Peptides that bodybuilders use can be divided into three groups:
1) From the Ghrelin group (GHRP). This group of peptides immediately after injection creates a peak in the concentration of human growth hormone, regardless of the time of day and the amount of somatostatin in the blood. This group of peptides includes: GHRP-2; GHRP-6 (Hexarelin); Ipamorelin.
2) From the group of releasing hormones (GHRH). This group of peptides, after injection, causes a wave-like rise in human growth hormone. This rise will be weak when the body’s natural production of human growth hormone is reduced, and high when our body is actively producing human growth hormone. This group of peptides includes: Sermorelin; GRF (1-29) tetrasubstituted (CJC-1295 without DAC); CJC-1295 DAC.
3) Auxiliary group. These peptides cannot be classified as either the first or the second group, because their actions and effects differ from each other. This group of peptides includes: HGH Frag (176-191); TB-500 (thymosin beta 4); Melanotan-2 (Melanotan II); Bremelanotide (PT-141).
To determine which peptides can be combined with each other, just look at the table. Blue means the best to combine. Green means good to combine. Yellow means weak to combine. Red means the worst to combine.
But it’s not that simple. You also need to know the dosages and the best time to take certain peptides. Below we will analyze each of these drugs in more detail, and also consider the most popular and working cycles of peptides.
Content
GHRP-2 peptide
GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide – 2) is the most powerful stimulator of human growth hormone production known today. This peptide consists of six amino acids. Its action is based on stimulation of the pituitary gland, which in turn gives a command to the body to increase the production of somatotropin. GHRP-2 is capable of increasing human growth hormone production by 6 to 14 times. In addition, GHRP-2 stimulates ghrelin receptors, which leads to increased appetite.
Dosages of GHRP-2. How to take it?
In bodybuilding, GHRP-2 is used in a dosage of 1 – 2 mcg per 1 kg of athlete’s weight. On average, a single dose of the drug is 100 – 200 mcg. Injections are given 2 – 3 times a day, the best time for injections is before meals, after training and before bed.
Side effects of GHRP-2
Side effects include the fact that GHRP-2 causes an increase in cortisol and prolactin in the blood. Therefore, it is recommended to use this peptide with prolactin blockers (cabergoline).
Combinations of GHRP-2
GHRP-2 combines well with hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) peptides, namely Sermorelin GRF (1-29) and CJC-1295 DAC. The maximum duration of the cycle is 8 weeks (see dosages of GRF and CJC DAC below).
There are theoretical studies that suggest that the combination of GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 in one cycle can double the effectiveness of this cycle. Practical results do not confirm this.
To increase efficiency and achieve a synergistic effect, GHRP-2 can be combined with sports nutrition (l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-glutamine, GABA), which increases the effectiveness of the peptide by 10 – 20%. GHRP-2 can also be combined with insulin, which increases the effectiveness of the peptide by 30 – 40%. This is mainly due to the fact that both these sports supplements and insulin perform transport functions, that is, they improve the delivery of nutrients to cells. It is worth noting that the use of insulin requires some in-depth knowledge; it is better for unprepared athletes not to use it.
GHRP-6 peptide
GHRP-6 (Hexarelin or Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide – 6) – in its action and effects, this peptide is in many ways similar to GHRP-2 and is its analogue. The only difference is that GHRP-6 is 1.5 times weaker than GHRP-2. Otherwise, everything is the same as what I wrote above: stimulation of HGH production and activation of ghrelin hormones are its main advantages. Among the disadvantages, athletes note that GHRP-6 increases cortisol and prolactin in the blood. Therefore, this peptide is used together with cabergoline.
Dosages of GHRP-6. How to take it?
In bodybuilding, GHRP-6 is used in a dosage of 1 mcg per 1 kg of athlete’s weight. On average, a single dose of the drug is 75 – 100 mcg. Increasing the dosage by 2 times leads to the fact that the concentration of human growth hormone in the blood increases by only 25%. Therefore, in order to save the drug, athletes are limited to the above dosages. Injections are given 2 – 3 times a day, the best time for injections is before meals, after training and before bed.
Combinations of GHRP-6
GHRP-6 combines well with hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) peptides, namely Sermorelin GRF (1-29) and CJC-1295 DAC. The duration of the cycle should be within 4 – 8 weeks, since there are studies that with longer use of GHRP-6, the body adapts to its action and the effectiveness of the cycle decreases.
The combination of GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 is often questioned, so if you are going to do a combined cycle, it is better to use the peptides listed above.
GHRP-6, like GHRP-2, combines well with sports supplements (l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-glutamine, GABA), and insulin.
Ipamorelin peptide
Ipamorelin – this peptide is very similar in its action and strength to the GHRP-6 peptide. However, ipamorelin only imitates the effect of ghrelin in the body, so after the injection, a strong feeling of hunger is not observed in most cases.
Ipamorelin dosages. How to take it?
