Peptides and Sleep Research

Studying the effects of peptides on sleep may be of interest to somnology researchers. It has been hypothesized that peptides may improve sleep quality because they interact with the different stages of sleep and stimulate the production of hormones like melatonin. If you're a researcher interested in the role of peptides in sleep physiology and sleep disorders, this review has the information you need to understand fundamental problems and research history.

Animals' brains were stimulated to extract the delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP), an endogenously generated peptide. Delta sleep, sometimes called slow-wave sleep (SWS), is characterized by delta activity in EEGs and is believed to aid physical recovery. Studies suggest that DSIP may enhance this kind of sleep. It has also been suggested that the peptide might help with memory processing and promote REM sleep. Therefore, DSIP may possibly improve sleep quality. In clinical settings, DSIP has been suggested as effective in managing withdrawal symptoms from addiction, restoring sleep patterns, and controlling narcolepsy [i, ii, iii, iv, v].

Peptides are a kind of protein that is tiny in size but still consists of amino acid building blocks joined together by peptide bonds. In common use, a "peptide" denotes a protein with a single polypeptide chain of 40 or 50 residues at most.

A peptide's main structure is typically linear. However, it may be cyclic (when the N and C terminus are joined through an amide bond after the amino acid sequence has been translated) or branched (when the R chains include amino or carboxyl groups).

The peptide's amino acid sequence determines its biological characteristics, regardless of its chemical makeup. Like bigger proteins, peptides such as the more familiar alpha helix can have secondary and tertiary structures. However, a peptide cannot have a quaternary structure since they are single-chained [vii]. Research suggests that important functions of peptides in the body may include, but are not limited to, [vi]:

• Possible hormone synthesis

• Possible tissue expansion

• Possible immune reactions

• Possible recuperative measures

Researchers have investigated the potential of lab-made analogs. Several peptide-based substances with alleged superior receptor selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and profiles have been produced by scientists [viii].

There are two proposed ways in which peptides for sleep may act:

• As professionals suggest, increasing melatonin production may help in falling asleep and staying asleep.

• Possibly influencing sleep stages and, in particular, promoting stage 3, often known as deep sleep, which is crucial for sleep-related memory consolidation and tissue repair.

For instance, experimental mice with DSIP appeared to have exhibited shorter sleep latency and longer periods of stage-3 sleep (also known as SWS) than controls. This is the deepest stage of sleep in which the brain is not actively processing information [ix]. Growth and repair activities, such as releasing growth hormone and tissue regeneration, peak during SWS [x].

Memory consolidation (especially declarative memory, or memory for facts and events) may occur during delta wave sleep. The bioregulator Epithalon (AEDG peptide), as speculated by Korkushko et al. (2014), has been suggested to increase melatonin synthesis, which in turn has been purported to decrease sleep latency and regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

While DSIP is promising, it is just one of few peptides under scientific study for sleep quality enhancement potential. Here are several more study peptides that have reportedly exhibited promise in promoting restorative sleep:

Epithalon Peptide

Epithalon is an Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG) tetrapeptide bioregulator. The epiphysis provides the source material for the polypeptides (epithalamin) used to construct the sequence. The latter may generate melatonin and control the sleep-wake cycle via the pineal gland.

The peptide is considered to lengthen telomeres by increasing cellular telomerase activity. While this may extend the life of cells, there is worry that the same process might have unintended consequences by extending the life of unhealthy cells. Experimental trials in Russia have published promising results, but this focus area requires additional study.