Sleep & circadian
This hub covers compounds researched for sleep, circadian hormone rhythms and obstructive sleep apnea. The evidence ranges from randomized apnea trials of incretin drugs to small, conflicting insomnia studies and animal reports on circadian rhythms.
Approved or human trial evidence
TirzepatideHuman trial evidence · FDA-approvedStudied in two SURMOUNT-OSA randomized trials versus placebo in adults with obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, measuring the apnea-hypopnea index over 52 weeks.
RetatrutideHuman trial evidence · InvestigationalA 2026 human trial in obstructive sleep apnea reported greater improvement than placebo on the apnea-hypopnea index.
Limited human data
Animal and laboratory research
Comparisons in this area
Guides
Questions people ask
Is DSIP proven to help with sleep?
No. Two small double-blind studies in chronic insomniacs reached opposite conclusions, and a 2006 review described the DSIP sleep-factor hypothesis as extremely poorly documented and still weak. Artificial DSIP analogues, but not DSIP itself, promoted slow-wave sleep in rabbits and rats.
Which peptides have been tested for sleep apnea?
Tirzepatide was studied in SURMOUNT-OSA, two placebo-controlled trials in adults with obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. A 2026 trial of investigational retatrutide in obstructive sleep apnea also reported greater improvement than placebo on the apnea-hypopnea index.
Does Epithalon affect melatonin?
Reviews describe an influence on melatonin synthesis, and the originating group reported restored circadian melatonin rhythms in old rhesus monkeys. These reports come from a single research tradition, and no controlled human trial was identified.
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or dietary supplement. Listing a compound under a research goal describes published research in the stated model. It is not a claim that the compound works, and it is not medical advice.