Research highlights Astressin’s role in mitigating stress-induced physiological and behavioral disruptions. Benefits are mostly from animal studies; human translation remains exploratory. 
 
•  Hair Growth and Alopecia Prevention: Astressin-B promotes rapid hair regrowth and pigmentation in stress-induced baldness models. In CRF-overexpressing mice (mimicking chronic stress), subcutaneous injections (5 µg/day for 5 days) reversed alopecia in adults and prevented it in juveniles, shifting hair follicles from telogen (resting) to anagen (growth) phase. Effects lasted over 4 months, with thickened existing hair. This is linked to blocking CRF’s inhibition of hair follicle activity, independent of cortisol reduction. Topical formulations (e.g., Spectral.F7) are marketed for human hair loss, showing promise for stress-related alopecia in men and women.
 
•  Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Central administration attenuates CRF- or stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors. In rats, intracerebroventricular Astressin (3-10 µg) reversed social defeat stress effects on the elevated plus-maze test, reducing avoidance of open arms. It also blocks CRF’s locomotor activation in familiar environments, suggesting anxiolytic potential without sedation.
 
•  Reproductive Function Support: Astressin-B restores hormonal balance disrupted by stress. In rhesus monkeys, it (0.45 mg/kg) prevented ghrelin-induced LH pulse suppression and accelerated recovery of luteal progesterone after inflammatory stress (LPS challenge), normalizing cycles over two post-treatment months. In stressed rats, it improved sexual drive.
 
•  Gastrointestinal Motility Regulation: Blocks stress- or CRF-induced delays in gastric emptying and colonic propulsion. In rats, Astressin (1-10 µg intracerebroventricular) prevented postoperative ileus (e.g., after abdominal surgery) by 56-100% and reduced fecal output from water-avoidance stress by up to 54%. Astressin-2B aids gastric emptying by antagonizing CRF2-mediated inhibition, potentially benefiting conditions like IBS.
 
•  Neuroprotection and Seizure Modulation: Provides hippocampal protection against excitotoxic damage. In rats, post-seizure Astressin (intracerebroventricular) reduced kainic acid-induced neuronal loss by up to 84%, outperforming other antagonists. It also attenuates CRH-induced seizures in infant rats, though less potently than expected centrally.