VIP
Also known as: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, VIP Peptide, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide
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 minutes in plasma (rapidly degraded by peptidases); intranasal delivery may extend local CNS effects
Route
Intranasal, SubQ, IV
Category
Immune Support, Sleep Optimization
Studies
50 references
Key Benefits
- 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
Mechanism of Action
VIP binds VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, which are expressed throughout the brain, gut, immune system, and lungs. It activates cAMP signaling to inhibit NF-κB, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12), and promote regulatory T-cell (Treg) differentiation. In the gut, VIP regulates motility and intestinal secretion. In the CNS, VIP neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) are central pacemakers for circadian rhythm. It is also a potent pulmonary vasodilator.
Dosing Protocols
CIRS / Inflammation Protocol (Shoemaker)
- Dose
- 50 mcg (4 sprays of 12.5 mcg each)
- Frequency
- 4x daily
- Timing
- Intranasal, spaced throughout the day
- Cycle
- Until VIP levels normalize (weeks to months)
Must follow Shoemaker protocol steps; check MSH and VEGF levels first
Pulmonary Hypertension / Research
- Dose
- 100–200 mcg
- Frequency
- Twice to 3x daily
- Timing
- Intranasal
- Cycle
- 4–12 weeks
Inhaled or intranasal preferred over IV for outpatient use
Calculate your draw volume
Enter your vial size and BAC water to get exact injection volumes
Side Effects
- Facial flushing (transient, intranasal)
- Mild nausea
- Headache at initiation
- Hypotension at high doses
- Rare: tachycardia
Contraindications
Use with caution in hypotension or cardiovascular disease. Should not be used without addressing underlying triggers (mold exposure, infections) per Shoemaker protocol.
Storage
Store lyophilized at -20°C. Once reconstituted, intranasal solution stored at 4°C, use within 30 days. Protect from heat and light.
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Clinical Research
- 1.Updated compendium of genes and variants associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: systematic review, classification pipeline, and network analysis
Brunello FG, Castro S, Zaiat J, Sansó G, Izquierdo A, Urrutia M et al. · Human molecular genetics · 2026PubMed Verified
- 2.Measurement Properties of Chinese-Language Frailty Assessment Instruments for Older Adults: A Systematic Review Following COSMIN Guidelines
Gao H, Liu Y, Guo B, Zhao S, Du W · Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financing · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 3.Association between vaccination and myasthenia gravis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Guan C, Zhang R, Zhao P, Zhang Y, Yu L, Cui H et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 4.Creatinine, leucine, and tetrahydrocorticosterone emerge as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of sarcopenic osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly individuals: a cross-sectional exploratory study
Wu H, Gao H, Guo L, Feng X, Zhang Z, Zhao Y et al. · Frontiers in molecular biosciences · 2026PubMed Verified
- 5.Quantitative Analysis of Polyphenols in Lonicera caerulea Based on Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy and Hybrid Variable Selection
Wu H, Li X, Liu J, Wang Z, Liu Y · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026PubMed Verified
- 6.Spreading Degree Modulates Floral Aroma Development in Green Tea: Integrated GC-E-Nose, Metabolomics, and Molecular Docking Reveals Key Odorants and Olfactory Receptor Interactions
Hu J, Zhou X, Hou G, Tang J, Jiang Y, Yuan H et al. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026PubMed Verified
- 7.Exercise-Related Personality Traits Are Associated with Gut Microbiome Composition and Meat Quality in Qingyuan Partridge Chickens
Zhang J, Li Y, Cai M, Xiao J, Liu Y, Wu B et al. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026PubMed Verified
- 8.Effects of Frying Temperature and Composite Spices on the Release Characteristics of Rapeseed Seasoning Oil
Mulati A, Yang Y, Huang X, Li Y, Aihaiti A, Lu J et al. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026PubMed Verified
- 9.Hospital length of stay and the role of ICU transfer of care in postoperative oral cancer patients
Tang J, Huang Y, Zhang J, Lin F, Liu S, Liu W et al. · BMC oral health · 2026PubMed Verified
- 10.Machine learning-assisted HS-GC-IMS for discrimination and traceability of baby bottles based on volatile fingerprints
Ma J, Qi Y, Zhang D, Xuan H, Lei M, Li X et al. · Journal of chromatography. A · 2026PubMed Verified
