| Compound | Orexin A |
|---|---|
| Category | Endogenous hypocretin |
| Class | Neuro, Nootropic, and Cosmetic Peptides |
| Evidence tier | Preclinical |
| WADA status | Not individually listed; verify current status if subject to testing |
| Sold on this site | No — this is a reference database |
Overview
Orexin A — a endogenous hypocretin — sits in the "Preclinical" tier of this catalog. The evidence base for this compound is dominated by animal and cell-culture studies. Mechanism may be plausible; human benefit and safety are unestablished.
One of two endogenous hypocretin neuropeptides that regulate wakefulness; loss of hypocretin neurons causes narcolepsy. Intranasal administration has been studied in research settings.
Mechanism of Action
Orexin A activates OX1/OX2 receptors to stabilize wakefulness — the system whose failure defines type 1 narcolepsy.
Research and Evidence
Small human studies of intranasal orexin A in narcolepsy have been conducted; a genuine therapeutic program (mostly small-molecule agonists) is a major pharma effort.
Safety and Side Effects
Direct administration research is experimental; orexin over-activation is associated with insomnia and stress responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the evidence tier of Orexin A?
Orexin A is graded "Preclinical" on this site. The evidence base for this compound is dominated by animal and cell-culture studies. Mechanism may be plausible; human benefit and safety are unestablished.
Is Orexin A an approved medicine?
No. Preclinical means the compound has not reached universal regulatory approval; the tier description above explains exactly what level of evidence exists.
Where can I read the primary studies for Orexin A?
The references section at the end of this entry links the key primary sources — regulator labels, trial registrations, and peer-reviewed papers. Our "How to Read a Peptide Study" guide explains how to evaluate them.
References
- ClinicalTrials.gov — search for orexin studies. [source]
Evidence tier: Preclinical · Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Sources cited below.