New — Free Peptide Starter Guide (2026): 13 chapters, 34 cited studies

Get it free
ToolsCompareARA-290 vs VIP

ARA-290 vs VIP

Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.

Immune SupportRecovery & Repair
ARA-290
Immune SupportSleep Optimization
VIP
Summary
ARA-290 is a synthetic 11-amino acid peptide derived from the helix B region of erythropoietin (EPO). Unlike EPO, it selectively activates the innate repair receptor (IRR) without stimulating hematopoiesis, providing tissue protection, anti-inflammation, and neuropathy relief.
VIP is a 28-amino acid neuropeptide with profound anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, and immunomodulatory effects. It plays a critical role in gut motility, circadian rhythm, and immune tolerance. Used therapeutically for CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), MCAS, and inflammatory conditions.
Half-Life
~2–4 hours (SC administration)
~2 minutes in plasma (rapidly degraded by peptidases); intranasal delivery may extend local CNS effects
Admin Route
SubQ
Intranasal, SubQ, IV
Research
Typical Dose
4 mg (fixed dose)
50 mcg (4 sprays of 12.5 mcg each)
Frequency
Once daily
4x daily
Key Benefits
  • Reduces neuropathic pain from small fiber neuropathy
  • Anti-inflammatory without immune suppression
  • Tissue protection after ischemia/reperfusion injury
  • Promotes nerve fiber regeneration
  • Improves symptoms of sarcoidosis-associated neuropathy
  • May reduce insulin resistance and improve metabolic health
  • Shown to improve autonomic neuropathy symptoms
  • Potent anti-inflammatory for CIRS and mold illness
  • Improves pulmonary hypertension symptoms
  • Regulates gut motility and IBS symptoms
  • Modulates circadian rhythm and sleep quality
  • Reduces mast cell activation (MCAS)
  • Improves cognitive function in neuroinflammatory conditions
  • Vasodilatory — reduces vascular resistance
Side Effects
  • Injection site reactions
  • Mild fatigue at initiation
  • Transient warm sensation post-injection
  • Rare: mild headache
  • Facial flushing (transient, intranasal)
  • Mild nausea
  • Headache at initiation
  • Hypotension at high doses
  • +1 more
Stacks With