Description
The regulator your immune system has been missing.
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide) is a 28-amino-acid peptide with profound anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. It plays a critical role in balancing the immune system, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), mold exposure, mast cell activation, and dysautonomia. VIP is often the final step in Dr. Shoemaker’s biotoxin illness protocol and can be transformative for patients who have addressed the root cause but still carry lingering symptoms.
How It Works
- Regulates inflammation — Modulates cytokine profiles across multiple immune pathways.
- Balances T-cells — Shifts immune balance away from over-activation.
- Stabilizes mast cells — Reduces mast cell over-activation and histamine release.
- Restores hormonal balance — Supports MSH, VEGF, and other regulatory hormones.
- Autonomic effects — Modulates autonomic nervous system function.
- Multi-system reach — Beneficial effects across gut, brain, and lung tissue.
What It’s Used For
CIRS: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome — post-mold and post-biotoxin recovery.
Mold illness: Advanced protocol step for lingering symptoms after remediation.
Mast cell activation: MCAS, histamine intolerance, environmental sensitivities.
Dysautonomia: POTS and autonomic dysfunction.
Chronic fatigue: Persistent fatigue with an inflammatory component.
Granulomatous conditions: Sarcoidosis and related adjunct support.
Dosing & Protocol
- Delivery — Intranasal spray
- Standard dose — 50 mcg per spray, 1–4 sprays daily
- Timing — Divided doses through the day
- Prerequisites — Must complete Shoemaker protocol steps first (mold remediation, cholestyramine, MARCoNS treatment)
- Duration — 3–12+ months depending on response
- Monitoring — TGF-β1, C4a, MMP-9, VEGF, and other CIRS markers
- Administered by — Self-administered at home; prescribed by Dr. Thomas
What Patients Report
- Reduced fatigue and improved energy
- Better cognitive clarity — the brain fog lifting
- Reduced inflammation and pain
- Improved exercise tolerance
- Better sleep quality
- Reduced environmental sensitivities
- Overall sense of recovery from long-standing illness
Safety & Pharmacy Notes
VIP requires careful patient selection and prior workup. It is a specialty protocol, not a first-line intervention.
- Must not be started before completing the prerequisite CIRS protocol steps.
- Possible effects: transient worsening of symptoms (Herxheimer-like), fatigue, headache.
- Not recommended in active mold exposure (remediation required first) or pregnancy.
- Requires baseline labs including the CIRS panel.
- Dispensed through licensed 503A compounding pharmacies.
- An initial consultation with Dr. Thomas is required before starting therapy.
