Anti-Aging Peptide Research Protocol

Each anti-aging peptide targets distinct biological aging mechanisms: Epithalon activates telomerase, the enzyme that maintains telomere length. NAD+ precursors restore cellular NAD+ pools critical for sirtuin activity and DNA repair. MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that improves metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. GHK-Cu resets gene expression patterns toward a younger profile and promotes tissue remodeling. These mechanisms are complementary and can be combined.

Tier 1 (Single compound): Choose the peptide most relevant to your primary research interest. Tier 2 (Dual combination): Pair Epithalon with NAD+ or MOTS-c for telomere + metabolic coverage. Tier 3 (Comprehensive): Combine 3-4 compounds on rotating schedules. Most published research examines individual compounds, so combination protocols are extrapolated from mechanistic rationale.

Published dosing ranges: Epithalon — 5-10 mg subcutaneous daily, in 10-20 day cycles (from Khavinson's clinical studies). NAD+ (as NMN) — 250-500 mg oral daily (from human clinical trials). MOTS-c — 5-10 mg subcutaneous, 3-5x weekly. GHK-Cu — 1-3 mg subcutaneous daily or topical application. Calculate injection volumes using the Dosing Calculation Protocol.

Anti-aging peptides generally use distinct cycling patterns: Epithalon — 10-day course, repeated every 4-6 months (based on Khavinson's clinical protocol). NAD+ — continuous daily use, no cycling needed. MOTS-c — 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off (preliminary research protocols). GHK-Cu — 4-8 weeks topical or injected, 4 weeks off. If combining, stagger the cycles so you can attribute observations to specific compounds.

Establish baseline measurements before starting any protocol. Key biomarkers for aging research: telomere length (blood test, every 6-12 months), NAD+ levels (specialized testing), fasting glucose and insulin, inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-6), lipid panel, HbA1c, IGF-1, complete metabolic panel, and complete blood count. Repeat testing at 3-6 month intervals.

Published anti-aging research consistently shows that peptide interventions produce the strongest effects in the context of supportive lifestyle factors. Key supporting factors: regular exercise (both aerobic and resistance training), caloric moderation, quality sleep (7-9 hours), stress management, and a nutrient-dense diet. These factors independently modulate the same pathways targeted by anti-aging peptides.

Anti-aging research is inherently long-term. Maintain a comprehensive research log including: all peptide administrations (compound, dose, date), biomarker test results, subjective observations (energy, sleep quality, recovery, skin quality, cognitive function), body composition changes, and any adverse observations. This data becomes increasingly valuable over time as trends emerge.