleep
Unproven
Stage N3/delta effects are inconsistent across studies. Name ≠ proven biology.
Dosage evidence ladder
Dosage evidence ladder
IV human exposure exists · SC sleep dose unvalidated
| Level | What exists | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| FDA-approved dose | None | None |
| Human clinical sleep dosing | 25–30 nmol/kg IV most common | Weak · mixed efficacy |
| Broader human IV exposure | 25–150 nmol/kg · ~209 people · 1–15 days | Exposure only |
| Human intranasal | 5 mcg/kg P300 study only | Not sleep efficacy |
| Anecdotal SC | 100–400 mcg before bed | Insufficient |
| Long-term human SC safety | None established | None |
Bottom line
DSIP has a fragmented human history — mostly IV 25–30 nmol/kg in small trials with mixed sleep findings. Mechanism remains unusually uncertain.
The 100–400 mcg SC range answers a real search question but is community convention, not historical trial dose or validated clinical protocol. The useful next step is route-specific SC study with measured exposure, PSG, next-day function, and cardiovascular monitoring.
IV nmol/kg ≠ SC mcg. Short IV half-life ≠ SC schedule. Name ≠ deep-sleep proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is the usual DSIP research dose?
Historical sleep studies used 25–30 nmol/kg IV. Community protocols report 100–400 mcg SC. Only the former has direct human experimental support; neither is an established clinical dosage.
How much is 25 nmol/kg in micrograms?
About 21.2 mcg/kg, or roughly 1.49 mg total for a 70 kg participant.
Is 300 mcg a standard dose?
It is a commonly repeated community amount, not a dose established by a controlled human SC sleep trial.
What is DSIP's half-life?
FDA cited approximately eight minutes after IV exposure. SC and intranasal human half-lives are not established.
Has subcutaneous DSIP been tested in humans for sleep?
FDA's 2026 evaluation did not identify clinical SC sleep information. Established literature is predominantly IV.
Does DSIP increase deep sleep?
Human literature is inconsistent. Some studies reported sleep changes; stage N3/delta effects are not uniform or reliably replicated.
Can DSIP lower cortisol?
Human neuroendocrine findings are mixed. Broad cortisol-lowering claims are overstated.
Is DSIP the same as emideltide acetate?
Same active sequence possible, but acetate and free-base materials can differ in mass basis, counterion, and solubility. Assay basis must be specified.
Does DSIP need to be cycled?
No study establishes a required cycle. Five-on/two-off and two-to-four-week patterns are community conventions.
What would establish a real DSIP dose?
GMP product, validated SC PK, randomized dose-ranging with polysomnography, next-day performance testing, cardiovascular monitoring, and longer follow-up.
References
FDA
Emideltide PCAC briefing documentJuly 2026 · IV-dominated evidence · no SC PK.
Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV
DSIP: a still unresolved riddleMechanism and endogenous status review.
Schneider-Helmert D et al.
DSIP human sleep studies25–30 nmol/kg IV historical series.
Bes F et al.
DSIP in chronic insomniacs — double-blind25 nmol/kg IV · limited benefit.
Hruz P et al.
Intranasal DSIP and P3005 mcg/kg · not insomnia trial.
PubChem
Delta sleep-inducing peptideIdentity reference.