Epitalon
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from the pineal peptide extract epithalamin, marketed for anti-aging and telomerase activation. Human data are limited to older Russian studies from a single research group; independent replication is essentially absent.
01 Overview
Epitalon (also spelled epithalon) was developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group as a short synthetic analogue of the pineal extract epithalamin. In vitro it has been reported to induce telomerase activity and extend cell-culture proliferation, and Russian clinical papers claim reduced mortality and improved physiological markers in elderly cohorts.\n\nThose human studies are small, decades old, and not independently replicated to modern standards, so the striking longevity claims remain unverified. It is widely sold as an injectable research peptide with no regulatory approval.
02 Mechanism
Proposed to activate telomerase and modulate gene expression/melatonin secretion via the pineal axis; mechanism in humans is not firmly established.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anecdotal | 5–10 mg/day | SubQ | Cycled 10-20 days, 1-2x/year per anecdotal protocols. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telomerase activationReported to induce telomerase and telomere elongation in cultured human cells. | n/a | Preclinical | |
| Improved sleep / circadian markersUsers report better sleep, attributed to pineal/melatonin effects; not confirmed in controlled trials. | n/a | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Injection-site reactionRedness or irritation at subcutaneous injection sites. | Mild | Common | Anecdotal | |
| Unknown long-term riskChronic telomerase activation raises theoretical cancer concerns; no long-term human safety data exist. | Moderate | Unquantified | Unconfirmed |