Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) is a small protein-like molecule that has intrigued scientists and wellness enthusiasts for decades. First isolated in the mid-1970s from the blood of sleeping rabbits by Swiss researchers [1], DSIP earned its name by reportedly inducing deep, delta-wave sleep. Over time, this nine-amino-acid neuropeptide has proven to be much more than a sleep aid. It appears naturally in the human brain and even in breast milk, hinting it may play a role in newborns dozing off after feeding [2]. Despite early controversies over its effectiveness, recent research is uncovering DSIP’s broader impacts on stress, hormones, pain, and even longevity. In this article, we’ll explore the history of DSIP, how it works, and its potential benefits across five key areas of health.

DSIP’s story begins in 1974, when scientists searching for sleep-regulating substances stumbled upon a mysterious peptide in rabbit brain blood that made the animals fall into deep sleep [1]. Excitement grew that a “sleep hormone” had been found. By 1977, DSIP was also detected in humans, albeit in tiny quantities, and later in breast milk [3]. This raised fascinating questions: why would a sleep peptide be in milk? One hypothesis is that DSIP in mothers’ milk helps lull infants to sleep after feeding, though this remains unproven [2].

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