til<3D
Bronze
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2026
- Posts
- 471
- Reputation
- 759
Complete Guide to Peptide Protocols — Dosing, Evidence & Stacking
by til<3D
Stand: April 2026
by til<3D
Stand: April 2026
 DISCLAIMER | |
Read First | This guide is for educational purposes only. Peptides are not approved drugs in most countries. Everything here is off label and experimental. Do your own research. You are responsible for your own choices. This is not medical advice. |
Age Note | Several peptides are specifically marked as inappropriate for users under 18-20 years old due to ongoing hormonal and neural development. These warnings are clearly flagged throughout. |
Sources | Evidence grades reflect actual human clinical trial data, animal studies, and in vitro research. Grade A = multiple human RCTs. Grade B = some human data. Grade C = animal/in vitro only. |
PEPTIDES COVERED IN THIS THREAD
1. Semax — ACTH(4-7) Analogue — Nootropic
2. Selank — Tuftsin Analogue — Anxiolytic & Cognitive
3. GHK-Cu — Copper Peptide — Skin & Collagen
4. AHK-Cu — Copper Peptide — Hair Growth
5. Melanotan-1 (MT-1) — MC1R Agonist — Tanning
6. BPC-157 — Body Protection Compound — Healing
7. TB-500 — Thymosin Beta-4 — Recovery & Flexibility
8. DSIP — Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide — Sleep Architecture
9. SS-31 (Elamipretide) — Mitochondria-Targeting Peptide — Energy & Cardioprotection
10. MOTS-C — Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide — Metabolic
11. 5-amino-1MQ — CD38 Inhibitor — NAD+ Preservation
12. Thymosin Alpha-1 — Immune Modulator — Immune Enhancement
13. KPV — Anti-Inflammatory Tripeptide — Gut & Skin
14. Cerebrolysin — Neuropeptide Mix — Cognitive & Neuroprotection
15. Snap-8 — Neuropeptide — Anti-Wrinkle Topical
16. Pinealon — Pineal Peptide — Neuroprotection & Circadian
17. Epithalon (Epitalon) — Tetrapeptide — Telomere (Age 40+ Only)
18. Ipamorelin — GHRP — GH Secretagogue (Age 20+ Optimal)
19. NAD+ — NAD+ Precursors — Mitochondrial (Age 35+ Only)
QUICK REFERENCE — ALL PEPTIDES
| Peptide | Effectiveness | Evidence | Age 17-18 | Cost/mo | Overall |
| Semax | 8/10 | B+ | ✓ OK | €20–35/vial (40mg) | 8/10 |
| Selank | 8/10 | B | ✓ OK | €25–40/vial (5mg) | 7/10 |
| GHK-Cu | 7/10 | B- | ✓ OK | €30/vial (50mg bulk) — much better value | 7/10 |
| AHK-Cu | 6/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $68/100mg vial (vendor) | 6/10 |
| Melanotan-1 (MT-1) | 9/10 | A- | ✓ OK | $45/10mg vial × 10 | 8/10 |
| BPC-157 | 7/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $40/5mg vial × 10 | 6/10 |
| TB-500 | 7/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $75/5mg vial × 10 | 6/10 |
| DSIP | 6/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $45/5mg vial × 10 | 5/10 |
| SS-31 (Elamipretide) | 6/10 | B- | ✓ OK | $86/10mg vial × 10 | 5/10 |
| MOTS-C | 6/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $65/10mg vial × 10 | 5/10 |
| 5-amino-1MQ | 4/10 | C | ✓ OK | $45/5mg vial or $110/50mg | 3/10 |
| Thymosin Alpha-1 | 7/10 | B | ✓ OK | $80/5mg vial × 10 | 6/10 |
| KPV | 6/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $60/10mg vial × 10 | 6/10 |
| Cerebrolysin | 7/10 | B- | ✓ OK | $29/60mg × 6 vials (vendor) | 6/10 |
| Snap-8 | 3/10 | C+ | ✓ OK | $40/10mg vial × 10 (vendor) | 4/10 |
| Pinealon | 4/10 | C | ✓ OK | $55/5mg vial × 10 | 4/10 |
| Epithalon (Epitalon) | 2/10 | C+ | ✗ Caution | $48/10mg × 10 (vendor) | 2/10 |
| Ipamorelin | 6/10 | C+ | ✗ Caution | $45/5mg vial × 10 | 5/10 |
| NAD+ | 2/10 | B- | ✗ Caution | $40-130 depending on dose | 2/10 |
INDIVIDUAL PEPTIDE PROFILES
SEMAX | |
Intro | Synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-7), developed in Russia for stroke and cognitive enhancement. Decades of clinical data. Crosses BBB efficiently intranasally. You could also do subq but in my opinion it's unnecessary. |
Mechanism | Upregulates BDNF. Modulates dopaminergic/serotonergic transmission. Increases enkephalinase activity. NO signalling enhancement. |
Benefits | Enhanced focus, memory, learning. Neuroprotection. Anti anxiety via serotonin. Rapid onset 15-30 min. No physical dependence. |
Negatives | Receptor desensitization — cycling required. Mild anxiety at high doses. Most studies Russian literature. |
Reconstitution | 4ml BAC water on 40mg vial = 10mg/ml. 1mg = 0.1ml = 1 pump. |
Dosage | 0.5–1mg/day intranasal. |
Timing | Morning, fasted or first meal. |
Cycling | 5 days ON / 2 OFF. Or 3 weeks ON / 1 week OFF. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 4 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $50/100mg vial (vendor). |
Evidence Grade | B+ — Russian Phase II/III trials. Growing Western replication. |
Synergies | Citicoline, Selank. Never combine with high dose Modafinil same day. |
Warnings | Monitor with Modafinil stack. Avoid MAOIs. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
8/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
