The peptide field reference

A 15-amino-acid fragment isolated from gastric juice, used systemically and locally for tendon, ligament, gut lining, and vascular repair. Sikiric's group in Zagreb has run the bulk of the published work over thirty years, covering rat models of fistula, anastomosis, NSAID enteropathy, and tendon-to-bone healing. The human data are limited to small safety trials in inflammatory bowel disease run by Pliva, and to practitioner case series.

Dosage

250 to 500 micrograms subcutaneously for general repair, up to 1,000 micrograms for acute injury. Oral and intranasal forms are sold but have poor bioavailability.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off, or 4 to 12 weeks continuous for a defined injury. Some practitioners pulse 8 weeks on and 4 weeks off for chronic joint work.

Timing

Subcutaneous, near the injury site where the anatomy allows.

A BPC-157 analogue where the proline at position 2 is substituted with arginine to extend plasma half-life. Marketed as a regulatory workaround after the FDA removed BPC-157 from compounding pharmacy bulk lists in 2023.

Dosage

250 to 500 micrograms per day subcutaneously.

Schedule

Daily, 5 days on and 2 days off.

Timing

Morning, subcutaneously.

Synthetic version of the actin-sequestering peptide Thymosin Beta-4, used for soft tissue, tendon, ligament, and skin repair. Thymosin Beta-4 itself reached a phase III trial (RGN-259) for neurotrophic keratopathy and is also in trial for epidermolysis bullosa.

Dosage

2 to 2.5 milligrams twice per week for 4 to 6 weeks as a loading phase, then 2 milligrams every two weeks for maintenance.

Schedule

Subcutaneous, near the injury site where possible. Some practitioners split the dose between the local site and the abdomen for systemic effect.

Timing

Monday and Thursday, or 2 fixed days per week.

The copper-bound tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, declining in human plasma with age. Strong topical evidence for skin repair, collagen, and hair-follicle support. Subcutaneous use is a recent practitioner extension for systemic anti-inflammatory and gene-modulating effects. The Pickart group has published gene-expression data showing four thousand-plus human genes shifting on exposure to physiological levels of GHK.

Dosage

1 to 2 milligrams subcutaneously per day. Some practitioners titrate from 1 milligram up to 2 milligrams over the first two weeks.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off, in 30-day blocks, then 30 days off, to avoid desensitisation.

Timing

Bedtime, subcutaneous.

A three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone with anti-inflammatory activity concentrated in the gut and skin. Taken orally in an enteric-coated capsule or by sublingual troche, often paired with BPC-157 for inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut, and post-injury inflammation.

Dosage

200 to 500 milligrams orally per day, or 200 to 400 micrograms subcutaneously.

Schedule

Daily for acute flares, then 5 days on and 2 days off for maintenance.

Timing

Morning and evening, with food for the oral form.

The human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, with roles in innate immunity, wound healing, and skin barrier repair. Used in practitioner circles for recurrent infections, slow-healing wounds, and rosacea.

Dosage

50 to 100 micrograms subcutaneously per day, pulsed.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off, in 4 to 8 week blocks.

Timing

Evening, subcutaneous.

A selective ghrelin-receptor agonist with minimal cortisol or prolactin co-release, often described as the cleanest of the GHRPs. Used for sleep, recovery, fat loss, and connective-tissue repair.

Dosage

100 to 300 micrograms per injection. Koniver advises capping single doses at 100 micrograms; higher doses can produce flushing, headaches, and rarely anaphylactoid reactions.

Schedule

5 nights on, 2 off, in 12-week blocks, with 4 weeks off to prevent receptor desensitisation.

Timing

Bedtime, on an empty stomach, with no carbohydrate in the prior 45 to 60 minutes.

A stabilised GHRH analogue, FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, used off-label for visceral fat reduction and the cognitive effects that some practitioners report.

Dosage

2 milligrams (2,000 micrograms) per day, injected subcutaneously.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off, or 7 days a week as per the approved label for HIV lipodystrophy.

Timing

Bedtime, often stacked with ipamorelin for additive GH release.

