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Dosing Guide

Beginner to Advanced

Peptide Dosing Guide: Beginner to Advanced Protocols

Peptide dosing is not one-size-fits-all. The right dose depends on the compound, the research goal, the delivery method, and the individual's tolerance. This guide organizes the most commonly researched peptides into beginner and advanced categories, covers injectable vs. nasal delivery, and provides practical dosing charts with protocol structures.

Safety Disclaimer — Read Before Continuing

All dosing information is for educational and research purposes only. These are not medical recommendations.
Peptides should only be used under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
Doses listed reflect ranges reported in research literature and community protocols — individual response varies significantly.
Never self-administer any compound without understanding its mechanism, risks, and contraindications.

Calculate Your Exact Draw Volume

Once you know your dose in mcg, use the Peptide Basics calculator to determine exactly how many units to draw on your insulin syringe based on your vial size and BAC water volume.

Open the Free Calculator

Beginner Peptide Protocols

Beginner-friendly peptides share a few key traits: a well-understood safety profile from research literature, low hormone interaction, straightforward dosing, and forgiving pharmacokinetics. If you're new to peptide research, start with one compound before adding others.

Beginner protocols typically run 6–8 weeks. Start at the low end of the dose range and assess for 1–2 weeks before adjusting.

Peptide	Dose	Frequency	Route
BPC-157	250 mcg	Once daily	Subcutaneous or IM
Ipamorelin	100–200 mcg	2–3x daily	Subcutaneous
CJC-1295 (no DAC)	100–200 mcg	2–3x daily	Subcutaneous
Epithalon	5–10 mg	Once daily	Subcutaneous
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)	2–5 mg	2x per week	Subcutaneous or IM

BPC-157: Start low — some begin at 150 mcg. Highly tolerated. Good entry point for healing protocols.

Ipamorelin: GHRP with minimal side effects. Often stacked with CJC-1295. Ideal first growth hormone secretagogue.

CJC-1295 (no DAC): Short-acting GHRH — pair with Ipamorelin for synergistic GH pulse. Well-studied and beginner-friendly.

Epithalon: Telomere-supporting tetrapeptide. Commonly run as a 10-day cycle. Very low side effect profile.

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4): Often paired with BPC-157 for connective tissue and injury recovery. No hormonal mechanism.

Advanced Peptide Protocols

Advanced peptides typically involve stronger hormonal interactions, more complex titration schedules, or a narrower margin between effective and excessive dosing. These are for researchers with established experience managing peptide protocols and who understand the relevant physiology.

Advanced protocols require careful titration and ideally bloodwork-based monitoring (IGF-1, HbA1c, fasting glucose where relevant).

Peptide	Dose	Frequency	Route
Tesamorelin	1–2 mg	Once daily	Subcutaneous
Retatrutide	0.5–4 mg (titrated)	Once weekly	Subcutaneous
Semaglutide	0.25–2.4 mg (titrated)	Once weekly	Subcutaneous
Dihexa	10–30 mg	Once daily	Oral or transdermal
IGF-1 LR3	20–50 mcg	Once daily (post-workout)	Subcutaneous or IM

Tesamorelin: GHRH analog — FDA-approved for HIV lipodystrophy. Potent GH stimulator. Requires cycle management.

Retatrutide: Triple agonist (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon). Requires careful titration — start at lowest effective dose and escalate slowly.

Semaglutide: GLP-1 agonist. Requires slow titration over 16–20 weeks. Nausea common at higher doses without proper escalation.

Dihexa: Potent nootropic — extremely high activity relative to dose. Use the lower end of the range. Not for beginners.

IGF-1 LR3: Requires precise timing and dose management. Hypoglycemia risk. Cycle 4 weeks on, 4 weeks off minimum.

Nasal Spray Peptides: Needle-Free Delivery

Several peptides — particularly those targeting cognitive function, mood, or sexual health — are well-suited to intranasal delivery. The nasal mucosa provides direct access to cerebral circulation via the olfactory epithelium, which can make nasal delivery particularly effective for peptides targeting the central nervous system.

Nasal vs Injectable Bioavailability

Intranasal bioavailability is generally lower than subcutaneous injection, but for CNS-targeted peptides this tradeoff may be favorable due to direct transport across the blood-brain barrier. Doses for nasal delivery are often higher than injectable equivalents to compensate.

Peptide	Nasal Dose	Frequency
Semax	200–600 mcg	1–2x daily
Selank	250–500 mcg	1–3x daily
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)	0.5–2 mg	As needed (1–2 hrs pre)
Epitalon (nasal)	1–3 mg per nostril	1–2x daily

Semax: ACTH analog with neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Available as nasal spray. Onset within 30–60 minutes.

Selank: Anxiolytic and nootropic peptide. Gentle, well-tolerated. Can be used as-needed or on a daily protocol.

PT-141 (Bremelanotide): Melanocortin receptor agonist used for sexual function research. Nasal delivery achieves rapid onset. Also available injectable.

Epitalon (nasal): Nasal administration is an alternative to subcutaneous injection. Some researchers find equivalent bioavailability.

Universal Dosing Principles

Start Low, Go Slow

Begin at the lowest published dose and assess tolerance before increasing. Many peptides have a dose-response curve that plateaus — more is not always better.

Time Injections Strategically

GHRPs and GHRHs (Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, Tesamorelin) are most effective when dosed before sleep or fasted in the morning. Insulin levels blunt GH response — avoid dosing after meals.

Use Cycles, Not Indefinite Runs

Most peptide protocols are run in cycles (6–12 weeks on, 4+ weeks off) to prevent receptor desensitization and maintain efficacy. GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide are exceptions with longer continuous use studied.

Rotate Injection Sites

Subcutaneous injections should rotate across sites — abdomen, thigh, deltoid — to prevent lipohypertrophy and tissue buildup at any single location.

Match the Peptide to the Goal

BPC-157 and TB-500 for recovery. GHRPs/GHRHs for growth hormone and body composition. GLP-1 agonists for metabolic/weight research. Nootropic peptides for cognitive protocols. Stacking works best within goal-aligned categories.

Injectable Safety Guidelines

Sterile Technique

✓ Always swab the rubber stopper with 70% isopropyl alcohol

✓ Use a new needle for every injection — never reuse

✓ Work on a clean surface

✓ Never share needles or vials

✓ Dispose of sharps in a proper sharps container

Injection Technique

✓ Subcutaneous: 45° angle, pinch skin, inject into fat layer

✓ Intramuscular: 90° angle, larger muscle groups

✓ Rotate sites each injection

✓ Inject slowly — 10–15 seconds

✓ Apply gentle pressure after — don't rub

Related Tools & Guides

→ Peptide Reconstitution & Dosing Calculator → How to Reconstitute Peptides: Step-by-Step Guide → Goal-Based Peptide Protocols → Full Peptide Research Database (51+ compounds)

Disclaimer: All dosing information in this article is for educational and research purposes only. Dosages listed are based on published research literature and commonly reported research protocols. They are not medical recommendations. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide compound. Individual pharmacokinetics and health status affect appropriate dosing significantly.

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