SELANK | |
Intro | Synthetic analogue of tuftsin. Official anxiolytic drug status in Russia/Ukraine. Anxiolysis without sedation, tolerance, or withdrawal. |
Mechanism | Allosteric GABA-A modulation. Inhibits enkephalinase. Modulates BDNF/NGF. Complements Semax via distinct brain connectivity patterns. |
Benefits | Anxiolysis without sedation or dependence. Cognitive enhancement. Anti inflammatory. No BtMG. Low desensitization risk at standard doses. |
Negatives | Most evidence Russian studies. Additive CNS depression with other GABAergics — critical interaction. Short half-life ~2h intranasal. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. 250mcg = 0.05ml. |
Dosage | 250–800mcg/day intranasal. |
Timing | Morning or 30-60 min before stressful situations. |
Cycling | 14 days ON / 14 days OFF, or situational. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 3-4 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $50/100mg vial (vendor). Very cost effective per mg. |
Evidence Grade | B — Russian Phase II clinical trials in GAD. |
Synergies | Semax (complementary). NEVER with Etifoxine, Pregabalin, or alcohol same day. |
Warnings | NEVER combine with Etifoxine, Pregabalin, or benzodiazepines same day. Additive CNS depression. |
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
8/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
GHK-CU | |
Intro | Naturally occurring copper-binding peptide. Plasma levels decline with age. Gold standard for skin regeneration and wound healing. |
Mechanism | Activates fibroblasts → collagen I/III/elastin synthesis. VEGF-driven angiogenesis. Inhibits TGF-β1 (anti-fibrotic). Antioxidant enzyme upregulation. |
Benefits | PIE/acne scar remodeling. Skin density improvement. Wound/post-surgery healing. Tendon collagen support. Anti-inflammatory. |
Negatives | Systemic human RCT data limited. Competing with zinc pause zinc during use. Monitor copper levels with chronic use. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 2mg vial = 2mg/ml. 27-29G needle, 4-6mm, 45°. PBS preferred for copper stability. |
Dosage | 2mg subcut EOD/ ED. |
Timing | Evening after training. Separate site from MT-1. |
Cycling | 4-week cycles. Zinc paused. After cycle reintroduce zinc. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 3-4 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $50/1g vial (vendor). Very cost effective per mg. |
Evidence Grade | B- — Strong in-vitro/animal. Limited human RCTs for subcut use. Topical human evidence solid. |
Synergies | Tretinoin (complementary collagen). Copper supplement 30-60 min before injection. |
Warnings | Pause zinc during cycle. Monitor serum copper/ceruloplasmin with extended use. |
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
7/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 |
AHK-CU | |
Intro | Tripeptide analogue of GHK-Cu with higher affinity for hair follicle receptors. AHK (Ala-His-Lys) specifically promotes hair growth via follicle dermal papilla stimulation. |
Mechanism | Activates Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hair follicles. Promotes dermal papilla cell proliferation. Upregulates VEGF in follicle microvasculature. Inhibits DHT-induced apoptosis in follicles. |
Benefits | Hair density and thickness improvement. Potentially superior to GHK-Cu for scalp/follicle applications. Can be used topically or subcut. Anti-inflammatory in follicle microenvironment. |
Negatives | Less research than GHK-Cu overall. Mostly in-vitro data. Higher cost per mg. Limited human studies specifically. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water per 10mg = 10mg/ml. Can be used topically (DMSO carrier) or subcut. |
Dosage | Topical: 0.01-0.1% solution on scalp. Subcut: 1-2mg/day. |
Timing | Evening or post-shower for topical. |
Cycling | Continuous or 8-week cycles. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $68/1g vial (vendor). Very cost effective per mg. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — In-vitro strong. Limited human data. Mechanistically plausible. |
Synergies | GHK-Cu (different receptor affinity — complementary). Minoxidil topical. |
Warnings | Avoid mixing with acidic solutions. PBS preferred diluent. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
6/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | 9,5/10 | 8/10 |
MELANOTAN-1 (MT-1) | |
Intro | Synthetic α-MSH analogue with MC1R selectivity. Only melanocortin peptide with EMA approval (Scenesse for EPP). Deep even tan with reduced UV exposure. |
Mechanism | MC1R agonism → tyrosinase upregulation → eumelanin synthesis. UV activation required to convert precursors to visible pigment. |
Benefits | Deep even tan. Photoprotection. Visually reduces PIE by contrast. EMA-approved safety data. Lower systemic effects vs MT-2. |
Negatives | Nausea during loading (reduced by microdosing). Mole changes — document before starting. UV >3 required for activation. MC4R spillover at high doses. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 10mg vial = 10mg/ml. 500mcg = 0.05ml. |
Dosage | Loading: 500mcg/day × 14 days. Maintenance: 250-500mcg E2-3D + UV. |
Timing | Evening — sleep through initial nausea. |
| |
Cycling | Loading → Maintenance. No continuous loading. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 3-4 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $4,5/10mg vial × 10. ~€2-3,5/month maintenance. |
Evidence Grade | A- — EMA approved. Phase III trials. Extensive safety data. |
Synergies | UV exposure (essential). Tretinoin. Solarium if UV index <3. |
Warnings | Photograph all moles before starting. Never combine with MT-2. |
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 8,5/10 |
BPC-157 | |
Intro | Synthetic pentadecapeptide from gastric juice. Remarkable healing in animal models across tendons, ligaments, muscles, GI tract. Most promising for injury recovery and post-surgical healing. |
Mechanism | Upregulates GH receptor. VEGF angiogenesis. FAK-paxillin wound healing pathway. NF-κB inhibition. Collagen synthesis in tenocytes. |
Benefits | Tendon/ligament healing acceleration. GI mucosal protection. Nerve regeneration (animal). Anti-inflammatory. Enhanced training recovery. |
Negatives | Virtually ALL data is animal/in-vitro. Zero completed human RCTs. Unknown optimal human dosing. Unknown long-term safety. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. 250mcg = 0.05ml. |
Dosage | 200-500mcg/day subcut or IM. Split morning + evening. |
Timing | Morning and/or post-training. |
Cycling | 4-8 weeks on, 4 off. Or acute injury protocol. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2-3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $40 per kit (10×5mg vials). ~€3.5/vial. €40-70/month. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Extensive animal data, consistent results. Zero human RCTs. High translation uncertainty. |
Synergies | TB-500 (complementary). GHK-Cu (collagen synergy). |
Warnings | Theoretical angiogenesis concern with cancer history (unproven in humans). No known drug interactions. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
7/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 |
TB-500 | |
Intro | Synthetic fragment of thymosin beta-4. Critical role in cell migration, wound healing, tissue regeneration. Systemic healing reach that BPC-157 lacks. |
Mechanism | Binds G-actin → cell migration/differentiation. Integrin-linked kinase activation. Metalloproteinase upregulation for tissue remodeling. Vascular tube formation. |
Benefits | Systemic healing (reaches distant injury sites). Muscle fiber regeneration. Flexibility/ROM improvements. Potential cardiac protection. |
Negatives | Human RCT data absent for recovery use. Higher MW limits oral bioavailability. More expensive than BPC-157. Overlap with BPC-157. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. |
Dosage | Loading: 2-2.5mg 2×/week × 4-6 weeks. Maintenance: 2-2.5mg 1×/week. |
Timing | Morning or post-training. |
Cycling | 6-week loading, then maintenance or off. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2-3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $75 per kit (10×5mg vials). ~€7/vial. €50-90/month. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Animal data solid. Phase II trial in dry eye disease. Limited systemic recovery data in humans. |
Synergies | BPC-157 (most common stack). Post-surgery recovery protocol. |
Warnings | Same theoretical angiogenesis concern as BPC-157 with cancer history. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
7/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
DSIP | |
Intro | DSIP is a neuropeptide that modulates sleep architecture by promoting delta-wave (slow-wave) sleep. It was isolated from rabbit thalamic venous blood in 1977. Unlike benzodiazepines, it doesn't cause sedation — it shifts the sleep profile toward restorative deep sleep. |
Mechanism | Modulates GABA-B receptors. Reduces nocturnal cortisol. Increases GH secretion during sleep. Normalizes circadian rhythm via hypothalamic-pituitary axis modulation. Antioxidant effects. |
Benefits | Improved deep sleep quality (not just duration). GH pulse enhancement during sleep. Reduced cortisol during sleep. Potential nootropic effects via improved sleep. Non-sedating — no morning grogginess. |
Negatives | Short plasma half-life (~30 min) — may require specific timing. Most data from 1980s-90s Russian studies. Limited modern replication. Expensive per mg. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. 100-300mcg = 0.02-0.06ml. |
Dosage | 100-300mcg subcut 30-60 min before sleep. |
Timing | 30-60 minutes before bedtime. |
Cycling | 5-7 day cycles. Short-term use most studied. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $45 per kit (10×5mg vials). ~€4/vial. €30-60/month. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Russian human trials 1980s. Mechanism plausible. Limited modern replication. |
Synergies | Melatonin (circadian complementary). Ipamorelin (synergistic GH pulse during sleep). |
Warnings | No known serious interactions. Avoid combining with benzodiazepines (additive sleep effects). |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
6/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 |
SS-31 (ELAMIPRETIDE) | |
Intro | SS-31 (Szeto-Schiller peptide 31) is a tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, stabilizing cardiolipin. It is arguably the most promising mitochondria-targeting molecule currently studied, with active Phase II/III trials for Barth syndrome, heart failure, and age-related muscle loss. |
Mechanism | Binds cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membrane → stabilizes electron transport chain structure. Reduces mitochondrial ROS production. Maintains cristae morphology. Improves ATP synthesis efficiency. |
Benefits | Mitochondrial function restoration. Reduced oxidative stress. Improved energy efficiency (not stimulant-based). Potential muscle function improvement. Active pharmaceutical development — human safety data exists. |
Negatives | Expensive per mg. Mostly disease-state human trials — healthy young male data absent. Injectable only (high MW). Long-term use unknown. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 10mg vial = 10mg/ml. |
Dosage | 1-5mg/day subcut. Clinical trials used 0.05-0.25 mg/kg IV. |
Timing | Morning. |
Cycling | 4-12 week cycles. Research ongoing. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2-3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $86 per kit (10×10mg vials). ~€8/vial. Expensive but unique mechanism. |
Evidence Grade | B- — Phase II human trials in disease states. Mechanism very well characterized. Healthy young use extrapolated. |
Synergies | NAD+ precursors (complementary mitochondrial support). MOTS-C. |
Warnings | No known serious interactions. Not indicated in healthy young without mitochondrial disease. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
6/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 | 5/10 |
MOTS-C | |
Intro | MOTS-C is a peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome — one of the first mitochondria-derived peptides discovered. It acts as a metabolic regulator, improving insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity. Endogenous levels decline with age and are increased by exercise. |
Mechanism | Activates AMPK. Inhibits AICAR (purine synthesis) → folate cycle disruption → metabolic reprogramming. Improves glucose uptake independent of insulin. Regulates ROS homeostasis in mitochondria. |
Benefits | Improved insulin sensitivity. Enhanced exercise capacity and metabolic efficiency. Anti-obesity effects. Potential longevity effects. Exercise-mimicking properties. |
Negatives | Most data animal studies. Human trial data limited to one small RCT. Age-related benefit unclear in young healthy subjects (endogenous levels already high at 18). Expensive. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 10mg vial = 10mg/ml. 2-5mg per injection. |
Dosage | 5-10mg subcut 2-3×/week. |
Timing | Morning or pre-workout. |
Cycling | 4-8 week cycles. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2-3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $65 per kit (10×10mg vials). ~€6/vial. Moderate. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Strong animal data. One small human RCT (n=40). Mechanism well-established. |
Synergies | SS-31 (mitochondrial stack). Exercise potentiation. |
Warnings | No known serious interactions. Limited human safety data. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
6/10 | 7/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 |
5-AMINO-1MQ | |
Intro | 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium (5-amino-1MQ) is a small molecule that inhibits CD38, the primary NAD+-degrading enzyme in the body. Unlike taking NAD+ precursors (NMN/NR), which add more NAD+ substrate, 5-amino-1MQ prevents NAD+ from being broken down — potentially more efficient. |
Mechanism | Inhibits CD38 (NAD+ glycohydrolase) → NAD+ levels rise. CD38 activity increases dramatically with age and inflammation. Preserves endogenous NAD+ pool without external supplementation. |
Benefits | NAD+ preservation. Potential fat loss effects (adipocyte CD38 inhibition). Anti-inflammatory. More targeted mechanism than NMN/NR for NAD+ elevation. |
Negatives | Very limited human data. Research peptide status. Long-term safety unknown. Age-appropriateness at 18 unestablished (same issue as NAD+ precursors — you don't need this yet). |
Reconstitution | Oral or injectable. 5mg vial with 1ml BAC water = 5mg/ml. |
Dosage | 5-50mg oral or 1-5mg subcut. |
Timing | Morning. |
Cycling | 4-8 week cycles. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. |
Cost (vendor) | $45 per kit (10×5mg) or $110 per kit (10×50mg). ~€4-10/vial. |
Evidence Grade | C — Animal data only. No human RCTs. Mechanism well-established biochemically. |
Synergies | SS-31, MOTS-C (mitochondrial stack). More relevant at 35+ years. |
Warnings | Not recommended under 35. No established benefit in young healthy subjects. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
4/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 |
THYMOSIN ALPHA-1 | |
Intro | Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) is an endogenous peptide originally isolated from thymic tissue. It is FDA-approved in 35+ countries for chronic hepatitis B and C, and used as an immune adjuvant in cancer treatment. Strong immunomodulatory and antiviral properties. |
Mechanism | Enhances T-cell, NK cell, and dendritic cell function. Upregulates IL-2, IFN-γ. Activates Toll-like receptors. Promotes antigen presentation. Anti-inflammatory via IL-10 pathway. |
Benefits | Immune system enhancement and normalization. Antiviral effects. Used clinically for immunocompromised patients. Strong safety data from approved medical use. Potential benefit post-illness or during intense training phases. |
Negatives | Healthy young with normal immune function may see minimal benefit. Expensive. Primary benefit for immunocompromised or sick individuals. Mild injection site reactions. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. |
Dosage | 1-2mg subcut 2×/week. Clinical dose: 1mg/m² body surface area. |
Timing | Any time — immune timing less critical. |
Cycling | 2-6 week cycles. Or as needed during illness. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $80 per kit (10×5mg vials). ~€7/vial. Moderate. |
Evidence Grade | B — Approved in multiple countries for specific indications. Good human safety data. Healthy young use extrapolated. |
Synergies | BPC-157 (immune + healing stack during recovery). Useful post-surgery. |
Warnings | No significant drug interactions at standard doses. Avoid in autoimmune conditions without medical supervision. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
7/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
KPV | |
Intro | KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-MSH. It retains the anti-inflammatory properties of the parent molecule without melanocortin receptor agonism. Being 3 amino acids, it has superior bioavailability and can even be taken orally for GI effects. |
Mechanism | Inhibits NF-κB signalling. Reduces TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 production. Activates MC1R and MC3R locally (anti-inflammatory, not pigmentation). Promotes intestinal epithelial healing. |
Benefits | Potent anti-inflammatory for gut, skin, and systemic use. Oral bioavailability for GI-specific effects. No melanocortin pigmentation effects. Excellent safety profile. Can be combined with BPC-157 for enhanced GI healing. |
Negatives | Limited human clinical trial data. Research peptide status. Very short half-life requires frequent dosing or oral route. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 10mg vial = 10mg/ml. Can be taken orally (encapsulate or dissolve in water). |
Dosage | 500mcg–2mg subcut or 1-5mg oral per day. |
Timing | Any time. Oral pre-meals for GI effects. |
Cycling | Continuous low-dose or acute 4-week protocols. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $60 per kit (10×10mg vials). ~€5.5/vial. Reasonable. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Strong in-vitro/animal. Human data emerging. Mechanism very well characterized. |
Synergies | BPC-157 (GI healing stack). Part of BBG or KLOW80 recovery mix. |
Warnings | No known serious interactions. Excellent tolerability profile. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
6/10 | 8/10 | 4/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 |
CEREBROLYSIN | |
Intro | Cerebrolysin is a complex mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides derived from porcine brain tissue. It contains BDNF, NGF, CNTF, and other neurotrophins. Used clinically in Eastern Europe and Asia for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease. |
Mechanism | Provides exogenous BDNF, NGF, and other neurotrophins directly. Promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Neuroprotective against excitotoxicity. Anti-apoptotic in neurons. |
Benefits | Direct neurotrophin supplementation (vs Semax which stimulates endogenous production). Established clinical use in stroke recovery. May enhance cognitive recovery after stress or illness. Fast-acting neuroplasticity support. |
Negatives | Derived from porcine brain — quality control important. Injectable only (IV preferred clinically, IM used in biohacking). Religious/dietary restrictions for some. Most trials in neurological disease, not healthy subjects. Quality varies by vendor significantly. |
Reconstitution | Ready solution typically. Check vendor — should be aqueous solution, not lyophilized. |
Dosage | 1-5ml IM/subcut. Clinical: 10-30ml IV/day. For cognitive use: 1-2ml IM daily. |
Timing | Morning. |
Cycling | 10-30 day cycles. 2-3× per year. |
Storage | Refrigerate 2-8°C. Do not freeze. |
Cost (vendor) | $29 per kit (6×60mg vials). ~€4.5/vial. Budget-friendly. |
Evidence Grade | B- — Multiple RCTs in stroke/TBI (positive). Healthy cognitive enhancement — limited data. |
Synergies | Semax (BDNF endogenous + exogenous). Citicoline. |
Warnings | Ensure vendor quality — biological product contamination risk. Do not use if porcine-derived products contraindicated. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
7/10 | 6/10 | 5/10 | 8/10 | 6/10 |
SNAP-8 | |
Intro | Snap-8 (Acetyl Octapeptide-3) is a synthetic octapeptide that mimics the N-terminal portion of SNAP-25. It competes with the SNARE complex, reducing neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions in facial skin. Often called 'topical Botox' in cosmetic science. |
Mechanism | Inhibits SNARE complex formation → reduced acetylcholine release at local neuromuscular junctions → reduced muscle contraction intensity in expression lines → smoother appearance over time. |
Benefits | Reduces expression-related fine lines without injection. Can be added to moisturizer or serum. No systemic effects. Safe topical profile. |
Negatives | Penetration through skin is very limited for large peptides. Most human evidence industry-funded. Effects subtle vs Botox. Not relevant at 18 — no expression lines yet. |
Reconstitution | Typically used as topical — dissolve in DMSO or serum base for penetration. |
Dosage | 2-10% topical solution, apply 2× daily. |
Timing | Morning and evening skincare routine. |
Cycling | Continuous — topical peptides require sustained use. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Solution 1 month refrigerated. |
Cost (vendor) | $40 per kit (10×10mg vials). ~€3.5/vial. Very affordable. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — One industry-funded human trial showing 52% wrinkle reduction. No independent replication. |
Synergies | Tretinoin (different mechanism). GHK-Cu (complementary skin matrix support). |
Warnings | Not meaningful at 18 years. Consider at 30+ when expression lines begin. Skin penetration limitations mean topical DMSO carrier needed. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
3/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 |
PINEALON | |
Intro | Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed by the same Russian group as Epitalon (Khavinson). It is derived from the pineal gland and claimed to regulate circadian rhythms, protect neurons, and enhance cognitive function. More targeted neurological action than Epitalon. |
Mechanism | Claimed: regulates melatonin secretion rhythm. Neuroprotective against oxidative stress. Potentially modulates DNA methylation patterns in neurons. Anti-apoptotic in neuronal cell lines. |
Benefits | Potential sleep quality improvement. Neuroprotective effects in animal models. Claimed cognitive enhancement. Better age-appropriateness than Epitalon (circadian regulation relevant at any age). |
Negatives | All evidence from single Russian research group (Khavinson) — significant conflict of interest. No independent replication. Human data limited to elderly. Mechanism insufficiently characterized. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. |
Dosage | 5-10mg course over 10 days. |
Timing | Evening for circadian effects. |
Cycling | 10-day courses 2-3× per year. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $55 per kit (10×5mg vials). ~€5/vial. Moderate. |
Evidence Grade | C — Single research group. Elderly-only human data. No independent replication. |
Synergies | Melatonin (circadian stack). DSIP. |
Warnings | Same single-source evidence issue as Epitalon. Verify independently before use. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
4/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | 6/10 | 4/10 |
EPITHALON (EPITALON) | |
Intro | Synthetic tetrapeptide from the pineal gland. Claimed telomerase activator. All positive human evidence in elderly (60+) cohorts. Mismarketed to younger users — fundamentally age-inappropriate under 35. |
Mechanism | Activates telomerase (hTERT) in somatic cells. Regulates melatonin secretion. Antioxidant. Regulates hypothalamic-pituitary axis. |
Benefits | Telomere elongation in elderly subjects. Normalizes melatonin in aged individuals. Sleep improvement. Antioxidant effects. |
Negatives | NOT APPROPRIATE UNDER 35-40 YEARS. Your telomeres are already near peak length at 18. Long telomeres correlated with MORE tumors (Johns Hopkins research). All-cause mortality data shows abnormally long telomeres are harmful. Single research group with patent conflict of interest. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 10mg vial = 10mg/ml. |
Dosage | 5-10mg/day × 10-20 days (elderly protocol). |
Timing | Evening. |
