PeptideFederation

Neuropeptide

DSIP

Also known as Delta sleep-inducing peptide, Emideltide

Early human data

Summary

DSIP is a nine-residue peptide isolated in 1977 from rabbits in which slow-wave sleep had been induced by electrical brain stimulation. Despite decades of study, no specific receptor or gene for it has been identified, and human sleep studies have produced inconsistent results.

Structure

  1. W1
  2. A2
  3. G3
  4. G4
  5. D5
  6. A6
  7. S7
  8. G8
  9. E9

HydrophobicGly / ProPolarBasic (+)Acidic (−)

Nonapeptide first isolated from the blood of rabbits during induced sleep.

How it works

Unclear. DSIP has been proposed to interact with GABA, glutamate and opioid systems, and to influence stress hormones. Reviewers have described it as a still-unresolved riddle.

Research use cases

Areas where DSIP has been studied. Inclusion here does not mean it works for that purpose.

  • Sleep architecture
  • Stress response
  • Withdrawal symptoms (historical studies)

What the research found

Discovery

Schoenenberger and Monnier characterized the peptide from cerebral venous blood of sleeping rabbits and reported it induced delta-wave EEG activity in recipient animals.1

Unresolved biology

A 2006 review concluded that despite many studies, DSIP’s physiological role, receptor and even whether it acts primarily on sleep remained uncertain.2

Safety and open questions

Small human studies reported few adverse effects. No modern controlled trials.

Regulatory status

Not approved. Research compound.

Status was accurate when this page was last reviewed on October 26, 2026. Regulations change; check with the relevant authority before relying on it.

DSIP: common questions

Does DSIP reliably induce sleep?

The evidence is inconsistent. Some small studies in insomnia showed improvements and others showed none. No large trial has settled the question.

Is DSIP approved for human use?

Not approved. Research compound.

References

  1. Schoenenberger GA, Monnier M. (1977). Characterization of a delta-electroencephalogram (-sleep)-inducing peptide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
  2. Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. (2006). Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle. Journal of Neurochemistry.

Links open a PubMed search for the exact title, or the original source where one is given.