Muscle Recovery
Research compounds studied for accelerating soft tissue repair, reducing exercise-induced inflammation, and supporting muscle protein synthesis after training.
Most researched for Muscle Recovery
BPC-157
The most widely referenced recovery peptide with the broadest research base for soft tissue healing. Promotes angiogenesis and upregulates growth factor receptors at and near the injection site. Can be used both locally (near injury) and orally (for systemic and gut recovery), making it the most versatile entry point in this category.
Ibutamoren
aka MK-677, MK-677, Nutrobal
How it works: Selectively binds GHSR-1a; stimulates pituitary GH and IGF-1; oral bioavailability; ~24h action
GH and IGF-1 elevation; muscle mass; recovery; sleep quality; anti-aging
Dosage range
10-25 mg, Once daily (oral)
Administration
Oral
Timing
Evening (aligns with GH pulse and sleep)
Cycle length
8–12 wks on; 4–8 wks off; long-term use debated
CJC-1295 (without DAC) / Modified GRF 1-29
aka CJC-1295 no DAC, Mod GRF 1-29, GHRH(1-29)
How it works: Extends and amplifies the GH pulse by stimulating GHRH receptors, combining with GHRPs for stronger GH release.
GH pulse stimulation (combined with GHRP); body recomposition; sleep; recovery
Dosage range
100-300 mcg, 1–3×/day (combined with GHRP)
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Pre-bed (15 min before sleep); or pre-workout; ALWAYS with GHRP
Cycle length
8–16 wks on; 4–6 wks off
BPC-157
aka Body Protection Compound-157, PL 14736
How it works: Upregulates growth factor receptors and promotes angiogenesis to accelerate soft tissue repair.
Tendon, ligament, muscle, bone healing; GI tract repair; wound healing
Dosage range
200-500 mcg, Once or twice daily
Administration
SubQ / IM / Oral / Intranasal
Timing
Morning fasted or near injury site
Cycle length
4-12 weeks
Thymosin Beta-4 Fragment
aka TB-500, TB-500, Tβ4 frag, LKKTETQ
How it works: Upregulates actin to promote cell migration and reduce inflammation throughout the body for systemic healing.
Soft tissue healing; muscle repair; cardiovascular recovery; anti-inflammatory
Dosage range
2-2.5 mg, 2×/week loading; biweekly maintenance
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Variable; 2× weekly split
Cycle length
Loading 4–6 wks; maintenance ongoing
Sermorelin
aka GHRH(1-29)
How it works: Binds pituitary GHRH receptor; stimulates natural pulsatile GH release; shorter half-life than modified GRF 1-29 analogs
GH stimulation; body composition; sleep; anti-aging (clinic use)
Dosage range
100-500 mcg, Once daily pre-bed
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Pre-bed on empty stomach
Cycle length
8–16 weeks
GHRP-2
aka Pralmorelin, KP-102
How it works: Binds GHSR-1a; stimulates strong GH release; also elevates cortisol and prolactin (unlike selective ipamorelin); short acting
Strong GH pulse stimulation; body composition; recovery
Dosage range
100-300 mcg, 1–3×/day
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Pre-bed or pre-workout
Cycle length
8–12 wks on; 4 wks off
CJC-1295 with DAC
aka CJC-1295 DAC, Drug Affinity Complex CJC-1295
How it works: Binds GHRH receptor; DAC linker covalently bonds to plasma albumin → ~6–8 day half-life; produces tonic GH elevation rather than physiological pulsatile release
Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation; body composition; anti-aging; less frequent dosing
Dosage range
1-2 mg, Once or twice per week
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Any time (long half-life)
Cycle length
8–12 weeks
Sermorelin + Ipamorelin
aka Combo, Sermorelin + Ipamorelin Clinic Combination
How it works: Sermorelin stimulates GHRH receptor; Ipamorelin stimulates ghrelin receptor; combined 2–3× GH pulse vs either alone; same mechanism as CJC-1295 no DAC + Ipa but uses Sermorelin (older GHRH analog)
GH axis optimization via two-compound synergistic protocol; body composition; sleep; anti-aging
Dosage range
200-300 mcg each, Pre-bed daily or 5 on/2 off
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Pre-bed 15–30 min; 2h fast preferred
Cycle length
8–16 wks on; 4–6 wks off
GHRP-6
aka His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
How it works: Binds GHSR-1a; stimulates GH release; also strongly stimulates ghrelin-mediated appetite; elevates cortisol and prolactin
GH pulse stimulation; mass building (appetite-driven)
Dosage range
100-300 mcg, 1–3×/day
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Pre-bed or pre-workout
Cycle length
8–12 wks on; 4 wks off
Mechano Growth Factor
aka MGF, MGF, IGF-1Ec
How it works: Released after mechanical loading; activates satellite cells via unique receptor distinct from IGF-1R; short-acting local signaling
Muscle hypertrophy; satellite cell activation; local muscle repair after exercise
Dosage range
200-400 mcg, Post-workout only
Administration
SubQ/IM at target muscle
Timing
Immediately post-workout (within 15 min)
Cycle length
4–6 wks on; 4 wks off
IGF-1 LR3
aka Long R3, Long R3 IGF-1, IGF-1 Long Arg3
How it works: Binds IGF-1 receptors to drive muscle protein synthesis and satellite cell activation post-workout.
