INTRODUCTION
Despitehavingwrittenseveralarticlesandpublishedjustasmany podcastepisodesaboutpeptidesoverthelastfewyears,Istillget questionsaboutthistopicnearlyeverydarnday,including…
Whatexactlyarepeptides?
Howdotheyworkinthebody?
Whatarethebestsources?
Howdoyou“take”them?
HowcanIstackpeptidesforthebesteffects?
Aretheysafe?
Aretheylegal?
Tobehonest,Icompletelyunderstandwhypeoplestillhavesomany unansweredquestionsaboutpeptides.Peptidetherapyisstillafairlynew conceptforthegeneralpopulation,therearen’tmanyexpertsoutthere talkingaboutthisstuff(thoughthenumbersarecertainlygrowing),and, what’smore,peptidesaren’ttechnicallyFDAapprovedorpatentable,so despitethefactthatsomeofthesmartestfunctionalmedicinephysicians Iknowusepeptidesdailyintheirpractice,mostmainstreamhealth websitesarecertainlynottalkingaboutpeptides.
Inotherwords,mostfolkshavenochoicebuttoseekoutalternative sourcesforinformationonpeptides.
Sowiththatbeingsaid,Iwanttodomyverybesttoeducateandbea trustedsourceofinformationontheincrediblyintriguingfieldofpeptide therapy,notonlybecauseI’veusedthemmyselftogreatsuccess,but alsobecauseIbelievetheycantrulyrevolutionizeeverythingfromhuman performancetoathleticrecovery,anti-aging,immunetreatments,skin andhairrestoration,andmuchmore.
BENGREENFIELD
TABLEOFCONTENTS
WHATAREPEPTIDES?
Peptidesarenaturallyoccurringbiologicalmoleculescontainingtwoor moreaminoacidsconnectedtooneanotherbypeptidebonds.
Likeaminoacidsandproteins,peptidesperformanumberofcritical, fundamentalprocessesinthebody.Mostnotably,theyserveas signalingmoleculesthatcommunicatewithourcellsand“tellthemwhat todo”withlaser-likespecificity–whetherit’srepairingtissues, producingcertainhormones,orsendingoutanti-inflammatory compoundstopromotehealing.
Structurallyspeaking,peptidesarerelatedtoaminoacidsandproteinsin thefollowingway:
•Aminoacidsareindividualmolecules;
•Peptidesare(generally)shortchainsof2-50aminoacids;
•Proteinsare(generally)longchainsof50+aminoacids.
But,lestyouthinkpeptidesaresomekindof“fringebiohack,”youshould knowthatthey’veactuallybeen usedtherapeuticallyinmedicineforover acentury.Infact,life-savingmedicineslikemorphine,penicillin,and insulinareallpeptides,andtherearemanypeptide-basedvaccinesas well.
Whathaschangedrecently,however,andwhypeptideshavesuddenly explodedonthehealthscene,istwo-fold:
1.Technologicaladvancementshaveallowedusto enhancethe circulatoryhalf-livesandtherapeuticpotencyofpeptides –such asattachingthepeptidetoamoleculethatincreasestheoverall
sizewhichcanhelpwithreceptor-mediatedrecycling(absorption bycells)ormanipulatingtheaminoacidchaininawaythat enhancesitsstabilityinthebloodstream.
2.Thecommercializationofpeptides,whichhasmadethemmore publiclyavailable,especiallyonline.However,Iwillissuea forewarningherethattheabilitytoeasilybuypeptidesfromjust aboutanywebsitehasnotexactlybeenthebestthingwhenit comestoensuringthesafetyandpurityofpeptides,butalas,I willdiscussthatmorebelow.
THEHEALTHBENEFITSOFPEPTIDES
So,whywouldyouwanttogothroughallthetroubleandexpenseof findingatrustedpeptidespractitioner–or,perhaps,ifyou’retakinga moreDIYapproach–navigatingtheinterwebstofindasafe,reputable sourceandthenproceedingtoinjectoneselfwithasyringefullofthese strange“wondercompounds,”anyway?
Theshortansweris,theresultscanundoubtedlybeworthit.
Personally,Icanattesttotheincredible,fast-actingbenefitsof therapeuticpeptides. I’veusedBPC�157 toshutdowngutinflammation, aswellascompletelybanishanumberofinjuriessuchasgolfer’selbow, medialepicondylitis,innerelbowpain,andatornupperhamstring. LL�37, ananti-microbialpeptide,helpedmygutrecoverfromanastyboutof giardiathankstoawaterfiltersnafuduringawildernesssurvivalcourse. Andforanootropic-likebrainboost,thepeptideSemaxisoneofmy favorites,asitcanprovidehoursoffocusedcognitiveperformance withoutdeleteriouslyaffectingsleeporcausinganytypeofanxietyor jitters.
�Andthat’sjustthetipoftheiceberg.Icovermanymoreofmypersonal favoritepeptidesinmybook Boundless.)
Whenadministeredcorrectly,peptidesworkbyreplenishingournatural levelsthatdeclinewithage,providingaseeminglyendlesslistofhealth benefits(dependingonthepeptide),suchas:
• Improvingsleep
• Supportingbrainhealth
• Boostingimmunehealth
• Increasingleanmusclegrowth
• Enhancinglongevityandanti-aging
• Stoppinghairloss(andevenregrowinghair)
• Improvinginsulinsensitivityandmetabolichealth
• Supportinginjuryhealingandmuscular/jointrecovery
•Andmuch,muchmore…
Howcanpeptideshavesuchwide-rangingeffectsonnearlyeverybodily system?Well,it’sbecausetheyareessentially“biologicalchameleons,” actingascirculatinghormones,neurotransmitters,localregulators–orall oftheseatonce–whichallowsthemtoplayafundamentalrolein controlling humandevelopment,reproduction,physiology,andbehavior Additionally,peptideshaveextremelyhighspecificityandaffinityfortheir intendedtarget(youcanthinkofthemlikeheat-seekingmissiles)and caneasilypenetratethosecellmembranesduetotheirsmallsize.Plus, anaddedbenefitofusingpeptidesasatreatmentisthat,becauseof theirshorterhalf-life, theydon’taccumulateinspecificorgans(e.g. kidneyorliver) whichmakestheirtoxicitylevelsextremelylow.
Prettycool,right?Nowthatyouunderstandhowpeptidesworkandwhat benefitstheyhaveinthebody,let’sdiscusswhereyoumightfindthese magicmolecules.
WHERETOGETPEPTIDES
Now,sincepeptidesarenaturalcompounds,theyaretechnicallynot patentable,period.ThatmeansBigPharmacan'tmakemoneyoffthem, andthus,theywillneverbemarketedtoyourlocaldoctororhospitalor anywhereelseintheconventionalhealthcaresystem.
Peptides,thoughincrediblysafeandeffective,arealsonotcurrently approvedbytheFDAandarethereforelargelyunregulated.Thisdoesn’t meanthey’reillegalforyoutoconsumeperse(unlessyouare,say,an athletecompetinginasanctionedsportthatrestrictspeptideuse),but rather,thattheycannotbelegallysoldoradvertisedas“forhuman consumption”(thisiswhyyou’llseethemlabeledassuchonwebsites).
Becauseofthesereasons,theprocessoffindingareputable,highqualitysourceofpeptidescanbeextremelytrickyanddaunting.
Personally,Ihavetoadmitthatmyfirstforayintopeptideswasabit “sketchy”andItinkeredaroundwithsomesitesthatmayormaynothave beenthemosthigh-qualityofsources(thoughIdidnotgrowatailor thirdnipple,thankfully).
However,afterIdidmoreresearch,spokewithanumberofdoctorsand peptideexperts,andbecameawareofqualityissueswithpeptides, whichweremadepublicinthe NewYorkTimes article,“AttheHeartofa VastDopingNetwork,anAlias,”Ibecamemuchpickieraboutmysources. Forexample,accordingtothatarticle, “theheadofSwitzerland’santidopingorganizationsaidthathisagency’stestshaveshownthat80 percentofthepeptidesadvertisedonthewebareadulteratedor outrightfakes.” Yikes.
SinceI’massumingthatyou,likeme,don’twanttobespendingyour hard-earnedmoneyonfakepeptides,nortakingthechanceofinjecting questionablesubstancesintoyourpreciousmeatsuit,Iwouldhighly cautionyouagainstbuyingpeptideswilly-nillyfromanyoldwebsiteyou find.
Frankly,theverybest(andsafest)optionwouldbetogetyourpeptides throughalegitimatehealthcareproviderthatcanworkwithyouto developanappropriateprotocolforyourneeds.
Youcaneithervisitthe InternationalPeptideSociety tofindaphysician nearyou,oryoucanseekoutworkingwithanynumberofclinics/
practitionersI’veinterviewedandcanpersonallyvouchfor,suchas:
• MattCookofBioResetMedical (mytrustedsourceforthe highest-qualitypeptides)
• Jean-FrançoisTremblayofCanLabs
• CraigKoniverofKoniverWellness
• MattDawsonofWildHealth
However,ifforwhateverreasonworkingwithaphysicianisnotanoption, Ihavealsomanagedtofindsomereputableonlinesourcesforquality peptides,including:
• CanLabResearch (Theproductstheyofferareforlabresearch useonlybylawandavailableforresearchanddevpurposes only.)
• PeptideSciences (Theproductstheyofferareforlabresearch useonlybylawandavailableforresearchanddevpurposes only.)
• TailorMadeCompounding (Theydon'tactuallyofferpeptideson theirsite-youneedaconsultationfirst.)
HOWTOUSEPEPTIDES
HOWTOUSEPEPTIDES: RECONSTITUTION,STORAGE,& ADMINISTRATION
So,nowthatyouunderstandwhatpeptidescandoandwheretoget them,youmightbewonderinghowtheheckyouactuallyusethem.
Thetruthis,thereareanumberofwaysyoucantakepeptides,andthe routeyouchoosedependsona)whatpeptideyou’reusingandb)what benefitsyou’reseeking.
Somepeptidescanbeappliedtopically,whichisthebestrouteifyou’re lookingforanexternalbenefitsuchasskinorhaircare.Forexample, Jay Campbell’s“age-defying”peptides aredesignedtobeapplieddirectlyto yourskinorhairforbestresults.
However,ifyou’renotusingaready-madeformula,youcanalsomix peptideswithacreamorgeltomakeyourveryowntopicalformula.For example,thisvideowalksyouthroughhowto makeyourownanti-aging peptideserum.
PeptideslikeBPC�157canalsobetakenorally–suchasinalozenge, spray,ortabletform–whichcanbethemostconvenientoptionfor somethinglikeintestinalorguthealthbenefits.However,therearevery fewpeptidesthatarestableenoughtoresistgastricdigestion,sobesure todoyourresearchbeforepurchasinganoralform.
Additionally,intranasalapplication,usuallyintheformofanasalsprayis anotheroption.Thisroutetendstobebestiflookingtodirectlytargetthe brain,suchaswiththeaforementionednootropicpeptideSemax.
However,themosteffective,mostcommon–and,admittedly,most complicated–waytoadministerpeptidesisviainjection,whichmay soundscarybutisprettymuchtheequivalentofwhatmillionsof diabeticsdoeverydaywiththetinyneedlefoundinaninsulinsyringe. However,theadministrationrouteofinjectionobviouslyrequiresabit moreplanningandpreparationthantopical,oral,ornasalpeptide formulas,sotheremainderoftheseinstructionswillcovertheprocess foradministeringyourownpeptideinjections.
PEPTIDEINJECTIONS:
HOWTORECONSTITUTEPEPTIDES
Beforeusingyourpeptides,you’llneedto“reconstitute”them.
Thisisbecausemostpeptideswillcomeinapowder,orlyophilizedform, whichwillneedtobe“reconstituted”intoaliquidsolutionusingsterilized orbacteriostaticwater(BAC).
Herearesomegeneralguidelinesonhowtoreconstituteyourpeptides:
1.Removetheplasticsafetycapsonbothvials(peptideandBAC).
2.Gentlyalcoholswabtherubberstopperoneachofthevials.
3.Usethereferenceguidethatcamewithyourpeptides,ora helpfultoollikethis PeptideReconstitutionCalculator orthe PepCalcapp todeterminetheamountofBACyouneedto reconstituteyourspecificpeptide.
4.DrawasmuchBACasyouneedintoyoursyringe(plusalittlebit more).Flickthesideofyoursyringetoremovetheextraair bubblesandpushalittlebitofliquidoutofthetop.
5.CarefullyinsertthetipoftheBACsyringeintothepeptidesvial andveryslowlyadministertheliquid,ideallyalongthesideofthe syringeandnotdirectlyintothepeptidespowder.
6.Slowlyrotatethepeptidesvial(don’tshake,peptidesarevery fragile)tomixthepowderwiththeBAC.
Voila,yourpeptideisnowreconstituted!
Whilemanysiteswillstatethatreconstitutingyourpeptidesissimple math,there’sstillatonofconfusion.Why?Arewealljusttoodumbtodo alittlenumbercrunching?Idon’tthinkso.Forone,therearenumbersof differenttypesofsyringes.Insulinsyringesarethemostpopular,but thosedifferbetweenU40andU100(meaningsomearesmallerandsome arelarger,sotheamountofvolumeyouaddtoasyringeisgoingtobe differentbasedonthesyringesize).Therearealsonon-insulinsyringes, called“Tuberculin”,whichfeaturedecimalmarkingsinmillilitersinsteadof IU'slikeaninsulinsyringedoes.Your“tickmarks”onyoursyringewillvary basedonthetypeyouhave,andthatcanalsochangeyourcalculations. Peptidesalsocomeindifferentsizevials(meaningthemgvolumeinthe
peptidecanvary),asdoesthevolumeofBACwatersizes.
Anyways,it'sprettysimpleifyouthinkaboutitthough.IfIhavea5mgvial BPC�157andIwantasomewhatstandard250mcgdose,thatmeansI'd need1/20ofthe5000mcgofBPC�157thatisinthatvial.SoifIadd,say, 5mLofBACtothatvia,then1mLhas1mgand.25mLhasmydesired 250mcg.Easy,right?Now,ifyouwanttofiddlearoundwiththemath,you canalsostartwiththisequationinwhichyou'llwanttosolvefor“X”(x= tickmarksonsyringe).
(Amountofpeptide/AmountofBACwater)*(xtickmarks)=(Dose desired)*(Numberofticks/Syringevolume)>>thisvariespersyringe
Here'sanexampleofthecalculationsforreconstitutingBCP�157witha U�100insulinsyringe(you'llwanttoconvertthe5mgBPC�157tomcg,so 5mgBPCis5000mcgBPC��
(5000mcg/5mL)*(xticks)=250mcg*(100ticks/1mL)
Solvingforx,you'dget25ticks,soyou'dpullbacktothe25markona 1mLsyringe.
However,I’dhighlyrecommendjustusingoneofthehelpfulcalculatorsI includedaboveifthisisconfusingtoyou.:)
Ifyou’remoreofavisuallearner,youcanalsofollowthishandy YouTube videothatwalksyouthroughthepeptidereconstitutionprocess
PEPTIDEINJECTIONS: HOWTOSTOREPEPTIDES
Now,ifyou’renotgoingtoadministeryourpeptiderightafteryou receiveit,you’llneedtoknowhowtostoreitproperly.
Peptidesarefragilecompounds,soproperstorageiscrucialifyoudon't wanttowasteyourhard-earneddough.Peptidesinallformsshouldbe storedawayfromlight,heat,andmoisture.Trytoleavethem undisturbedforthemostpart,exceptwhentakingthemoutto reconstituteoradminister.
Belowaresometipsforstoringandmaintainingyourpeptidestoavoid anycontamination,oxidation,anddegradationthatmayrenderyour preciouspeptidesuseless.
StoringLyophilized(Powder)Peptides:
Ifyou’regoingtostoreyourpowderpeptides,thebestpracticeisto immediatelyputthemintherefrigerator(under4°C/39°F�,wherethey canremainstablefor1�2years.
Theexceptionwouldbeifyou’renotgoingtouseyourpeptideswithin 1�2months.Atthatpoint,youshouldstoretheminthefreezer(-18°C/ 0°F�wherethey’lltypicallyremainviablefor2�3years.
StoringReconstituted(Mixed)Peptides:
Reconstitutedpeptidesolutionsshouldalsobestoredintherefrigerator, wheretheywillgenerallyremainstableforupto30days.
It’stypicallynotrecommendedtostorereconstitutedpeptidesformore than30days,whichmeansyoushouldreallyonlyreconstituteone month’sworthofpeptidesatatimeandleavetheremainingpowder peptidesinthefridge/freezer.
PEPTIDEINJECTIONS:
HOWTOADMINISTERSUBCUTANEOUS ANDINTRAMUSCULARPEPTIDES
Onceyou’rereadytoadministeryourpeptide,you’llneedtoknow whetheryou’llbedoingasubcutaneousorintramuscularinjection.
Ideally,yourphysicianorpeptidesourceshouldprovideinstructionson whichtypeofinjectiontodoforyourspecificpeptide,butifnot,below aresomeguidelines.
Asubcutaneousinjectionisgivenundertheskinbutdoesn’tpiercethe muscle,soit’sabitmorecomfortable,lesspotentiallypainful,andeasier toadminister.Peptidesthatwork“systemically”orneedaslower absorptionrateintothebloodstreamwilltypicallyinvolvesubcutaneous injections,andthisusuallyincludespeptidesusedforgeneralhealth, systemicanti-inflammation,mitochondrialhealth,oranti-aging.
Intramuscularinjections,ontheotherhand,arealittletoughersinceyou muststabtheentireneedlethroughtheskinandintothemuscle(even thoughitsoundsscary,yourbasicflushotisanintramuscularinjection).
Intramuscularinjectionsareusuallyusedwhenyouwanttobypassthe
digestionprocessandenterthebloodstreamasquicklyaspossible,or whenyouwanttotargetasiteofinjurydirectly.
So,makesuretoknowwhichtypeofinjectionyou’llbeusingbefore gettingstarted!
PREPARINGFORINJECTION�
Beforeyouactuallydotheinjection,thereareafewbasicthingsyou’ll needtodotoprepare.
Listofitemsyou’llneed:
•Alcoholwipes
•Needle
◦Forsubcutaneousinjections:Aboxofinsulinsyringes, preferably1ml/1cc,with28gauge1/2inchattachedneedles (singleuse)
◦Forintramuscularinjections:Aboxof22-25gaugeneedles (singleuse)
•Disposablegloves(optional)
•Yourreconstitutedpeptide
Beforetheinjection:
1.Warmthepeptidevialtoroomtemperaturebeforeopening.This preventsmoisturecontamination.
2.Weighoutthedesiredquantityofpeptidequickly.
3.Resealthevialtightlyandstoretheremainingpeptidebackin yourrefrigeratororfreezer.
4.Putonyourdisposableglovesorwashyourhandswell.
5.Useyouralcoholwipestosterilizetheareaofskinyou’llbe injectingandletitdry.
6.Prepareyoursyringe:Takethesyringeinyourdominanthand, pullthecoveroffwithyourotherhand,andpullthecorrect
amountofpeptideintoyoursyringefromyourvial.
7.Proceedwithadministeringyourpeptide.
OK,solet’sgettothepartofexactlyhowtoexactlyjabyourselfwitha needle.Fun!
SUBCUTANEOUSINJECTIONINSTRUCTIONS
Here’sa YouTubetutorialonhowtodoasubcutaneousinjection
First,choosethesiteofinjection–usuallyeitherthethighs,abdomen, upperarm,orbuttocks(unlessyourspecificpeptiderequiresadifferent site).
Pinchonetotwoinchesofskinattheinjectionsite.Generally,youcan placetheneedlestraightinata90-degreeangleifyoucanpinchmore skin,butifyoucanonlypinchaninchofskinyoucaninserttheneedleat a45-degreeangle.However,ifit'stootoughtosimultaneouslypinchyour skinandinjectyourself,youcanalwaysrecruitahelper.
Atthispoint,you’llwanttoinjecttheneedlecompletelyintotheskin, makingsuretoavoidmuscletissue.Onceyoucompletelyemptythe syringeyoucanpulltheneedleout,andyou’redone!
INTRAMUSCULARINJECTIONINSTRUCTIONS
Here’sa YouTubetutorialonhowtodoanintramuscularinjection.
Ifdoinganintramuscularinjection,you’llwanttofindasitewithlotsof muscle,includingyourshouldermuscle,thighmuscles,ormusclesonthe hip.
Theinstructionsforintramuscularareessentiallythesame:Pinchas muchskinasyoucanattheinjectionsite,inserttheneedatideally90 degrees,administerthepeptidesolution,andpulltheneedleoutcarefully (exceptforthisoneyoumaywanttotryyourverybesttothinkof puppiesandrainbowsasit’llhurtatadbitmore).
POST�INJECTIONTIPS
Forboththesubcutaneousandintramuscularinjections,you'llexperience betterresultsandamorecompleteabsorptionandadministrationifyou “massage”thegeneralareaofinjectionforabout30�60secondstoreally workthepeptideintothetissue.
Oh,andofcourse,beresponsibleandmakesuretocleanupanddispose ofyourneedleappropriately–whichideallymeansdon’tjustthrowitin yourtrashforyourlocalgarbagemantostickhimselfon.Rightafter injection,you’llwanttocleanyourneedlewithanantibioticwipeandput itina sharpsdisposalbin.Long-term,takeyourbintoa properdisposal facility suchasalocaldropboxorhazardouswastefacility,signupfora residentialpick-upservice,orlookintoanFDAmail-backprogram.
THEBESTPEPTIDE“STACKS”
THEBESTPEPTIDESTACKSFOR YOURHEALTHGOALS
Now,beforeIjumpheadfirstintothepeptidestackingdeepend,letme givejustonemorequickdisclaimer(isn’tthislegalstufffun?!�…
…thedosingandfrequencyrecommendationsprovidedbelowaresimply generalguidelines.
Likeanytherapeuticormedicationorsupplement,peptidedoseswill changebasedonyourbodyweight,size,andpersonalhealthstatus.I recommendyoustartonthelowerendofapeptidedoseandfrequency toseehowyoupersonallyrespond.Aboveall,youshouldfollowthe instructionsfromyourphysicianorpeptidemanufacturer.
THE“RECOVERLIKEWOLVERINE” PEPTIDESTACK
Oneofmyfirstseriousforaysintopeptideswastohealanannoying, persistent,andquitepainfultornupperhamstringbyusingwhatIcall the“RecoverLikeWolverine”stack.
Anditworked–withprettysurprisingspeed,noless.
Soifyouhavefrustratingjointpainthatwon'tgoaway,somekindof muscletearorsprain,orsimplywanttoenhanceyourathleticrecovery, thispeptidestackbeatsthepantsoffyourtypicalold-school“R.I.C.E.” protocol(Rest,Ice,Compression,andElevation).
Thispotentrecoverystackincorporatesthefollowingpeptides:BPC�157, TB�500,Ipamorelin,Tesamorelin,andGHK�Cu.
BPC�157
BPC�157,or“bodyprotectioncompound157”isfoundintraceamountsin
yourbody'sgastricjuices,andisthusveryhelpfulforintestinalissues andguthealing.Additionally,BPC�157also acceleratesinjuryandwound healing viainteractionwiththenitricoxidesystem, whichinitiatesthe protectionofendothelialtissue,increasesbloodflow,andcausesan “angiogenic”(bloodvesselbuilding)effect.
Thisisoneofthefewpeptidesthatcanalsobetakenorally–eitherfor convenienceorfortargetedguthealing–sotheinstructionsbelowinclude guidelinesifyou’retakingoraltablets.
DosingGuidelines:
•Injection:250-350mcg2x/day;OR
•Injection:500-700mcg1x/day;OR
•Injection:0.15mLof2000mcg/mLsolutioneverydayfora30-day cycle;OR
•Oral:500mcgcapsulesfora30-daycycle
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjectionforsystemichealing
•Intramuscularinjectionfortargetedhealing
•Orallyforguthealingorconvenience
Again,youcanclickherefordosing/reconstitutinginstructions.
TB�500�THYMOSINBETA�4�
Alsoknownas“Thymosinbeta4,”TB�500isusedto promotewound repairandhealing,particularlybecauseitactsonactinandmyosinfibers intendons,ligaments,andmuscles–whichisalsolikelywhythispeptideis usedasapopularhealingandrecoverystrategyinthehorse-racing industry.
DosingGuidelines: Pleasenote,thereareveryfewguidelinesaround dosingTB�500soit’sbesttofollowyourpractitionerormanufacturer’s suggestions.However,hereiswhatI’veused.
•5-2.5mg,2-3x/week;OR
•25mLof3000mcg/mLsolutiondailyfora20-daycycle
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousorintramuscularinjection
IPAMORELIN
Ipamorelinenhancesrecoverythrough activationofhumangrowth hormone (knownasa“growthhormonesecretagogue”),whichiswellknownto acceleratethehealingprocess.Unlikeusinghumangrowth hormone(HGH�directly,however,ipamorelin–whenusedatappropriate doses–appearstoberelativelyfreeofsideeffectsandwillnotaffector interferewithyourbody’snaturalproductionofGH.
DosingGuidelines:
•100-500mcg1-3x/day;OR
•10mLof2000mcg/mLsolution1x/day,5daysperweek
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•Forbestresults,itisrecommendedtoadministerIpamorelinat thesametimedailyandavoidconsumingfoodandlargeamounts ofliquidsatleast1hourbeforeandafter.
TESAMORELIN
TesamorelinislikeIpamorelin’scousin;itpromotesrecoverythroughthe same GHpathways,servingasa“growthhormonestimulatinghormone.” Inotherwords,itbindstoandstimulatesgrowthhormonereceptorswith similarpotencyastakingendogenousHGH—again,withouttheunwanted sideeffects.
DosingGuidelines:
•1mg1-2x/dayfor5daysperweekfora6-8weekcycle;OR
•5mLof1mg/0.6mLsolution1x/day,6daysperweekfora6-8 weekcycle
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•Beforebed,takeitatleast90minutesaftereating.Uponwaking, takeTesamorelinideallybeforeexerciseandeating.
GHK�Cuisanaturallyoccurringcoppercomplexfoundinhumanplasma, saliva,andurine.
Ithasmanyrolesinthebody,includingpromotingrecovery.Itseemsto actasan anti-inflammatoryagent thatcontrolsoxidativedamageposttissueinjury,aswellas signalingtissueremodelingandthegenerationof new,healthytissue
WhileGHK�Cuisbestinjectedsubcutaneouslyforrecovery,itcanalsobe usedtopically/transdermallyforotherpurposeslikeskinhealthorhair regrowth–suchasthecasewith JayCampbell’shairregrowthpeptide formula.