A 24-amino-acid GHRH analogue and the longest-standing peptide in this group, with FDA approval history in growth hormone deficiency in children (now discontinued for commercial reasons). Used widely off-label for sleep quality, skin tone, and general resilience.

Dosage

200 micrograms at the low end for sleep, up to 1,000 to 3,000 micrograms per day for higher GH effect.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off, or daily 5 days a week with weekend breaks.

Timing

Bedtime, on an empty stomach.

The most potent GHRP for GH pulse height, with the shortest half-life of the group and the fastest receptor desensitisation. Used by athletes for energy and endurance.

Dosage

100 micrograms per injection.

Schedule

4 to 6 weeks on, 4 weeks off, to avoid desensitisation and cortisol drift.

Timing

Morning, fasted, or pre-workout for endurance work. Avoid close to sleep because of the hunger spike.

A growth hormone-releasing hexapeptide with a strong ghrelin-mimetic effect on appetite. The dominant reason practitioners reach for it is hunger stimulation in underweight or hard-gain patients.

Dosage

100 micrograms per injection, two to three times per day.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off, or pulse 4 to 8 weeks during a mass-gain phase.

Timing

Pre-meals for appetite, or pre-sleep with a calorie surplus in mind.

An oral ghrelin-receptor agonist that raises GH and IGF-1 without injection. Used for sleep, muscle preservation in older adults, and appetite. Koniver and Huberman both flag the hunger and water-retention profile and warn against bedtime dosing.

Dosage

10 to 25 milligrams orally per day.

Schedule

Daily, with intermittent 4 to 8 week breaks.

Timing

Morning, to keep the hunger spike away from sleep.

Two variants of a GHRH analogue. The DAC form binds albumin and has a multi-day half-life, producing a sustained GH plateau. The no-DAC form (sometimes called Modified GRF 1-29) has a 30-minute half-life and produces a sharp, single pulse. Both are stacked with a GHRP to mimic a full physiological GH wave.

Dosage

CJC-1295 with DAC 2 milligrams once or twice per week. CJC-1295 without DAC 100 to 300 micrograms, two to three times per day. Ipamorelin is added at 100 to 300 micrograms per dose.

Schedule

5 days on, 2 days off for the daily stack. The DAC version is pulsed weekly.

Timing

Pre-sleep, fasted, for the no-DAC stack. The DAC version is independent of meal timing.

A synthetic tripeptide claimed to support pineal gland function and slow age-related melatonin decline. Huberman has said on the podcast that it roughly doubled his REM sleep on nights he tried it. Practised mainly in Russian peptide bioregulator literature and now adopted by US compounding pharmacies.

Dosage

1 to 2 milligrams subcutaneously, often stacked with 1 to 3 grams of oral glycine.

Schedule

Pulsed, 2 to 3 nights per week or as-needed, rather than nightly.

Timing

30 minutes before bed, on an empty stomach with at least two hours since the last meal.

A nonapeptide first isolated in 1977 from rabbit thalamic dialysate. Induces delta-wave sleep and normalises sleep architecture in disturbed sleep. Used in the 1980s in a small number of clinical insomnia studies in Switzerland and Eastern Europe, then largely forgotten.

Dosage

100 to 300 micrograms subcutaneously, occasionally up to 500 micrograms.

Schedule

Nightly for 2 to 4 weeks, then as needed.

Timing

30 to 60 minutes before bed, on an empty stomach.

A four-amino-acid synthetic peptide developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group in St Petersburg, claimed to activate telomerase, normalise melatonin output, and extend lifespan in animal models.

Dosage

5 to 10 milligrams subcutaneously per day, in 10 to 20 day courses, two to three times per year.

Schedule

10 to 20 consecutive nights, two to three times per year.

Timing

Evening, before bed.

A 28-amino-acid immunomodulatory peptide derived from thymosin fraction 5, approved in Italy and several Asian and South American countries for hepatitis B, certain cancers, and as an immune adjunct. Used in US grey-market clinics for autoimmune disease, chronic viral illness, and post-viral syndromes including long COVID.

