What is ARA 290?
ARA 290 (Cibinetide) is an 11-amino acid peptide derived from erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Importantly, it is a non-erythropoietic peptide that activates the innate repair receptor to:
reduce inflammation
relieve neuropathic pain
and promote nerve regeneration
without stimulating red blood cell production or causing side effects.
ARA 290 has therapeutic uses in a variety of neurological conditions.
Research studies have shown ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach the central nervous system (CNS).
Benefits of ARA290
Studies show it helps with neuropathic pain by calming overactive immune responses in nerves and even encouraging small nerve fiber regrowth (in the cornea as an example).
Key Points:
• Reduces neuropathic pain by calming inflammation and improving symptoms in conditions like small fiber neuropathy.
• Promotes regeneration of small nerve fibers, helping restore nerve density and function.
• Provides tissue protection and anti-inflammatory effects without the risks associated with full erythropoietin.
Dosing
1 mg per day, may increase up to 4 mg
Some use it a few days per week, some more
Can also start lower (500 mcg)
• Use this Peptide Dosage Calculator to see how much to mix / dose.
• Some have used it as a nasal spray
Purchasing
It’s available from Limitless
Use Code: QUALITY For 20% off
See this page:
https://diaryofrecovery.com/buy
I will use only 2 ML of the 10mL bottle phosphate buffered solution to reconstitute each 16mg bottle of ARA 290.
This will keep the volume to inject (for a 0.5 or 1mg dose) small
– For nasal spray: you need to order the spray kit (also from limitless) instead of the PBS solution
Roundup of Reports / Studies
What ARA 290 can do:
• Reduces Neuropathic Pain and Inflammation:
Activates the innate repair receptor to calm overactive immune responses and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha, leading to about 40-50% pain relief in small fiber neuropathy (SFN) from conditions like sarcoidosis or diabetes.
In one trial, daily doses improved symptoms in 4 weeks, with users on Reddit reporting >50% pain drop in days for burning/tingling feet or legs.
Forum users with post-viral neuropathy (similar to shingles aftermath) say it eases sharp, shock-like pain without the blood-thickening risks of full EPO.
• Promotes Nerve Repair and Regeneration:
Boosts small nerve fiber density (e.g., in the cornea as a marker), helping regenerate damaged nerves in diabetic neuropathy or SFN—studies show up to 2.5-fold increase in regeneration in animal models, and human trials noted better quality of life after 28 days.
Users in peptide forums describe reduced numbness and improved mobility (e.g., walking barefoot without allodynia), with one saying it halved joint impingement pain when combined with other peptides.
For shingles-related nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia), users with similar viral-induced burning (e.g., VZV-linked) report relief, speculating it helps via anti-inflammatory paths.
• Improves Symptoms in Autoimmune or Chronic Conditions:
Targets tissue protection in sarcoidosis neuropathy, reducing dysesthesia and allodynia— one study showed significant biological response after every-other-day dosing for a month.
Reddit users with immune-mediated SFN or adhesive arachnoiditis (swollen nerves) note moderated “bound up” feelings in limbs and less sensitivity to triggers like blood sugar changes, with some cutting gabapentin doses way down after a month.
Potential for broader neuroprotective effects, like in MS or post-chemo pain, per animal studies.
• Supports Overall Tissue Healing:
Enhances wound repair and reduces ischemic damage (e.g., in heart models), with anti-inflammatory boosts that could indirectly help shingles recovery by curbing ongoing nerve irritation.
Forum experiences highlight synergy with peptides like KPV (for inflammation) or TB4 Frag (for repair), leading to pain-free periods lasting weeks to months, though benefits often fade if stopped.
Dosing Insights from Forums and Studies (Adjusted for Small Vials and Low Doses)
Many self-users start micro and build up, especially with smaller vials, to get 10-20+ doses instead of just a few. Protocols aren’t one-size-fits-all, but here’s what people are sharing:
• Common Starting Doses: 1-2mg daily subQ (under skin) for nerve pain, often starting at 0.5-1mg to test.
Forums like Reddit suggest microdosing at 1mg every other day or even 5mg/week intranasally for maintenance.
One X user recommended it for SFN nerve rebuild, noting it works slowly over months at low doses.
Diary of Recovery 