Vasoactive intestinal peptide[VIP; synthetic form: aviptadil]
Compound snapshot
Class
Research peptide
FDA approved
Investigational as a drug — not FDA-approved
Clinical development
Approved
Last reviewed
September 2026
Research areas
Immune signalling / Inflammation / Longevity research
Regulatory status
Investigational as a drug — not FDA-approved
Internet attention
Moderate
Registry query
Vasoactive intestinal peptide
A natural 28-amino-acid neuropeptide widely distributed in the nervous system, gut, lungs, blood vessels and immune cells. Synthetic VIP is called aviptadil in clinical research.
Reality check — what we actually know
Supported by human evidence
- This compound has completed human trials in at least one approved indication — see the regulatory section for what was actually approved.
Animal research only
- A single small pulmonary-hypertension study found modest, short-lived pulmonary vasodilation after inhaled aviptadil
- Anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects are well described in laboratory models
- Stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion in physiological and preclinical research
Mechanistically plausible
- Activates VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, increasing cellular cyclic AMP. Depending on the tissue, this relaxes smooth muscle and blood vessels, affects gut secretion, modifies immune-cell cytokine output and supports glucose-dependent insulin release.
Common internet claims
- Online discussion frequently presents Vasoactive intestinal peptide as a proven treatment rather than a research compound.
Not established
- Human efficacy for the outcomes commonly claimed
- Optimal route, quantity and duration in humans
- Long-term human safety
Evidence distribution
Each band is a live PubMed search for Vasoactive intestinal peptide, filtered to that kind of study. Top is the strongest evidence; the base is reasoning, not proof. A band with no records means that kind of study has not been published for this compound yet.
Mechanism and reported findings
Activates VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors, increasing cellular cyclic AMP. Depending on the tissue, this relaxes smooth muscle and blood vessels, affects gut secretion, modifies immune-cell cytokine output and supports glucose-dependent insulin release.
- A single small pulmonary-hypertension study found modest, short-lived pulmonary vasodilation after inhaled aviptadil
- Anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects are well described in laboratory models
- Stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion in physiological and preclinical research
- A large randomised COVID-19 respiratory-failure trial did not establish benefit on its primary outcome
Strength of the evidence: The underlying human physiology is well established, but therapeutic evidence is mixed and indication-specific. Native VIP has a very short half-life, and no VIP product has broad FDA approval for metabolic, immune or pulmonary disease.
Safety and known cautions
Potent blood-vessel and gut effects can plausibly cause low blood pressure, flushing, headache or diarrhoea. Trial findings in one severe disease cannot be generalized to wellness use. Research products are not approved medicines.
Evidence at a glance
No single score, on purpose. The line beside each bar shows how much reported outcomes vary between studies.
Development stage
- Discovery
- Preclinical
- Phase 1
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Regulatory review
- ApprovedCurrent