How to use, store, and think about compounded peptides.
Long-form explainers organized by peptide category. Pick a category to narrow down, or browse all guides grouped by therapeutic area.
Skin & Hair
3 guidesTopical copper peptide protocol
15 min read
Topical GHK-Cu protocol guide: prescription concentrations, the OTC gap, and the seven Skin and Hair peptides.
Why prescription compounded GHK-Cu (1 to 3 percent) outperforms The Ordinary, Biossance, and NIOD (0.05 to 0.1 percent). The seven topical peptides Rx Peps Direct prescribes and how to pick between them.
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Topical SNARE-inhibiting peptide
12 min read
SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3) guide: SNARE inhibition, the topical Botox-alternative claim, and what the evidence says.
SNAP-8 targets the same SNARE complex botulinum toxin disables, but topically and gradually. Less potent than Botox; effects accumulate over 4 to 12 weeks. Available in two compounded formulations.
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Topical mitochondrial-targeted cream
11 min read
Methylene Blue Anti-Aging Cream guide: sub-staining concentrations, mitochondrial fibroblast targeting, SSRI contraindication.
Topical methylene blue at 0.0064 percent stays below the 0.05 percent visible-staining threshold. Targets mitochondrial ROS in aging fibroblasts. SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, TCAs are hard contraindications even at low topical concentrations.
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Weight Loss
5 guidesTriple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (weight loss)
14 min read
Tesofensine protocol guide: triple monoamine mechanism, Phase IIb data, and the cardiovascular signal.
Not a peptide despite frequent miscategorization. 9.2 percent Phase IIb weight loss. Real cardiovascular signal. Monitoring is not optional.
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GLP-1 protocol guide
12 min read
Microdose GLP-1: dosing math, evidence, and how to start safely in 2026.
Microdosing semaglutide or tirzepatide means running them below the FDA-approved starter dose. The vial-duration math, the published evidence, and how to start with a provider.
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NNMT inhibitor (metabolic weight-loss)
14 min read
5-Amino-1MQ protocol guide: the NNMT inhibitor mechanism, the mouse data, and the missing human trial.
A small-molecule NNMT inhibitor that raises cellular NAD+ to push fat cells toward burning energy. All weight evidence is preclinical mouse and cell-culture work. Honest that no human trial exists.
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Growth hormone fragment fat-loss protocol
14 min read
AOD-9604 (GH fragment 176-191) protocol guide: the lipolysis mechanism, the failed obesity trial, and the honest fat-loss picture.
A growth hormone fragment built to burn fat without raising IGF-1. The rodent data is real, but the pivotal 534-subject obesity trial did not beat placebo and development stopped in 2007. Honest about the gap.
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Lipotropic injection protocol
13 min read
Lipotropic injections (Lipo-B / Lipo-C) protocol guide: what MIC, B12, and L-carnitine actually do, and the honest weight-loss evidence.
MIC (methionine, inositol, choline) plus B12 or L-carnitine. The standalone fat-loss evidence is weak. These are adjuncts to diet and GLP-1 therapy, not primary weight-loss drugs.
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Muscle Growth
5 guidesGrowth hormone stack
16 min read
CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin protocol guide: dosing, units-to-mcg, timelines, and the legal pathway.
Pulsatility, DAC vs no-DAC, syringe math, the 90-day rule, gray-market purity data, and the 503A pathway. Written for the patient who wants the full picture.
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GHRH analog (GRF 1-29)
19 min read
Sermorelin protocol guide: pharmacology, dosing, tracking your response, and the non-responder reality.
The only GHRH analog still Category 1 compoundable. Daily injection, 6 to 12 month protocol, 30 to 40 percent non-responder rate, and IGF-1 the biomarker that decides the answer.
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GHRH analog (Egrifta is the FDA-approved brand)
17 min read
Tesamorelin protocol guide: visceral fat reduction, dosing, and Phase III evidence.
The only GHRH analog with Phase III trials behind an FDA-approved brand. The 2 mg protocol, how a response is judged, and what returns when you stop.
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Oral GH secretagogue (MK-677)
16 min read
Ibutamoren (MK-677) guide: oral ghrelin receptor agonist, water retention, glucose elevation, WADA prohibition.
The only oral GH secretagogue. Real GH and IGF-1 elevation. Real water retention. Real fasting-glucose drift. WADA prohibited. Monitoring is mandatory.
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Retired September 2026
12 min read
Why we retired SLU-PP-332
The lab that created this exercise mimetic reported it is not orally bioavailable, so we retired our oral capsules. Here is the evidence behind the decision.
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Recovery & Repair
7 guidesRecovery peptide protocol
18 min read
BPC-157 protocol guide: clinical data, clinician dosing, and the limits of the evidence.
Mechanism, dosing, non-response rates, the angiogenesis question, WADA status, and the 503A pathway. Honest about what the human evidence is and is not.
