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Peptide 101
Your complete guide to peptide therapy — from first reconstitution to optimized stacking.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — typically 2 to 50 — that act as signaling molecules in your body. Think of them as biological text messages that tell specific cells what to do: release growth hormone, repair damaged tissue, modulate the immune system, or optimize metabolism.
Natural
Your body produces hundreds of peptides naturally. Therapeutic peptides are bioidentical or analog versions.
Targeted
Unlike broad-spectrum drugs, peptides bind to specific receptors — producing precise effects with fewer side effects.
Research-Backed
Many peptides have decades of clinical research. Some (like Tesamorelin) are FDA-approved.
Reconstitution Step-by-Step
Peptides ship as freeze-dried powder. Reconstitution is the process of adding bacteriostatic water (BAC water) to create an injectable solution. Follow these steps precisely.
Gather Your Supplies
You'll need: peptide vial, bacteriostatic water (BAC water), alcohol swabs, and a U-100 insulin syringe (0.5 mL or 1 mL, 29–31 gauge).
Clean Both Vial Tops
Swab the rubber stopper on both the peptide vial and BAC water vial with an alcohol pad. Let dry completely (15–30 seconds).
Draw BAC Water
Insert the syringe into the BAC water vial. Pull back slowly to your target amount (typically 1–3 mL). Use our Calculator to determine the exact volume.
Cell Factors requires sterile water, NOT BAC water.
Add Water to Peptide Vial
Insert the needle into the peptide vial at an angle. Let the water slide gently down the inner wall of the vial. Do NOT spray directly onto the powder — this can damage the peptide.
Gently Dissolve
Swirl the vial gently in a circular motion. Never shake. Set it down and let it rest if needed — full dissolution can take 2–5 minutes. The solution should be crystal clear.
Draw Your Dose
Use a fresh syringe. Insert into the reconstituted vial, invert, and draw to the unit mark shown by the Calculator. Tap the syringe to move air bubbles to the top, then push them out.
Example: 10 units
U-100 Syringe
Example: 30 units
U-100 Syringe
Example: 50 units
U-100 Syringe
Injection Technique
Choose Your Site
Subcutaneous (SubQ) injections are given into the fat layer. Common sites: lower abdomen (2 inches from navel), outer thigh, back of upper arm. Rotate sites with each injection.
Prepare the Area
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab using a circular motion outward. Let it dry completely — injecting into wet alcohol stings.
Pinch & Insert
Pinch a fold of skin between your thumb and forefinger. Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle (or 90° if using a short needle). One smooth, steady motion.
Inject Slowly
Push the plunger down slowly and steadily. Fast injection = more discomfort. Count to 5 while injecting.
Withdraw & Apply Pressure
Pull the needle out at the same angle you inserted it. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cotton ball or swab. Do not rub.
Abdomen L
2" left of navel
Most common
Abdomen R
2" right of navel
Most common
Thigh L
Outer mid-thigh
Thigh R
Outer mid-thigh
Deltoid L
Upper arm (outer)
Deltoid R
Upper arm (outer)
Glute L
Upper-outer quadrant
Glute R
Upper-outer quadrant
Storage & Safety
✓ Do
• Refrigerate reconstituted peptides (36–46°F / 2–8°C)
• Use within 28 days of reconstitution
• Store unreconstituted vials in cool, dark place
• Always use bacteriostatic water (except Cell Factors)
• Use a fresh syringe for each injection
• Swab vial tops with alcohol before every draw
✗ Don't
• Never freeze reconstituted peptides
• Never shake vials — gently swirl only
• Don't spray water directly onto powder
• Don't use cloudy or discolored solution
• Don't share syringes or multi-dose vials
• Don't expose vials to direct sunlight or heat
Unreconstituted (Dry Powder)
Room temperature or refrigerated. Stable for months to years. Refrigeration extends shelf life significantly.
Reconstituted (Mixed)
Must refrigerate. Use within 28 days. Discard if cloudy or off-color.
Popular Stacks by Goal
Stacking means using multiple complementary peptides together for synergistic effects. These are common research-backed combinations. Always consult your provider before starting a stack.
Fat Loss & Recomposition
Tesamorelin drives visceral fat loss through targeted GH release. CJC/Ipa amplifies the GH pulse for lean muscle preservation. AOD-9604 adds lipolytic support without affecting blood sugar.
Recovery & Tissue Repair
BPC-157 accelerates gut and connective tissue healing. TB-500 promotes systemic tissue repair and reduces inflammation. GHK-Cu supports collagen synthesis and wound healing.
Cognitive Enhancement
Semax boosts BDNF and cognitive performance. Selank provides anxiolytic support and focus. Dihexa is studied for memory and neuroplasticity via HGF pathway.
Immune Resilience
TA-1 modulates adaptive immunity and has decades of clinical data. LL-37 provides antimicrobial defense. KPV offers anti-inflammatory support for gut and systemic use.
Sleep & Recovery
DSIP promotes deep sleep onset. CJC/Ipa taken before bed amplifies nocturnal GH pulses. Epithalon supports circadian rhythm and telomere maintenance.
Longevity & Anti-Aging
Epithalon activates telomerase for cellular longevity. GHK-Cu restores youthful gene expression patterns. NAD+ supports mitochondrial function and DNA repair.
Glossary
BAC Water (Bacteriostatic Water)
Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Used to reconstitute most peptides. The preservative allows multi-dose use over 28 days.
cGMP
Current Good Manufacturing Practice. FDA-enforced quality standards for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. All LYV Rx peptides are manufactured in cGMP-compliant facilities.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
A document from an independent laboratory verifying the identity, purity, and potency of a peptide batch. LYV provides COAs for all products.
GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone)
A naturally occurring hormone that signals the pituitary to release growth hormone. Peptides like CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin are GHRH analogs.
GH Secretagogue
A compound that stimulates growth hormone release. Ipamorelin and MK-677 are common secretagogues that work via the ghrelin receptor.
HPLC
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. An analytical technique used to verify peptide purity. Reported as a percentage on COAs (LYV standard: >99%).
Lyophilized
Freeze-dried. Peptides are lyophilized for stability during shipping and storage. Must be reconstituted before use.
Reconstitution
The process of dissolving lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder in bacteriostatic water to create an injectable solution.
SubQ (Subcutaneous)
An injection method where the needle is inserted into the fat layer just beneath the skin. All LYV peptides are administered SubQ.
U-100 Syringe
An insulin syringe calibrated for 100 units per 1 mL. The standard syringe type used for peptide injections. 1 unit = 0.01 mL.
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These products are sold for research purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.