Pinealon

Pinealon is a short bioregulatory peptide (tripeptide) composed of three amino acids: Glu-Asp-Arg. Developed by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology in Russia, it was designed to target the pineal gland and central nervous system. Pinealon belongs to a class of peptides called Khavinson peptides — named after Professor Vladimir Khavinson, who has spent over 40 years researching short peptides for anti-aging applications.

Pinealon Quick Info

Formula: Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR)
Molecular Weight: 404.37 g/mol
Type: Bioregulatory tripeptide
Primary Uses: Sleep regulation, neuroprotection, pineal gland support
Typical Dosage: 1-2 capsules daily (oral, often 10-20 mg)
Administration: Oral (capsules, sublingual)
Legal Status: Available as a supplement in many countries
Often Stacked With: Epithalon, DSIP, melatonin

What Is Pinealon?

The pineal gland is a small, pea-sized structure deep in the brain that produces melatonin — the hormone that regulates your circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle. As we age, the pineal gland calcifies and melatonin production declines, which is one reason why sleep quality typically deteriorates with age.

Pinealon was developed to address this directly. Unlike taking exogenous melatonin (which supplements the hormone from outside), Pinealon is designed to support the pineal gland's own ability to produce melatonin naturally. The distinction matters — exogenous melatonin can create dependency and disrupt your body's natural production over time, while Pinealon aims to restore the underlying function.

Pinealon is one of the few peptides that works effectively when taken orally. Because it's only three amino acids long, it's small enough to survive digestion and cross the blood-brain barrier intact — a rare and valuable property.

Mechanism of Action

Pinealon's mechanism centers on gene expression regulation in the pineal gland and nervous tissue:

• Pineal gland bioregulation — Pinealon interacts with DNA in pinealocytes (pineal gland cells), potentially upregulating the genes involved in melatonin synthesis. Rather than adding melatonin, it helps the gland produce its own.
• Neuroprotection — Research shows Pinealon has protective effects on neurons under oxidative stress. In cell culture studies, it reduced neuron death rates when cells were exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen peroxide.
• Anti-inflammatory effects — Pinealon has demonstrated ability to reduce neuroinflammation, which is increasingly linked to sleep disorders, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative conditions.
• Circadian rhythm normalization — By supporting endogenous melatonin production, Pinealon may help normalize disrupted circadian rhythms from jet lag, shift work, or screen exposure.

Benefits of Pinealon

Sleep Quality Improvement: The primary use case. Users report falling asleep more easily, sleeping more deeply, and waking feeling more refreshed — without the grogginess that often accompanies melatonin supplementation. The effect tends to build gradually over days to weeks rather than being immediate.

Cognitive Function: Several Russian clinical studies on elderly patients showed improvements in attention, memory, and cognitive processing speed. Pinealon's neuroprotective effects may help preserve cognitive function as we age.

Stress Resilience: By normalizing the sleep-wake cycle and supporting healthy melatonin rhythms, Pinealon indirectly supports stress management. Good sleep is the foundation of stress resilience, and disrupted circadian rhythms amplify the stress response.

Anti-Aging Potential: The pineal gland is considered a master regulator of aging in some research traditions. Khavinson's long-term studies suggested that bioregulatory peptides targeting the pineal gland could extend healthy lifespan in animal models, though human longevity data is limited.

Dosage

Pinealon is typically available in capsule form and taken orally — a major advantage over injectable peptides. Common dosing protocols include:

• 10-20 mg daily, taken in the evening
• Some protocols use 10-day cycles with breaks, similar to other Khavinson peptides
• Often stacked with Epithalon for a comprehensive pineal support protocol

Side Effects

Pinealon has an excellent safety profile based on available research. Being a naturally occurring short peptide sequence, it doesn't accumulate in the body or produce tolerance. Side effects are rare and typically mild — occasional vivid dreams have been reported, which may actually indicate improved sleep depth. No significant adverse effects were reported in the available clinical studies.

Pinealon vs Melatonin

The key difference: melatonin supplements replace what your body should be making, while Pinealon aims to restore your body's ability to make it. Long-term melatonin use can downregulate natural production, creating dependency. Pinealon doesn't carry this risk because it works upstream — at the level of gene expression in the pineal gland itself.

For people who have been taking melatonin for years and want to transition off, Pinealon (often combined with Epithalon) is one strategy clinicians use to support the pineal gland while tapering exogenous melatonin.

Final Thoughts

Pinealon is a compelling option for anyone looking to improve sleep quality without relying on sedatives or exogenous melatonin. Its oral bioavailability, excellent safety profile, and unique mechanism — supporting the pineal gland's own function rather than bypassing it — make it one of the more interesting peptides in the sleep and longevity space. The research base is primarily from Russian institutions, so Western clinical trial data is limited, but the existing evidence and user reports are promising. As always, consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement.