Compounds Run Together

Peptide Stacks

A stack is two or more compounds kept in separate vials and measured independently, but studied alongside one another. Each stack page covers the reasoning behind the pairing and what the literature says about the combination.

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Educational Disclaimer: All compound profiles are for educational and research purposes only. Not medical advice. All compounds are for laboratory research only. Not for human consumption. Always consult a qualified physician before engaging with any compound. Athena Peptides Education does not prescribe, sell, or recommend any peptide for human use.

A stack keeps each compound in its own vial, so the components stay independently adjustable. Compounds covered on their own are under Single Peptides, and compounds supplied pre-mixed in a shared vial are under Peptide Blends.

Stacks by outcome

Ten combinations grouped by the result they are put together for. Each one lists what goes in it, how much, for how many weeks, and how often — in one small table.

Every figure below is the schedule already published on that compound's own page on this site. Nothing here is a new number, and nothing here is a recommendation. Follow the compound link in any row to see the reconstitution maths, the syringe units and the full source.

Human The amount comes from an approved label or a published human trial.
Animal Dosed in animals only.
Protocol A commonly circulated research protocol. No trial establishes that exact figure.
GoalStackWhat is in itHow long
Muscle gainGrowth-Hormone PulseCJC-1295 + ipamorelin (± BPC-157)12 weeks, then 4 off
Weight lossGLP-1 CoreGLP-1 (± cagrilintide), or retatrutide as a swap16–68 weeks
LongevityCourse-Based LongevityEpitalon + NAD+ + GHK-Cu16 weeks, 1–2× a year
CognitiveSemax + Selank CourseSemax + selank, subcutaneous10 days on, 2 weeks off
Fatty liverLiver FatTesamorelin + GLP-126 weeks
Addiction supportCraving SupportGLP-1 + selank + NAD+16 weeks
MitochondriaMitochondrial SupportSS-31 + MOTS-c + NAD+8–16 weeks
Injury recoveryRepairBPC-157 + TB-5008–12 weeks
ImmuneImmune ResilienceThymosin alpha-1 + LL-37 + KPV8–26 weeks
SleepSleep & RecoveryDSIP + epitalon (± ipamorelin)8 weeks
Muscle Gain & Lean Mass

Growth-Hormone Pulse Stack

CJC-1295 makes each growth-hormone pulse bigger; ipamorelin sets the pulse off. They work on two different receptors, which is the reason they are studied side by side rather than doubling up on either one. BPC-157 is the optional third, added for tissue repair under a heavy training load rather than for growth itself.

Length: 12 weeksThen: 4 weeks offRoute: subcutaneousVials: 2–3, kept separate
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
CJC-1295
Protocol
Weeks 1–120.3 mg → 1 mg, raised every 2 weeksTwice weekly
Ipamorelin
Protocol
Weeks 1–120.1 mg → 0.25 mg, raised every 2 weeksOnce daily, 30–60 minutes before sleep
BPC-157 — optional
Protocol
Weeks 1–80.2 mg → 0.4 mg → 0.6 mgOnce daily

What the evidence shows. CJC-1295 raised growth hormone and IGF-1 in healthy adults at 30–60 mcg/kg (Teichman et al., 2006). Ipamorelin's only published human dosing is intravenous, twice daily in hospital, for post-surgical ileus — not the schedule above. No trial has tested the pair together for muscle gain, and BPC-157 has never been dosed subcutaneously in a published human study.

Weight Loss

GLP-1 Core, with an amylin add-on

A GLP-1 slows stomach emptying and lowers appetite through the GLP-1 receptor. Cagrilintide works on the amylin receptor — a separate fullness signal — which is why the two are being trialled as a pair rather than doubling the GLP-1. Retatrutide is the swap option: it hits the GLP-1 receptor as well, so it replaces the GLP-1 rather than joining it. The dose goes up in steps because most of the nausea comes from climbing too fast.

Length: 16–68 weeksRoute: subcutaneousRhythm: same day each week
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
GLP-1
Human
1–4 / 5–8 / 9–12 / 13–16 / 17+0.25 → 0.5 → 1 → 1.7 → 2.4 mgOnce weekly
Cagrilintide — optional
Protocol
1–2 / 3–4 / 5–6 / 7–160.6 → 1.2 → 2.4 → 4.5 mgOnce weekly
Retatrutide — swap, never added
Human
1–4 / 5–8 / 9–12 / 13+2 → 4 → 6 → 8 mgOnce weekly

What the evidence shows. The GLP-1 steps are the approved once-weekly label's own titration; at 2.4 mg weekly it produced about 15% mean weight loss over 68 weeks. The cagrilintide amounts are from Lau et al. (Lancet 2021), but that trial climbed to 4.5 mg over 20 supervised weeks — the 16-week pace above is faster than the trial. Retatrutide is a GLP-1 agonist too, so it replaces the GLP-1 rather than joining it. In the published follow-ups, weight comes back after the drug stops.

