Epitalon is a short peptide only 4 amino acids long. It is a small piece of a larger naturally occurring protein called epithalamin which regulates pineal gland function. Your pineal gland is barely the size of a grain of rice yet it has powerful impact over our physiology. The pineal gland is one of several sources of melatonin in our body but it plays the major role in regulating our circadian rhythm and sleep patterns. The pineal gland may also help regulate female hormone levels, mood stability and contributes to cardiovascular health and immune function. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, anti-histamine and even works to suppress cancer growth. Epitalon plays a role in regulating the pineal gland, the retina and our brain. 

Our melatonin production is robust and stable until we hit 30 years of age and then it starts a slow decline. By age 60 it has been cut in HALF. This partially explains why sleep and immune performance recede aggressively over time. 

Because of its small size, epitalon it is able get inside the nucleus of the cell and directly impact the DNA, binding to genes and acting as a bioregulator. It can influence and assist in turning on our stem cells to repair damaged tissues throughout our body. This allows Epitalon to play roles in a wide array of bodily functions well beyond sleep. 

A study by Goncharova (Experimental Gerontology, 2005) compared melatonin production in young versus old monkeys. The younger monkeys produced twice as much melatonin on average but after just 7 days of Epitalon the older monkeys were manufacturing melatonin at nearly the same level as the young ones. Beyond this they measured the monkeys insulin production. The young monkeys showed a very efficient production of insulin while the old guys showed a sluggish pattern with poor glucose control. But after receiving Epitalon, the insulin pattern of the old monkeys mirrored that of the young. Their insulin response was sharper and more accurate for needs. 

A similar experiment was done in humans by Korkushko in 2004. They gave Epitalon to a group of 60-74 year olds and compared them to a group of 20-40 year olds. Again, the older group was able to generate melatonin levels that was very close to that of the younger group. 

Khavinson and Anisimov demonstrated an impressive reduction of colon cancer in a rodent model after administering Epitalon. They applied a toxin that would cause colon cancer in 100% of rats and then administered Epitalon. The rats receiving Epitalon had a 35% reduction in colon tumors demonstrating the protective effects of a proper functioning pineal gland. 

In one of the most impressive studies I read, Epitalon was administered 6 times over 3 years to a group of 60-69 year olds. In typical fashion Epitalon was given for 3-4 weeks at a time and then repeated twice per year for 3 years. They then tracked this group for 13 years looking at cholesterol, glucose, melatonin, measured physical fitness, and vascular events like heart attacks and strokes. They were assessing the patient’s functional capacity as they aged. The control group (no Epitalon) was aging at TWICE the rate of the Epitalon group. When measuring physical endurance the control group had lost 10% of their capacity while the Epitalon group had actually IMPROVED their endurance by 10%. That's a 20% swing in the Epitalon groups favor. Then they tracked heart attacks and strokes which led to death in 83% of the control group but only 46% in the Epitalon group. Reduced by HALF. 

There are many more studies on Epitalon but this easily shows its potential to alter your health and promote vitality as we grow older. In other studies where a 3 week course of treatment was applied every 6 months for a total of 3 courses, they saw reduced cardiovascular issues and reduced occurrence rates of cancer. 

The many roles of Epitalon and your pineal gland:

  • Increases melatonin production by the pineal gland
  • Improves immunological parameters 
  • Anticarcinogenic effects in different experimental models
  • Stimulates antioxidant defenses
  • Restores reproductive function 
  • Increase the lifespan in multiple animal models
  • Geroprotective activity in humans (slows aging)

This simple peptide is administered by a painless subQ injection on a daily basis for 3 weeks. It is then discontinued and repeated 6 months later. If you are beyond the age of 45 then this should be a consideration for your longevity. If you are 60 years old then don’t worry, it’s not too late to gain benefit. Don’t wait for bad things to happen, act proactively. Talk with your integrative practitioner to determine if this makes sense for you.