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Copper tripeptide (skin & tissue)
14 min read
GHK-Cu protocol guide: collagen, the copper uglies, and the topical vs injectable evidence gap.
Topical has human RCT support. Injectable for cosmetic claims is anecdotal. The copper uglies are real and manageable. Hair-loss support, yes; DHT blocker, no.
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Thymic immune peptide
17 min read
Thymosin Alpha-1 protocol guide: T-cell maturation, the TESTS trial, and the chronic illness application.
The 2025 TESTS sepsis trial failed. The hepatitis B evidence stays strong. ME/CFS, Long Lyme, Long COVID applications are mechanistically plausible. 20 to 30 percent non-responder rate.
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EPO-derived repair peptide protocol
15 min read
ARA-290 (cibinetide) protocol guide: innate repair receptor, the neuropathy trials, and the non-erythropoietic difference.
An 11-amino-acid fragment of erythropoietin that triggers tissue repair without EPO's blood-thickening effect. Human evidence is small Phase 2 neuropathy trials. Honest about where the data stops.
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Four-peptide recovery stack
15 min read
KLOW (KPV stack) protocol guide: the anti-inflammatory tripeptide lead, the four-peptide blend, and the limits of the evidence.
Leads with KPV, the alpha-MSH tripeptide with the clearest preclinical anti-inflammatory data, then explains the BPC-157 / TB-500 / GHK-Cu stack and states plainly that the four-peptide blend has no combined human trial. Honest about what is mechanism and what is proof.
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Three-peptide recovery stack, no copper
12 min read
BPC-157/TB-500/KPV protocol guide: the no-copper three-peptide vial, who it is actually for, and what the evidence supports.
The middle rung of the recovery ladder: BPC-157 and TB-500 for repair, KPV for inflammation, and GHK-Cu deliberately left out. Explains the four situations that call for a no-copper vial, and states plainly that no study compares it against the four-peptide version.
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Zonulin receptor antagonist (gut permeability)
15 min read
Larazotide protocol guide: the zonulin receptor antagonist, the celiac Phase 2 trials, and the leaky-gut evidence gap.
An oral octapeptide that blocks the zonulin receptor to keep intestinal tight junctions closed. More human trial data than most compounded peptides: Phase 2 showed benefit during gluten challenge; Phase 2b primary endpoint narrowly missed but secondary endpoints were significant. Evidence is celiac-specific.
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Longevity
7 guidesMitochondrial-derived peptide (metabolic)
14 min read
MOTS-c protocol guide: AMPK activation, the WADA prohibition, and the human evidence gap.
Strong rodent data, thin human RCT data. AMPK activator (different mechanism than metformin). WADA prohibited since 1/1/2025. Not an exercise substitute.
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Longevity coenzyme
15 min read
NAD+ protocol guide: sirtuin activation, the bioavailability problem, and IV vs subcutaneous.
Oral supplements have a bioavailability problem the marketing rarely admits. IV produces the flush. Subcutaneous is the at-home middle ground. Not proven to extend lifespan.
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Delta sleep-inducing peptide
13 min read
DSIP protocol guide: sleep architecture, the 15-minute half-life, and the abandoned clinical pipeline.
Not a sedative. Most clinical data is 1981 to 1985 IV studies. Slow-wave sleep architecture modulator. 40 to 50 percent non-responder rate.
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Mitochondrial cognitive capsule (MB-5 to MB-25)
16 min read
Methylene Blue guide: mitochondrial electron carrier, MAO-A inhibitor, the SSRI contraindication.
Mitochondrial electron carrier at low dose, MAO-A inhibitor at any dose. SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, TCAs are hard contraindications. Hormetic dose curve. Medication screening is mandatory.
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Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide
14 min read
Elamipretide (SS-31) guide: cardiolipin-stabilizing mitochondria-targeted peptide.
Cleanest mechanism in the mitochondrial-support category. FDA approved for Barth syndrome only (Forzinity, 2025). Phase III ReCLAIM-2 missed primary endpoint. Available through 503A compounding.
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Longevity peptide protocol
15 min read
Epithalon (Epitalon) protocol guide: the telomere peptide, the Khavinson studies, and the limits of the evidence.
Pineal tetrapeptide, telomerase reactivation, the in vitro telomere result, the 266-patient extract trial, fly and mouse lifespan data, WADA S0 status, and the 503A pathway. Honest about how thin and unreplicated the human proof is.
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Senolytic peptide (p53 / FOXO4 interaction blocker)
16 min read
FOXO4-DRI protocol guide: the senolytic peptide, the 2017 Baar mouse study, and the total absence of human trial data.
A D-retro-inverso peptide that kills senescent cells by freeing p53 from FOXO4 sequestration. Mouse results are real and peer-reviewed in Cell. There is no Phase 1 human trial, no human dose, and no human safety profile. Honest about that gap throughout.