Longevity & Cellular Aging

Course-Based Longevity Stack

Three separate targets rather than three versions of the same idea: epitalon for the pineal and telomere work, NAD+ for the coenzyme every energy step in the cell runs on, GHK-Cu for skin and connective tissue repair. It is run as a course once or twice a year, not continuously.

Length: 16 weeksRepeat: 1–2× a yearRoute: subcutaneous
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
Epitalon
Protocol
Weeks 1–3 (a 20-day course)5 mgOnce daily, then stop
NAD+
Protocol
Week 1 / week 2 / weeks 3–1650 → 75 → 100 mgOnce daily
GHK-Cu
Protocol
1–4 / 5–8 / 9–121 → 1.5 → 2 mgOnce daily, five days a week

What the evidence shows. Epitalon's human results come from Russian gerontology work that independent groups have not replicated. NAD+'s human evidence is for the oral precursors — NMN at 250–900 mg a day, NR at 1–2 g a day — not for injection. GHK-Cu's human evidence is topical: a 0.05% gel after laser treatment, and a cream twice daily for 12 weeks. None of the three has an outcome trial for lifespan or healthspan.

Cognitive & Focus

Semax + Selank Course

Semax is the activating half — attention and mental stamina. Selank is the settling half — anxiety and sleep quality. Both are short Russian peptides given in courses rather than continuously, and the two weeks off is part of how they are used, not an afterthought. Both are supplied here as lyophilised vials for subcutaneous use, so the course is run with a syringe like every other stack on this page.

Length: 10 days onThen: 2 weeks offRoute: subcutaneous
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
Semax
Protocol
Weeks 1–2 (10-day course)0.25–1 mg a dayOnce daily
Selank
Protocol
Weeks 1–2 (10-day course)300 mcg per kg of body weight a dayOnce daily
BreakWeeks 3–4NothingOff between courses
Cerebrolysin — heavier alternative
Human
A 10–21 day course10–30 mL a dayOnce daily, IV infusion

What the evidence shows. Selank is a registered anxiolytic in Russia and its dosing comes from that clinical literature rather than Western randomised trials. Semax has no published dose-finding trial behind the range above. For both, the published amounts come from a non-injected route, so no injectable dose is established for either — the figures above are carried across, not converted, and the Selank and Semax pages set out that limit in full. Cerebrolysin's figures come from the CASTA and CARS trial programmes, where it was given as an IV infusion to stroke and dementia patients — not to healthy people looking for focus.

Fatty Liver (MASLD/NAFLD)

Liver Fat Stack

Tesamorelin is the only compound on this page with liver fat as a measured trial endpoint. A GLP-1 sits alongside it because weight loss itself is the strongest lever on liver fat there is. Glutathione is optional and is in there for oxidative stress, not for fat.

Length: 26 weeksRoute: subcutaneousBefore and after: liver enzymes and imaging
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
Tesamorelin
Human
Weeks 1–262 mg (1.4 mg for the SV formulation)Once daily
GLP-1
Human
Weeks 1–17 and on0.25 mg → 2.4 mg, raised every 4 weeksOnce weekly
Glutathione — optional
Protocol
1–2 / 3–4 / 5–8100 → 150 → 200 mgDaily or every other day

What the evidence shows. Tesamorelin reduced liver fat in adults with HIV and fatty liver over 12 months (Stanley et al., Lancet HIV 2019); its approved indication is HIV-associated lipodystrophy, not fatty liver generally. A GLP-1 at 0.4 mg daily resolved steatohepatitis more often than placebo in a Phase 2 trial (Newsome et al., NEJM 2021). Injected glutathione has no liver trial behind it — the human evidence is oral, 250–1,000 mg a day for six months. Fatty liver is a diagnosis, and it needs imaging and blood work read by a doctor.

Addiction & Craving Support

Craving Support Stack

Two separate ideas sitting together. GLP-1 drugs keep turning up a drop in alcohol and nicotine craving as a side finding in weight trials, which is now being tested head-on. Selank is used in Russia for the anxiety side of coming off something, and is run here as a subcutaneous course. NAD+ shows up in clinics for the same purpose without controlled evidence behind it.

Length: 16 weeksStatus: exploratoryRoute: subcutaneousSupervision: medical, not optional
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
GLP-1
Human
Weeks 1–17 and on0.25 mg → 2.4 mg, raised every 4 weeksOnce weekly
Selank
Protocol
10-day courses300 mcg per kg of body weight a dayOnce daily
NAD+
Protocol
Week 1 / week 2 / weeks 3–1650 → 75 → 100 mgOnce daily

Read this one carefully. The craving signal for GLP-1s comes from secondary findings and small studies; a 2022 exenatide trial in alcohol use disorder missed its primary endpoint overall. The GLP-1 amounts above are the weight-loss label's, borrowed — no label covers craving. Selank's published amounts come from a non-injected route, so no injectable dose is established for it either. No peptide is an approved treatment for any addiction. Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids can be life-threatening and needs medical care; nothing on this page is a substitute for it.