- 11.Oral mucosal pressure injury risk prediction models in intensive care unit patients with orotracheal intubation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Li Y, Xu Y, Liu G, Wang X, Sun X · Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 12.Albumin-hitchhiking self-assembly full-API nanoparticles for imaging-guided photodynamic potentiating tumor immunotherapy
Gao W, Kang B, Xu S, Zheng D, Lin S, Liu Z et al. · Biomaterials advances · 2026PubMed Verified
- 13.National, regional and provincial prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis and carotid plaque in Chinese adults: an updated systematic review and modelling analysis
Shan S, Wu J, Zhou J, Zhou L, Xu M, Zhu L et al. · Journal of global health · 2026PubMed Verified
- 14.Suction mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of 2-4 cm kidney stones: study protocol for an international, multicenter, parallel-group, noninferiority, randomized controlled trial
Zhong W, Jiang K, Zhang X, Leung CH, Zhu W, Xu Z et al. · World journal of urology · 2026PubMed Verified
- 15.Field-Evolved Resistance to Bt Cry Toxins in Lepidopteran Pests: Insights into Multilayered Regulatory Mechanisms and Next-Generation Management Strategies
Xie J, He W, Qiu M, Lin J, Shu H, Wang J et al. · Toxins · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 16.Visualization analysis of the use of traditional Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases in mainland China based on CiteSpace
Shi Y, Xiao S, He D · Intractable & rare diseases research · 2026PubMed Verified
- 17.Effects of acupuncture on brain tissue metabolism and neurological function in patients with ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Li S, Yue M, Chen X, Zhang X, Huang L, Wang Z et al. · Frontiers in neurology · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 18.Intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses in healthy dogs assessed using saline contrast echocardiography and response to oxygen therapy
Cho K, Kim SS, Lee K, Yoon H · Journal of veterinary internal medicine · 2026PubMed Verified
- 19.Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diffuse glioma-related epilepsy:2025 update
Liang S, Fan X, Kuang S, You G, Liu T, Zhang J et al. · Cancer letters · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 20.Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Patent Medicines in Coronary Heart Disease Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Wang A, Wei J, Yu R, Zhao Q, Wang X, Li B et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 21.Glucose metabolism drives the hierarchical propagation of gray matter atrophy from the orbitofrontal cortex in obesity
Li W, Miao Z, Ma C, Jia Y, Li C, Wang Y et al. · Brain research bulletin · 2026PubMed Verified
- 22.A deep learning model for artery of Adamkiewicz and anterior spinal artery detection in bronchial artery embolization:a multicenter retrospective study
Zhang C, Lin H, Zhang H, Guo X, Zhang Q, Xin F et al. · Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR · 2026PubMed Verified
- 23.Bacterially induced synthesis of struvite under seawater stress: Characteristics and application potential
Meng L, Lian B · Journal of environmental management · 2026PubMed Verified
- 24.Identification and validation of hub genes associated with neutrophil immunosuppression during Sepsis
Zhang R, Kan Y, Liu H, Pan P, Hu X, Xu Y et al. · Cellular immunology · 2026PubMed Verified
- 25.Delivering hospital care at home in a Dutch Tertiary University Hospital: protocol for a prospective feasibility cohort study evaluating a Virtual Ward for early discharge of inpatients
van Herwerden MC, Scholte NTB, Mkrtchjan A, Feyz L, Mol AP, Aitken J et al. · BMJ open · 2026PubMed Verified
- 26.The Effects of Digital Health Interventions for Family Members in Intensive Care Units: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Zhang C, Sui W, Jiang W, Shen Y, Huang Z, Yan R et al. · Journal of medical Internet research · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 27.Intrinsic capacity across the adult lifespan in China: baseline analysis from the nationwide longitudinal PENG ZU cohort
Cui J, Gu Y, Pang J, Gao H, Zhang LQ, Wu X et al. · GeroScience · 2026PubMed Verified
- 28.Behavior change techniques to reduce sedentary behavior and increase physical activity in people at risk for cardiovascular disease: a scoping review
Wu C, Zhou Q, Yang Y, Yang L · Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 29.Serum Uric Acid-to-Creatinine Ratio Is Independently Associated with Sudomotor Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study
Peng J, Liang S, Tang X, Chen X, Xu H, Liu J et al. · Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy · 2026PubMed Verified
- 30.Aspirin vs. enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis after total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or hip fracture surgery-a systematic review and meta-analysis
Haibier A, Maimaitiniyazi M, Lin H, Liu W, Li W · Frontiers in medicine · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 31.Intestinal Rehabilitation Plan for Patients with Colorectal Cancer During the Perioperative Period: An Evidence Synthesis
Jia Y, Ma W, Zhao J, Niu Q, Zhang Q, Cui L · Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 32.International guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of NUT carcinoma
Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Hao Y, Luo J, Piao Y, Wang W et al. · Innovation (Cambridge (Mass.)) · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 33.Correction: Single-cell transcriptome analysis profiles cellular dynamics and transcriptional changes in diabetic wound tissues following ESWT treatment
Li D, Wang Y, Wang Y, Shao C, Wang L, Xin S et al. · Frontiers in physiology · 2026PubMed Verified
- 34.Poly(γ-glutamic acid)-thickened PLLA microspheres with enhanced biocompatibility and efficacy in aged mice
Ren DQ, Peng HZ, Zhang Y, Yue Y, Chen Y, Zhao YL et al. · Journal of materials chemistry. B · 2026PubMed Verified
- 35.Risk Factors for Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections in Preschool Children: A Meta-Analysis
Lu X, Xu J, Gu X, Shao P · Journal of paediatrics and child health · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 36.VIPR1 acts as an enteric neural checkpoint that suppresses intestinal stem cell-driven epithelial regeneration and exacerbates colitis
Li C, Wang H, Zhang P, Yang J, Ye C, Wei X et al. · Cell stem cell · 2026PubMed Verified
- 37.Immune landscape in NOD.H-2h4 mouse model thyroid revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing
Wang B, He L, Qiu H, Zheng L, He W, Li Z et al. · Biochemical and biophysical research communications · 2026PubMed Verified
- 38.Performance of Enhanced Large Language Models on Prosthodontic Multiple-Choice Questions
Gao S, Wang ZA, Gao Z, Liu J, Zhang H, Pan S et al. · International dental journal · 2026PubMed Verified
- 39.The impact of Tai Chi on osteoporosis and osteopenia in middle-aged and elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial
Guo X, Wang J, Wang Y, Sun Q · Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 40.Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in patients with lymphoma: a machine learning-driven decadal informatics network analysis
Guo SB, Hu R, Liao YJ, He YY, Shen XM, Cai XY · International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2026PubMed Verified
- 41.Longdan Xiegan formula as adjuvant therapy for hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lu S, Lv X, Zuo J · Medicine · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 42.Models of risk prediction for lung infections following a stroke: A systematic review
Dong N, Pang YY, Li YY, Liu QY, Dong X · Medicine · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 43.Prevalence and influencing factors of insomnia among adults in centralized quarantine: A cross-sectional study
Xi Z, Wang X, Chen W, Wang Z, Wang C · Medicine · 2026PubMed Verified
- 44.Potential urine NMR Metabolomic signatures for early diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis
López-Suárez A, Comella-Del-Barrio P, Alonso-Moreno P, Marín Y, Villa-Valverde P, Santos-Sebastián M et al. · Scientific reports · 2026PubMed Verified
- 45.Overcoming the blood-brain barrier: the role of functionalized carbon dots in treating central nervous system diseases
Liu S, Huang J, Zhou Y, Li Q, Lin M, Shi X et al. · International journal of pharmaceutics · 2026ReviewPubMed Verified
- 46.Based on sensory evaluation, E-nose, and GC-IMS analysis of volatile component differences in various kinds of sheep fats
Wang Y, Tang X, Yuan X, Xu H, Liu Y, Yang Y et al. · Natural product research · 2026PubMed Verified
- 47.Predictive models for acute kidney injury in acute pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhu H, Li F, Guo S, Xiao Y, Zhu W, Wang Q · Frontiers in medicine · 2025Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 48.Extracorporeal shockwaves therapy for finger stenosing tenosynovitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhang L, Luo Y, Chen L, Zhang X, Chen J · Frontiers in physiology · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 49.Clinical effects and safety of proximal femur bionic nail versus proximal femoral nail anti-rotation or InterTAN for the treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhang W, Ma Y, Lu F, Song H, Du X, Yang Z et al. · PeerJ · 2026Meta-AnalysisPubMed Verified
- 50.Visual experience drives functional reorganization of cortical GABAergic circuits
Sun S, Yue Y, Li Z, Perrenoud Q, Cardin JA · bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026PubMed Verified
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Many compounds listed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any protocol.
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