Dosage

1.6 to 5 milligrams subcutaneously per day, with 5 milligrams as the most common practitioner starting point.

Schedule

7 days a week for 4 to 8 weeks, then 5 days on and 2 days off for maintenance.

Timing

Morning or evening, on a regular schedule.

A once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) and obesity (Wegovy). Produces 15 to 17 percent body-weight loss in registrational trials. Koniver favours microdosing, escalating by 0.25 milligrams at a time and holding at a dose that delivers no more than 1 to 2 pounds of weight loss per week, to protect lean mass.

Dosage

Standard titration 0.25 milligrams weekly for 4 weeks, 0.5 milligrams for 4 weeks, 1 milligram for 4 weeks, then 1.7 to 2.4 milligrams weekly for maintenance. Microdose protocols stop at a lower ceiling.

Schedule

Long-term, with the understanding that discontinuation commonly returns weight.

Timing

Same day each week, with or without food.

A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and obesity (Zepbound). Produces 20 to 22 percent body-weight loss at the highest maintenance dose in trials. Koniver applies the same microdosing principle: cap weekly loss at 1 to 2 pounds to protect lean mass.

Dosage

2.5 milligrams weekly for 4 weeks, then 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 milligrams in 4-week steps. Microdose protocols use the same titration logic at lower ceilings.

Schedule

Long-term, paired with resistance training and protein intake to spare muscle.

Timing

Same day each week.

A triple agonist at GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon receptors, currently in phase II and used on the grey market before approval. Huberman has said the weight loss at trial doses is exceptional, and that users in the grey market are getting strong results at roughly a third of the trial dose.

Dosage

Trial doses reach 12 milligrams weekly. Grey-market practice is 1 to 4 milligrams weekly, with the same microdosing caution as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Schedule

Long-term, with resistance training and protein to spare muscle.

Timing

Same day each week.

A 15-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone that retains the lipolytic action without raising IGF-1. Developed in Australia, reached phase II trials for obesity, did not progress commercially, and is now a compounding-peptide staple.

Dosage

250 to 500 micrograms subcutaneously per day.

Schedule

12 weeks on, 4 weeks off, often layered into a broader fat-loss phase rather than used indefinitely.

Timing

Morning, fasted, or pre-workout for lipolytic effect.

A synthetic heptapeptide derived from tuftsin, an immunomodulatory fragment of immunoglobulin G. Developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Marketed in Russia for anxiety, ADHD, and cognitive fatigue, with intranasal delivery.

Dosage

250 to 500 micrograms intranasally, 2 to 3 times per day. Subcutaneous protocols use 1 to 3 milligrams per day.

Schedule

2 to 4 week cycles, or daily for 2 to 3 weeks followed by a 1 to 2 week break.

Timing

Morning and early afternoon for anxiety and focus, with the last dose at least 6 hours before sleep.

A seven-amino-acid synthetic analogue of ACTH 4-10 that crosses the blood-brain barrier without hormonal activity. Developed in Russia for stroke recovery, ADHD, and cognitive enhancement. Increases BDNF and modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic signalling.

Dosage

0.1 percent nasal spray, 2 to 3 drops per nostril, 2 to 3 times per day. The 1 percent formulation is used post-stroke under medical supervision.

Schedule

2 to 4 week courses, with breaks.

Timing

Morning, early afternoon, and pre-task for focus.

A porcine brain-derived peptide mixture (about 20 percent low-molecular-weight peptides, 80 percent free amino acids) produced by Ever Pharma. Approved in Russia, China, and parts of Eastern Europe for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive decline.

Dosage

5 to 30 millilitres by slow intravenous or intramuscular infusion, daily, for 10 to 20 days.

Schedule

10 to 20 consecutive days for the loading course, repeated every 6 to 12 months.

Timing

Morning, to align with peak cognitive demand.

An angiotensin IV analogue developed at Washington State University, with picomolar potency at the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/c-Met) receptor in cell culture and clear cognitive enhancement in rodent models. Marketed on the grey market as an oral or sublingual nootropic.

Dosage

10 to 50 milligrams orally per day in grey-market practice.

Schedule

4 to 8 week cycles.

