A peptide protocol is a plan for using one or more peptides toward a specific goal. It has four parts: which compound, what dose, how often, and how long before a break. Taking BPC-157 is not a protocol. Taking 500mcg twice a day for six weeks, tracked, with a clear stop point, is.
Most people land on this page after reading about one peptide and needing the rest of the picture: how much, how often, and how to know it's working. That's what this guide covers. For the science on a specific compound, see the Peptide Encyclopedia. For exact syringe math, see the Dosage Calculator. To build and track your own protocol, use the Protocol Builder.
The 5 Core Components of Every Protocol
Every protocol comes down to the same five decisions. Get these right and the rest is detail work.
| Component | What it determines | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Compound selection | Which peptide(s) actually match the stated goal | Choosing a compound because it's popular, not because it fits the goal |
| Dose | How much per administration, usually in mcg or mg | Copying someone else's dose without adjusting for bodyweight or goal |
| Frequency | Once daily, twice daily, every other day, or weekly | Inconsistent timing, which makes it impossible to judge whether it's working |
| Cycle length | How many weeks on before a scheduled break | Running indefinitely with no defined stop point |
| Tracking | A record of dose, timing, and subjective response over time | Not tracking at all, so there's no way to attribute effects to the protocol |
The one-compound rule: If this is your first protocol, run one compound before stacking a second. It's the only way to know which one is actually responsible for an effect, good or bad.
How to Choose a Protocol by Goal
Start from the goal, not the compound.
| Goal | Common compounds | Typical cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue & joint recovery | BPC-157, or BPC-157 + TB-500 | 4–6 weeks, injury-driven |
| Muscle & body composition | CJC-1295/Ipamorelin, or a GH-secretagogue stack | 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off |
| Sleep & recovery | DSIP, CJC-1295/Ipamorelin | 4–8 weeks, reassess |
| Longevity & cellular repair | NAD+, GHK-Cu, Epithalon | Ongoing with cycling; see anti-aging guide |
| Skin & connective tissue | GHK-Cu, collagen-adjacent peptides | 8–12 weeks, visible change is gradual |
| Testosterone optimization | Kisspeptin-10, Gonadorelin - see TRT alternatives guide | Protocol-dependent, lab-guided |
If more than one goal applies, pick the primary one and run that protocol first. Add a second compound only once you know how the first behaves for you.
Sample Beginner Protocol Templates
These are common starting points, not personalized dosing advice. Your bodyweight and goal will move the numbers, so use the Protocol Builder for one matched to you.
| Protocol | Typical dose | Frequency | Cycle length |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 (single compound) | 250–500mcg | 1–2x daily | 4–6 weeks |
| BPC-157 + TB-500 | BPC-157 250–500mcg / TB-500 2–2.5mg | BPC-157 daily / TB-500 2x weekly | 4–6 weeks |
| CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin | 100mcg each | 1–2x daily, before bed and/or fasted | 8–12 weeks on, 4 off |
| NAD+ (SubQ) | 50–100mg | 2–3x weekly | Ongoing, see NAD+ protocol guide |
| GHK-Cu | 1–2mg | Daily or every other day | 8–12 weeks |
Build your own protocol instead of guessing
Answer a few questions about your goal and the Protocol Builder matches compounds, dosing, and timing - backed by NIH and PubMed research.
Dosing and Reconstitution Basics
Most peptides ship as freeze-dried powder and need to be mixed with bacteriostatic water before injection. Getting the concentration right matters, it's the difference between a 250mcg dose and an accidental 2.5mg one. Full details are in the Dosing Guide, and the Dosage Calculator does the math for you. Quick version:
- Reconstitution: Add bacteriostatic water per the compound's usual ratio, swirl gently, and refrigerate.
- Draw volume: Based on vial concentration and target dose. An insulin syringe makes small doses far more precise than a standard one.
- Injection route: Most peptides here go subcutaneously, into the fat layer of the abdomen, rotating sites to avoid irritation.
