The Rebel's Guide: Peptides 101
Faster healing, stronger muscles, glowing skin — meet the next-gen tools of cellular repair. Here's my beginner's guide to sourcing safe peptides and using them wisely.
“I want to return my body to its former glory.”
Not in the squeeze into my skinny jeans kind of way, but on a cellular level when my energy was steady, recovery was swift, and everything worked optimally.
I first turned to peptides out of desperation. When a painful (and stubborn) shoulder injury threatened to slow me down and chain me to physical therapy for 9 months, I jumped at the chance for a biohack. Read my story [here]
A course of BPC-157 and TB-500, named the Wolverine stack for its superhero-level regeneration, shortened that timeline to just 9 weeks. These incredible peptides zeroed in on the injury, accelerating healing by restoring my body’s own repair system.
It made me wonder: what if the future of medicine isn’t about discovering something new — but instead reviving what the body already knows how to do?
So far I’ve experimented with 4 different peptides for repair, muscle building and metabolism — the results have all been mind-blowing. However, it’s the Wild West out there so it’s imperative that you seek expert guidance.
Below I interview two trusted providers, Sheila De La Cruz of SheMedConsult and John Mark Pero of Levers Health for their insider tips on how to safely explore peptide therapy.
🎁 Paid subscribers get a printable Rebel’s Guide at the end — a full toolkit with sourcing tips, questions, and peptide stacks. Scroll to the end for the downloadable guide!
Peptides 101
What is a peptide?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the same building blocks that make up proteins. But unlike full proteins, peptides are compact and powerful signaling molecules that tell your body to do something specific like:
Repair soft tissue
Reduce inflammation
Build collagen
Accelerate healing
Improve insulin sensitivity
Release growth hormone
Our body makes many of these peptides naturally, but like most things, aging reduces their potency and efficacy. When we intentionally use peptides to support a cellular function, we can improve performance, recovery and even longevity.
“Aging…is the number one factor in every disease we know. It itself is a disease of brain-body functioning marked by a loss of cellular efficiency.
Peptides interfere with this negative spiral by giving cells what they need to continue to function and follow through with what they are preprogrammed to do…”
— William A Seeds MD, Peptide Protocols
How do peptides work?
Most therapeutic peptides work by binding to receptors on the surface of cells. Once attached, they trigger cascades of cellular activity. The result? More targeted action with fewer systemic side effects than traditional pharmaceuticals or hormones.
For example, growth hormone-releasing peptides like CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin stimulate your own natural release of growth hormone instead of flooding your body with an external source.
Think of peptides as cellular medicine — tools that restore homeostasis and optimize the body’s internal messaging systems. They remind the body what it can do!
Choosing Your Peptide Provider
Generally speaking I would recommend that anyone starting a peptide protocol work with a licensed functional or regenerative physician instead of going at it alone or worse, relying on your local medi spa (which is likely just white labeling untested, research peptides). This means:
avoid research chemical websites that say, “not for human use”
source from compounded pharmacies (look for 503A or 503B certified)
check for cold-chain shipping (reconstituted peptides are very fragile)
ask for Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for purity and dosing accuracy
Want the Rebel’s Guide as a Printable Toolkit?
Paid subscribers get exclusive access to this post and the full downloadable PDF, which includes:
The 5-Questions to ask when choosing a safe, science-backed peptide provider
A Pre-Prescription Checklist to make sure your labs and goals are aligned
An In-Session Strategy so you stay on track (and off Reddit)
Pro-Tips for proper usage and to improve your peptide experience
The Starter Eight — the most popular peptides right now plus two stacks
Subscribe for just $5/month to get full access and unlock every future guide in this series.
Peptides should be used as the precision tool that they are, not a substitute for healthy habits. That said, patients can feel tangible results quickly — in weeks to months.
— John Mark Pero, Levers Health
Ask the Experts
I interviewed two trusted providers, Sheila De La Cruz of SheMedConsult, an in-person practice in Los Angeles and John Mark Pero, founder, Levers Health about safety, sourcing and patient management.
Plus, I share 8 of the most popular peptides for fat loss, strength, metabolism and skin.
1/ What do we need to know about peptide sourcing?
Peptides are not approved FDA drugs but making them in approved facilities demonstrates that quality, purity and sterility are of the highest standards. These types of peptides are only available to physicians. Some 503A compounding pharmacies will still make peptides, and physicians should vet them thoroughly to confirm facilities and testing are top tier. JMP
2/ Will my labs be reviewed before anything is prescribed?
You want your provider to monitor your progress and check in regularly. Peptides are powerful tools, but only when used correctly. If there’s no lab work, no follow-up, and no medical oversight, that’s a problem. At my clinic, we take a full-body approach to build a customized three-month protocol using Styku scans to track changes to muscle mass, body fat, and even bone density. SDLC