Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) | GHK (without copper) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 100-300 mcg administered before bedtime via subcutaneous injection or intranasal. | Research indicates 1-3% concentration in topical formulations. Injectable dosing follows GHK-Cu protocols at 1-2 mg daily. |
| Timing | 30-60 minutes before desired sleep onset. Evening only. | Topical application morning and evening. Injectable in evening. |
| Cycle Duration | 2-4 week cycles with equal rest periods to prevent tolerance. | Topical use can be ongoing indefinitely. Injectable cycles 8-12 weeks. |
| Evidence Level | animal_plus_anecdotal | moderate_human |
DSIP is a naturally occurring nonapeptide (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu) originally isolated from rabbit brain hypothalamus in 1977. It modulates GABAergic neurotransmission by potentiating GABA-activated currents in hippocampal and cerebellar neurons while blocking NMDA-activated potentiation in cortical neurons. It also interacts with opioid-associated receptors, modulates serotonin and dopamine systems (increasing serotonin levels), and promotes delta wave (slow-wave) sleep through mechanisms that remain incompletely characterized.
Research indicates 100-300 mcg administered before bedtime via subcutaneous injection or intranasal.
30-60 minutes before desired sleep onset. Evening only.
2-4 week cycles with equal rest periods to prevent tolerance.
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine that has an extremely high affinity for copper(II) ions. Even without exogenously complexed copper, GHK rapidly chelates available copper in biological systems, making copper-free GHK functionally similar to GHK-Cu in vivo. The peptide stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates metalloproteinase activity, resets gene expression patterns toward a healthier state (affecting 31.2% of human genes), and activates wound healing cascades.
Research indicates 1-3% concentration in topical formulations. Injectable dosing follows GHK-Cu protocols at 1-2 mg daily.
Topical application morning and evening. Injectable in evening.
Topical use can be ongoing indefinitely. Injectable cycles 8-12 weeks.
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