Mitochondrial Health

Mitochondrial Support Stack

Three points on one pathway. SS-31 binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane and stabilises it. MOTS-c is a peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA that pushes metabolism toward burning fat. NAD+ supplies the coenzyme the whole energy chain depends on.

Length: 8–16 weeksRoute: subcutaneousTiming: mornings
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
SS-31
Protocol
Weeks 1–2, then 3–85 mg → 10 mgOnce daily
MOTS-c
Animal
1–2 / 3–4 / 5–6 / 7–8 / 9–10+0.2 → 0.4 → 0.6 → 0.8 → 1 mgOnce daily, in the morning
NAD+
Protocol
Week 1 / week 2 / weeks 3–1650 → 75 → 100 mgOnce daily

What the evidence shows. SS-31 (elamipretide) has run human trials in primary mitochondrial myopathy and Barth syndrome at 40 mg a day subcutaneously — four times the top of the schedule above — and those trials produced mixed results against their primary endpoints. MOTS-c has only ever been dosed in animals, across a very wide range. NAD+'s human evidence is the oral precursors. The schedules above are circulated protocols rather than trial findings; the compound pages carry the reconstitution arithmetic for the vial strengths Athena lists.

Injury Recovery & Joints

Repair Stack

The most commonly run pair on the list. BPC-157 is studied for gut and soft-tissue healing, TB-500 for actin regulation and cell migration into damaged tissue. Kept as two vials here so each can be adjusted on its own; the same two compounds pre-mixed into one vial are sold as Wolverine.

Length: 8–12 weeksRoute: subcutaneousVials: 2, kept separate
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
BPC-157
Protocol
1–2 / 3–4 / 5–8 and on0.2 → 0.4 → 0.6 mgOnce daily
TB-500
Protocol
1–2 / 3–4 / 5–8 / 9–120.5 → 0.6 → 0.75 → 1 mgOnce daily

What the evidence shows. BPC-157's human data is a two-person IV safety pilot, a twelve-person bladder study and a sixteen-person knee case series with no control group — none of it subcutaneous, none of it for sports injury. TB-500 has no published human dosing at all. The schedule above is a circulated protocol, and the frequency is not established by any study.

Immune Resilience

Immune Resilience Stack

Thymosin alpha-1 is the anchor and the only approved drug in the group — it nudges T-cell maturation. LL-37 is the body's own antimicrobial peptide, and KPV is the anti-inflammatory tail fragment of alpha-MSH. The last two climb slowly because both are inflammation-active.

Length: 8 weeks, anchor up to 26Route: subcutaneous
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
Thymosin Alpha-1
Human
Weeks 1–261.6 mgTwice weekly
LL-37
Protocol
Weeks 1–80.05 mg → 0.4 mg, raised 0.05 mg a weekOnce daily
KPV
Protocol
Week 1 / 2 / 3 / 4–80.2 → 0.3 → 0.4 → 0.5 mgOnce daily

What the evidence shows. Thymosin alpha-1 is approved in a number of countries as Zadaxin, and 1.6 mg twice weekly is its label dose for chronic hepatitis B — an indication, not a general immune-support claim. LL-37 and KPV have no published human dosing whatsoever; both schedules are circulated protocols.

Sleep & Overnight Recovery

Sleep & Recovery Stack

All three are dosed in the evening, for different reasons. DSIP was named for a sleep-promoting effect seen in animals. Epitalon's rationale runs through the pineal gland and melatonin rhythm. Ipamorelin is optional and goes in before bed because the natural growth-hormone pulse is biggest during deep sleep — it is not a sedative.

Length: 8 weeksRoute: subcutaneousTiming: evening
CompoundWeeksHow muchHow often
DSIP
Protocol
Week 1 / 2 / 3 / 4–80.1 → 0.15 → 0.2 → 0.25–0.3 mgOnce daily, evening, before sleep
Epitalon
Protocol
Weeks 1–3 (a 20-day course)5 mgOnce daily, then stop
Ipamorelin — optional
Protocol
Weeks 1–80.1 mg → 0.25 mgOnce daily, 30–60 minutes before sleep

What the evidence shows. DSIP was isolated in 1977 and named for an effect in rabbits; the human sleep studies since are small, old and inconsistent, and no dose schedule is established. Epitalon's pineal rationale comes from the same unreplicated Russian work as its longevity claims. Ipamorelin's only human dosing is intravenous and in hospital.

How to use any of this. Every schedule above is copied from that compound's page, where the same numbers appear with the reconstitution maths, the syringe units and the source that produced them. The calculator converts a milligram amount into units on a U-100 syringe once you know the vial strength and the amount of water added. The dosing page covers the mechanics — reconstitution, storage, injection sites. None of it is medical advice, and none of these compounds is approved for the goals listed on this page.

Pages in progress

Individual stack pages are in progress. The outcome stacks on the Peptide Stacks page cover the combinations documented so far. Each one will appear here and in the Peptide Stacks group of the Peptides menu above as it is published.

Single Peptides → Peptide Blends →

Also on Athena Peptides Education