BEGINNER'S GUIDE

New to peptides?
Start here.

What each one does. What matches your goal. That's it.

⚠️ Educational reference only — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any protocol. PeptiPen™ does not sell or endorse any compounds.

What each one actually does.

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
THE GH STACK

The most popular combo. These two work together to boost your body's natural growth hormone production. Better sleep, faster recovery, more fat loss, more lean muscle over time. Taken before bed. CJC-1295 comes in two versions — "with DAC" (longer-acting, less frequent dosing) and "no DAC" (shorter-acting, mimics your body's natural GH pulses more closely). Most people start with no DAC.

BPC-157
THE HEALER

Speeds up healing — tendons, ligaments, gut issues, connective tissue. If something's injured or inflamed, this is the one people reach for first. Usually paired with TB-500.

TB-500
BPC'S OTHER HALF

Reduces inflammation and moves healing cells to where they're needed. BPC-157 builds the road, TB-500 sends the trucks. Together they're called the "Wolverine Stack."

Tesamorelin
BELLY FAT KILLER

Originally FDA-approved for reducing visceral belly fat. Targets the stubborn fat around your organs while keeping your muscle. Also boosts growth hormone. Often paired with Ipamorelin to pulse GH release in sync with your body's natural rhythm — Tesamorelin provides the sustained signal, Ipamorelin triggers the sharp pulse.

Retatrutide
THE STRONGEST FAT LOSS COMPOUND

Acts on three receptors at once. Clinical trials showed ~24-29% body weight loss. Once a week dosing. Start low — nausea is common at first.

Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)
FDA-APPROVED TANNING PEPTIDE

The cleaner, FDA-approved version of the tanning peptide. Only targets the melanin receptor — so you get the tan without the libido or appetite side effects of Melanotan II. Fewer side effects overall but requires more UV exposure to work. Originally approved for people with extreme sun sensitivity.

Melanotan II
THE TAN

Makes your skin produce more melanin — you tan darker with less sun. Load it daily for 2-3 weeks, then maintain 2-3x a week. Dose before bed because it can cause nausea. Also increases libido as a side effect.

PT-141
THE LIBIDO COMPOUND

Works through your brain's desire pathways — not blood flow like Viagra. FDA-approved for women. Used on-demand, not daily. Don't combine with Melanotan II — they hit the same receptors.

MOTS-c
THE METABOLISM PEPTIDE

A mitochondrial peptide that targets cellular energy production. Improves how your body uses glucose and burns fat at the cellular level. Referenced for fat loss, exercise performance, insulin sensitivity, and longevity. Typically dosed as a short cycle — a few administrations spread across a few weeks, then months off.

GHK-Cu
SKIN · HAIR · COLLAGEN

A copper peptide for skin repair, collagen production, and hair growth. Used topically or SubQ. Popular in anti-aging protocols.

Don't see your peptide listed?

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QUICK START

How to prep a vial.

Your peptide arrives as a freeze-dried powder. You add bacteriostatic water (BAC water) to turn it into a liquid you can use. Here's how — it takes about 2 minutes.

WHAT YOU NEED

Your peptide vial · BAC water · A pen with a sterile point (30G recommended — thin enough for comfort, wide enough to draw liquid easily. 31G works but draws slower.) · Alcohol prep pads

STEP 1

Wipe the top of both the peptide vial and the BAC water vial with an alcohol prep pad. Let dry.

STEP 2

Draw your desired amount of BAC water into the pen. Common amounts: 1mL or 2mL depending on concentration you want.

STEP 3

Insert into the peptide vial and let the water slide down the inside wall slowly. Don't squirt it directly onto the powder — that can damage the peptide.

STEP 4

Gently roll the vial between your palms until the powder dissolves. Never shake it. Should be clear within a minute or two.

STEP 5

Write the date and compound name on the vial. Store in the fridge. Use within 3-4 weeks.

WHY BAC WATER?

Bacteriostatic water — also called reconstitution water — contains a small amount of benzyl alcohol that prevents bacteria from growing. Regular water or saline has no preservative — your vial would degrade much faster. Always use BAC water. Most peptide suppliers sell it, or you can find it online.

30G VS 31G — WHICH POINT?

We recommend 30G × 8mm for most people. It's thin enough to be comfortable but wide enough to draw liquid from the vial without taking forever. 31G is slightly thinner — less feel on entry, but noticeably slower to pull liquid through. Either works, but 30G is the sweet spot for beginners.

What are you trying to do?

🔥 Lose fat

Retatrutide — the strongest option, once a week
Tesamorelin — targets belly fat specifically
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — GH-driven fat loss, works while you sleep

💪 Build muscle

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — the go-to GH stack for lean mass
Tesamorelin — builds muscle while burning fat
BPC-157 + TB-500 — stay training consistently through injuries

🩹 Recover from injury

BPC-157 + TB-500 — the "Wolverine Stack"
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — recovery support through GH
GHK-Cu — connective tissue and skin

🔄 Recomp (lose fat + gain muscle)

Tesamorelin + CJC-1295/Ipamorelin — belly fat down, lean mass up
Retatrutide + GH stack — aggressive approach

☀️ Get a tan

Melanotan II — the popular one. Daily loading for 2-3 weeks, then maintenance. Combine with some sun. Start low — nausea is normal at first. Also increases libido.
Melanotan I — FDA-approved, cleaner. Tan only — no libido or appetite side effects. Requires more UV exposure but fewer side effects overall.

🔋 Boost libido

PT-141 — on-demand, works through the brain
Melanotan II — libido boost is a common side effect
Don't combine both — they hit the same pathway.

😴 Sleep better

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — dose before bed, GH peaks during sleep and enhances deep sleep quality

⏳ Anti-aging

GHK-Cu — skin, collagen, hair
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — sustained GH for energy and recovery
MOTS-c — mitochondrial energy and metabolic health
BPC-157 — gut health and systemic repair

✂️ Skin, hair, collagen

GHK-Cu — the main one for this
BPC-157 — repair from the inside
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin — GH supports skin elasticity

WHERE TO SOURCE

Places we've actually used.

PeptiPen sells supplies and disposal — not compounds. We earn zero commission and have zero partnerships or arrangements with any of the sites below. These are simply sources we've personally seen and tested that work.

Do your own research. Verify COAs. We're not responsible for third-party products.

Modern Aminos
US-MADE · THIRD-PARTY BATCH TESTED · COAs ON EVERY PRODUCT

Wide selection of peptides, nootropics, and research compounds. Made in the USA, third-party tested with verifiable COAs. Same-day shipping before 12pm CST.

modernaminos.com →

Apex Peptide Supply
US-MADE · HPLC & MASS SPEC VERIFIED · QR-CODED COAs

Smaller catalog but solid quality. Every product comes with HPLC and mass spectrometry verification. QR-coded COAs for easy batch lookup. Based in the US.

apexpeptidesupply.com →

Peptaura
MARKETPLACE · MULTIPLE SUPPLIERS · ESCROW PROTECTION

An open marketplace that connects you to vetted suppliers with live stock data, instant COAs, and built-in escrow — your payment is held until delivery is confirmed. Competitive pricing from multiple competing suppliers. Good for comparing options.

peptaura.com →

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Surgical-grade pens · Sterile points · Prep pads · Compliant disposal · Monthly