
itoshi rin
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Ultimate Beginners Peptide-Guide Disclaimer: First time writing something this "detailed" β let me know what I missed or how I could improve it for the next one.
Peptides have grown massively in popularity over the last few months.
More and more people are using them β or at least thinking about it β even though many have no real idea what theyβre doing.
First off all: What are peptides β and why do people use them?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signals in the body. They can trigger biological effects like releasing growth hormone, boosting collagen, healing skin, or burning fat.
Table of Contents
1. Different Types of Peptides
2. Mechanisms & Use-Cases
3. Reconstitution & Injection Guide
4. Dosage Protocols & Timing
5. Personal Experience β Are Peptides Worth It?
1. Different Types of Peptides
1.1 Growth Hormone Secretagogues
GH secretagogues stimulate your body to release more of its own growth hormone (GH), rather than injecting external HGH.
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
CJC-1295 with DAC
Ipamorelin
Tesamorelin
Side Effects
1.2 IGF-1 Analogs
IGF-1 is what actually builds new tissue β muscle, bone, cartilage, and skin.
IGF-1 DES
IGF-1 LR3
Side Effects
1.3 Skin & Repair Peptides
GHK-Cu
TB-500
BPC-157
Side Effects: Minimal; redness, irritation, fatigue
1.4 Libido & Hormonal Axis Peptides
Kisspeptin-10
PT-141
Side Effects:
1.5 Fat Loss & Recomp Peptides
AOD-9604
Tesamorelin
Retatrutide
Side Effects:
1.6 Experimental Peptides
MT-2
Epitalon
Follistatin-344
Side Effects:
2. Mechanisms & Use-Cases
GH/IGF Axis
Skin Repair
Brain/Libido
Fat Loss
Anti-Aging
3. Reconstitution & Injection Guide
3.1 Equipment
3.2 Reconstitution
3.3 Storage
3.4 Injection
4. Dosage Protocols & Timing
CJC no DAC + Ipamorelin
IGF-1 DES
IGF-1 LR3
GHK-Cu
Kisspeptin-10
MT-2
5. Personal Experience β Are Peptides Worth It?
After months of experimenting with various peptides, I can confidently say: yes, theyβre worth it β if you know what youβre doing and have clear goals.
For me, the most impactful compounds were:
However, results werenβt instant. It takes weeks of consistent use, good injection hygiene, and a dialed-in lifestyle (sleep, diet, training) to actually see improvements.
Some peptides felt overhyped or not worth the price β like LR3 (too risky), PT-141 (too niche), or Tesamorelin (great, but very expensive).
In the end, peptides wonβt transform your life overnight. But if used correctly, they can be extremely powerful tools in the long-term process of looksmaxxing, recovery, and personal optimization.
Information was used from own experience, others experience, internet and other threads. First time writing something this detailed β let me know what I missed or how I could improve it for the next one.
To read next:
https://looksmax.org/threads/universal-peptide-guide-how-to-use-peptides.1545695/
Peptides have grown massively in popularity over the last few months.
More and more people are using them β or at least thinking about it β even though many have no real idea what theyβre doing.
First off all: What are peptides β and why do people use them?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signals in the body. They can trigger biological effects like releasing growth hormone, boosting collagen, healing skin, or burning fat.
Table of Contents
1. Different Types of Peptides
2. Mechanisms & Use-Cases
3. Reconstitution & Injection Guide
4. Dosage Protocols & Timing
5. Personal Experience β Are Peptides Worth It?
1. Different Types of Peptides
1.1 Growth Hormone Secretagogues
GH secretagogues stimulate your body to release more of its own growth hormone (GH), rather than injecting external HGH.
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- Mechanism: GHRH analog that boosts natural GH pulses
- Half-life: ~30 minutes
- Dose: 50β100 mcg 1β2x daily, ideally stacked with Ipamorelin
- Monthly cost: β¬30β40
- Value:
CJC-1295 with DAC
- Mechanism: Same but binds albumin for extended half-life
- Half-life: 5β8 days, 1β2x per week
- Pros: Low injection frequency
- Cons: Non-pulsatile GH bleed, water retention, early growth plate closure
- Monthly cost: β¬40β60
- Value:
Ipamorelin
- Mechanism: GHRP, triggers GH release via ghrelin receptor
- Half-life: ~2 hours
- Dose: 50β100 mcg 1β2x daily
- Monthly cost: β¬25β40
- Value:
Tesamorelin
- Mechanism: Potent GHRH analog, FDA-approved
- Dose: 1β2 mg daily
- Use: Solo for visceral fat reduction
- Monthly cost: β¬100β200+
- Value:
Side Effects
- Water retention, facial bloating
- GH resistance with chronic overdose
- Elevated blood sugar (especially with Tesamorelin)
- Growth plate closure with CJC-DAC
1.2 IGF-1 Analogs
IGF-1 is what actually builds new tissue β muscle, bone, cartilage, and skin.