Cycling | 2× per year for elderly users. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 2 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $48 per kit (10×10mg vials). ~€4.4/vial. Affordable but irrelevant at <35. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Single research group. Human data in elderly only. No independent replication. |
Synergies | Melatonin, Pinealon. NOT for young users. |
Warnings | DO NOT USE UNDER 35. No benefit. Theoretical cancer risk from telomere overextension at young age. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
2/10 | 7/10 | 3/10 | 7/10 | 2/10 |
IPAMORELIN | |
Intro | Selective GHRH receptor agonist. Cleanest GHRP — no cortisol/prolactin elevation. Best used with CJC-1295 no-DAC for synergistic GH pulse. At 18, natural GH is already at peak — use with caution. |
Mechanism | GHSR-1a (ghrelin receptor) agonist → pulsatile GH release from pituitary. Highly selective. No ACTH, cortisol, or prolactin stimulation at standard doses. |
Benefits | Clean GH stimulation. Improved deep sleep. Recovery enhancement. Lean mass support. Better tolerated than GHRP-2/6. |
Negatives | At 17-18, endogenous GH already at lifetime peak. Marginal additional benefit. Potential GH receptor downregulation. Water retention possible. Not FDA approved. |
Reconstitution | 1ml BAC water on 5mg vial = 5mg/ml. 100mcg = 0.02ml. |
Dosage | 100-300mcg per injection. 1-3×/day. Most useful pre-bed. |
Timing | Pre-bed (maximize natural GH pulse). Can stack with CJC-1295 no-DAC. |
Cycling | 12-week cycles, 4-6 weeks off. |
Storage | Lyophilized 12+ months. Reconstituted 4°C, 3 weeks. |
Cost (vendor) | $45 per kit (10×5mg vials). ~€4/vial. €40-80/month. |
Evidence Grade | C+ — Phase II human trials in GH deficiency. Mechanism well-established. Off-label recovery use anecdotal. |
Synergies | CJC-1295 no-DAC (synergistic GH pulse). DSIP (sleep enhancement stack). |
Warnings | Marginal benefit at 17-18. Wait until 21+ for optimal use case. Never fasted training + ipamorelin (hypoglycemia risk). |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
6/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 |
NAD+ | |
Intro | NAD+ precursors (NMN/NR) raise intracellular NAD+ levels. NAD+ declines with age, primarily after 40. Every positive human RCT enrolled middle-aged or elderly subjects. Not indicated at 18. |
Mechanism | NAD+ precursors → raise NAD+ pool → sirtuin activation → mitochondrial efficiency. Requires CD38 to be low for optimal effect. |
Benefits | Mitochondrial function in elderly. DNA repair enhancement. Sirtuin activation. Muscle function support in aged subjects. |
Negatives | NOT RECOMMENDED UNDER 35. NAD+ peaks between 15-30. 2025 meta-analysis: no significant benefit for muscle function in young subjects. Your niacinamide 10% topical already supports local NAD+. Waste of money at your age. |
Reconstitution | Oral capsules. Injectable NAD+ also available (listed vendor). |
Dosage | 250-500mg NMN or NR oral. Or 100-500mg IV/IM injectable. |
Timing | Morning. |
Reconstitution | No established cycle for oral. Injectable courses sometimes 10 days. |
Storage | Keep dry. Heat sensitive. |
Cost (vendor) | $40 per kit (10×100mg) to $130 per kit (10×1000mg). Pointless at 18. |
Evidence Grade | B- (in elderly), C (in young). All positive RCTs in 40+ populations. |
Synergies | 5-amino-1MQ (CD38 inhibitor — more relevant mechanism). SS-31. All age 35+. |
Warnings | NOT RECOMMENDED UNDER 35. No demonstrated benefit. Use money elsewhere. |
Ratings:
Effectiveness | Ease | Evidence | Cost | Overall |
2/10 | 9/10 | 3/10 | 5/10 | 2/10 |
PEPTIDES NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONTEXTDo Not Use — Reasons Explained | |
Semaglutide / Tirzepatide / Retatrutide / Cagrilintide | If you can't get your body fat down to 10% at least once in your life, what can you actually do? I use Tirzepatide myself  |
IGF-1 LR3 (Used it myself) | Highly anabolic IGF-1 analogue. Promotes growth in ALL tissues including potential tumor cells. Open growth plates at 17-18 make this particularly concerning. Hypoglycemia risk. Not appropriate under 21+. |
Dermorphin | Opioid peptide — 50x more potent than morphine. Extremely high addiction potential. Not appropriate for any looksmaxxing or performance context. High risk of dependence, respiratory depression, death in overdose. |
Adipotide | Experimental peptide targeting ANXA2/PROHIBITIN on fat cell vasculature. Causes kidney toxicity in primate studies. Never cleared for human use. Avoid entirely. |
Oxytocin | Half-life 3-5 minutes IV. Intranasal slightly longer. No meaningful persistent anxiolytic effect for social situations. Better alternatives available (Etifoxine, Selank, Pregab). |
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) | MC3R/MC4R agonist for sexual dysfunction. More systemic side effects than MT-1. Nausea, blood pressure effects. Not a looksmaxxing compound. |
STACKING GUIDE
