DSIP

What is DSIP and where does it come from?

DSIP, or delta sleep-inducing peptide, was first described in 1977 when researchers isolated "a peptide that induces slow-wave (delta) and spindles electroencephalogram enhancement after intraventricular (brain) infusion" from rabbits, with the sequence Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu [2]; the source was rabbit cerebral venous blood [1][3]. FDA's compounding briefing describes it as "a naturally occurring nonapeptide" nominated under the name emideltide for chronic insomnia, narcolepsy and opioid withdrawal, by the subcutaneous route [1]. A 2006 review concluded the link between DSIP and sleep "has never been further characterized" and called the sleep-factor hypothesis "extremely poorly documented and still weak" [3].

Does DSIP work for insomnia, and is it FDA-approved?

FDA found no study evaluating emideltide's effectiveness by the proposed subcutaneous route; the only data available came from intravenous use, and results were "inconclusive and at best preliminary" for chronic insomnia [1]. For narcolepsy, FDA found only a single-subject case report, which it said limited any conclusion [1]. In July 2026, a Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee panel voted against adding emideltide to the compounding list, 6 yes, 7 no and 1 abstention [4]. DSIP is not FDA-approved. The committee's vote is a recommendation, not a binding decision, and formal rulemaking would still be required before any compounding addition could take effect [4].