In bodybuilding, Ipamorelin, like GHRP-6, is used in dosages of 1 mcg per 1 kg of athlete’s weight. On average, a single dose of the drug is 75 – 100 mcg. A significant increase in dosage (2 or more times) does not lead to an equivalent increase in human growth hormone in the blood, but will only increase it by 25 – 50%. But from the point of view of side effects, increasing the dosage leads to a significant increase in the frequency of their occurrence. Based on these reasons, as well as in order to save the drug, there is no point in using ipamorelin in increased dosages.
Side effects of Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin, like GHRP peptides, increases the concentration of prolactin in the blood, so if you use this peptide, do not forget to add cabergoline.
Ipamorelin combinations
The best combinations when using ipamorelin would be its combination with hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) peptides. These would be Sermorelin GRF (1-29) and CJC-1295 DAC. The maximum duration of such a cycle should not exceed 8 weeks.
As with GHRP peptides, to increase the effectiveness of taking ipamorelin, it is recommended to combine it with sports supplements (l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-glutamine, GABA), and insulin.
Sermorelin (GRF (1-29) tetrasubstituted or CJC-1295 without DAC)
Sermorelin (GRF 1-29) is a peptide that stimulates the production of human growth hormone. This peptide has a very short half-life, about 2 – 5 minutes. This time, of cycle, is not enough to maximize the increase in the level of human growth hormone in the body. Therefore, pharmacists additionally included 4 more amino acids in the structure of sermorelin, and obtained a tetra-substituted (or modified) GRF (1-29) peptide. The name CJC-1295 without DAC is a synonym for the tetrasubstituted GRF(1-29) peptide.
For those who do not understand:
1st form is Sermorelin = GRF (1-29)
2nd form is GRF (1-29) tetrasubstituted = GRF (1-29) modified = CJC-1295 without DAC
3rd form is CJC-1295 DAC (more on this below)
If we compare these forms with testosterone esters (in terms of duration of action), then:
Sermorelin is a dihydrotestosterone.
GRF (1-29) tetrasubstituted is testosterone propionate.
CJC-1295 DAC is testosterone enanthate.
This is a conditional comparison; to understand the speed of action of these peptides, you do not need to think that the effects of the peptides can be compared with testosterone.
Modified GRF (1-29), due to a change in structure, received a longer half-life, which is about 30 minutes.
Sermorelin (GRF (1-29) tetrasubstituted) dosages. How to take it?
In bodybuilding, tetrasubstituted GRF (1-29) is used in dosages of 1 – 2 mcg per 1 kg of athlete’s weight. The average single dose of the drug is 100 – 200 mcg. Injections are given 2 – 3 times a day, the best time for injections is before meals, after training and before bed.
Combinations of sermorelin (modified GRF 1-29)
To achieve maximum results from taking this peptide, many sources advise combining it with ghrelin group peptides (GHRP-2 or 6). It is also recommended to use GRF (1-29) in conjunction with such sports supplements as: l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-glutamine, GABA.
I do not believe that the combination of GRF (1-29) and GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 is necessary. I am generally confused by the fact of using GRF (1-29), no matter modified or not. Judge for yourself, this peptide causes a wave-like (slow) rise in human growth hormone, and the half-life of tetrasubstituted GRF (1-29) is only 30 minutes, not to mention regular GRF (1-29). Even 30 minutes is negligible to stimulate the production of human growth hormone. This peptide will not give you such high HGH peaks as GHRP-2. So why use it at all then? If we take a peptide from the group of releasing hormones, then we need to take a long peptide, for example CJC-1295 DAC.
CJC-1295 DAC peptide
CJC-1295 DAC is a tetrasubstituted peptide consisting of 30 amino acids. CJC-1295 DAC is the next form after GRF (1-29) modified, and to be more precise, it is its long-term form. The prefix DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex. Well, if translated, this means that the duration of action increases due to the connection of this complex with plasma proteins.
CJC-1295 DAC was developed from GRF (1-29) tetrasubstituted by adding the amino acid lysine to the latter. This combination allowed the new peptide to bind to blood albumin and increase the half-life to 12 days.
After the first injection of CJC-1295 DAC and by day 6, the concentration of human growth hormone in the blood increases by 3 to 10 times. And the concentration of IGF-1 by day 10 increases 2 – 3 times. After a couple of injections of CJC-1295 DAC, IGF-1 levels remained elevated for another month.
Dosages of CJC-1295 DAC. How to take it?
In bodybuilding, CJC-1295 DAC is used in dosages of 1000 – 2000 mcg per single dose. Injections are given once every 4 days, since judging by the calculations in the table above, the concentration of the peptide in the blood decreases to ineffective by the 5th day. The duration of the CJC-1295 DAC solo cycle is from 6 to 12 weeks.
Combinations CJC-1295 DAC
To achieve the best results, cycles using CJC-1295 DAC are combined with peptides of the ghrelin group, GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. In such cycles, there is an impact from two sides at once: peaks in the concentration of human growth hormone are created, and its natural production is also stimulated. This is the case when 1 + 1 = 3.
CJC-1295 DAC is given in the dosages indicated above, and GHRP-2 is given in a dosage of 100 mcg, 3 times a day. Due to the fact that the body gets used to the action of the GHRP-2 peptide, the duration of the cycle is reduced, it ranges from 6 to 8 weeks. In terms of effectiveness, this cycle is equivalent to a cycle of HGH at a dosage of 15 units per day. A cycle of peptides costs several times less.
