Peptides
PE-22-28: from TREK-1 experiments to unproven mood claims
How does it work?
PE-22-28 is a seven-amino-acid fragment designed from the spadin family. Researchers found that it inhibited TREK-1 potassium channels in engineered cells, a target under investigation for depression. Channel affinity is a mechanism finding, not a clinical benefit. [1]
What do studies show?
The original team reported reduced immobility in mouse behavioral tests, changes in novelty-suppressed feeding after four days, and cell or mouse markers related to neurogenesis and synapses. Those tests are useful for screening ideas, but they do not diagnose human depression or show that PE-22-28 improves mood in patients. We did not find a randomized human trial of the peptide. [1]
Safety
The short- and long-term risks of administering this research peptide to people are not established. Anyone with persistent low mood or suicidal thoughts should seek clinical help rather than substituting an untested compound for effective care.
DOSE STATUS
How much?
EVIDENCE CONTEXT
Why?
The cited evidence does not establish a dose for this use or product.
No safe and effective adult dose of PE-22-28 has been established. The paper reports experimental cell concentrations and animal schedules, which cannot be translated into a validated injection or nasal protocol. We did not identify a reliable, attributable exact-compound educator amount; an 8 mg vial states inventory, not a dose. [1]
Sources & further reading
- Original PE-22-28 TREK-1 cell and mouse study (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov