Longevity
Research compounds studied for telomere support, mitochondrial function, gene expression modulation, and cellular repair. Typically run in short annual cycles.
Most researched for Longevity
Epithalon
The most researched longevity peptide in this category with the longest publication history. A tetrapeptide from the pineal gland studied for telomere elongation, melatonin restoration, and circadian rhythm normalization. Typically run as a 10-20 day cycle once or twice per year - a unique protocol structure that distinguishes it from other compounds in this space.
GHK-Cu
aka Copper Peptide, Copper tripeptide-1, GHK
How it works: Activates over 4,000 human genes involved in tissue remodeling, collagen synthesis, and anti-aging processes.
Skin rejuvenation; wound healing; anti-aging; hair growth stimulation
Dosage range
1-2 mg, Daily (injectable) or topical as directed
Administration
SubQ / IM / Topical / Intranasal
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–12 weeks
Epitalon
aka Epithalon, Epithalon, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly
How it works: Activates telomerase enzyme to support telomere length maintenance and stimulates pineal melatonin production.
Anti-aging; telomere elongation; circadian rhythm regulation
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10–20 day cycle
Administration
SC / IM / Intranasal
Timing
AM or PM (no strong data)
Cycle length
10–20 days; 2× per year
MOTS-c
aka Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c
How it works: Regulates mitochondrial function and AMPK signaling to support metabolic health and cellular energy production.
Metabolic regulation; insulin sensitivity; exercise performance; healthy aging
Dosage range
5-10 mg, 2–3×/week
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
8–12 weeks
Humanin
aka HN
How it works: A mitochondria-derived peptide with neuroprotective and cytoprotective effects studied in Alzheimer's and aging research.
Neuroprotection; Alzheimer's; metabolic cytoprotection; anti-aging
Dosage range
1-5 mg, Every other day or daily
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
Thymalin
aka Thymalin (thymus bioregulator extract)
How it works: A thymus-derived peptide mixture that supports thymic function and immune system restoration with aging.
Immune senescence reversal; T-cell restoration; longevity
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10 day course
Administration
SC / IM
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
10 days; 2× per year
Epitalon Oral
aka Oral Epitalon, Oral Epithalon capsules
How it works: Same mechanism as injectable Epitalon; small tetrapeptide may survive GI digestion partially; oral bioavailability claimed by manufacturers; FDA PCAC review (same compound)
Telomere support; circadian regulation; anti-aging — oral route convenience
Dosage range
20-30 mg, Daily (oral)
Administration
Oral
Timing
Morning
Cycle length
10–20 day course; 2× per year
AICAR
aka Acadesine, Acadesine, AICA-riboside
How it works: Phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP → activates AMPK → exercise-like metabolic adaptations: fatty acid oxidation, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial biogenesis, anti-inflammation
Metabolic conditioning; fat oxidation; endurance enhancement; AMPK activation
Dosage range
250-500 mg, Daily
Administration
Oral / SubQ
Timing
Pre-workout or morning
Cycle length
4–8 wks; WADA prohibited in competition
Irisin
aka FNDC5 ectodomain, exercise myokine
How it works: Released from muscle FNDC5 cleavage after exercise; promotes WAT browning (UCP-1 upregulation → thermogenesis); upregulates hippocampal BDNF; osteogenic; anti-obesity; anti-Alzheimer's (preclinical)
White fat browning; thermogenesis; metabolic rate; cognitive enhancement; anti-aging
Dosage range
500-1000 mcg, 3×/week
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time or pre-workout
Cycle length
8–12 weeks
Humanin G
aka HNG, HNG, Gly14-Humanin
How it works: Agonist of tripartite receptor (gp130/WSX-1/IL-6Rα); activates STAT3 and PI3K/Akt; anti-apoptotic; neuroprotective esp. Alzheimer's models; 1000× more potent than Humanin due to Gly14
Neuroprotection; Alzheimer's; metabolic cytoprotection; anti-aging
Dosage range
0.2-2 mg, Once daily or every other day
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks
Klotho
aka alpha-Klotho, alpha-Klotho, KL1 fragment
How it works: Co-receptor for FGF23; shed ectodomain circulates as hormone; anti-aging via Wnt pathway inhibition; neuroprotective; single injection improved cognition in primates (Dubal 2022)
Cognitive enhancement; anti-aging; renal protection; cognitive protection in aging
Dosage range
Administration
IV (clinical research)
Timing
Research only
Cycle length
Research only
Humanin
aka Oral / Nasal, Oral/Nasal Humanin, HN intranasal