DosingGuidelines:
•5mg1x/dayfora5�10daycycle;OR
•2mLof10mg/mLsolution2x/day
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
GHK�Cu
Hereisalistofresourcestolearnevenmoreaboutthesespecific peptides:
• HowToUseBPC-157:ACompleteDummiesGuideToHealing TheBodyLikeWolverine.
• HowToBuildNewBloodVessels,RegenerateMuscleTissue Fibers,IncreaseNewCellGrowth&MoreWithSomethingCalled “TB-500”.
• TheLittle-KnownRussianWonderCompound&TheFringe FutureOfAnti-AgingMedicine
• DemystifyingGrowthHormone-ReleasingPeptides–Everything YouNeedToKnowAboutGH,Ipamorelin,Tesamorelin&More!
• TheWolverineHealingStack:HowToUsePeptidestoNeverGo ToADoctor’sOfficeAgain
• Tesamorelin:TheHIVPeptideforExtremeFatLoss
• Ipamorelin:TheUltimateFatLossPeptide?
• TB-500:APeptideforExceptionalHealingandEnhanced Immunity
THE“LEANANDMEAN”PEPTIDESTACK (MUSCLEGAIN&FATLOSS)
AsI’vestatedmany,manytimesthroughoutmycareer,musclemassis notonlyhelpfulforstayingstrongandlookinggoodnaked;),it’salso essentialtomaintainingalongandhealthylife.
So,ifyou’reinterestedingettingbigger,stronger,sexier,andfasterwith age–inadditiontoliftingheavythings,eatingadequateprotein,and avoidinginflammatoryfoods–peptidescanbeanothertoolinyourtoolkit tohelpyousimultaneouslybuildmuscleandburnfat.
�P.S.�Thisstackwouldworkwonderswhencombinedwiththeexercise, lifestyle,andbiohackingtipscoveredinmyarticle“SexyForever:HowTo BuildFunctional,Good-LookingMuscleForLife”).Iparticularlylikethis oneformorningfastedworkouts.
Thismusclegain/fatlossstackincludesthefollowingpeptides:IGF�1 LR3,Ipamorelin,CJC1295(withoutDAC�,andTesamorelin.
IGF�1LR3
Therearebasicallytwomechanismsbywhichyoucanincreasemuscle mass:hypertrophy(increaseinmusclefibersize)orhyperplasia(increase inmusclefibernumber).
IGF�1LR3,whichisessentiallythelong-actingversionofIGF�1,apotent anabolicpeptide,workstoincreasemuscleby stimulatinghyperplasia
DosingGuidelines:
•50-150mcg1x/dayfora4-weekcycle;OR
•4mLof620mcg/mLsolution1x/day
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
IPAMORELIN
Becauseitincreasesgrowthhormone(GH�secretion,Ipamorelinisalsoa potentmuscle-buildingpeptide. GHhasmajoreffectsonskeletalmuscle andfunction,whichiswhyit’ssuchawidelyused–andabused–sports performancedrug.
DosingGuidelines:
•100-500mcg1-3x/dayfora12-weekcycle;OR
•10mLof2000mcg/mLsolution1x/day,5daysperweek
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•Formusclegain/fatloss,I’vepersonallyseenthebestresults usingIpamorelinbeforebedtimeonanemptystomach.
CJC1295withoutDAC�ModGRF1�29�
CJC1295functionsasa growthhormone-releasinghormone(GHRH�and increasesIGF�1,whichhelpspromotefatlossandincreasedmuscle proteinsynthesis.
Forthisstack,you’llwanttouseCJCwithoutDAC(drugaffinitycomplex), whichistheshorter-actingversionthatmorecloselymimicsyourbody’s naturalgrowthhormonepulses.
DosingGuidelines:
•100mcg1-3x/dayfora12-weekcycle;OR
•10mLof2000mcg/mlsolution1x/day,5nightsperweek
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•TakeCJC1295beforebedtimeonanemptystomach.
TESAMORELIN
Tesamorelin’smechanismofactionisverysimilartothatofIpamorelin;it worksongrowthhormonepathways,stimulatesIGF�1,whichtriggersthe productionofmuscleprotein.It’salsobeenshowninlargeclinicaltrialsto decreasevisceralfatandreducelevelsoftriglycerideintheblood
DosingGuidelines:
•1mg1-2x/dayfor5daysperweek;OR
•5mLof1mg/0.6mLsolution1x/day,6daysperweek
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•Formusclegain/fatloss,I’veexperiencedthebestresultstaking Tesamorelininthemorningbeforemyfastedworkout.Butyou canalsotakeitbeforebed,atleast90minutesaftereating.
Resourcestolearnmoreaboutthesespecificpeptides:
• HowToUseGrowthHormoneStacksForABetterBody: EverythingYouNeedToKnowAboutIGF-LR3,GHRP,andGHRH PeptideStacks.
• DemystifyingGrowthHormone-ReleasingPeptides–Everything YouNeedToKnowAboutGH,Ipamorelin,Tesamorelin&More!
• ThePeptidesPodcast:EverythingYouNeedToKnowAbout Anti-Aging,MuscleGain,FatLoss&RecoveryPeptides.
• Tesamorelin:TheHIVPeptideforExtremeFatLoss
• CJC-1295:TheGrowthHormoneEnhancingPeptide
• Ipamorelin:TheUltimateFatLossPeptide?
THE“NEVERGETSICK”
IMMUNITYPEPTIDESTACK
Youmaybe,likeme,pullingoutallthestopstobolsteryourimmune systemsthesedays.
Peptidescanbeincrediblyeffectivefortargetingthemulti-faceted immunesystem–whichincludesmanyorgans,cells,andsignaling molecules–providingyouwithwell-roundedsupporttocombatwhatever comesyourway.
�P.S.�Thisstackwouldbeexcellentforsupportingyourimmunesystem
whencombinedwiththeothersuggestionsinmyarticle, ThreeLittle Known,UnconventionalAntiviralApproachesForBoostingYourImmune System.)
Thisimmune-boostingstackincludesthefollowingpeptides:TB�500, Thymalin,andLL�37.
TB�500�THYMOSINBETA�4�
Youdon’thearaboutitmuch,butthehumblethymusglandiscriticalin developingyourimmunesystem.Thymosinbeta-4,apeptideproduced bythisgland,playsalargerolein regulatingimmunityandproducing whitebloodcells,lymphocytes,Tcells,Bcells,andantibodies
DosingGuidelines: ThereareveryfewguidelinesarounddosingTB�500 soit’sbesttofollowyourpractitionerormanufacturer’ssuggestions. However,hereiswhatI’veused.
•750mcg1x/day,cyclefor3monthson/3monthsoff;OR
•3mgeveryotherday,cyclefor3monthson/3monthsoff;OR
•25mLof3000mcg/mLsolutiondailyfora20-daycycle
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
THYMALIN
Thymalinisyetanotherimmune-boostingpeptideproducedbythe thymusgland.Ithas immunomodulatoryproperties andplaysaroleinTh1 cytokineproduction(proinflammatory)andTcell(cell-mediated immunity)productionandfunction,bothofwhicharevitalforantiviral defense.
