Peptide Profile
VIP
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide · Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide · VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system that acts through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to regulate neuroinflammation, circadian timing, immune…
- Half-life
- ~1-2 minutes (plasma)
- Routes
- intranasal, intravenous
Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.
Educational research tools — not medical advice.
What VIP is
About VIP
Pleiotropic neuropeptide binding VPAC1/VPAC2 receptors; suppresses neuroinflammation, regulates circadian rhythm via SCN, modulates immune response
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system that acts through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to regulate neuroinflammation, circadian timing, immune modulation, and neurotransmitter release. VIP exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production in activated microglia and macrophages, and has been proposed as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory conditions including Alzheimer's disease, given its ability to shift microglial activation toward neuroprotective phenotypes. In vitro studies demonstrate that VIP significantly reduces inflammatory injury markers in microglial models exposed to neurotoxic stimuli, and preclinical data support VPAC receptor signaling as a mechanism for maintaining cognitive function under inflammatory conditions. VIP has no standalone FDA approval for neurological indications; research into exogenous VIP administration for neuroinflammatory and cognitive applications remains in early preclinical stages with no human clinical trials completed. VIP peptide therapy: CIRS, POTS, and mast cell contexts VIP has attracted clinical research interest beyond classical neurological applications. In the context of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) — a condition proposed to arise from dysregulated innate immune response following biotoxin exposure — VIP nasal spray (Aviptadil) was included in the Shoemaker Protocol for its proposed ability to reduce neuroinflammatory cytokine activity and restore VIP deficiency observed in some CIRS patient cohorts. Published research by Shoemaker and colleagues documents VIP receptor abnormalities in CIRS, and observational data suggests intranasal VIP administration may partially restore inflammatory markers in this population; this work has not been replicated in large randomised controlled trials and remains within specialist functional medicine contexts. VIP and pulmonary/vascular research: Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and was studied in COVID-19-related acute lung injury for its ability to reduce cytokine storm and preserve alveolar epithelial cells via VPAC1 receptor activation. Phase 2 data showed improvements in respiratory outcomes vs placebo in COVID-19 ARDS, though Phase 3 data was mixed. VIP is also proposed as a therapeutic target in pulmonary arterial hypertension given its vasodilatory and anti-proliferative effects on pulmonary vasculature. Injectable VIP for pulmonary vascular applications and intranasal VIP for neuroinflammatory conditions represent the most clinically developed research tracks for this compound.
VIP Benefits & Research Areas
Research Signals
Commonly researched in the context of
Population research notes
These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.
VIP half-life calculator
Compound & timing
Plasma clearance only: this reflects how long the compound is detectable in blood plasma — biological effects can outlast plasma levels.
Model: single-dose, first-order (single-compartment) estimate. Real clearance is multi-compartment and varies by individual and route.
What the evidence says about VIP
Research Evidence
based on 16 studies · 3 RCTs · most recent 2025
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
- FDA Status
- Not Evaluated
Endogenous 28-aa neuropeptide. No FDA-approved product. Inhaled VIP studied in Phase 2 for pulmonary arterial hypertension (Santhera); program not advanced. No NDA filed. Research use only.
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
16 sources cited · 3 strong · 5 moderate · 8 weak
3 RCTs · 5 Case seriess · 2 Reviews · 6 Animals
The Use of IV Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (Aviptadil) in Patients With Critical COVID-19 Respiratory Failure: Results of a 60-Day Randomized Controlled Trial.
Crit Care Med · 2022
Aviptadil did not significantly improve the primary endpoint of being alive and free from respiratory failure at day 60, but showed a statistically significant two-fold improvement in survival at 60 days.
The effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide-38 and vasoactive intestinal peptide in cluster headache.
Cephalalgia · 2020
VIP induced cluster-like attacks in 5/14 episodic active phase patients and 7/15 chronic cluster headache patients, with attack induction rates roughly equal to PACAP38.
A clinical trial of intracavernous vasoactive intestinal peptide to induce penile erection.
J Urol · 1990
Intracavernous VIP produced dose-related increases in penile length and diameter, but no patient achieved penile rigidity adequate for intromission.
Show 13 more sources ↓
Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide Secreting MS Neuroblastoma.
J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg · 2024
Tumor excision led to significant decline in VIP levels and resolution of chronic diarrhea symptoms in a VIP-secreting MS neuroblastoma patient.
Pancreatic Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Producing Tumor as a Rare Cause of Acute Diarrhea and Severe Hypokalemia.
J Med Cases · 2023
Pancreatic VIPoma presented with acute refractory diarrhea and severe hypokalemia requiring emergent diagnosis and treatment, with successful surgical resection and no relapse after 10 years.
Chronic Diarrhea Caused by Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Secreting Tumor.
Life (Basel) · 2023
Surgical removal of a retroperitoneal VIPoma resolved chronic watery diarrhea and normalized electrolyte and VIP hormone levels in an infant.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Secreting Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case Report.
Cureus · 2022
A 36-year-old female with VIPoma achieved complete recovery after starting octreotide and undergoing distal pancreatectomy with tumor removal.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide producing pheochromocytoma and intracardiac thrombosis.
Rare Tumors · 2021
VIP-producing pheochromocytoma can cause intracardiac thrombosis and systemic complications including embolic kidney injury and secretory diarrhea, requiring prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary management.
Nanoparticle-Driven Tendon Repair: Role of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide in Immune Modulation and Stem Cell Enhancement.
