Heal Like a Superhuman

Are peptides the next miracle injectable? Plus, my 14-day rehabilitation experiment with the "Wolverine stack"

Nov 12, 2023

Midlife can be a pain in the…(enter body part here).

When my physical therapist suggested that my minor yet painful rotator cuff tear could evolve into a frozen shoulder (aka the debilitating condition that plagues women over 40) and last for over a year, my curt response was…

“I don’t have time for that.” Followed by, “how do we expedite recovery?”

Impatience, it seems, can be a great motivator.

Unwilling to accept my diminished mobility, I dove into the wild and wonderful world of peptides, where there seemed to be a miracle solution for almost every health issue. Athletes, biohackers and health optimizers seemed to be having great success improving performance as well as treating inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and even autoimmune disorders with this alternative protocol.

I was amazed to learn that peptide therapy could be used to speed up all sorts of healing, support weight loss, encourage hair growth and even spark sexual desire.

[Peptides] can be used for…musculoskeletal healing injury, to boost hormone levels, sex drive, help with immune system, fight infections, help with gut healing, improve tissue repair, building muscle mass…improving cognitive function, memory, mitochondrial function. They’re being used as therapeutic agents by traditional doctors, by functional medicine, by regenerative doctors.
— Mark Hyman, MD and longevity expert

So what exactly is a peptide and does it really work?

A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, typically consisting of fewer than 50 amino acids. They are the signaling agent that tells our body to do things like repair tissue or fight inflammation. Our natural production of certain peptides decline as we age so supplementing with them can encourage the body to do what it should.

Peptides are giving cells the intelligence to make amazing decisions when they need to be made.
— Dr William Seeds, orthopedic surgeon, cell biology researcher

My type of injury, an inflamed shoulder, led me to a blend of two peptides BPC-157 and TB-500, dubbed the “Wolverine Peptide Stack,” by OG biohacker, nutritionist and competitive athlete Ben Greenfield, after the X-Men character known for his superhuman healing abilities. This specific stack promised to accelerate tendon and ligament healing as well as regenerate muscle tissue fibers in record time. It’s so effective systemically that it can even fix a leaky gut. Sign me up.

My Peptide Protocol

None of my regular doctors had much experience with peptides — no surprise there. BPC-157 is a completely natural gastric juice peptide so it's technically not patentable. Translation: Big Pharma can’t make money off of it so it’s not marketed to doctors, despite the fact that it performs well and has little to no side effects.

In order to not go completely rogue, I did consult with some progressive doctor friends who are in biohacking space to advise on both the safety and dosing of this blend. It’s suggested that you can use 1-10mcg per kg of body weight (see Peptide Calculator) for up to a few months but it can be stopped earlier once the injury resolves.

This was my personal protocol of BPC -157/TB-500:

1 daily injection
20 units per injection into subcutaneous fat (my belly)
14 continuous days

I started the peptides on week 4 of my physical therapy which I did twice a week to stretch, strengthen and rotate a very stiff, tender shoulder.

The results of 14 days of peptide injections:

Day 3: shoulder still stiff but my range of motion improved drastically. Moderate pain during soft tissue work when internally rotating.
Day 8: able to increase my weights and the duration of my sets during therapy. Some pain during soft tissue work.
Day 10: able to complete sets to fatigue without stopping. Less pain during soft tissue work.
Day 14: feeling strong and more flexible. Minor discomfort but no pain when shoulder was pushed to limit of range during soft tissue work!

It’s hard to attribute all of the progress solely to the peptides because I was consistently going to PT and doing exercises in between but I do think it accelerated my healing. My therapist agreed that I improved quickly week over week.

After 8 weeks of PT (14 sessions) and 2 weeks of peptides, I have 95% of my shoulder function back and no pain beyond some stiffness when I rotate it backwards to my previously full range. Considering this was my first real chronic injury, I’d say this healing journey with peptides was a WIN.

Additionally, my weight training sessions in the gym improved — with bursts of power during reps and especially in recovery, when I was amazed that I wasn’t sore at all from lifting significant weight. (I compared recovery to a non-peptide week and I had minor soreness)

A fun bonus: the random aches in my wrist and lower back disappeared as did some minor skin irritations.

Peptides truly seem to help people become stronger, fitter, faster & have the benefits of helping people sleep better & recover faster from workouts..
— Craig Koniver, MD, (health and human performance expert in nutrient and science-driven protocols for performance and longevity)

What’s the 411?

For the approximate cost of $225 for the peptides, bacteriostatic water, insulin syringes and alcohol wipes, I found this to be an affordable protocol with fantastic results. I will caveat this heavily by saying that everyone heals at a different pace. I eat a low inflammatory diet and have no other health issues.

Ordering peptides online should be done with extreme caution because most research suppliers are not legally allowed to sell peptides for human consumption. The safest way to obtain peptides is through a prescription, with medical supervision and via a compounding pharmacy.

Unfortunately the FDA has recently banned some of the most popular injectables (BPC-157, Ipamorelin, GHK-Cu) but there are some reputable resources who offer doctor-formulated peptide solutions which address sports injuries, weight loss, longevity and sexual wellness such Koniver Wellness, Joi Women Wellness, and Blokes.

More science and deeper discussion below:

Peptide Glossary

Today’s substack covered these two peptides so for you nerds, here is a bit more on each. Personally I’m a convert and hope to continue my exploration with other peptides in the future for both rehabilitation and optimization. Stay tuned.

BPC-157

BPC-157 is a small protein-like molecule naturally found in the human body. It is derived from a larger protein called "Body Protection Compound" and is known for its role in promoting the healing of various tissues, including muscles, tendons, and the digestive system.

Some studies suggest that it might have a positive impact on the healing and recovery processes. While its exact mechanisms are not completely understood, it is believed to work by promoting blood vessel formation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the production of growth factors, which can aid in tissue repair.

Key Benefits:

expedites wound, muscle and tissue healing
reduces inflammation
promotes brain health
improves digestion and gut health

TB-500

TB-500 is a laboratory-made peptide designed to mimic a naturally occurring protein called Thymosin Beta-4, which is found in our bodies. This peptide is believed to play a role in supporting the healing and regeneration of various tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and skin.

It is thought to support recovery by promoting the migration of a variety of cells that aid in the repair process, such as stem cells and fibroblasts, to the site of the injury. TB-500 may stimulate the production of collagen which is beneficial for strength and flexibility.

Key Benefits:

expedites wound healing and muscle recovery
reduces inflammation and chronic pain
increases flexibility
supports hair growth

All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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