Dermorphin vs Liraglutide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Recovery & Repair
DermorphinGLP-1 / Weight Loss AgonistsFat Loss & Metabolic
Liraglutide- Summary
- Dermorphin is a naturally occurring heptapeptide opioid isolated from the skin of South American phyllomedusine frogs. It is one of the most potent endogenous mu-opioid receptor agonists known, approximately 30-40 times more potent than morphine by weight. Explored for pain management and fatigue modulation.
- Liraglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza) and chronic weight management (Saxenda). It reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, improves insulin secretion, and promotes weight loss of 5–10% in clinical trials.
- Half-Life
- Estimated 30-60 minutes (longer than endorphins due to D-Ala)
- ~13 hours (once-daily dosing)
- Admin Route
- Subcutaneous (research), Intrathecal (research), Intranasal (research)
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- Not established for human use; research doses vary widely
- Start 0.6 mg, titrate to 3 mg
- Frequency
- Not established
- Once daily
- Key Benefits
- Potent analgesia superior to morphine on a per-weight basis
- May reduce perception of fatigue in high-intensity activity
- Longer-lasting than endogenous opioids due to D-amino acid substitution
- Research tool for mu-opioid receptor pharmacology
- Potential therapeutic application in refractory pain
- Promotes weight loss (5–10% average)
- Reduces appetite and caloric intake
- Improves blood glucose control (HbA1c reduction)
- Reduces cardiovascular events in T2DM (LEADER trial)
- Slows gastric emptying
- FDA-approved for T2DM and chronic weight management
- Cardioprotective effects shown in clinical trials
- May improve fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH)
- Side Effects
- High addiction and dependence potential (mu-opioid agonism)
- Respiratory depression at high doses
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Sedation and cognitive impairment
- +2 more
- Nausea (very common, especially initially)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Decreased appetite
- +5 more
- Stacks With
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