DosingGuidelines:
•5-10mg1x/dayfor3-10days,repeatevery6-12months
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousorintramuscularinjection
LL�37
Researchonthisso-called“antimicrobialpeptide”indicatesthatitalso has antibiotic,antifungal,andantiviralproperties.Thus,itmaybehighly effectiveforautoimmuneissuesandgutconditions, includingfungaland bacterialovergrowth
Warning:IfyouhaveSIBO,thedie-offandJarisch-Herxheimerreaction fromLL-37canbeuncomfortableandmayinvolveflu-likesymptomsand diarrheaforuptotwoweeks.Afterthat,however,manypeople experiencethecompleteresolutionofSIBOsymptomsandeliminationof bloatingandgasinresponsetocarbohydrateintake.
DosingGuidelines:
•100mcg2x/dayfor4-6weeks
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
Resourcestolearnmoreaboutthesespecificpeptides:
• PeptidesUnveiled:TheBestPeptideStacksForAnti-Aging, GrowthHormone,DeepSleep,HairLoss,EnhancedCognition& MuchMore!
• HowToBuildNewBloodVessels,RegenerateMuscleTissue Fibers,IncreaseNewCellGrowth&MoreWithSomethingCalled “TB-500”.
• Thymalin:TheImmunity-RegulatingPeptide
• TB-500:APeptideforExceptionalHealingandEnhanced Immunity
• HowtoUsePeptidestoBoostImmunity,Heal,BurnFat,Build
THE“BENJAMINBUTTON”ANTI-AGING& LONGEVITYPEPTIDESTACK
Oneofmypersonalfavoritewaystostackpeptidesisto“slowtheaging process”andpromotelongevity–basicallyturningmeintoareal-life BenjaminButton.
Alljokingaside,there’sseriouslycompellingresearchassociatedwith peptidesandaging.Onetheory,postulatedbyProfessorVladimir Khavinsonwhoisperhapsthemostdistinguishedmedicalgerontology researcherinRussia,isthat manyofthewoesofagingareduetothe slow-bleed,continuousbreakdownofproteins (remember:proteinsare madeofpeptidechains)intissuesandorgans,whichleadstotheir eventualdegradationandfull-bodyaging.
However,whenyoureplenishyourpeptidestores,they’reabletorestimulateproteinsynthesisintissues.Thismeansthatinsteadof experiencingproteindegradationandorganbreakdownwithage, peptidesenableyoutoactuallyrepairasyougetolder.Prettycool,right?
Thisanti-agingstackincludesthefollowingpeptides:Epithalon,Thymalin, GHK�Cu,MOTS�C,Humanin,andFOXO4�DRI.
EPITHALON
Epithalon(alsoconfusinglycalledEpitalon,no“h”)iscommonlyreferred toasthe“primaryanti-agingpeptide”becauseitisoneoftheveryfew synthesizedcompoundsthathasbeenshownto directlyactivatethe telomeraseenzymeinhumans.Telomeraserenewsandelongates telomeres,thecapsontheendsofchromosomesthatprotectDNAfrom damageandcancer-causingerrors.Byactivatingtelomerase,Epithalon canreducetheshorteningoftelomeres,theoreticallyhelpingyou“age backward.”
Ipersonallyusethe“KhavinsonProtocol”fordosingEpithalon(yesthe verysameaforementionedprofessor),whichusestheexactdosagefrom afifteen-yearlongevitystudyinhumansthatproducedimpressiveresults forcontrollingtelomereshortening.
DosingGuidelines:
•KhavinsonProtocol:5-10mg3x/weekfor3weeks,cycle1x/year; OR
•1mLof3000mcg/mLsolution,1x/day
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•Epithalonisbestadministeredinthemorning.
THYMALIN
Thymalinisapeptideproducedbythethymusandpinealgland.Ithasa positiveeffectonalmosteverysysteminthebody,includingthe immune, cardiovascular,endocrine,andnervoussystems.
Thispeptideisalsobelievedtobeabletoprolonghumanlife,whichis whyit’sanimportantpartofthislongevitystack. A2003study foundthat 2�3yearsoftreatmentwithThymalinwasshowntoreduceall-cause mortalityforelderlyvolunteersbyafactoroftwo!
DosingGuidelines:
•5-10mg1x/dayfor10days,cycle1-2x/year
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousorintramuscularinjection
GHK�Cu
GHK�Cuhelpstokeepyouyoungandsuppleinanumberofways, includingpromoting woundhealingandtissueregeneration(skin,hair follicles,stomach,bonetissue),increasingcollagenand glycosaminoglycans,promotingbloodvesselgrowth,possessing antioxidantandanti-inflammatoryeffects,andmuchmore.
Thispeptidecanbeusedtopically/transdermally–suchasinskincareor hairregrowthformulas–orinjectedforsystemiceffects.
DosingGuidelines:
•Injection:0.2mLof100mg/mL,1x/day
•Transdermal:1mLapplied1x/dayatnight
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjectionforsystemiceffects
•Transdermalapplicationfortopicaleffects(hair,skin)
Anti-agingresearchersarenowawareofthepotentrolemetabolichealth andmitochondriaplayinlongevity.MOTS-cisonepeptidethat powerfullyaffectsbothofthesefactors,servingasapotentmetabolic regulatorthatcan enhanceautophagy,mitochondrialfunction,and improveinsulinsensitivity.
It’salsobeenreferredtoas“exerciseinabottle”becauseitcanmimic someoftheeffectsofexercisebyactivatingtheAMP�Kpathway.
DosingGuidelines:
•10mg1x/weekfor10weeks,1x/year
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
TimingTips:
•Foraddedmitochondrialbenefit,administerMOTS-crightbefore enduranceexercise,ideallyinthemorning.
MOTS-c
HUMANIN
Humaninisanothermitochondrialpeptideandhasbeenshownto producestrongcytoprotectiveactionsagainstavarietyofstressorsand age-relateddiseases,includingneurologicaldisorders,mitochondrial dysfunction,oxidativestress,hypoxicdamagetothebrain,andoxidized LDLcholesterol.
Interestingly,childrenofcentenarians(individualsthatlivetobeover100 yearsold) haveunusuallyhighlevelsofHumanin.ApotentialFountainof Youth,perhaps?
DosingGuidelines: ThereareveryfewguidelinesarounddosingHumanin soit’sbesttofollowyourpractitionerormanufacturer’ssuggestions. However,hereistherangeI’veseenrecommended(Iwouldnotsuggest exceeding0.04mg/kgbodyweightperday).
