Overview
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In plain language
DSIP stands for delta sleep-inducing peptide. It is a short chain of 9 amino acids that scientists found in 1977 in the blood of rabbits who had been put into deep sleep.
Researchers hoped it might be a natural sleep chemical, but decades later its role in the body is still unclear, and no specific receptor has been found. Small human studies on sleep gave mixed results. It is not an FDA-approved medicine.
For students
DSIP is a nonapeptide (WAGGDASGE, about 849 Da) isolated by Schoenenberger and Monnier from the cerebral venous blood of rabbits during sleep induced by thalamic stimulation. It was named for promoting slow-wave (delta) sleep when infused into recipient animals.
Later work reported effects on stress hormones, pain and body temperature, but results were inconsistent between laboratories. No dedicated gene or receptor has been identified, and it is unclear whether DSIP-like immunoreactivity in tissues reflects DSIP itself.
For researchers and instructors
Human evidence. Small trials in the 1980s in insomnia and withdrawal syndromes produced mixed and generally modest results, with methodological limitations.
Open questions. Lack of a defined precursor gene, receptor or clear pharmacokinetics makes DSIP an outlier among neuropeptides.
Regulatory. Not FDA-approved. In July 2026 an FDA advisory committee voted against adding DSIP (emideltide) to the list of substances pharmacies may compound.
Molecular identity
- Amino acids
- 9
- Molecular weight
- ~848.8 Da
- Formula
- C₃₅H₄₈N₁₀O₁₅
- Sequence
- WAGGDASGE
Sequence map
Hydropathy
Kyte–Doolittle score per residue. Positive values are water-repelling.
Origin and history
DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) was isolated in 1977 by Guido Schoenenberger, Marcel Monnier and colleagues in Basel, Switzerland. They put rabbits into deep sleep by electrically stimulating the brain, collected their blood and found a nine-amino-acid peptide that seemed to cause deep (delta-wave) sleep in other rabbits.
It became a mystery of neuroscience: despite decades of research, no gene for it and no specific receptor have been confirmed, and human sleep studies gave mixed results.
Key people
- Guido Schoenenberger & Marcel MonnierUniversity of Basel
Timeline
- 1977
DSIP isolated from sleeping rabbits
- 1980s
Mixed results in human sleep studies
See every peptide on one history timeline.
Human evidence
Small human studies, mostly in the 1980s, gave inconsistent results on sleep.
Registration and enrollment are not proof of benefit; check study results directly.
Explore original publications and distinguish preclinical findings from controlled human evidence.
Safety and regulatory status
See every compound on the regulatory tracker.
Not FDA-approved. In July 2026 an FDA advisory committee voted against adding DSIP (emideltide) to the list of substances pharmacies may compound.
This profile is educational and does not provide treatment, dosing or sourcing guidance.
Sources
- PubMed literature search: DSIP
- PubChem compound search: DSIP
- PubMed: delta sleep-inducing peptide
- ClinicalTrials.gov search: DSIP
Hernandez Gener, E. (2026, November 7). DSIP: molecular data, research history and evidence. VALREXA Biosciences. https://valrexa.com/peptides/dsip.html
APA style · Last reviewed November 7, 2026 · Our editorial standardsLast reviewed November 7, 2026. Trial and regulatory status can change; confirm in the linked registries. This profile is educational and is not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or dosing or sourcing guidance. Report an error · Corrections policy