COGNITIVE · Injectable
VIP.
Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory peptide
How it works
Class & mechanism.
In short
VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) is the neuropeptide that synchronises the brain's master circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, keeping thousands of individual clock neurons firing in unison. Beyond sleep-wake timing, it is studied for broad anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and neuroprotective effects via VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor signaling — evidence drawn largely from animal models plus limited clinical trials in pulmonary hypertension. It is most often explored in circadian-reset and inflammation-modulation research contexts rather than as an established standalone therapeutic.
Class
Endogenous Neuropeptide (Pleiotropic Immunomodulator)
Mechanism
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino acid neuropeptide originally isolated from gut tissue but produced throughout the CNS, immune system, and peripheral tissues. It signals through two G-protein-coupled receptors — VPAC1 and VPAC2 — activating adenylate cyclase and raising intracellular cAMP, which drives broad anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and neuroprotective effects. In the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), VIP is produced by a specialized pacemaker neuronal population and functions as the master synchronisation signal that coordinates ~10,000 individual circadian clock neurons into a coherent daily rhythm. Without functional VIP signaling, individual SCN neurons lose synchrony and generate fragmented, desynchronised circadian activity.
Personalized Peptides provides DNA-driven peptide recommendations — we are not a compounding pharmacy, peptide synthesis company, or clinical provider.
Did you know
VIP is the reason your body knows what time it is. Without it, the 10,000 individual 'clock' neurons in your brain each start running on their own time — like an orchestra with no conductor — and your biological rhythms fragment into chaos. One peptide is the entire synchronisation signal for your internal clock.
Preclinical Data
No human PK studies available.
IV PK well-characterised — SC/IN PK essentially unknown
Class
Endogenous 28-AA neuropeptide / VPAC1/2 agonist
Route
IV infusion / SC (investigational) / Intranasal
Mol. Weight
3,326 Da
What we don't know
IV infusion PK is well-characterised (t½ ~2 min in blood) from PAH and ARDS clinical trials. However, SC/IN PK is essentially unknown. The extreme plasma instability (2-min half-life) means systemic delivery via SC injection produces very low and transient circulating levels. Intranasal delivery may leverage olfactory nerve transport for CNS penetration, bypassing plasma degradation.
Why this dosing protocol
SC dosing (50-200mcg QOD) creates a tissue depot with slow release, but actual plasma levels remain very low. The therapeutic rationale relies on local tissue effects and receptor occupancy rather than sustained plasma concentrations. Intranasal delivery (100-300mcg/nostril) targets CNS VPAC receptors directly. Continuous IV infusion (50-200 pmol/kg/min) is the only clinically validated route for systemic effects.
Empirical protocol: 50-100mcg SC QOD; 100-300mcg IN per nostril
Safety notes
- SC/IN PK unknown
- IV route requires continuous infusion
Pharmacokinetic data shown for educational context. All parameters are inferred or empirically derived — no formal human PK studies exist for this compound. Individual response varies. Not a substitute for clinical dosing guidance.
Benefits
What it does.
Synchronises the master biological clock (SCN) — essential for coherent circadian rhythm and sleep-wake regulation
Potent anti-inflammatory: in preclinical autoimmune models, exogenous VIP administration reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12) and shifted immune response toward tolerance
Vasodilatory and cardioprotective: in clinical and preclinical research contexts, VIP administration is associated with improved vascular function and reduced pulmonary arterial resistance
Neuroprotective and neurotrophic: preclinical evidence suggests it may support neuronal survival and reduce neuroinflammation in CNS disease models
The science
Peer-reviewed findings.
Research supporting this compound's mechanisms and safety profile.
What this does not mean
VIP is a research chemical outside its narrow investigational clinical-trial contexts (e.g. IV use studied in pulmonary arterial hypertension and ARDS). The information on this page is educational and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. VIP is not FDA-approved for circadian rhythm regulation, anti-inflammatory therapy, neuroprotection, or any other use. This page does not recommend, endorse, or prescribe any compound for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health decisions. Personalized Peptides provides DNA-driven educational context and test interpretation — not clinical protocols or pharmaceutical recommendations.
VIP-knockout mice on a light-dark schedule appear normal, but when lights are removed they reveal complete internal circadian desynchrony — their SCN neurons generate multiple fragmented rhythms. Daily VIP administration fully restores neuronal synchrony in arrhythmic SCN cells.
SOURCE · Herzog & Aton, Washington University / ScienceDaily (2005); Aton et al., Nature Neuroscience
Exogenous VIP administration in murine models of autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis) significantly reduced disease severity by shifting the Th1/Th17 inflammatory balance toward Th2/Treg tolerance, via VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor-cAMP signaling.
SOURCE · Abad et al., MDPI International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21(1):65 (2020)
VIP is synthesised by both neurons and immune cells during autoimmune responses, acting as an endogenous brake on excessive inflammation — making exogenous VIP a therapeutic candidate for restoring immune homeostasis in chronic inflammatory conditions.
SOURCE · Gonzalez-Rey & Delgado, Trends in Molecular Medicine (2007)
Protocol
How to use it.
Dosing
Typically 50–100 mcg via slow IV infusion or subcutaneous injection; inhalation routes used in pulmonary hypertension research. IV administration: infuse slowly to minimize transient blood pressure effects. Dosing frequency depends on clinical indication — some protocols use daily dosing, others 3x/week.
Cycle
Protocols vary by indication. Anti-inflammatory and circadian reset applications typically use 4–8 week courses. Longer-term use requires medical supervision given cardiovascular monitoring needs.
Contraindications
When to skip it.
Caution with low blood pressure or cardiovascular instability — VIP causes transient vasodilation and can temporarily reduce blood pressure. Rapid IV infusion may cause flushing, headache, or dizziness. Avoid in known peptide hypersensitivity. Contraindicated in uncontrolled hypotension.
Always cleared with your concierge before protocol start.
Regulatory Context
FDA compounding status.
| FDA Status | Risk Level | Compounding | Key Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| No specific FDA action | 🟢 Stable | Gray zone — no specific enforcement | No pending dates |
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide. Not on any FDA Category 1/2/3 lists. No pending PCAC review. Endogenous neuropeptide with broad physiological roles. Research-stage.
Source: FDA Federal Register, PCAC agendas, industry analyses. Educational context only — not legal advice. Review after July 23-24, 2026 PCAC meeting.
Pricing
What it costs.
Indicative range for VIP, sourced from vetted US and EU dispensing suppliers. Concierge confirms the exact figure once your match is locked.
Indicative range (USD)
Sourced through vetted dispensing partners in the United States and European Union. Concierge confirms the exact figure once your match is locked.
- 0199% purity verified, third-party tested
- 02Includes vial and reconstitution guidance
- 03Concierge supplier match included with every protocol
See VIP pricing — and your supplier match.
Pricing is unlocked once we know who you are. Take the 3-minute quiz and we'll match you to a US or EU dispensary based on your location and protocol fit.
- Live USD price range
- US & EU supplier shortlist
- Concierge sign-off on dosing
Indicative price range: $120–$180 USD