•1-1.0mg1-2x/dayfora2-8weekcycle,1x/year
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
FOXO4�DRI
FOXO4DRI�D-retroinversionisoform)isacell-penetratingpeptidethat’s beenshowninmiceto selectivelycausedestruction,orinduceapoptosis, ofsenescentcells.Senescentcellsstopmultiplyingbuttheydon’tdieoff whentheyshould,whichcanleadtomoreinflammationandaccelerated aging.Infact, cellularsenescencehasbeentiedtoanumberofagerelatedconditions likecancer,diabetes,osteoporosis,Alzheimer’s,and dementia.Sobyselectivelytargetingthesesenescentcells,FOXO4can helpreducetheriskofdiseasesrelatedtoaging.Prettycool!
DosingGuidelines:
•3mgeveryotherdayfor6days,repeat1-3x/year
AdministrationRoute:
•Subcutaneousinjection
Resourcestolearnmoreaboutthesespecificpeptides:
• TheLittle-KnownRussianWonderCompound&TheFringe FutureOfAnti-AgingMedicine
• PeptidesUnveiled:TheBestPeptideStacksForAnti-Aging, GrowthHormone,DeepSleep,HairLoss,EnhancedCognition& MuchMore!
• Thymalin:TheImmunity-RegulatingPeptide
• GHK-Cu:TheMulti-FunctionalHealthPeptide(ClearSkin,Hair Growth,InjuryHealing,&More)
• Epitalon:The“LifeExtension”Peptide
• MOTS-C:The“ExerciseReplacement”Peptide
• Humanin:The“MitochondriaHealth”Peptide
FREQUENTLYASKED QUESTIONSABOUT PEPTIDES
ANSWERSTOTHETOP8MOSTCOMMON QUESTIONSABOUTPEPTIDES
Youmaybewondering…whythetopeight?
Whynotatopfiveortoptenlist?
Well,youmayknowbynowthatIlikeprecision.;�WhenIsatdownand zeroedinonthequestionsthatcomeinoverandoveragaininregardsto peptides,thequestionsbelowwerethefrequency“winners.”Reading throughthequestionsandanswersbelowwilltakeyourpeptides knowledgetothenextlevelwhileensuringthatyouhaveathorough understandingoftheimportantsafetyconsiderations—becauseasI've beencarefultonotethroughoutthisarticleseries,peptidesarenota biohackyouwanttoaddtoyourarsenalwithoutcaution.
PEPTIDEQUESTION#1: AREPEPTIDESSAFE?
Theshortanswer: Yes,peptidesaregenerallyconsideredtobe universallysafe.
Thelonganswer: Yes,peptidesaresafeaslongasyouaregettingyour peptidesfromareputablesource,ideallyworkingwithaqualified physician,usingthecorrectdose,andadministeringthemproperly.
Theverylonganswer: Peptidesarestillconsideredtobe“experimental” andhavenotbeenapprovedforuseinhumans.Therefore,long-term safetydataandclinicaltrialsonpeptidesarebasicallynon-existent.While manydoctorsconsiderthemtobeextremelysafe,proceedatyourown risk.
Confusedyet?
Here’swhatyoushouldknow.Whilepeptideshaverecentlyemergedasa “fringe-y”alternativehealthytherapy,peptideslikemorphine,penicillin, andinsulinhavebeenusedsafelyforoveracenturyinconventional medicine.Whathaschangedfortheaverageconsumer,however,isthe commercializationofpeptides,whichhasmadethemmorereadily availabletothegeneralpublic.
Thiscommercializationiswherethingscangetalittledicey.Thetruthis, theFDAhasn’tapprovedpeptidesandthereforedoesn’tregulatethem, soit’sabitofaWildWestwhenitcomestomakingsureyou’regetting whatyoupayfor.Sourcingisonefactortoconsiderwithsafety,whichI talkmoreaboutlaterinthisarticle.
Ingeneral,forjustaboutanypeptide,whatyouwanttoavoidistaking toomuch.Mybiggestmessagetoyou:Don'tjustadministerthese thingswilly-nilly.Workwithaprofessionaltofindtherightdosagefor you,alwaysstartsmall,andadjustaccordingly.
Tolearnmore,checkout: TheDarkSideOfPeptides:WhyYouNeedTo ProceedWithCautionWhenUsingThesePowerfulButPotentially CarcinogenicMolecules
PEPTIDEQUESTION#2: ARETHERESIDEEFFECTS?
AsImentioned,despitebeingnaturallyoccurringcompoundsinthe body,long-termsafetystudiesinhumansonpeptideshavenotyet beenpublished.
However,basedonshort-termstudies,sideeffectsdoseemtobe extremelyrareandareusuallyduetoincorrectuseofpeptidesoran excessivedose.
Commonsideeffectsmightinclude:
•Drymouth
•Increasedhunger
•Tinglingornumbness
•Increasedwaterretention
Soonceagain,ImustemphasizethatalthoughI'vepersonallyused dozensofpeptidesmyselfwithextremelysatisfactoryresultsandknow manyothersthathavealsousedthemsafely,proceedwithcautionand workwithaprofessional.Ifyougetanyofthesesideeffects,you probablyneedtoadjustyourprotocolorstopaltogether.
PEPTIDEQUESTION#3: AREPEPTIDESLEGAL?
Technically,peptidesarenot“illegal.”
Now,thisisabitofagreyarea.Here’swhy:peptides,thoughshownto besafeandeffective,arenotcurrentlyapprovedbytheFDA.This doesn’tmeanthey’reillegalforyoutoconsume,butratherthatthey cannotbelegallysoldoradvertisedas“forhumanconsumption.”
However,manywebsitesstillsell“experimental”peptideslabeledas “researchchemicals,”“forresearchuseonly,”or“notforhumanuse.”If you’regettingthemfromareputablesource,knowthatdespitethelabel, Iandmanyothershaveusedpeptideswithoutanytrouble.
It'sprobablyworthnotingthattheFDAdidamajorcrack-downon peptideslastyear,meaningthatalotofthemajorsuppliersofpeptides haverecentlyhadtocompletelypauseproductionindefinitelyafter receivinglegalnoticesregardingthecompoundingofproductsthathave notbeenapprovedbytheFDA.TheFDAalsosupportedalegaldecision thatchangedthedefinitionofwhatisconsideredabiologicdrug. Becauseofthis,manyFDA-approvedproductsthatcompounding pharmacieshavebeenmakingforyearsarenowrenderedunabletobe legallycompounded.
And,sadly,asaresultofthesechanges,it'smakingitalothardertoget yourhandsonpeptides.ButpleaserememberthateventhoughtheFDA hascrackeddownonlawsandregulationsregardingpeptides,theyare stillnot“illegal,”perse.