Timing

Morning, with or without food.

The strongest anti-ageing claim in the peptide field rests on GHK-Cu's effect on human gene expression. The Pickart group reported that physiological concentrations of GHK modulate over four thousand human genes, shifting expression toward a younger phenotype in collagen, antioxidant, and DNA-repair pathways.

Dosage

1 to 2 milligrams subcutaneously per day for systemic effect.

Schedule

30 days on, 30 days off for systemic use.

Timing

Bedtime subcutaneous.

A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA, identified by Pinchas Cohen's group at USC. Acts as an exercise mimetic, improves insulin sensitivity, and is implicated in healthy ageing. Tested in middle-aged obese mice and in early human pharmacokinetic work.

Dosage

5 to 10 milligrams subcutaneously, 3 to 5 times per week.

Schedule

8 to 12 week cycles, 4 weeks off.

Timing

Morning, pre-workout for additive effect, or post-workout for recovery.

A mitochondria-targeted peptide that binds cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane and stabilises electron transport super-complexes. In clinical trials for heart failure, mitochondrial myopathy, and age-related functional decline.

Dosage

1 to 5 milligrams subcutaneously per day.

Schedule

Daily for 4 to 8 week blocks.

Timing

Morning.

Humanin is a 24-amino-acid mitochondrial-encoded peptide with neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activity. The small humanin-like peptides (SHLP1-6) form a related family. Cohen's group has reported correlations between circulating humanin levels and healthy ageing, with humanin declining in age-related disease and rising with exercise.

Dosage

1 to 5 milligrams subcutaneously per day, experimental.

Schedule

4 to 8 week cycles, 4 weeks off.

Timing

Morning or pre-workout.

A melanocortin-4 receptor agonist, FDA-approved in 2019 as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Derived from Melanotan II. Works centrally on sexual desire, distinct from the vascular mechanism of PDE-5 inhibitors.

Dosage

1 to 2 milligrams subcutaneously, 45 to 60 minutes before anticipated sexual activity.

Schedule

Not more than one dose per 24 hours, not more than 8 doses per month.

Timing

45 to 60 minutes before activity.

The parent peptide of PT-141, with both melanocortin-driven tanning and sexual-arousal effects. Used on the grey market for tanning and as a libido enhancer, with notable safety signals (nausea, flushing, melanocytic naevi, and concerns about melanoma risk that have prompted advisories from the Australian TGA and others).

Dosage

250 to 500 micrograms per day, subcutaneous or intranasal, until the desired tan develops, then once or twice weekly for maintenance.

Schedule

Daily during loading, twice weekly for maintenance.

Timing

Evening, to sleep through the nausea window.

The 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-encoded peptide identified by Lee et al at USC in 2015. Acts on skeletal muscle and fat to improve insulin sensitivity, with exercise as a natural stimulus.

Dosage

5 to 10 milligrams subcutaneously, 3 to 5 times per week.

Schedule

8 to 12 week cycles, 4 weeks off.

Timing

Morning, pre-workout or post-workout.

The 24-amino-acid mitochondrial peptide with strong neuroprotective and metabolic activity. Circulating levels correlate inversely with age-related disease, and exercise raises endogenous levels.

Dosage

1 to 5 milligrams subcutaneously per day, experimental.

Schedule

4 to 8 week cycles, 4 weeks off.

Timing

Morning.

The best-supported topical peptide in the cosmetic literature. Used in serums at 1 to 3 percent for collagen stimulation, elasticity, and fine-line reduction. The 2 percent concentration is the practitioner standard for visible results.

Dosage

Topical serum 1 to 3 percent GHK-Cu, applied morning and night.

Schedule

Continuous, year-round.

Timing

Morning and night, on clean skin.

A copper tripeptide variant of GHK-Cu, studied for hair-follicle stimulation and dermal collagen. Used as a topical hair-growth adjunct alongside minoxidil.

Dosage

Topical at 1 to 3 percent in serum formulation, applied to the scalp daily.

Schedule

Continuous, with results expected after 3 to 6 months.

Timing

Daily, to the scalp.