Recommended Stacks by Goal | |
Cognitive Peak | Semax (1mg/day IN) + Citicoline (250mg/day oral) + Selank (500mcg situational). Semax → focus/BDNF, Citicoline → ACh, Selank → anxiety control. |
Skin & PIE | GHK-Cu (2mg subcut EOD) + Tretinoin (topical) + Azelaic Acid 20% (topical) + Niacinamide 10% (topical). Best-evidenced combination. |
Post-Surgery | BPC-157 (500mcg/day) + TB-500 (2mg 2×/week) + GHK-Cu (500mcg/day) + KPV (1mg/day). 8-week protocol. |
Healing & Recovery | BPC-157 + TB-500 combo vial (BBG or KLOW80 mix). Most cost-effective option. KLOW80 adds KPV for anti-inflammatory. |
Sleep Quality | DSIP (200mcg subcut pre-bed) + Ipamorelin (100mcg pre-bed). Synergistic GH pulse + deep sleep architecture. |
Mitochondrial Stack | SS-31 (2mg/day) + MOTS-C (5mg 3×/week). Age 30+ optimal. Limited benefit at 18. |
Immune Support | Thymosin Alpha-1 (1mg 2×/week) for 4-6 weeks during illness, intense training periods, or post-surgery. |
Anxiolysis (Daily) | Selank (400-600mcg/day, cycled 14/14). No dependence, no sedation. Best daily option. |
Anxiolysis (Events) | Etifoxine 50mg → Pregabalin 75-150mg (reserve for important only). Never two GABAergics same day. |
| CRITICAL INTERACTIONS READ BEFORE STACKING | |
ABSOLUTE | NEVER: Selank + Etifoxine + Pregabalin same day. Three GABAergics = CNS depression risk. |
ABSOLUTE | NEVER: MT-1 + MT-2 simultaneously. Receptor overlap, unpredictable systemic effects. |
AVOID | Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 on fasted training days — hypoglycemia risk. |
AVOID | Semax + Modafinil daily — both dopaminergic. Limit to exam days only. |
SEPARATE | GHK-Cu and Zinc: pause zinc during GHK-Cu cycle. Competition for transporters. |
SEPARATE | MT-1 and GHK-Cu injections: different anatomical sites same evening. |
NOTE | BPC-157 / TB-500 / GHK-Cu vendor combo mixes (BBG, KLOW80) can be drawn from same vial — convenient and cost-effective. |
RECONSTITUTION QUICK REFERENCE
| Standard Dilutions | |
| Semax 40mg | 4ml BAC water → 10mg/ml → 1mg dose = 0.1ml |
| Selank 5mg | 1ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 250mcg = 0.05ml |
| GHK-Cu 2mg | 1ml BAC water (or PBS) → 2mg/ml → 2mg = 1ml |
| GHK-Cu 50mg (bulk) | 25ml BAC water → 2mg/ml → 2mg = 1ml |
| MT-1 10mg | 1ml BAC water → 10mg/ml → 500mcg = 0.05ml |
| BPC-157 5mg | 1ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 250mcg = 0.05ml |
| TB-500 5mg | 1ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 2mg = 0.4ml |
| Ipamorelin 5mg | 1ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 100mcg = 0.02ml |
| DSIP 5mg | 1ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 200mcg = 0.04ml |
| Epitalon 10mg | 2ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 5mg = 1ml |
| Thymosin Alpha-1 5mg | 1ml BAC water → 5mg/ml → 1mg = 0.2ml |
| KPV 10mg | 1ml BAC water → 10mg/ml → 1mg = 0.1ml (or oral) |
| PBS vs BAC Water | Use PBS for copper peptides (GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu) — better copper stability. BAC water for all others. |
VENDOR PRICE REFERENCE (Chinese Warehouse)
$60 flat worldwide shipping fee. All prices USD per kit of 10 vials (divide by 10 for single vial price). Prices as of April 2026.
| Product | Price (USD) per kit (10 vials) |
| Semax 5mg×10 | $40 |
| Semax 10mg×10 | $50 |
| Selank 5mg×10 | $40 |
| GHK-Cu 50mg×10 | $30 |
| GHK-Cu 100mg×10 | $45 |
| AHK-Cu 100mg×10 | $68 |
| MT-1 10mg×10 | $45 |
| MT-2 10mg×10 | $45 |
| BPC-157 5mg×10 | $40 |
| BPC-157 10mg×10 | $70 |
| TB-500 5mg×10 | $75 |
| TB-500 10mg×10 | $140 |
| BPC+TB 5mg+5mg×10 | $95 |
| GHK+BPC+TB 50/10/10mg×10 | $160 |
| GHK+BPC+TB+KPV 80mg×10 | $195 |
| KPV 10mg×10 | $60 |
| Ipamorelin 5mg×10 | $45 |
| Ipamorelin 10mg×10 | $80 |
| CJC-1295 no-DAC 5mg×10 | $85 |
| CJC+Ipa combo 10mg×10 | $95 |
| DSIP 5mg×10 | $45 |
| DSIP 15mg×10 | $85 |
| SS-31 10mg×10 | $86 |
| SS-31 50mg×10 | $285 |
| MOTS-C 10mg×10 | $65 |
| MOTS-C 40mg×10 | $185 |
| 5-amino-1MQ 5mg×10 | $45 |
| 5-amino-1MQ 50mg×10 | $110 |
| Thymosin Alpha-1 5mg×10 | $80 |
| TA-1 10mg×10 | $145 |
| Epitalon 10mg×10 | $48 |
| Epitalon 50mg×10 | $150 |
| Cerebrolysin 60mg×6 | $29 |
| Pinealon 5mg×10 | $55 |
| Pinealon 10mg×10 | $70 |
| Snap-8 10mg×10 | $40 |
| NAD+ 100mg×10 | $40 |
| NAD+ 500mg×10 | $80 |
| NAD+ 1000mg×10 | $130 |
| L-Carnitine 600mg/ml 10ml×10 | $80 |
| Glutathione 1500mg×10 | $80 |
| Melatonin 10mg×10 | $55 |
| VIP 5mg×10 | $75 |
| SLU-PP-322 5mg×10 | $100 |
| AICAR 50mg×10 | $62 |
| Tesamorelin 5mg×10 | $110 |
| ARA-290 10mg×10 | $80 |
| BAC Water 10ml×10 | $10 |
| PBS 10ml×10 | $10 |
| Acetic Acid Water 10ml×10 | $10 |
PEPTIDES
Melanotan-1 subcutaneously, in the evening.
GHK-Cu 2 mg subcutaneously, in the evening.
Tirzepatide 2,5 mg subcutaneously, every week
Melanotan-1 subcutaneously, in the evening.
GHK-Cu 2 mg subcutaneously, in the evening.
Tirzepatide 2,5 mg subcutaneously, every week
@reyalsnoom @Jesus_ist_König @tqbiq @greylord @aaronbp
Last edited:
