What Is DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide)?
Also known as Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide, DSIP is a short, naturally produced neuropeptide, first discovered in the 70s. It was initially isolated from the brains of rabbits and gained its notoriety for inducing sleep during slow-wave sleep cycle.
Since the 70s, there’s been a lot of studies revolving around DSIP and its range of abilities seems to be spreading from inducing sleep all the way to affecting endocrine system, affecting stress levels and blood pressure, and altering pain perception.
DSIP Structure
- Sequence: Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu
- Molecular Formula: C35H48N10O15
- Molecular Weight: 848.824 g/mol
- PubChem CID: 68816
- CAS Number: 62568-57-4
- Synonyms: Emideltide, DSIP nonapeptide, Deltaran
DSIP And Sleep
Though initial studies revolved primarily around sleep (as the “sleep-inducing” part of the name suggests), the exact connection between DSIP and sleep is not yet as first as most researchers would have hoped. Why? Mostly because results were inconsistent and inconclusive… For example, one study might indicate a clear link between this peptide and sleep, while the second one might completely disprove it… the third one concludes there is no impact and the fourth one says it promotes sedation initially, but causes arousal later on.
DSIP Research and Chronic Pain
Chronic (and any other type of) pain is a state most researchers take very seriously and are always on the lookout for better, less addictive options of addressing it, and DSIP is no different. There was a pilot study done on monkeys with chronic pain episodes where it was concluded that this peptide reduced pain perception significantly (as compared to the placebo).
There were also some experiments with systemically administered morphine and amphetamine. These, and similar opioid drugs, act slowly (but surely) develop chronic addiction in rats with severe pain episodes. One study in rat models showed that, even though DSIP acts on the same receptors in the central nervous system, there was no evidence that it led to the same kind of addiction.
DSIP Research and Metabolism
Though DSIP was primarily investigated for its link with sleeping patterns and, as of late, pain relief potential, one of the more recent studies on its effects on rat lipid metabolism showed some interesting findings.
At the end of the study, researchers found that rats injected with DSIP experienced body weight reduction, total fat mass reduction as well as reduced serum lipids.
Since the results were so fascinating, there were many more similar studies aimed at digging deeper and figuring out this connection. One particular study explored DSIP’s influence on glucose metabolism in rats. To everyone’s surprise, DSIP application resulted in improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. But, even though the initial results were promising, it’s important to note that these were just some preliminary findings and that we’re missing large scale studies.
Depression, Chemical Imbalances, and DSIP
Though depression is a much more complicated condition, and cannot be reversed/addressed by changing/introducing one chemical into the patient’s body, scientists wanted to go down this path and see if DSIP affected it in any way.
So they designed a study around rats subjected to short-term hypoxic conditions. The findings showed that DSIP may have altered the mitochondrial activity in a hypoxic environment, which further suggested that this peptide can affect depressive states. And, since there is such a strong connection between sleeping cycles and depressive states, it appears that DSIP may affect depression.
However, there were no studies where DSIP application affected a patient’s depressive state so much it restored subjective normal feeling.
DSIP Research in Withdrawal and Addiction
One particular animal study showed that DSIP actually possesses an agonistic tendency towards opiate receptors. Which further confirmed researcher’s claims this peptide can potentially be used in the reduction of withdrawal symptoms from both opiates and alcohols.
DSIP Physiologic and Muscle-Building Effects
It’s interesting that DSIP was first identified in the brains of rabbits during deep sleep, but researchers still aren’t quite sure where this peptide is synthesized. Some suggest it’s produced outside of the central nervous system and does not affect sleep at all!
This allied the scientists to be a bit more creative in their research. And one such research gave birth to some speculations saying DSIP inhibits somatostatin; a protein produced in muscle cells that inhibits their growth. This action, in turn, contributes to the overall hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the skeletal muscles.
Since these findings contradict the original ones regarding sleep, some scientists are asking for the entire revising of DSIP and its complete research history. We’ll see what the future holds and which side will prevail in the end.
