Epitalon Dosage, half-life & reference guide
Also known as Epithalamin · Tetrapeptide AEDg · Epithalon
A synthetic peptide modeled on a pineal gland extract from Russian longevity research. In cell studies it switches on telomerase, the enzyme that rebuilds the protective caps on your chromosomes, and in animals it helps regulate melatonin.
- Studied range
- 5–10 mg
- How often
- Daily
- Half-life
- Short
- Evidence
- ●●
●Moderate - Routes
- SubQ, IM
Studied in research — not a recommendation.
How it works.
Synthetic tetrapeptide designed to match the amino-acid make-up of the pineal gland extract Epithalamin. In cell studies it activates telomerase and lengthens telomeres; in rodent studies it regulates melatonin secretion and has antioxidant effects. Studied mainly in Russian longevity research by its developers.
Commonly reported: Deeper sleep and more vivid dreams during a cycle, with little else to feel. The research is almost all by its developers, and no independent controlled human trial exists.
Where Epitalon works.
Brain, nerves & sleep
In animals. Commonly reported: deeper sleep and more vivid dreams during a cycle, with little else to feel.
Energy & longevity
In the lab. In cell studies it activates telomerase and lengthens telomeres.
An area lights for what a peptide is used for and what people report, with the evidence beside it. It isn’t a promise that it works there.
Week by week.
What to expect in the first 8 weeks
Day 1–5Animal
Short, intense cycles
Epitalon cycles are short and intense, 10–20 days a few times a year. Commonly reported: deeper sleep and more vivid dreams within the first few days. It switches on telomerase and steadies melatonin, shown so far in cells and animals.
The science
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) activates telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in human cells in culture: Khavinson et al. (2003) showed telomere elongation in human fibroblast cultures. The melatonin effect works through the pineal gland (rodent studies). Epitalon was synthesized to match the amino-acid make-up of the pineal extract Epithalamin.
Sources- Khavinson et al. (2003)
- Anisimov et al. (2002)
Updated Sep 2026
Day 5–20Community
Deep in the cycle
Commonly reported: sleep deeper and more restorative through the cycle. The telomere side is the long-term reason people run Epitalon: you won't feel it, and it hasn't been measured in people.
The science
Russian studies by its developers (Khavinson, Anisimov) report longer lifespans in some animal models and better aging biomarkers in elderly cohorts, the human ones mostly with the parent extract Epithalamin. The 10–20 day cycle comes from Russian clinical practice; the claim that a short cycle sustains its effects for months hasn't been measured.
Sources- Anisimov et al. (2002)
Updated Sep 2026
Any dayAnimal
What Epitalon is built on
Decades of Russian longevity research, almost all by its developers Khavinson and Anisimov: cell studies, rodent lifespan studies with mixed results, and small non-randomized human cohorts that mostly used the parent extract Epithalamin. The telomerase effect is shown in cell culture; no independent controlled human trial exists.
The science
Modeled on Epithalamin, a pineal gland extract studied in Russia since the 1970s. In cancer-prone mice Epitalon extended average lifespan about 13% (Anisimov 2002); results in normal mice and rats were mixed. Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated hTERT activation in human cell lines. In a non-randomized Russian cohort of 266 elderly people, the parent extract Epithalamin was linked to lower mortality over 6–8 years (Khavinson & Morozov 2003).
Sources- Khavinson et al. (2003)
- Anisimov et al. (2002)
- Khavinson & Morozov (2003)
Updated Sep 2026
Day 1 is the day you start it.
A typical run.
Run notes
- Cycle
- 10–20 day intensive cycle, 2–3 times per year. This is the most consistent community approach.Community practice — opinions vary. Not a clinical recommendation.
- Timing
- Evening injection common to leverage melatonin regulation. Consistent daily dosing within the cycle.
- Routes
- SubQ injection, IM injection
- Stacks
- MOTS-c, Pinealon
Safety.
Common side effects
- Injection site reaction
- Mild headache
- Vivid dreams
Questions people ask.
What is Epitalon?
A synthetic peptide modeled on a pineal gland extract from Russian longevity research. In cell studies it switches on telomerase, the enzyme that rebuilds the protective caps on your chromosomes, and in animals it helps regulate melatonin.
How is Epitalon dosed in research?
The research range for Epitalon is 5–10 mg, daily for 10–20 day cycles. Studied in research — not a recommendation.
How long does Epitalon last?
The half-life of Epitalon is short (peptide).
What do people report on Epitalon?
Commonly reported on Epitalon: deeper sleep and more vivid dreams during a cycle, with little else to feel. The research is almost all by its developers, and no independent controlled human trial exists.
Is Epitalon safe?
The research basis for Epitalon is moderate: animal studies + some human data. Common side effects in the library: injection site reaction, mild headache and vivid dreams.
What does Epitalon stack with?
Common stacks for Epitalon: MOTS-c and Pinealon. Curated stacks with Epitalon: Longevity Core.
Research.
Reference.
- Cadence
Daily
Daily for 10–20 day cycles
- Half-life
Short
Short (peptide)
- Research basis
●●
●ModerateAnimal studies + some human data
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