Systemic muscle hypertrophy; fat loss; recovery; satellite cell activation
Dosage range
20-50 mcg, Once daily or post-workout
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Post-workout (when cells most receptive) or pre-bed
Cycle length
4–6 wks; 4–6 wks off mandatory
PEG-MGF
aka Pegylated Mechano Growth Factor
How it works: Activates muscle satellite cells at the site of mechanical stress, promoting local fiber repair and growth.
Systemic satellite cell activation; muscle hypertrophy; twice-weekly dosing
Dosage range
200-400 mcg, 2×/week
Administration
SubQ/IM
Timing
Post-workout or any time (long-acting)
Cycle length
4–6 wks; 4 wks off
Hexarelin
aka Examorelin, EP-23905
How it works: Binds GHSR-1a; also binds CD36 scavenger receptor (cardioprotective independent mechanism); most potent GHRP but rapid desensitization with daily use
Strongest GH pulse of any GHRP; body composition; potential cardiovascular protective effects
Dosage range
100-200 mcg, 1–2×/day MAX; discontinue if no response after 4 wks
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Pre-workout or pre-bed
Cycle length
4–8 wks; 4–8 wks off mandatory
Follistatin-315
aka FST-315
How it works: Binds and neutralizes myostatin (GDF-8) and activin A; removes brake on muscle growth; FST-315 preferentially distributes to peripheral tissues (FST-344 prefers circulation); potent but limited human data
Muscle hypertrophy; fat loss; anti-catabolic; potential anti-aging via muscle preservation
Dosage range
100-200 mcg, Twice weekly
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Post-workout
Cycle length
4–8 weeks; 4+ weeks off
Follistatin-344
aka FST-344
How it works: Binds/neutralizes myostatin (GDF-8) and activin A; full-length 344 circulates systemically; exon 6 heparin-binding domain anchors to cell surfaces; greater FSH/reproductive effects than FST-315
Muscle hypertrophy; fat loss; anti-catabolic — more systemic than FST-315
Dosage range
100-200 mcg, 2×/week
Administration
SubQ / IM
Timing
Post-workout
Cycle length
4–8 weeks; 4+ weeks off
CJC-1295 + GHRP-6
aka Bulk Stack, CJC-1295 no DAC + GHRP-6 combination
How it works: CJC-1295 no DAC stimulates GHRH receptor; GHRP-6 stimulates ghrelin receptor + induces strong hunger; combined 2–3× GH pulse; GHRP-6 hunger effect helps caloric surplus for bulk goals
Maximum GH pulse for bulking; muscle mass; strong appetite stimulation — useful for hard gainers
Dosage range
200-300 mcg each, Pre-bed; or pre-workout for bulking push
Administration
SubQ
Timing
Pre-bed or pre-workout; 2h fast before
Cycle length
8–12 wks on; 4 wks off
IGF-1 DES
aka DES[1-3]IGF-1, DES IGF-1, IGF-1 DES 1-3
How it works: Binds IGF-1R with high affinity; cannot bind IGFBPs (immediate local availability); very short half-life means localized effect at injection site; extremely potent locally
Local muscle hypertrophy at injection site; satellite cell activation
Dosage range
50-100 mcg, Once daily at injection site
Administration
IM (intramuscular at target site)
Timing
Immediately post-workout into target muscle
Cycle length
4–6 wks; 4–6 wks off
Example stacks
Recovery - Beginner
BPC-157 alone is the most straightforward entry point. Well-studied, local injection near the injury site, effective for soft tissue repair.
- • Inject subcutaneously as close to the injury as safely possible
- • Oral BPC-157 on empty stomach works for general recovery
- • Stay consistent - daily dosing matters
Recovery - Intermediate
BPC-157 handles local tissue repair while TB-500 works systemically. Covers both acute injury and general training recovery.
- • Split TB-500 into two equal injections per week
- • Combine with active recovery - movement helps
- • Use BPC-157 locally and TB-500 anywhere on body
Community outcome data
Collected from users researching this goal. Not a clinical database - for general reference only.
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