To enhance the positive effects, during this cycle you should follow a diet to gain muscle mass, and also use sports supplements, such as l-arginine, l-citrulline, l-glutamine.
Side effects of CJC-1295 DAC
A few words should be said about side effects. During this cycle, you need to carefully monitor prolactin and cortisol, since peptides cause their increase, with all the ensuing consequences. Therefore, you should always have cabergoline on hand.
HGH Frag 176-191 peptide
HGH Frag (176-191) is a peptide that is a fragment of human growth hormone molecules from amino acids 176 to 191. HGH Frag (176-191) stimulates the fat burning process and suppresses the process of fat accumulation in the body, 10 times more powerful than human growth hormone. Another advantage of this peptide is its price. HGH Frag (176-191) is several times cheaper than human growth hormone.
The action of HGH Frag (176-191) is that it stimulates the beta-adrenergic receptors of our body, which are responsible for enhancing the fat burning process.
Dosages of HGH Frag (176-191). How to take it?
In bodybuilding, the HGH Frag peptide (176-191) is used for weight loss, in dosages from 100 to 1000 mcg per day. Injections are made 3 times a day. The average dosage is 600 mcg per day, that is, 3 injections of 200 mcg. The total duration of the cycle is 1 – 3 months. To increase the effectiveness of fat burning, the best time for injections is between meals.
To achieve maximum results, it is recommended to follow a weight loss diet, that is, adhere to the rule of insufficient daily caloric intake.
Side effects of HGH Frag (176-191)
HGH Frag (176-191) is a fairly safe drug; there are almost no side effects when using it. However, athletes often note a strong burning sensation when injecting.
TB-500 (thymosin beta 4) peptide
TB-500 (thymosin beta 4) is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring peptide thymosin beta 4, which consists of 44 amino acids and is found in all cells of the human body.
TB-500 peptide does not affect muscle growth and strength, but bodybuilders use it for other purposes. TB-500 is capable of:
1) Accelerate the healing of wounds and injuries.
2) Accelerate the recovery of joints and ligaments.
3) Relieve inflammation in severe bruises.
4) Increase the mobility of joints and ligaments.
5) Increase tissue sensitivity to insulin.
To summarize, we can say that TB-500 is a peptide for recovery from injury.
Dosages of TB-500 (thymosin beta 4). How to take it?
The TB-500 cycle lasts from 1 to 3 months. Moreover, this peptide is recommended for use with the loading phase.
Dosages and frequency of injections for the loading phase: from 2 to 5 mg twice a week for a month.
Dosage and injection frequency for the maintenance phase: 2 to 4 mg once a week for a month or two.
Side effects of TB-500 (thymosin beta 4)
No side effects were identified when using the TB-500 peptide.
Melanotan 2 peptide
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic analogue of the peptide melanocortin (melanotropin). Melanotan-2 is a tanning peptide as well as an aphrodisiac. Positive effects include:
1) Increased tanning.
2) Strengthening erection and increasing libido.
3) Fat burning effect.
4) Appetite suppression.
Melanotan-2 dosages. How to take it?
To achieve a pronounced tanning effect, the cycle of melanotan is up to 1 month. Injections are given every day, at a dosage of 500 – 1000 mcg. In the first week, it is worth reducing the dosage to 200 mcg so that the body adapts to the effects of melanotan. To improve the tanning effect, it is recommended to visit a solarium.
Side effects of Melanotan-2
Do you think there will be side effects from a drug that can change skin color? Certainly! These include:
1) Nausea.
2) Redness of the skin.
3) Fever.
4) The appearance of freckles.
5) Dark spots on the skin.
6) Voluntary erection.
7) Increased blood pressure.
There is currently no Melanotan drug approved for use in humans. There are only laboratory drugs for clinical trials. However, despite this, melanotan-2 is quite popular and is actively spreading. Above I have listed only those side effects that often occur. I can only guess what delayed side effects may occur after exposure to melanotan on the body in the future. Therefore, before using this peptide, think three times, do you need it? Isn’t it easier and safer to just go to a solarium?
Bremelanotide PT-141 peptide
Bremelanotide (PT-141) is a peptide that is an analogue of melanotan-2, but is more expensive. Its difference is that it lacks an amide C-terminal. In this regard, bremelanotide performs only one function of melanotan, namely enhancing erection and libido. The effect of bremelanotide can be compared with the effect of Viagra, however, in addition to its effect on blood vessels and blood flow to the genitals, the peptide also increases sexual desire. The peptide acts on the central nerve pathways that are responsible for sexual desire. That is why the drug causes and strengthens an erection.
Bremelanotide (PT-141) dosages. How to take it?
The effect after injection reaches its peak after 2 – 3 hours and lasts about 10 hours, gradually weakening. Bremelanotide can be used by both men and women. The recommended dosage for men is 700 – 1000 mcg, for women 300 – 500 mcg.
Side effects of bremelanotide (PT-141)
Side effects of the peptide include a possible increase in blood pressure, as well as inconvenience of its use compared to Viagra.
