Side-by-side · Research reference

DSIPvsIpamorelin

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AHuman-MechanisticDraft8/36 cited

BPhase 1Reviewed21/57 cited

DSIP

Sleep modulator · Anti-stress

100–200 mcgPer doseSchneider 1986

HumanMechanisticSchneider 1986

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ · Pre-sleep · Daily during cycle

Ipamorelin

Selective GHRP · Ghrelin Mimetic

200–300 mcgPer doseRaun 1998

Phase 1Evidence levelRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

~2 hrHalf-lifeRaun 1998

SQ · Multiple sites · 1–3×/day

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

DSIP

Ipamorelin

Primary target

Multiple — modulates HPA axis + thalamic delta-wave generation (proposed)Schneider 1986

Ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) on anterior pituitaryRaun 1998

Pathway

Reduced cortisol/ACTH + enhanced delta-wave EEG activity → improved sleep onset + depthSchneider 1986

GHS-R1a binding → Gαq/11 → ↑intracellular Ca²⁺ → GH vesicle exocytosisRaun 1998 Bowers 1991

Downstream effect

Faster sleep onset, increased delta sleep, reduced stress response, possible anxiolytic effectSchneider 1986

GH pulse amplification, IGF-1 elevation, recovery and lipolytic effectsBowers 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Yes — pulsatile pattern preserved; somatostatin feedback activeBowers 2002

Origin

Endogenous peptide first isolated from rabbit blood during delta sleep; synthesised exogenouslySchneider 1986

Pentapeptide H-Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; rationally designed for ghrelin-receptor selectivityRaun 1998

Antibody development

—

Not reported in short-term studies

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

DSIP

Ipamorelin

Standard dose

100–200 mcg SQ pre-sleepSchneider 1986

200–300 mcg per injectionRaun 1998

Anecdotal community range; clinical doses 1–3 mg IV in trials.

Frequency

Once daily, pre-sleep

1–3× per day

Once daily pre-sleep is most common; twice or thrice for advanced users.

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg pre-sleep

100 mcg per dose

Evidence basis

Human-mechanistic + early clinicalSchneider 1986

Phase 1 + clinical practiceRaun 1998 Sigalos 2018

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off (anecdotal)

GHS-R desensitisation reported with continuous dosing.

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Bacteriostatic water; typical 2 mL per 5 mg vial

Timing

30–60 min pre-sleep

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred; 30 min away from food

Half-life

Short plasma; CNS effects last hours

~2 hoursRaun 1998

Longer than GHRP-6 (15 min); shorter than CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days).

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

DSIP

Ipamorelin

Injection site reaction

Mild irritation

Mild irritation possible

Drowsiness

Expected effect (intentional)

—

Vivid dreams

Anecdotally reported

—

Long-term safety

Limited modern RCT data

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Cortisol elevation

—

Negligible vs other GHRPsRaun 1998

Prolactin elevation

—

NegligibleRaun 1998

Hunger

—

Mild appetite increase via ghrelin-receptor crosstalk

GH excess (overdose)

—

Joint pain, edema, insulin resistance

IGF-1 elevation

—

Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic high-dose use

Cancer risk

—

Theoretical via GH/IGF-1 axis; contraindicated in active malignancy

Absolute Contraindications

DSIP

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Concurrent CNS-depressant therapy without supervision

Ipamorelin

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

Relative Contraindications

DSIP

·Severe sleep apnoea (untreated)
·Concurrent benzodiazepine / opioid use

Ipamorelin

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance
·Concurrent corticosteroid use (theoretical desensitisation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

DSIP

Ipamorelin

1. Reconstitution

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to vial.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL. Roll gently. Solution should be clear.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Pinch fat for shallow SQ delivery.

3. Timing

30–60 min pre-sleep.

Pre-sleep optimal — aligns with natural GH pulse. Some protocols add a morning fasted dose.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G insulin syringe.

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

DSIP

— no documented stacks

Ipamorelin

+ Tesamorelin

Strong

View Tesamorelin →

Ipamorelin (GHRP) + tesamorelin (GHRH analogue) is the textbook dual-axis GH stack. They activate two distinct pituitary receptors — the ghrelin receptor and the GHRH receptor — producing a synergistic GH pulse larger than either alone. Ipamorelin's selectivity (no cortisol/prolactin spike) makes it the ideal GHRP partner for long-term protocols.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
Tesamorelin: 2 mg SQ · same injection · pre-sleep
Primary benefit: Maximal GH pulsatility, fat loss, recovery, sleep depth

Raun 1998 Bowers 2002

+ CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Strong

View CJC-1295 (no DAC) →

CJC-1295 (no DAC) is a short-acting GHRH analogue. Combined with ipamorelin (GHRP), the pulse is amplified across both receptor systems with timing similar to native physiology. Without the DAC modification, the stack maintains sharp peaks rather than the sustained elevation seen with CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin.

Ipamorelin: 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
CJC-1295 (no DAC): 100 mcg SQ · same injection
Primary benefit: Pulsatile GH stimulation matching physiological pattern

Teichman 2006 Ionescu 2006