ACS Nano · 2025
VIP stimulated M2 macrophage polarization and facilitated tendon regeneration by regulating immune homeostasis and maintaining tendon stem/progenitor cell function.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Promotes Fracture Healing in Sympathectomized Mice.
Calcif Tissue Int · 2021
VIP treatment rescued impaired fracture healing in sympathectomized mice by promoting bone remodeling and osteogenesis while inhibiting bone resorption.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Changes the Frequency and Force of Myocardial Contraction in Rats.
Bull Exp Biol Med · 2020
VIP agonist produced concentration-dependent positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on rat myocardial contractions, with maximum effect at 10-11 M.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide decreases inflammation and tight junction disruption in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.
J Pediatr Surg · 2019
VIP administration significantly decreased NEC severity and intestinal inflammation while increasing tight junction expression in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.
[Effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on defecation and VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway in rats with constipation].
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban · 2016
VIP treatment shortened defecation time and increased fecal water content in constipated rats by upregulating the VIP-cAMP-PKA-AQP3 signaling pathway.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide administration after stroke in rats enhances neurogenesis and improves neurological function.
Brain Res · 2015
VIP administration after stroke significantly reduced neurological severity and infarct volume while enhancing neurogenesis and angiogenesis through increased VEGF expression.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide: a potential target for antiviral therapy.
Sheng Li Xue Bao · 2022
VIP has been reported to be involved in infections of SARS-CoV-2, HIV, VSV, RSV, ZIKV and CMV, with anti-inflammatory and immunoregulator properties suggesting clinical potential as an antiviral therapeutic target.
Neuropeptides and Microglial Activation in Inflammation, Pain, and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Mediators of Inflammation · 2017
This review summarizes evidence that neuropeptides including VIP modulate microglial activation and inflammatory responses in the CNS, with VIP and related peptides attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokine release, reducing chronic pain-related neuroimmune activity, and emerging as candidate therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.
VIP Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Research-use compound with limited human data. Evidence strength varies — see the Evidence section.
Reported (unverified — pending clinical review)
No established clinical contraindications
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Third-party testing data
3 verified COAsMedian tested purity
99.6%
Median tested purity of 99.6% across 3 verified third-party lab COAs (interquartile range 99.5%–99.7%), as reported by the independent testing labs below. PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product.
- Independent labs
- Freedom Diagnostics, Janoshik Analytical
- Most recent test
- July 2026
PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Certificates of Analysis
- Confirmed by labNationwide Peptides
VIP 10mg · Lot Red Cap · Jul 2, 2026 · View source COA
99.8%
Purity
- Confirmed by labModern Research Peptides
VIP 10mg · Lot 682114F · Jun 10, 2026 · View source COA
99.3%
Purity
- Checkable — no result recordedCrush Research
VIP · Lot CRVIP-10-2604-1 · Apr 22, 2026 · View source COA
99.5%
Purity
- Checkable — no result recordedNextGen Peptides
VIP - 10mg · Lot VP10-03 · Apr 21, 2026
100.0%
Purity
- Confirmed by labModern Research Peptides
VIP · Lot HKYCVP62261 · Feb 24, 2026 · View source COA
99.9%
Purity
- Confirmed by labNationwide Peptides
VIP 5mg · Jan 26, 2026 · View source COA
99.6%
Purity
- Confirmed by labLimitless Peptides
VIP · Nov 20, 2025 · View source COA
99.5%
Purity
- Checkable — no result recordedNuScience
VIP · Lot 0092625 · Nov 1, 2025 · View source COA
99.8%
Purity
PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product. Confirmed by lab results were matched against the issuing laboratory's own records — either the lab served the document, or its own hosted copy matches ours byte for byte. For every other result the badge states what is known about the lab: that it can be checked and no result is recorded yet, that it can't be checked, or that we have not reviewed it.
PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions — VIP
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system that acts through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to regulate neuroinflammation, circadian timing, immune modulation, and neurotransmitter release. VIP exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production in activated microglia and macrophages, and has been proposed as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory conditions including Alzheimer's disease, given its ability to shift microglial activation toward neuroprotective phenotypes.
neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory (CNS), CIRS treatment, circadian rhythm regulation.
Research on VIP primarily documents effects related to neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory (CNS) and CIRS treatment and circadian rhythm regulation. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
Reported contraindications and considerations for VIP include low blood pressure, vasoactive drug interactions. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
For VIP, its FDA status is not evaluated by the FDA, and it is designated for research use only. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
20 providers in the directory currently offer VIP.
Aviptadil did not significantly improve the primary endpoint of being alive and free from respiratory failure at day 60, but showed a statistically significant two-fold improvement in survival at 60 days.
How to get VIP
Where to buy VIP
20 providersTelehealth Platforms
1 providerClinics
8 providersFlorida Regenerative
Tampa, United StatesView →PROVOKE Health
Lutz, United StatesView →New Wellness
San Antonio, United StatesView →Vital Infusions and Performance
Las Vegas, United StatesView →Better Med Spa
Chicago, United StatesView →Meeting Point Health
Philadelphia, United StatesView →The Hormone Zone
Scottsdale, United StatesView →Holistic Health Care Clinic London
United KingdomView →
Compounding Pharmacies (503A)
1 providerQuestions to ask your provider
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Tools & Guides
Reconstitution Calculator
Convert vial size + BAC water volume into draw volume.
How to Reconstitute Peptides
Step-by-step guide: BAC water, vial prep, and storage after mixing.
Peptide Dosage Guide
Key factors that determine dosing in clinical practice.
Peptide Storage Guide
How to store lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.