How Long Should a Protocol Run Before Cycling Off?
Cycle length depends on the compound, not one universal rule:
- Healing peptides (BPC-157, TB-500): Used for a defined recovery window, usually 4 to 6 weeks, rather than continuously.
- GH secretagogues (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin): Often run longer, 8 to 12 weeks on with a 4-week break.
- Longevity peptides (NAD+, GHK-Cu, Epithalon): Cycled in longer blocks with periodic breaks. See the goal guides above for specifics.
Why cycle at all: A scheduled break gives receptors a rest and creates a natural point to ask whether the protocol is still worth running. If you can't answer why you're still on it, that's the signal to pause.
Why Tracking Your Protocol Matters
A protocol without a log is just a habit. Tracking dose, timing, and how you feel each week turns "I think this is working" into an actual answer, and it's the best way to catch a side effect early. This applies whether you track on paper or in an app. The Protocol Builder and Rate My Stack exist because most people quit paper tracking within a few weeks. If you already have a stack running informally, Rate My Stack will score it in a couple of minutes.
Safety, Sourcing, and Legal Status
Regulatory status depends on the compound. A few peptides are FDA-approved prescription drugs, like Tesamorelin (Egrifta) and Bremelanotide (Vyleesi, sold separately from the unapproved "PT-141" research chemical). Most compounds discussed here, including BPC-157 and TB-500, are sold as unapproved research chemicals. Check each one's status on its page in the Peptide Encyclopedia before sourcing anything.
- Source matters. Look for third-party purity testing (a COA). Skip suppliers who won't provide one.
- Storage matters. Reconstituted peptides need refrigeration and have a limited shelf life.
- Start low. The templates above are starting points, not ceilings. It's easier to raise a low dose than walk back a reaction from a high one.
Pick one goal, run one compound, track everything.
The protocols that work are boring: one goal, one compound to start, a set dose and schedule, a real stop point, and a log you actually keep. Add complexity later, once you know how the first compound behaves for you. Skipping straight to a five-compound stack with no tracking is the most common beginner mistake here, not the compound choice itself.
My Protocol
I run my own stack the way this guide describes: one goal at a time, tracked. Right now that's BPC-157 and TB-500 for recovery, NAD+ for general support, and Sermorelin, alongside regular training and a clean diet. I built BioStackIQ to actually see whether a protocol like this is working, not just whether I'm sticking to it.
Starting your first protocol? Use the Protocol Builder. Already running a stack? Rate My Stack will score it in a couple of minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a peptide protocol?
A structured plan for using one or more peptides toward a specific goal, defined by compound, dose, frequency, and cycle length. The protocol is the plan - not just the substance.
How do I choose the right peptide protocol for me?
Start from your goal, not the compound. Match the goal to a compound category first (recovery, GH support, longevity, testosterone optimization), then work out dose, frequency, and cycle length for that specific compound.
How long should a peptide protocol run before cycling off?
Most beginner protocols run 4 to 8 weeks on with a 2 to 4 week break, though GH secretagogues are commonly run 8 to 12 weeks and healing peptides are often used for a defined injury-recovery window instead.
What's a good beginner peptide protocol?
A single-compound protocol focused on one clear goal - commonly BPC-157 alone at 250–500mcg once or twice daily for 4 to 6 weeks - so any effect can actually be attributed to that one compound.
Do I need to track a peptide protocol, or can I just take it?
Tracking is what turns a protocol into data instead of a guess - it's the only reliable way to know if it's working and to catch a side effect early.
Are peptide protocols legal?
It depends on the specific compound. A few are FDA-approved prescription drugs; most discussed in biohacking contexts are sold as unapproved research chemicals. Check each compound's status individually.
How many peptides can I stack in one protocol?
There's no fixed limit, but more compounds means more variables. Most experienced users build up from one compound to a two- or three-compound stack only after learning how the first one behaves for them.