Immune System

Epitalon (Epithalon)

A tetrapeptide known as the 'fountain of youth peptide' for its telomere-lengthening and anti-aging properties.

C14H22N4O9Half-life: Short (injected); pineal gland accumulationMolar mass: 390.34 g/mol

⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. Epitalon (Epithalon) is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Amanda Reid, MDWritten by the KnowYourPeptide Research TeamLast updated April 2026
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Key Takeaways
  • Activates telomerase — extends telomere length (anti-aging at cellular level)
  • Regulates melatonin production and circadian rhythm
  • Improves sleep quality, particularly in older subjects
  • Epitalon (Epithalon) is not FDA-approved for human use. It is a research chemical for scientific study only.

Research At a Glance

  • Activates telomerase — extends telomere length (anti-aging at cellular level)
  • Regulates melatonin production and circadian rhythm
  • Improves sleep quality, particularly in older subjects
  • Potent antioxidant effects

What is Epitalon (Epithalon)?

Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Russian gerontologist Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is considered one of the most important anti-aging peptides in research. Epitalon's primary mechanism is the activation of telomerase, the enzyme responsible for lengthening telomeres — the protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Shorter telomeres are directly associated with cellular aging. By activating telomerase, Epitalon has been shown to extend telomere length, potentially slowing or reversing some aspects of cellular aging. It also regulates melatonin production by the pineal gland.

Key Research Benefits

Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on Epitalon (Epithalon). See all Immune System peptides for comparison.

Activates telomerase — extends telomere length (anti-aging at cellular level)
Regulates melatonin production and circadian rhythm
Improves sleep quality, particularly in older subjects
Potent antioxidant effects
Immune system modulation and enhancement
Has shown life extension in multiple animal studies
Restores neuroendocrine regulation in aging subjects
Potential anti-cancer properties (normalizes abnormal cell division)

Common Stacks

Epitalon (Epithalon) is frequently combined with the following peptides for synergistic effects. Click any peptide to compare profiles before deciding.

A longevity-focused cognitive stack - Epitalon supports cellular aging and Semax provides neuroprotection and BDNF upregulation.

Semax profile

Both address aging at a fundamental level - Epitalon via telomere maintenance and NAD+ via sirtuin activation and DNA repair.

NAD+ profile

Epitalon's pineal gland effects pair well with DSIP's deep-sleep induction for a circadian rhythm restoration protocol.

DSIP profile

Side Effects & Risks

Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports.

Very well tolerated — minimal side effects reported
Mild fatigue during initial use
Vivid dreams (related to melatonin modulation)
Injection site reactions
Headaches (infrequent)

Dosing Data from the Literature

Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.

Research Dosing Protocol

Typical research dosing: 5–10 mg daily for 10–20 days, repeated 1–2 times per year. This cyclic protocol mirrors what was used in human longevity studies. Intranasal administration (10–20 mg/day) is also used. Some researchers use 100–200 mcg per kg body weight.

Enter your vial size and target dose to get the exact injection volume.

Administration in Research Settings

Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. Administer subcutaneously in the morning or evening. Annual cycles of 10–20 days are the most researched protocol. Intranasal delivery is possible but less common. Some combine with other anti-aging peptides like GHK-Cu and Thymalin.

Research Video

Explore Further

Quick Reference

Half-Life
Short (injected); pineal gland accumulation
Molar Mass
390.34 g/mol
Formula
C14H22N4O9
Legal Status
Research chemical in most Western countries. Used clinically in Russia. Not FDA approved for human use.
Storage
Lyophilized: -20°C for long-term storage. Reconstituted: 2–8°C for up to 30 days. Protect from light.

Research Use Only

This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.