Library / Peptides / Cognitive & Neuro / Pinealon
Theoretical · Grade C

Pinealon

Pinealon (EDR Peptide)
Score
60 / 100
Structure
Tripeptide (EDR)
Origin
Khavinson (Russia)
Status
Preclinical / Russian claims
TL;DR
01
A synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg, 'EDR') from Vladimir Khavinson's bioregulator program, marketed for brain protection and cognition.
02
In lab studies these short peptides enter cells and the nucleus and bind DNA sequence-specifically, the proposed basis for gene-level 'bioregulation.'
03
Pinealon's neuroprotective claims come from cell and rodent studies, largely from the originating Russian group — there are no independent human trials.
04
As with the other Khavinson peptides, the idea that a three-amino-acid peptide specifically regulates genes is scientifically contentious.
05
It is not approved and is sold as a research chemical.
Independent human trials
None
no interventional RCTs
Preclinical
Neuroprotective (claims)
cell/rodent, single-group
Mechanism (in vitro)
DNA-sequence binding
nuclear penetration
Evidence source
Khavinson group
not independently replicated
Approval
None
research chemical
Part 01 · How it works

Mechanism.

Pinealon is a three-amino-acid Khavinson peptide promoted for protecting the brain and supporting cognition. The family's proposed mechanism is that these short peptides get into cells and even the nucleus, where they bind specific DNA sequences and influence gene activity. In cell and rodent models — mostly from the originating group — pinealon is reported to protect neurons against stress. But there are no independent human trials, and the claim that such a short peptide specifically reprograms genes is not broadly accepted in the wider scientific community.

A three-letter 'instruction' its inventors say protects brain cells by tuning genes — supported by the originating lab's cell and rodent work, but untested independently in people.

Bioregulator tripeptide
Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR); part of the Khavinson short-peptide program.
Nuclear penetration / DNA binding
In vitro, short peptides (including pinealon) penetrate the nucleus and bind DNA sequence-specifically.
Neuroprotection (claims)
Reported protection of neurons against oxidative/excitotoxic stress in cell/rodent models.
Evidence stage
In vitro + rodent + Russian claims; no independent human trials.
Part 02 · Dosing & administration

How it's taken.

Community-reported · unregulated

Values below reflect commonly reported community protocols for Pinealon. These are anecdotal and unregulated — not clinically validated and not a recommendation. Provided for educational purposes only — this is not medical advice and not instructions for self-administration. Consult your healthcare provider before making any health decision.

Standard dose
10–20 mg oral or 5–10 mg sublingual (5–10 mg SC in injectable community use)
Oral or sublingual capsule; subcutaneous for reconstituted research vials · Once daily, AM
Duration
10–20 day course, sometimes repeated 1–3x/year
·
No human trial has set any Pinealon dose or route — the 5–20 mg figures are community conventions loosely mirroring short-course rodent work, not validated instructions.
·
Sold both as an oral/sublingual bioregulator capsule and as a reconstitutable vial (~5–10 mg SC once daily for injectable use).
·
No independent human dosing data and no purity/dose guarantee in research-chemical supply.
Need help with reconstitution?

Use the free peptide calculator for dilution, unit conversion, and injection volume.

Open calculator
Part 03 · Safety

Side effects, rare serious events, who shouldn't.

Common
Human tolerability
No independent human safety data.
Uncharacterized (independent)
Serious · rare
Long-term independent safety
No independent long-term human data.
Unknown
Product-quality risk
Research-chemical supply; purity/dose unknown.
Source-dependent
Absolute · do not use
×
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
×
Children under 18
×
Known hypersensitivity to pinealon or any component
×
Active seizure disorders (neuropeptide effects on CNS not fully characterized)
Relative · discuss first
!
Pregnancy or breastfeeding — no data
!
Neurologic disease relying on it in place of evidence-based care
!
Anyone expecting independently validated benefit — none exists
Interactions
Sedatives and sleep aids
Pinealon influences pineal gland function and may potentiate sedative effects
Moderate
Melatonin supplements
Pinealon may enhance endogenous melatonin production; additive sleep-promoting effects
Minor
Antidepressants (SSRIs)
Pinealon modulates CNS neuropeptide signaling; theoretical interaction with serotonergic medications
Minor
Labs to monitor
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
Baseline and every 3 months
General metabolic safety
CBC with Differential
Baseline and every 3 months
General safety monitoring
Melatonin Level (optional)
Baseline (optional)
Pinealon targets pineal gland function
Part 04 · Evidence

How strong is the evidence?

60
Grade C
Grade C, Theoretical. Pinealon has an in-vitro mechanistic basis and reported neuroprotection, but the evidence is preclinical and largely single-group, with no independent human trials and contested biological plausibility.
Mechanistic plausibility
In-vitro DNA binding shown; specific gene regulation by a tripeptide is contentious.
55
Human evidence
No independent human trials.
30
Safety & tolerability
Reported benign; no independent human safety data.
60
Durability
No independent human outcome data.
52
Independence
Evidence concentrated in the originating group.
40
Part 05 · Research log

Every study we cite.

We list each study with its methodology, funding source, and our quality grade. Flagged studies aren't dismissed — they're tagged so you can weigh them.

01
2011
Biochemistry (Moscow) Flagged
Short peptides (incl. pinealon) penetrate the nucleus and bind DNA sequence-specifically
Pinealon and related Khavinson peptides entered the cytoplasm/nucleus/nucleolus of human cells and bound specific DNA sequences (e.g., CAG/CNG sites), the proposed molecular basis for their 'bioregulation.'
In vitro (HeLa cells + oligonucleotide binding) · Mechanistic in-vitro study from the originating group; not clinical evidence.
PMID 22117547 ↗
Moderate (in vitro)
Evidence against

What didn't work, and where the evidence is thin.

Every publication is incentivized to tell you a peptide works. We catalogue the null results, failed trials, and mechanism limits we found in the same literature — so you can weigh them against the upside, with your provider.

01
Neuroprotection is preclinical and single-group; mechanism contested
Mechanism limit
Biochemistry (Moscow) · 2011
Pinealon's neuroprotective claims rest on cell/rodent work largely from the originating group, with no independent human trials; the notion that a tripeptide specifically reprograms genes is not broadly established.
What this means: A plausible-sounding mechanism from one lab is not proof of human benefit. Treat pinealon's cognitive claims as unproven.
PMID 22117547 ↗
Part 06 · Cost & access

Where it's available, at what price.

Russia
Marketed (bioregulator)
Sold within the Khavinson bioregulator framework.
Russian market
United States
Not approved
No approved product; research chemical.
Grey-market; unregulated
European Union
Not approved
No approved product.
N/A
United Kingdom
Not approved
No approved product.
N/A
The Peptide Column takes no affiliate commission from any source. Pinealon has no independent human trials and is not approved anywhere; consumer supply is research-grade and unregulated, and its neuroprotective claims are not independently confirmed. We link only to clinician-directed care, never to sellers.
Part 07 · Your appointment

Questions to bring.

01
What is the quality and reproducibility of the evidence behind Pinealon?
02
How does Pinealon compare to well-established neuroprotective strategies?
03
Are there independent (non-Russian) studies validating Pinealon's proposed mechanisms?
04
What are the risks of using a peptide with limited peer-reviewed safety data?
References

Every citation, numbered.

Citation list. For our editorial read of each study — including bias flags and quality grades — see the Research log above.

  1. 01.
    Short peptides (incl. pinealon) penetrate the nucleus and bind DNA sequence-specifically · Biochemistry (Moscow), 2011 · PMID 22117547 ↗
  2. 02.
    St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Khavinson bioregulator program