# Epitalon — dosage, half-life & reference guide | PepVault

Source: https://pepvault.app/peptides/epitalon

Last updated: 2026-09-26

[Library](https://pepvault.app/peptides) [Longevity](https://pepvault.app/peptides#longevity) reviewed September 2026

# 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.

[Epitalon dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/epitalon)

## 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

1. Day 1–5 Animal

   ### 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
2. Day 5–20 Community

   ### 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
3. Any day Animal

   ### 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

## Goes with.

- [MOTS-c](https://pepvault.app/peptides/mots-c)
- [Pinealon](https://pepvault.app/peptides/pinealon)

- ### In the Longevity Core stack

  Mitochondrial health & cellular-aging stack

  With [MOTS-c](https://pepvault.app/peptides/mots-c) and [SS-31](https://pepvault.app/peptides/ss-31)

## 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.

The literature

### Search the latest research

[PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Epitalon) [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Epitalon)

## Reference.

- **Cadence:** Daily Daily for 10–20 day cycles
- **Half-life:** Short Short (peptide)
- **Research basis:** Moderate Animal studies + some human data

## More longevity peptides

- [Humanin 2–4 mg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/humanin)
- [FOXO4-DRI 1–2 mg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/foxo4-dri)
- [SS-31 2–4 mg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/ss-31)
- [Vesugen No reference dose](https://pepvault.app/peptides/vesugen)
- [Klotho 0.01–0.1 mg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/klotho)
- [NMN 250–1000 mg](https://pepvault.app/peptides/nmn)

## Free tools

- [Epitalon dose guide](https://pepvault.app/lab/dosage/epitalon)
- [Injection guide (3D)](https://pepvault.app/lab/injection)
- [Peptide Sky (3D)](https://pepvault.app/lab/sky)
- [Peptide tier list](https://pepvault.app/lab/tiers)
- [Reconstitution calculator](https://pepvault.app/tools/reconstitution-calculator)
- [Half-life & active level](https://pepvault.app/tools/peptide-half-life-calculator)

PepVault for iPhone

## Track Epitalon in PepVault

Log every dose, with reminders on your schedule. 7 days free on the yearly plan for new subscribers.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6779318649?pt=129020030&ct=peptides-cta&mt=8)

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Reviewed September 2026 [How we check the library](https://pepvault.app/about#library)

PepVault is a research and tracking resource, not medical advice. Ranges are what studies used, never a dose for you. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; PepVault is independent of them.

PepVault is a private research and tracking tool, not medical advice. The information here is reference material from published literature and community use — always verify it and discuss any protocol with a qualified clinician before changing it.

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