How it works: Intranasal: direct delivery to olfactory nerve → CNS; bypasses BBB; Oral: small peptide may partially survive GI digestion; limited data on either alternative route vs SubQ
CNS neuroprotection via intranasal route (direct nose-to-brain delivery); systemic metabolic effects via oral (debated bioavailability)
Dosage range
1-3 mg, Daily (intranasal) or every other day (oral)
Administration
Intranasal / Oral
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
4–8 weeks cyclical
Pinealon
aka EDR, Glu-Asp-Arg
How it works: Binds DNA regions in brain/retinal cells; stimulates neuroprotective gene expression; anti-apoptotic; antioxidant in neural tissue; Khavinson bioregulator targeting brain involution
Cognitive aging protection; neuroprotection; sleep/circadian modulation
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10 day course
Administration
SC / Intranasal
Timing
AM preferred
Cycle length
10 days; 2× per year
FOXO4-DRI
aka Proxofim
How it works: Disrupts FOXO4-p53 interaction in senescent cells → p53 nuclear exclusion → apoptosis of senescent cells; normal cells unaffected (different FOXO4-p53 dynamics); removes senescent cell burden
Senescent cell clearance; anti-aging; tissue rejuvenation
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Intermittent; 3 consecutive days monthly
Administration
SubQ / IP (animal studies)
Timing
Intermittent pulse dosing only
Cycle length
Monthly 3-day pulse; not chronic daily
SS-31
aka Elamipretide, Elamipretide, MTP-131, Bendavia
How it works: Binds cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membrane; stabilizes cristae structure; reduces ROS production at Complex I/III; preserves electron transport chain efficiency; protects mitochondria from oxidative damage
Mitochondrial dysfunction correction; heart failure; ischemia/reperfusion injury; aging
Dosage range
40-40 mg, Once daily
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
1–4 weeks (trial protocol)
Cortagen
aka AEDP, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro
How it works: Binds cardiac DNA regions; stimulates cardioprotective gene expression; anti-apoptotic in cardiomyocytes
Cardiovascular aging support; cardiac protection; blood vessel function
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10 day course
Administration
SC
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
10 days; 2× per year
Vesugen
aka KED, Lys-Glu-Asp
How it works: Binds endothelial chromatin; activates vascular anti-aging gene expression; anti-apoptotic endothelial pathway; distinct from Cortagen (cardiomyocyte focus)
Blood vessel anti-aging; endothelial function; vascular tone; atherosclerosis prevention
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10 day course
Administration
SC
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
10 days; 2× per year
Cardiogen
aka AEDR, Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg
How it works: Binds cardiomyocyte nuclear chromatin; activates anti-aging cardiac gene expression; anti-apoptotic in cardiomyocytes; distinct from Cortagen (vascular targeting) in mechanism
Cardiomyocyte anti-aging; cardiac performance; heart rhythm support
Dosage range
5-10 mg, Daily ×10 day course
Administration
SC
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
10 days; 2× per year
Pinealon + Epitalon
aka Anti-Aging Combo, Pinealon + Epitalon combination protocol
How it works: Pinealon: brain DNA targeting → neuroprotective gene expression. Epitalon: pineal gland telomerase activation. Both target pineal aging pathways — Pinealon via nuclear targeting; Epitalon via telomere. Synergistic on brain aging from different angles.
Brain aging + telomere aging addressed simultaneously; circadian + neuroprotective synergy
Dosage range
Administration
SC (both)
Timing
AM injection
Cycle length
10 consecutive days; 2× per year
Vilon
aka KE, Lys-Glu
How it works: Simplest Khavinson bioregulator; binds chromatin in thymic/immune cells; oral available (dipeptide survives digestion)
Immune anti-aging; thymic function support; longevity
Dosage range
1-2 mg, Daily
Administration
SC / Oral
Timing
Any time
Cycle length
10–30 days; 2–4× per year
Example stacks
Longevity - Beginner
Epithalon is the most researched longevity peptide. A short 10-day cycle once or twice a year is the standard community protocol.
- • Run the full 10-20 day cycle without skipping doses
- • Time the cycle when your baseline health is good
- • Get bloodwork before and 8 weeks after
Longevity - Intermediate
Epithalon handles telomere support while GHK-Cu activates anti-aging genes and supports collagen and cellular repair.
- • Run GHK-Cu as a longer 8-12 week cycle around the short Epithalon cycle
- • Use GHK-Cu topically as well as systemically
- • Track biomarkers throughout
Community outcome data
Collected from users researching this goal. Not a clinical database - for general reference only.
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