Soingeneral,yes,peptidesarelegalforyoutotake.Thestorymightbe different,however,ifyou’reacompetitiveathlete.Tolearnmore,check out: ArePeptidesLegal?WhatTheFDA’sNewBulkDrugSubstance CrackdownMeansForPeptides(Plus9PromisingLittle-KnownPeptides
PEPTIDEQUESTION#4: CANATHLETESTAKEPEPTIDES?
Itdependsonthelevelatwhichyoucompete,andthepeptide.
Ifyou’reacompetitiveathleteinasportsanctionedbyNCAA,WADA, USADA,etc.,certainpeptidesarebannedand,therefore,youshouldnot takethem.
AsfarasI’maware,thefollowingpeptidesareonmostbanned substanceslists:
•Growthhormonefragments(e.g.AOD-9604,hGH176-191)
•Growthhormone-releasinghormone(GHRH)anditsanalogs(e.g. CJC-1293,CJC-1295,sermorelin,andtesamorelin)
•Growthhormonesecretagogues(GHS)(e.g.lenomorelin/ghrelin) andtheirmimetics(e.g.anamorelin,ipamorelin,macimorelin,and tabimorelin)
•GH-releasingpeptides(GHRPs)(e.g.alexamorelin,GHRP-1, GHRP-2,GHRP-3,GHRP-4,GHRP-5,GHRP-6,andexamorelin)
•BHP-157,asofJanuary1,2022
Thisisdefinitelynotacompletelist,though,andregulationsmayhave changedbythetimeyou’rereadingthis.Yourbestbetistocheckthe GlobalDro.com websitebeforeingestingorinjectinganysubstance unlessyou’re100%certainthatit’slegalforyoursport.
PEPTIDEQUESTION#5: WHERESHOULDIGETPEPTIDES?
Icoveredthistopicin-depthinPart1ofthisseries,however,sinceit’s suchacommonlyaskedquestion,I’llbrieflyaddressithereaswell.
Sourcingisincredibly,incrediblyimportant.Notonlyforthesafetyof yourpeptides,butalsotomakesureyou’reactuallygettingwhatyou paidforwithyourhard-earneddough,andnotjustinjectingsome uselessbakingsoda+waterconcoction.
Youshouldbeawareoftheissuethattherearedefinitelywebsitesout therethatsellsuspect,tainted,orevenuselessversionsofthese powerfulmolecules.Infact,accordingtoa NewYorkTimes articlefrom 2018, “80percentofthepeptidesadvertisedonthewebareadulterated oroutrightfakes.”
Withthatbeingsaid,mytoprecommendationforsourcingyourpeptides wouldbethroughalegitimatehealthcareproviderthatcanworkwithyou todevelopanappropriateprotocolforyourneeds.Youcaneithervisitthe InternationalPeptideSociety tofindaphysiciannearyou,oryoucan seekoutworkingwithanynumberofclinics/practitionersI’veinterviewed andcanpersonallyvouchfor,suchas:
• MattCook,BioResetMedical (mytrustedsourceforthehighestqualitypeptides)
• Jean-FrançoisTremblay
• CraigKoniver
• MattDawson
However,ifforwhateverreasonworkingwithaphysicianisnotanoption, Ihavealsomanagedtofindsomereputableonlinesourceswhereyou canbuyqualitypeptidesyourself,including:
• CanLabResearch (Theproductstheyofferareforlabresearch useonlybylawandavailableforresearchanddevpurposes only.)
• PeptideSciences (Theproductstheyofferareforlabresearch useonlybylawandavailableforresearchanddevpurposes only.)
• TailorMadeCompounding (Theydon'tactuallyofferpeptideson theirsite—youneedaconsultationfirst.)
PEPTIDEQUESTION#6: DOPEPTIDESNEEDTOBECYCLED?
Whetherpeptidesneedtobecycleddependsonthepeptide.
Therearenoclinicalstudiesthatsayhowlongandatwhatfrequency youcansafelytakeeverysinglepeptide.Sowhetherornotyouneedto cycle(ortakeabreakeveryfewweekstomonths)comesdowntoa) whatpathwaysthatpeptideworkson,andb)thehalf-lifeofthepeptide.
Peptidesthatactonthegrowthhormonepathway(e.g.areanabolicin nature)typicallyhavelongerhalf-livesandshouldbecycled,usually aroundevery4�6weeks.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,peptideslike Tesamorelin,IGF�1,andEpitalon.
Otherpeptidesthathaveashorterhalf-lifemaynotneedtobecycledor canbetakendailyforlongerperiods,likeIpamorelin(half-lifeof2hours), BPC�157(half-lifeof6hours),orTB�500(half-lifeof12hours),andmany others.Typicallyyoucantaketheseforseveralmonthsatatime.
Sincethiscanobviouslygetalittleconfusing,I’dsuggestfollowingthe cyclinginstructionsfromyourphysicianormanufactureraboveallelse.
Tolearnmore,checkout: ThePeptidesPodcast:EverythingYouNeedTo KnowAboutAnti-Aging,MuscleGain,FatLoss&RecoveryPeptides.
PEPTIDEQUESTION#7:
Thisansweralsodependsonthepeptide.
Somepeptidesmayworksystemically,whichmeanstheyhavethesame effectinthebodynomatterhoworwhereitisadministered.However, mostevidencesuggeststhatinjectableformsofpeptidesaremore effectivethannon-injectable(Isupposethere’sareasonweinject medicineslikeinsulin,morphine,andpenicillininsteadoftakingthemin apill).
Here’swhy.Duetotheenzymedegradationandlargemolecularsize, manypeptidesdon’tpenetratewellthroughtheintestinalmucosa and thereforemaynotmakeitpastdigestion.Inotherwords,whenyoutake somepeptidesorally,theydon’tmakeittothebloodstreamwherethey canthentraveltoothertissuesororgans.
Twoexceptions,however,are:
1.IfyouaretakingsomethinglikeoralBPC-157foritsguthealing effects,inwhichcaseoralwouldbeagoodoptionsinceyour goalistodirectlytargettheintestinalmucosa;
2.Inthecaseofasurfaceissuelikeskincareorhaircare,inwhich caseyou’dwanttoapplyatransdermal/topicaltodirectlytarget skincellsorhairfollicles.
PEPTIDEQUESTION#8: CANYOUCOMBINEMORETHANONE PEPTIDEINTOASINGLEINJECTION?
Asyoucanimagine,peptideinjectionscanbequiteaprocess, especiallyifyou’retakingastackofseveralatonetime.Manypeople wonderifyoucancombinemultiplepeptidesintoasinglesyringeto savetime.
Theansweris:someyoucan,someyoucan’t.Notveryhelpful,Iknow…
SinceIdon’tknowexactlywhatpeptidesyou’retakingtogether,yourbest betwouldbetotalktoyourphysician,peptidesource,orcompounding pharmacytofindoutwhetherornotyoucancombineyourpeptides.If you’restillnotsure,stayonthesafesideandkeepthemseparate(even thoughitsurecanbearealpain).
