Sometimes the body doesn’t just get inflamed — it forgets how to turn inflammation off. That’s the premise behind vasoactive intestinal peptide, or VIP, a naturally occurring neuropeptide that helps regulate immune tone, vascular flow, and circadian rhythm.
As a nasal spray, VIP is being explored as a precision modulator for chronic inflammatory and environmental illness — from mold exposure to autonomic dysfunction. It’s not a stimulant. It’s a reset signal for systems stuck in survival mode.
What Is VIP Nasal Spray?
VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) is a 28–amino acid peptide made by the gut, brain, and immune system. It binds to two receptor types — VPAC1 and VPAC2 — found throughout the body, including the lungs, heart, hypothalamus, and immune cells. When activated, these receptors spark anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects.
Intranasal delivery allows the peptide to reach circulation and the brain quickly, bypassing digestion and liver breakdown.
Approval & Indications
VIP is FDA-approved in injectable form (as aviptadil, brand name Zyesami®) for pulmonary arterial hypertension in critical-care settings.
The nasal spray form is not FDA-approved and remains compounded and off-label. Clinicians use it under medical supervision for post-inflammatory syndromes, mold-related biotoxin illness, chronic fatigue, and dysautonomia. Research continues into its immune and neuroprotective roles.
Clinical Pharmacology Snapshot
VIP binds to G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), triggering cAMP signaling cascades that relax smooth muscle, regulate immune cells, and improve oxygen delivery. Nasal absorption occurs within minutes, and while the plasma half-life is short, downstream effects ripple through the body for hours.
Clinical Uses and Benefits
Clinicians reach for VIP spray to rebalance immune signaling, improve autonomic tone, and enhance oxygen utilization — especially in conditions marked by chronic inflammation and neuroimmune dysregulation.
Patients often describe feeling calmer, clearer, and less reactive to environmental triggers.
Evidence in Brief
The evidence is early but encouraging:
- Small human studies suggest VIP reduces inflammatory markers (C4a, TGF-β1).
- It appears to improve pulmonary function and quality of life in chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS).
- Animal research supports its neuroprotective and vasodilatory effects.
While trials remain limited, VIP’s safety record is favorable with few systemic side effects even at higher doses.
How It Works (Mechanism)
VIP functions like a bodywide “rest and repair” signal. It helps turn off the inflammatory response once a threat has passed and rebalances systems that have gone into overdrive.
It suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-α and IL-6) while boosting regulatory T-cell activity — restoring immune tone. It also relaxes vascular smooth muscle through cAMP pathways, improving tissue oxygen delivery.
In the brain, VIP influences circadian rhythm and the HPA axis, stabilizing energy and sleep-wake cycles.
Upstream and Downstream Effects
Upstream, VIP modulates the autonomic nervous system, calming sympathetic overactivation and cortisol surges.
Downstream, this cascade produces measurable effects:
- Improved heart-rate variability
- Lower inflammatory biomarkers
- Sharper cognition and focus
- Better tissue oxygenation through nitric oxide signaling
Where Biomarkers Fit
Because VIP therapy targets immune and vascular regulation, lab markers can track progress. Clinicians often monitor:
- C4a, TGF-β1, VEGF, and MMP-9 for inflammatory and vascular changes
- ADH/osmolality ratios for fluid balance
- CRP, cortisol, and DHEA for systemic stress and recovery
Biomarkers to Monitor
A biomarker-guided approach helps confirm that VIP is doing its job — not just symptomatically, but physiologically.
Baseline labs typically include:
- CRP, C4a, TGF-β1, VEGF, MMP-9, cortisol, DHEA, and electrolytes
Follow-up testing every 4–8 weeks shows whether inflammation and vascular function are normalizing. Clinicians may add thyroid, ferritin, or vitamin D panels for broader metabolic context.
Safety Monitoring
Because VIP acts on vascular and immune systems, clinicians watch for:
- Blood pressure shifts (from mild vasodilation)
- Electrolyte changes
- Transient flushing or dizziness
These effects are rare and typically self-limiting.
Timing & Follow-Up
Most protocols begin with a low dose and titrate upward over several weeks. Early improvements in clarity and energy may appear within days, while full immune recalibration takes 4–6 weeks or longer.
Symptom logs and lab reviews guide timing, not rigid schedules.
Dosing and Administration
The most common compounded form is 50 mcg/mL, usually delivered as a nasal spray. Clinicians individualize dosing, often starting with one spray per nostril daily.
How to Take It
Administration technique matters for absorption:
- Gently clear the nose.
- Tilt the head slightly back.
- Spray once into each nostril without sniffing hard.
Store in the refrigerator and follow the pharmacy’s use-by date.
Onset and Reassessment
Many users notice a shift in autonomic tone — calmer heart rate, better sleep — within two weeks. Full normalization of inflammatory labs may take 1–3 months. Most clinicians reassess every 6–8 weeks.
Side Effects and Safety
Overall, VIP’s tolerability profile is excellent. Side effects are uncommon and generally mild.
Common Effects
- Temporary nasal congestion
- Mild flushing
- Light headache after dosing
These typically fade as the body adapts.
Serious Risks
Severe reactions are exceedingly rare but can include:
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Hypersensitivity or swelling
Anyone experiencing dizziness or shortness of breath should stop use and seek medical care immediately.
Who Should Be Cautious
Certain groups warrant extra care:
- Individuals with severe hypotension or on high-dose vasodilators
- Pregnant or nursing individuals (insufficient data)
- Children, since pediatric safety hasn’t been studied
Drug–Drug Interactions
Systemic drug interactions are minimal, though additive vasodilation is possible when combined with PDE5 inhibitors or antihypertensive medications.
Clinical Evidence Highlights
In small CIRS cohorts, VIP therapy has been shown to:
- Normalize multiple inflammatory and hormonal markers
- Improve neurocognitive testing scores
- Restore endothelial function and oxygenation
Preclinical studies echo these findings, showing reduced microglial activation and improved neurovascular balance.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
- Multi-system regulation
- Strong anti-inflammatory precision
- Excellent tolerability
Limitations:
- Compounded (non-commercial) formulation
- Few large randomized trials
- Cost and accessibility vary by provider
How It Compares
Compared to steroids or immunosuppressants, VIP doesn’t blunt the immune system — it retrains it.
Versus nootropics, it targets the control center itself: autonomic and circadian regulation, not just neurotransmitters. For chronic inflammatory syndromes, VIP functions less as a performance enhancer and more as a reset signal.
Choosing Between Options
Therapies often work sequentially:
- Binders (like cholestyramine) handle detoxification.
- Mitochondrial support (like NAD+ or CoQ10) restores cellular function.
- VIP comes last — the final reset to lock in balance.
Moving Forward with Superpower Biomarker Testing
Inflammation may be invisible, but your biomarkers tell the story long before symptoms resolve.
Superpower’s comprehensive testing panel tracks CRP, cytokines, cortisol, DHEA, and oxidative stress markers — giving you real data to confirm your recovery.
Work with a qualified clinician, track your labs, and let Superpower help you see your body’s reset unfold in real time.
