Understand the source comparison
Comparison: Peptide Mechanisms in SWSD Management
Orexin-A OX1R, OX2R (orexin receptors) Stabilises wake during work periods; no phase shift Neutral. Does not suppress REM or SWS 50–100mcg intranasal at shift start Best for excessive sleepiness during night shifts. Addresses wake fragmentation without rebound
No winner is assigned.
This page preserves a source comparison for education. It does not add a rating, recommendation or clinical judgment.
- Orexin-A
- OX1R, OX2R (orexin receptors)
- Stabilises wake during work periods; no phase shift
- Neutral. Does not suppress REM or SWS
- 50–100mcg intranasal at shift start
- Best for excessive sleepiness during night shifts. Addresses wake fragmentation without rebound insomnia
- Epitalon
- MT1/MT2 melatonin receptors (indirect modulation)
- Accelerates re-entrainment by 2–3 days during schedule transitions
- Neutral. Enhances natural melatonin sensitivity
- 10mg subcutaneous daily × 10 days during transition
- Best for rotating shift workers. Reduces cumulative adjustment time across multiple schedule changes
- Selank
- GABAergic (BDNF/enkephalin modulation)
- No direct phase shift. Facilitates sleep initiation during biological day
- Preserves REM and slow-wave sleep percentages
- 300mcg intranasal 20–30 min before daytime sleep attempt
- Best for daytime sleep latency reduction. Permits natural sleep architecture without benzodiazepine-related suppression
- MOTS-c
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide; circadian gene expression
- Modulates CLOCK/BMAL1 expression; potential phase-shifting effects
- Under investigation. Preclinical data suggests neutral impact
- 5–10mg subcutaneous 2–3×/week
- Emerging option for metabolic and circadian resilience. Insufficient human SWSD data to recommend as first-line