Sleep Architecture Optimisation Protocol

Restore deep slow-wave sleep, normalise circadian rhythm, and leverage sleep-phase GH secretion for recovery and cognitive restoration

Patient profile: Adults with insomnia, poor sleep quality, frequent night waking, or age-related sleep deterioration; also suitable for shift workers and frequent travellers

Want a personalised protocol?

Our AI generator builds a protocol tailored to your profile and goals.

Generate protocol →

⚠️

This protocol is an educational example only. It does not apply to your specific health situation. Medical supervision is required. Peptide therapy is not approved by regulatory bodies for many of the described indications.

Protocol Stack

DSIP

Primary

Dose

100–200 mcg

Frequency

5x/week SC

Timing

20–30 min before desired sleep onset

Duration

6 weeks (5 on / 2 off weekly rhythm)

Epithalon

Primary

Dose

10 mg

Frequency

5x/week SC

Timing

Morning, on waking — circadian anchor

Duration

6 weeks

MK-677

Optional

Dose

10 mg oral

Frequency

Daily

Timing

30 min before bed — amplifies sleep-phase GH pulse

Duration

6 weeks (optional; omit if water retention is a concern)

Monitoring Parameters

✓Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) — baseline and week 6
✓Sleep tracker data (Oura, WHOOP, or similar) — nightly
✓Morning cortisol — baseline and week 6
✓IGF-1 if MK-677 included — baseline and week 6
✓Subjective energy and cognitive sharpness — weekly self-report

Expected Outcomes

Weeks 1–2: Earlier sleep onset, reduced sleep latency

Weeks 3–4: Increased deep sleep fraction (tracker-confirmed), reduced night waking

Weeks 5–6: Normalised morning energy, improved cognitive performance, reduced cortisol awakening response

Contraindications

✗Undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnoea — deepen sleep without addressing apnoea first
✗MK-677 contraindicated in active malignancy, uncontrolled diabetes (raises fasting glucose), severe fluid retention
✗DSIP — avoid same evening as alcohol or sedative medications

Clinical Notes

DSIP and Epithalon address different sleep mechanisms: DSIP promotes delta-wave generation acutely, while Epithalon works on the pineal gland to restore melatonin rhythmicity over weeks. MK-677's role is to amplify the natural GH pulse that occurs in deep NREM sleep — removed from the protocol, sleep still improves but GH recovery benefit is reduced. For jet lag or shift work, Epithalon timing should be adjusted to the desired local wake time.

Case Study

Clinical Practice Example

Female, 52, perimenopausal. PSQI score 14/21 (severe insomnia). Sleep tracker showed average 42 min deep sleep/night (target >90 min). Hot flushes and cortisol dysregulation confirmed. Protocol: DSIP 150 mcg SC before bed + Epithalon 10 mg SC morning. Week 3: PSQI improved to 9, deep sleep averaging 68 min/night. Week 6: PSQI 6 (near-normal), deep sleep 94 min/night, morning cortisol normalised, subjective energy rated 8/10. MK-677 not used due to pre-existing mild glucose elevation.

← Back to all protocols