Side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and stacking potential.
| Epitalon (Epithalon) | Humanin | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Peptides | Peptides |
| Standard Dose | Research indicates 5-10 mg daily via subcutaneous injection for 10-20 day cycles. | Research indicates dosing remains experimental. Animal studies use 1-10 mcg/day equivalents. Human protocols are not established. |
| Timing | Evening administration preferred (aligns with pineal/melatonin function). Some protocols split doses AM/PM. | No established timing protocol. Morning dosing suggested for neuroprotective applications. |
| Cycle Duration | 10-20 day intensive cycles repeated every 4-6 months. Not used continuously. | Experimental — no established cycle lengths. |
| Evidence Level | animal_plus_anecdotal | animal_plus_anecdotal |
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly / AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide based on the natural pineal gland peptide epithalamin. It activates telomerase by inducing expression of the catalytic subunit hTERT, resulting in telomere elongation averaging 33.3% in human somatic cells. Epitalon restores pineal melatonin synthesis and circadian gene expression in aged organisms, increases BDNF, and upregulates CREB1. It also modulates the neuroendocrine system through its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and antioxidant enzyme regulation.
Research indicates 5-10 mg daily via subcutaneous injection for 10-20 day cycles.
Evening administration preferred (aligns with pineal/melatonin function). Some protocols split doses AM/PM.
10-20 day intensive cycles repeated every 4-6 months. Not used continuously.
Humanin is a 24-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the 16S rRNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. It binds IGFBP-3 with high affinity (via Phe-6), interfering with IGFBP-3 binding to importin-beta and suppressing IGFBP-3-mediated apoptosis. It also inhibits the pro-apoptotic protein Bax (Bcl-2 family), preventing mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and intrinsic apoptosis. Humanin and IGFBP-3 synergistically protect neurons from amyloid-beta-induced apoptosis, and it activates the STAT3 and ERK1/2 pathways for cytoprotection.
Research indicates dosing remains experimental. Animal studies use 1-10 mcg/day equivalents. Human protocols are not established.
No established timing protocol. Morning dosing suggested for neuroprotective applications.
Experimental — no established cycle lengths.
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