DSIP

🚨 CRITICAL WARNING: DSIP (Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide) is a Schedule 4 Prescription-Only medicine in Australia. While it is naturally occurring in the brain, the synthetic version is classified by WADA under Category S0 (Non-approved substances) or S2, meaning it is Prohibited for athletes. Do not use this if you are subject to drug testing. Furthermore, DSIP is potent; unlike herbal sleep supplements (like Valerian root), this is a powerful neuropeptide that directly alters brain chemistry.

✅ Executive Summary: Key Takeaways for DSIP

  • What is it? A neuropeptide discovered in 1974 that regulates Delta Wave (Deep) sleep.
  • Best Use: Treating chronic insomnia, “tired but wired” stress states, and normalizing sleep patterns after travel (jet lag).
  • The “Magic”: It doesn’t sedate you like Valium; it “modulates” the brain into a natural rhythm, lowering cortisol and allowing deep sleep to occur.
  • The Catch: It is finicky. It works miraculously for some and does nothing for others (“Responders” vs “Non-Responders”).
  • Cost Estimate: $120 – $180 AUD per vial.

The Science Behind “The Sleep Switch”

Discovered by Swiss researchers in 1974, DSIP was isolated from the cerebral venous blood of rabbits in an induced state of sleep. They found that if they transfused this blood into awake rabbits, the awake rabbits immediately fell into a deep, restorative sleep.

The peptide is named Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide because it specifically increases EEG delta activity. Delta waves are the slow, high-amplitude brain waves associated with Stage 3 and 4 NREM sleep (Deep Sleep). This is the phase of sleep where physical repair happens—Growth Hormone is released, muscles are rebuilt, and the immune system reboots.

However, modern research suggests DSIP is actually more of a “Stress Regulator” than a pure sleep drug. It works by inhibiting the release of ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone), which is the signal that tells your adrenal glands to pump out cortisol.

By blocking this stress signal, DSIP stops the “fight or flight” response that keeps you awake at 2 AM staring at the ceiling. It quiets the noise, creating the physiological permission for your brain to sleep.

🧠 Did You Know?

DSIP is surprisingly versatile. Beyond sleep, it has been studied in Russia for treating pain conditions, alcohol withdrawal, and even reducing oxidative stress. It appears to act as a general “brake pedal” for an over-excited central nervous system.

Who Is Talking About DSIP?

  • Ben Greenfield: The biohacker frequently discusses DSIP as his “big gun” for travel. He uses it to immediately sync his sleep cycle to a new time zone, preventing the cortisol spike that usually accompanies jet lag.
  • Dr. William Seeds: In his peptide protocols, he highlights the importance of DSIP for “Type A” personalities—high performers who have burned out their adrenal systems and physically cannot relax enough to fall asleep.
  • Russian Medical Literature: While Western medicine has largely ignored DSIP in favor of profitable sleeping pills (like Ambien), Russia and Ukraine have used it clinically for decades to treat varying neurological disorders.

Disclaimer: These figures discuss the science and their personal protocols. They are not prescribing this to you.

Real World Applications: Why Australians Use It

In Australian clinics, DSIP is a niche but beloved tool for two specific types of strugglers.

The “Tired but Wired” Executive

This patient is exhausted but mentally hyperactive. Their cortisol curve is inverted—low in the morning (hard to wake up) and high at night (racing mind).

  • The Goal: DSIP is used to blunt that night-time cortisol spike. Unlike sleeping pills which force unconsciousness (but ruin sleep quality), DSIP allows for a natural transition into sleep.

The Shift Worker / Frequent Flyer

Australians doing FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) work or international business often have shattered circadian rhythms.

  • The Goal: They use DSIP “On Demand.” They might not take it every day, but they use it for the first 3 nights after a shift change or a flight to force their brain into the correct rhythm immediately.

The How-To Guide for Using DSIP Correctly

DSIP is notorious for having a “Sweet Spot” with dosing. More is not better.

The Kitchen Chemistry: Reconstitution

  • Vial: Typically comes in 2mg or 5mg vials.
  • Mixing: Add 2ml of Bacteriostatic Water.
  • Fragile: It is a peptide, so treat it gently. Do not shake.

The Injection Protocol

  • Dosage: Start low. 100mcg is the standard starting dose.
  • The Ceiling: Most users find no additional benefit above 250mcg. If 200mcg doesn’t work, taking 500mcg won’t work either. It’s a signaling molecule, not a sedative.
  • Timing: Inject 1 to 2 hours before bed. It is not instant like a pill; it needs time to lower the cortisol levels.
  • Site: Subcutaneous injection in the stomach.

The “Responder” Check

DSIP has a high non-responder rate (approx 20%).

  • The Test: Try it for 3 nights at 100mcg. If you feel nothing, go to 200mcg for 3 nights. If still nothing, you are likely a non-responder. Stop taking it. It doesn’t work for everyone’s biology.
⚡ Don’t Forget To…

Dim the lights. DSIP sets the stage for sleep, but Blue Light (from phones/TVs) crushes your Melatonin. If you inject DSIP and then scroll TikTok for an hour, you are fighting the peptide. Give it a chance to work.

Costs, Legality & Troubleshooting

Cost Analysis

It is relatively affordable due to the small doses.

  • Price: A 5mg vial costs $120 – $180 AUD.
  • Value: At 100mcg per dose, a 5mg vial contains 50 doses. That is nearly 2 months of supply for under $200, making it cheaper than many high-end magnesium supplements.

Troubleshooting: “I feel groggy”

This is the most common side effect.

  • The Cause: You slept too deeply. Your brain isn’t used to that level of Delta activity.
  • The Fix: Take the dose earlier in the evening (e.g., 3 hours before bed) or lower the dose to 50mcg.

Troubleshooting: “It stopped working”

DSIP tolerance builds up fast.

  • The Fix: Do not take it every single night forever. Use it for:
    • 3 nights a week (M/W/F).
    • Or a 2-week “Correction Cycle” then stop.
    • It works best as a tool to fix a rhythm, not a crutch to maintain one.

The Dealbreaker Safety Check

Side Effects

  • Grogginess: Sleep inertia upon waking.
  • Headache: Mild headaches can occur in the first few days.
  • Vivid Dreams: While not as intense as CJC-1295, many users report cinema-quality dreams due to the extended REM/Deep cycles.

Contraindications

  • Narcolepsy: Do not use if you have sleep disorders involving excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Alcohol: Do not mix with alcohol. Both affect GABA and sleep architecture. The combination can lead to respiratory depression or simply a terrible night’s sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stack it with Epithalon?

Yes. This is the “Circadian Reset” stack. Epithalon fixes the pineal gland (Melatonin production), and DSIP fixes the cortisol regulation. Using them together is a powerful way to completely reboot a broken sleep cycle.

Is it addictive?

Physically, no. It is a peptide, not a benzodiazepine. It does not cause chemical dependency. However, psychologically, you may become reliant on it to feel “safe” enough to sleep.

Can I stack it with Sermorelin/Ipamorelin?

Yes. Since GH peptides are taken at night to boost Growth Hormone, and DSIP increases deep sleep (where GH is released), they are highly synergistic. You get more sleep and more GH during that sleep.

Does it help with anxiety?

Anecdotally, yes. Because it lowers ACTH/Cortisol, users often report feeling “chill” or “zen” the next day. It has a mild anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) afterglow.

Is it legal?

Prescription only. Buying “Sleep Peptides” from bodybuilding sites is illegal and risky. Stick to Australian compounding pharmacies.