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Lexicon

Lexicon

Dermorphin

An extremely potent opioid peptide from frog skin, many times stronger than morphine, with all the risks of a strong opioid.

2 min read 1 sources Calculator Updated May 2026
Class
Opioid peptide (mu agonist)
Use
Subcutaneous (in mcg)
Potency
many times stronger than morphine
Status
High risk (opioid)

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Equipment

Equipment you need

For reconstitution and injection you need a bit of basic gear. Here are solid, cheap options:

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What is Dermorphin?

Dermorphin is an opioid peptide originally from the skin of South American frogs. It is an extremely potent and selective agonist at the mu opioid receptor, the same receptor morphine acts on, just many times stronger.

Honestly and emphatically up front: dermorphin is a high-potency opioid. It has all the risks of strong opioids, including respiratory depression and dependence. This is not a harmless research peptide.

How it works

Dermorphin binds very strongly and specifically to mu opioid receptors and through that produces a pronounced pain-relieving effect. In animal models it was many times more potent than morphine. But exactly this potency makes it dangerous: the dose margin between effect and dangerous respiratory depression is narrow.

What you need

  • The dermorphin vial (lyophilized powder).
  • Bacteriostatic water, U-100 insulin syringes, alcohol swabs.

Reconstitution

Use the calculator above. A 5mg vial with 2ml water gives 2500mcg per ml. Just add the water to the vial and let it dissolve.

Dosing

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What the research shows

A study (Negri, 1990) characterized dermorphin's binding to mu opioid receptors and confirmed the high selectivity and affinity. That explains the strong pain-relieving effect. But there are no studies supporting safe self-use in humans, on the contrary, the opioid profile calls for the greatest caution.

Side effects

  • Respiratory depression (life-threatening in overdose), the central risk of any strong opioid.
  • Dependence potential, tolerance development.
  • Nausea, sedation, constipation.

Practice

  • This is a high-potency opioid, not a lifestyle peptide, treat it accordingly.
  • Never combine with other breathing-suppressing agents (alcohol, benzodiazepines, other opioids).
  • When in doubt, leave it alone.

Storage

Before mixing the powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. After mixing, keep in the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), do not freeze. It stays good there for at least 8 to 10 weeks with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. Swirl or shake to mix, both are fine. Keep safely and out of reach of children.

Evidence

Sources

  1. 1 Characterization of dermorphin binding to mu opioid receptors (high selectivity and affinity). Negri et al., Brain Research, 1990

Keep reading

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In the shop

Dermorphin in the catalog

Sizes, prices and availability for research use. Straight from the lexicon to the product page.

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