How to Utilize Peptides

How to Utilize Peptides

Peptides: 

As of April 2025, the primary peptide companies we are recommending are Peptide Sciences (https://www.peptidesciences.com/) and Simple Peptides (https://simplepeptide.com) They are recommended by physicians I trust, and I hope to develop a relationship with them. Their prices are competitive. The cost of the peptide depends on what is recommended. Every peptide company must put on their label “not for human consumption” and/or “for research purposes only,” as this is what allows them to legally distribute them. Peptides will arrive in a lyophilized (powder) form for maximum stability. Vial will need to be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.

Supplies:

Obtain the following from Amazon, or if you prefer, a local pharmacy, always check first for availability.

Bacteriostatic Water - BW - (0.9% benzyl alcohol) You can find this in 10cc or 30cc bottles, glass or plastic. Although a bit pricier, I prefer 10cc glass vials, but 30cc is more cost effective if you are trying multiple peptides. It even comes in single use 3ml vials, and this is the most convenient and user-friendly. A 2 pack of 30cc vials costs $18.

Reconstitution Solution 30 ml 2 Pack Clear Glass Vials: https://a.co/d/is8hY4O

3 ml syringe with 25 gauge by ⅝ inch needle:  You will be using this syringe/needle set to draw up the bacteriostatic water (almost always 3 ml) and inject into the vial you obtained from Peptide Sciences. Currently a pack of 50 costs about $13.

30PCS 3mL | 25G | 5/8" Syringe and Needles: https://a.co/d/cokkb1d  

1 ml syringe with 31 gauge by 5/16 inch needle: You will be using this syringe/needle set to inject yourself once you have drawn up the appropriate dose from your reconstituted peptide vial. A pack of 30 costs $10.

Insulin Syringes 31G | 1ml/cc | 5/16" (8mm) (Pack of 100): https://a.co/d/44qcs0J 
Syringes with Needle - 30G 5/16" (8mm) 1ml/cc (30 pack): https://a.co/d/foohcMC 

0.5ml syringe with 31 gauge by 5/16-inch needle: If your dose of peptide is less than 50 units (0.5cc) you might find a smaller syringe easier to use. I have occasionally found 0.3 ml syringes as well which can be even easier to use. A pack of 30 costs $10.
Sharps Container: For your used needles/syringes. You can find one gallon for $12 and one quart for $6. Any doctor's office, given notice, should accept your full container when you are ready. Your local pharmacy will also accept used needles in a sealed plastic bag into their sharps containers – available near the pharmacy counter. 

How to Reconstitute Peptides:

Although it might seem daunting, scary even, to mix and give yourself peptides, it really is quite easy. Once you have obtained your peptides and supplies, get them together in a well-lit location. Breathe.

Start with the peptide vial, the BW, and the 3cc syringe. If the syringe is individually wrapped, remove the wrapper. Make sure the needle is securely tightened to the syringe.
Uncap the water, if not previously opened by you, and then remove the cap on top of the needle/syringe. Keep the BW handy. Prime the syringe by pulling the plunger back and forth within the cylinder, just shooting out air for now. Pull the plunger back to the 3cc mark and now plunge the needle through the exact center of the BW rubber top. Inject the 3 cc (please note that 1 cc -cubic centimeter = 1 ml - milliliter). Having the bottle on the table makes it easier for most novices and minimizes the effect of shaky hands. Now lift and invert the bottle with your syringe attached and retract the plunger until you have 3 cc of BW in the syringe. At some point, as your BW bottle goes empty, you will need to visualize the needle in the bottle to make sure the needle stays below water level so that you aren’t just sucking in air. You might find you need to tap the syringe to make sure there is no air in there and you just have 3 cc of BW.

Then you pull the needle/syringe out of the bottle and place the BW back on the table. At this point you pop the top off the peptide vial and insert the 3cc needle/syringe into the exact center of the peptide vial sitting on the table in front of you and inject the 3cc of BW in and then remove the syringe needle. You are done with the 3cc syringe, and it can be placed in your sharps container. Shake/twirl the peptide vial and you have now reconstituted your first peptide!

On occasion you might need a bit more or a bit less BW, simply follow the instructions from the Peptide company or your provider.

Let me point out that alcohol prep pads on the bottle or on your skin are simply not necessary or effective, but if you choose to use them, they are not harmful either.

Subcutaneous Injections:

Next comes injecting yourself!
•    Caveat #1 - These are 31-gauge needles of short length; you can barely feel them. They occasionally get bent, if that happens, discard that needle/syringe.
•    Caveat #2 - You will find that a short, steady flick of the wrist will easily get the needle under the skin and into the subcutaneous space even if you have very little fat.
•    Caveat #3 - Please primarily inject the abdomen rotating sites daily. Any subcutaneous space will work but obviously avoid areas with superficial blood vessels, or pre-existing damage to the skin.

If your injection is 50 units (o.5 cc) or less, you may use the 0.5cc syringe. If your injection is 51-100 units, please use a 1cc / 1mL syringe. Place your peptide bottle on a sturdy table, in a well-lit room. Prime your syringe by pulling air back and forth, as this makes obtaining your peptide solution easier. Now retract the plunger to pull air into the syringe to the desired dose, 10 units equals 0.1 cc.

Vertically insert/penetrate the rubber seal on top of the peptide container with your 31-gauge needle as close as possible to the exact center of the vial. Inject the air into the vial. Hold up the vial and invert it with the needle/syringe attached. Pull back on the plunger until your solution is at the desired dosage, you might need to tap a little and make sure no air bubbles are in the syringe. This is not because injecting air bubbles in the skin is dangerous (this will happen sometimes), it is to keep your dosage accurate.
Withdraw the needle, expose your skin, and with a quick wrist flip allow the needle to go under the skin and push the plunger down all the way.

Pull out the needle and recap it - you did it!

If you need assistance or just need a boost in confidence in giving yourself injections, please call the office at 805-481-3442 to set up an Injection Tutorial with our IV Nurse!
*Please note, there is a $25 fee associated with this service, which aids in our office facilitating time with our RN. Please have purchased all necessary injection supplies prior to your appointment.  

Peptide Information: 

Here are the links to two of the peptides Dr. Foresman is currently recommending to his patients. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. 

BPC 157 (10mg) 
https://www.peptidesciences.com/bpc-157-10mg?queryID=e94e0e40547ad0901ace833f536cf809&objectID=224&indexName=psm2_default_products ($100 per vial)

General Dosing: Inject 20 units (or 0.2cc or 0.2mL) subcutaneously (SQ) every morning for 8 weeks. Repeat in cycles of 8 weeks on, 8 weeks off. 

Thymosin Alpha-1 (10mg) 
https://www.peptidesciences.com/thymosin-alpha-1-10mg?queryID=24e331c094e98b7f811adb5e65c3604e&objectID=68&indexName=psm2_default_products ($130 per vial)

General Dosing: Inject 1.5mg (or 45 units or 0.45cc) twice weekly, subcutaneously (SQ).

Your Journey in Health & Healing,

Gary E. Foresman, MD