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Comparison

DSIP vs Ipamorelin

DSIP is nootropic & neuro; Ipamorelin is gHRPs & ghrelin mimetics. They are compared here because they are frequently considered against each other, not because they act alike.

DSIP Ipamorelin
Class Nootropic & neuro GHRPs & ghrelin mimetics
Evidence Preliminary human Preliminary human
Human trials ~7 ~5
Half-life ~7-15 minutes ~2 hours
Reported range 100-300 mcg 200-300 mcg
Frequency Once nightly before bed 1-3x daily, on an empty stomach
Routes Subcutaneous, Intramuscular Subcutaneous
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport No Yes
Studied for Sleep research, Stress and chronic pain research Growth hormone elevation, Recovery, Sleep quality, Body composition
Reported side effects Headache, Grogginess, Injection-site reactions Head rush on injection, Transient hunger, Water retention, Lethargy

DSIP

DSIP was identified in cerebral venous blood of rabbits during electrically induced delta-wave sleep, and named for that observation. Its mechanism remains poorly defined, with proposed activity spanning modulation of corticotropin release, opioid signalling and thermoregulation. Human studies of sleep effects have produced mixed and often null results, so the name substantially oversells the reproducible evidence.

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide agonist at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, the same receptor targeted by endogenous ghrelin. Unlike the earlier GHRPs it produces a GH pulse without meaningful elevation of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol or prolactin, which is the basis of its reputation as the cleanest compound in the class. It is short-acting and is typically dosed alongside a GHRH analog to exploit the synergy between the two receptor pathways.

DSIP vs Ipamorelin: common questions

What is the difference between DSIP and Ipamorelin?

DSIP is nootropic & neuro and Ipamorelin is gHRPs & ghrelin mimetics, so they act on different pathways. DSIP: A nonapeptide isolated from rabbit brain during sleep induction, with inconsistent human results despite the name. Ipamorelin: The most receptor-selective of the growth-hormone-releasing peptides, notable for leaving cortisol and prolactin essentially unchanged.

Which has stronger evidence, DSIP or Ipamorelin?

They sit at the same evidence level: preliminary human. DSIP has about 7 human studies and Ipamorelin about 5.

Are DSIP and Ipamorelin FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 68816) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  2. FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
  3. CAS Registry Number 62568-57-4 ↗ · chemical identity
  4. PubChem compound record (CID 9831659) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  5. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
  6. CAS Registry Number 170851-70-4 ↗ · chemical identity

Published literature

  1. Pollard BJ, Pomfrett CJ. Delta sleep-inducing peptide.Eur J Anaesthesiol 2001.PubMed 11437870 · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2346.2001.00917.x
  2. Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
  3. Steiger A, Holsboer F. Neuropeptides and human sleep.Sleep 1997.PubMed 9456470
  4. Banks WA. Peptides and the blood-brain barrier.Peptides 2015.PubMed 25805003 · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2015.03.010
  5. Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle.J Neurochem 2006.PubMed 16539679 · doi:10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03693.x
  6. Meisenberg G, Simmons WH. Minireview. Peptides and the blood-brain barrier.Life Sci 1983.PubMed 6304442 · doi:10.1016/0024-3205(83)90352-1
  7. Schneider-Helmert D. DSIP in insomnia.Eur Neurol 1984.PubMed 6391925 · doi:10.1159/000115714
  8. Graf MV, Kastin AJ. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a review.Neurosci Biobehav Rev 1984.PubMed 6145137 · doi:10.1016/0149-7634(84)90022-8
  9. Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, et al.. Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.Am J Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41476424 · doi:10.1177/03635465251357593
  10. Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41966639 · doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0
  11. Renke G, Chinellato L. Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives.Int J Mol Sci 2026.PubMed 42123471 · doi:10.3390/ijms27093890
  12. Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP. A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2026.PubMed 41880199 · doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17773-1
  13. Gobburu JV, Agersø H, Jusko WJ, et al.. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers.Pharm Res 1999.PubMed 10496658 · doi:10.1023/a:1018955126402
  14. Beck DE, Sweeney WB, McCarter MD, et al.. Prospective, randomized, controlled, proof-of-concept study of the Ghrelin mimetic ipamorelin for the management of postoperative ileus in bowel resection patients.Int J Colorectal Dis 2014.PubMed 25331030 · doi:10.1007/s00384-014-2030-8
  15. Villegas Meza AD, Nocek M, Mitchell BC, et al.. Injectable Peptides in Sports Medicine: A Structured Narrative Review of Evidence, Safety, and Antidoping Implications.JBJS Rev 2026.PubMed 42160466 · doi:10.2106/JBJS.RVW.26.00027

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.