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Cognitive
3 guidesTP-7 tuftsin analog (anxiolytic)
13 min read
Selank protocol guide: tuftsin-analog anxiolytic, Russian RCT evidence, and the 14-day course.
Russian clinical use for generalized anxiety. Non-sedating, no documented tolerance. Western replication is thin. Rx Peps Direct prescribes Selank alone or in the Semax/Selank combo spray.
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Russian nootropic + anxiolytic nasal spray
14 min read
Semax / Selank combo guide: ACTH-fragment cognition plus tuftsin-analog anxiolytic.
Two heptapeptides in one spray. Semax adds focus, Selank adds calm. Russian clinical use. Non-stimulant, non-sedating, 14 to 21 day course.
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Mitochondrial cognitive capsule (MB-5 to MB-25)
16 min read
Methylene Blue guide: mitochondrial electron carrier, MAO-A inhibitor, the SSRI contraindication.
Mitochondrial electron carrier at low dose, MAO-A inhibitor at any dose. SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, TCAs are hard contraindications. Hormetic dose curve. Medication screening is mandatory.
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Sexual Health
3 guidesMC4R agonist (sexual health)
15 min read
PT-141 (bremelanotide) protocol guide: MC4R mechanism, dosing, and the nausea reality.
The only FDA-approved on-demand HSDD treatment. 40 percent nausea at the fixed Vyleesi dose, MC4R tachyphylaxis, the male evidence gap, and why compounded titration matters.
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Pair-bonding nonapeptide hormone
13 min read
Oxytocin protocol guide: bonding peptide biology, troche vs nasal, and the context-dependent effect.
FDA-approved as Pitocin since 1953 for obstetric use. Off-label sublingual and intranasal for bonding and anxiety. Pregnancy is a hard contraindication.
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KISS1 / GPR54 reproductive desire peptide protocol
14 min read
Kisspeptin protocol guide: the reproductive-axis switch, the Imperial College London brain-imaging trials, and the pregnancy contraindication.
The upstream switch of the reproductive axis. Unusually for a libido peptide, it has real human data: placebo-controlled brain-imaging RCTs in men and women with low desire. Honest about short-infusion design, the pregnancy contraindication, and WADA status.
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Immune
4 guidesThymic immune peptide
17 min read
Thymosin Alpha-1 protocol guide: T-cell maturation, the TESTS trial, and the chronic illness application.
The 2025 TESTS sepsis trial failed. The hepatitis B evidence stays strong. ME/CFS, Long Lyme, Long COVID applications are mechanistically plausible. 20 to 30 percent non-responder rate.
Read the guide →
EPO-derived repair peptide protocol
15 min read
ARA-290 (cibinetide) protocol guide: innate repair receptor, the neuropathy trials, and the non-erythropoietic difference.
An 11-amino-acid fragment of erythropoietin that triggers tissue repair without EPO's blood-thickening effect. Human evidence is small Phase 2 neuropathy trials. Honest about where the data stops.
Read the guide →
Four-peptide recovery stack
15 min read
KLOW (KPV stack) protocol guide: the anti-inflammatory tripeptide lead, the four-peptide blend, and the limits of the evidence.
Leads with KPV, the alpha-MSH tripeptide with the clearest preclinical anti-inflammatory data, then explains the BPC-157 / TB-500 / GHK-Cu stack and states plainly that the four-peptide blend has no combined human trial. Honest about what is mechanism and what is proof.
Read the guide →
Three-peptide recovery stack, no copper
12 min read
BPC-157/TB-500/KPV protocol guide: the no-copper three-peptide vial, who it is actually for, and what the evidence supports.
The middle rung of the recovery ladder: BPC-157 and TB-500 for repair, KPV for inflammation, and GHK-Cu deliberately left out. Explains the four situations that call for a no-copper vial, and states plainly that no study compares it against the four-peptide version.
Read the guide →
General
3 guidesInjection technique
5 min read
How to give a subcutaneous peptide injection.
Sites, syringe selection, the 90-degree-angle technique, rotation, after-care, and when symptoms warrant a call to your provider.
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Legal & regulatory
9 min read
Are peptides legal in the United States in 2026?
Peptides for human use are sold only on a prescription and prepared by a 503A pharmacy, and which peptides may be compounded is under federal review. The full picture covers the 503A patient-specific exception, the research gray market, controlled substances, state variation, and WADA bans.
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Alpha-MSH tripeptide
11 min read
KPV ingredient guide: the alpha-MSH tripeptide, the murine colitis evidence, and how it is prescribed.
Three amino acids from the tail of alpha-MSH, carrying part of that hormone's anti-inflammatory activity without its pigment action. The preclinical case is real and gut-focused; the human evidence is nonexistent. Covers the standalone KPV capsule, the three combinations, and why a fixed-ratio vial means KPV cannot be titrated on its own.
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