IGF-1 DES
- Half-life: 20β30 min
- Use: Localized (face, jaw)
- Dose: 10β50 mcg/site daily or EOD
- Monthly cost: β¬40β60
- Value:
IGF-1 LR3
- Half-life: 20β30 hrs
- Use: Systemic
- Dose: 30β60 mcg/day
- Monthly cost: β¬80β120
- Value:
Side Effects
- DES: Local irritation, asymmetry
- LR3: Hypoglycemia, organ growth, tumor risk
1.3 Skin & Repair Peptides
GHK-Cu
- Mechanism: Copper-bound peptide, triggers tissue regeneration
- Dose: 100β200 mcg daily
- Cost: β¬30β50
- Value:
TB-500
- Mechanism: Actin regulation, healing
- Dose: 2β5 mg/week
- Cost: β¬50β80
- Value:
BPC-157
- Mechanism: Tissue regeneration, angiogenesis
- Dose: 200β500 mcg daily
- Cost: β¬30β60
- Value:
Side Effects: Minimal; redness, irritation, fatigue
1.4 Libido & Hormonal Axis Peptides
Kisspeptin-10
- Mechanism: Stimulates GnRH β LH/FSH β T boost
- Dose: 50β100 mcg 1β2x daily
- Cost: β¬40β60
- Value:
PT-141
- Mechanism: Melanocortin receptor agonist
- Dose: 500β1000 mcg pre-sex
- Cost: β¬30β50
- Value:
Side Effects:
- Kisspeptin: Mood swings, acne, libido spikes/crashes
- PT-141: Nausea, flushing, BP drop
1.5 Fat Loss & Recomp Peptides
AOD-9604
- Mechanism: GH fragment for fat loss
- Dose: 300β500 mcg daily
- Cost: β¬40β70
- Value:
Tesamorelin
- Already listed
Retatrutide
- Mechanism: GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist
- Dose: 0.5β8 mg/week
- Cost: β¬150β250+
- Value:
Side Effects:
- AOD: Site irritation
- Tesamorelin: Bloat, insulin resistance
- Retatrutide: Nausea, muscle loss risk
1.6 Experimental Peptides
MT-2
- Mechanism: Increases melanin, suppresses appetite
- Dose: 100β250 mcg/day
- Cost: β¬30β50
- Value:
Epitalon
- Mechanism: Telomerase, circadian regulation
- Dose: 5β10 mg/day Γ 10β20 days
- Cost: β¬30β60/cycle
- Value:
Follistatin-344
- Mechanism: Blocks myostatin
- Dose: 100β300 mcg/day (speculative)
- Cost: β¬100β300
- Value:
Side Effects:
- MT-2: Nausea, mole darkening
- Epitalon: Vivid dreams, sleepiness
- Follistatin: Organ overgrowth risk
2. Mechanisms & Use-Cases
GH/IGF Axis
- Growth, bone density, recovery
- Ideal for: Facial structure, mass retention
Skin Repair
- Healing, collagen, skin health
- Ideal for: Under-eye, acne scars, post-needling
Brain/Libido
- Neurostimulation, mood, arousal
- Ideal for: Confidence, energy, photo prep
Fat Loss
- Lipolysis, insulin sensitivity, appetite control
- Ideal for: Face bloat removal, cuts
Anti-Aging
- Telomeres, circadian system
- Ideal for: Skin tone, sleep, youthfulness
3. Reconstitution & Injection Guide
3.1 Equipment
- BAC water
- 0.3 mL insulin syringes (30G)
- Sterile area
- Mini-fridge
3.2 Reconstitution
- Inject BAC water slowly into vial (never shake)
- Let dissolve naturally
- Example: 5 mg peptide + 1 mL BAC = 200 mcg per 0.04 mL
3.3 Storage
- Store mixed vials at 2β8Β°C
- Shelf life: 4β6 weeks
3.4 Injection
- SubQ: Belly or thigh fat, 45β90Β° angle
- If Facially injected: Shallow IM/subQ, low volume (10β50 mcg), rotate sites
- Clean skin and vial with alcohol before use
4. Dosage Protocols & Timing
CJC no DAC + Ipamorelin
- 50β100 mcg each, 1β2x daily
- Fasted AM + pre-bed
- Cycle: 8β12 weeks
IGF-1 DES
- 10β50 mcg per site
- Post-meal, 1x daily or EOD
- Cycle: 4β8 weeks
IGF-1 LR3
- 30β60 mcg daily
- Post-workout or morning
- Cycle: 3β6 weeks
GHK-Cu
- 100β200 mcg daily
- AM or post-needling
- Continuous
Kisspeptin-10
- 50β150 mcg daily
- AM or PM
- Cycle: 6β8 weeks
MT-2
- 100β250 mcg daily
- Evening
- 2β4 week load, then maintenance 1β2x/week
5. Personal Experience β Are Peptides Worth It?
After months of experimenting with various peptides, I can confidently say: yes, theyβre worth it β if you know what youβre doing and have clear goals.
For me, the most impactful compounds were:
- Kisspeptin-10 for hormonal reset and facial masculinization (increase from 223 to 830 ng/dl)
- CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin for better sleep, fat loss and recovery
- IGF-1 DES for localized facial thickening (especially in the cheekbone area)
- GHK-Cu for real skin improvements (under-eye density, glow, scar healing)
However, results werenβt instant. It takes weeks of consistent use, good injection hygiene, and a dialed-in lifestyle (sleep, diet, training) to actually see improvements.
Some peptides felt overhyped or not worth the price β like LR3 (too risky), PT-141 (too niche), or Tesamorelin (great, but very expensive).
In the end, peptides wonβt transform your life overnight. But if used correctly, they can be extremely powerful tools in the long-term process of looksmaxxing, recovery, and personal optimization.
Information was used from own experience, others experience, internet and other threads. First time writing something this detailed β let me know what I missed or how I could improve it for the next one.
To read next:
https://looksmax.org/threads/universal-peptide-guide-how-to-use-peptides.1545695/