Peptide & Hormone Therapies for Health, Performance & Longevity | Dr. Craig Koniver
Dr. Craig Koniver, M.D., discusses therapeutic peptides like GLP-1 analogs for weight loss and BPC-157 for inflammation, alongside NAD, methylene blue, and methylated B vitamins. He emphasizes working with knowledgeable physicians for safe and effective use to enhance mental and physical performance.
Deep Dive Analysis
23 Topic Outline
Defining Peptides and Their Therapeutic Potential
GLP-1 Agonists for Weight Loss and Metabolic Health
Microdosing GLP-1s to Mitigate Muscle Loss
BPC-157: Anti-Inflammatory and Healing Peptide
Sourcing Peptides and Anabolic Steroids
Importance of Physician Guidance and Compounding Pharmacies
Pentadeca Arginate (PDA) as a BPC-157 Alternative
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptides: Ipamorelin and GHRP-6
Tesamorelin, Sermorelin, and Peptide Stacking Strategies
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for Mitochondrial Support
Off-Label Prescribing and Physician Trust
MK-677 and Hexarelin: Growth Hormone Secretagogues
Methylated B Vitamins for Homocysteine Reduction
Pinealine and Epitalon for Enhanced REM Sleep
Glycine for Nervous System and Liver Detoxification
Future of GLP-1 Compounding and Access
FDA-Approved Stem Cell and PRP Therapies
Thymosin Alpha-1 and Cerebrolysin for Brain and Immune Health
Methylene Blue for Cognitive Enhancement and Mitochondrial Function
NAD Infusions and NMN/NR for Energy and Recovery
PT-141 for Libido and Potential Side Effects
FDA Peptide Bans and Pharmaceutical Industry Dynamics
The Profound Impact of Positive Mindset on Health
8 Key Concepts
Peptide
Peptides are chains of amino acids, defined as 40 amino acids or less. If a chain exceeds 41 amino acids, it is classified as a protein. The human body naturally produces hundreds of thousands of peptides, which perform a vast array of biological functions.
Off-Label Prescribing
This refers to the practice where physicians prescribe a medication for a condition or use that has not been specifically approved by the FDA. The vast majority of prescribed medicines in America are used off-label, as long as the drug has received FDA approval for at least one indication.
Compounding Pharmacies
These are specialized pharmacies that create custom medications for individual patients, often by combining or altering ingredients. They are highly regulated by the FDA and state boards of pharmacy, ensuring purity and allowing for tailored dosages and combinations of compounds.
Growth Hormone Secretagogues
These are peptides that stimulate the body's own pituitary gland to release more of its natural growth hormone. Unlike direct growth hormone administration, secretagogues work by enhancing the body's endogenous production, typically without causing negative feedback that shuts down natural hormone synthesis.
Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain
This is a fundamental process within the mitochondria, the 'batteries' of the cell, responsible for generating ATP (chemical energy). It involves the sequential transfer of electrons across five cytochrome hubs, where nutrients like NAD, CoQ10, and methylene blue play crucial roles in facilitating efficient electron flow.
Methylated B Vitamins
These are B vitamins (e.g., methyl B12, methylfolate) that have an added methyl group, which makes them more bioavailable and effective for certain metabolic processes. They are particularly important for lowering homocysteine levels, a biomarker associated with increased cardiovascular risk, by supporting liver detoxification pathways.
Phase Two Liver Detoxification
This is a critical stage in the liver's detoxification process where fat-soluble toxins are converted into water-soluble compounds, making them easier for the body to excrete through urine, stool, sweat, or breath. Glycine, glutathione, and various polyphenols are key agents that support this phase, often independently of Phase One detoxification.
Autologous Cell Therapy
This therapeutic approach involves taking a patient's own cells (e.g., for Platelet-Rich Plasma or PRP) and reintroducing them into the same patient's body. Under FDA guidelines, this is permitted as long as the cells are processed and returned to the patient within a four-hour window.
13 Questions Answered
Peptides are small chains of amino acids, typically 40 or fewer, that perform various roles in the body. They are distinct from proteins, which have 41 or more amino acids.
Yes, by using microdoses of compounded GLP-1 agonists and losing weight slowly (two pounds or less per week), individuals can mitigate muscle loss, especially when combined with adequate protein intake and resistance training.
BPC-157 is a highly anti-inflammatory peptide that can upregulate growth hormone receptors and initiate fibroblast migration, aiding in the repair of ligaments and tendons. It works systemically, meaning injections can be administered anywhere and still benefit a specific injury site.
Sourcing peptides from a physician or compounding pharmacy ensures purity, established potency, and absence of contaminants like lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which can cause severe inflammatory reactions. Compounding pharmacies are FDA-regulated and allow for customized dosages and combinations.
These peptides stimulate the body's own pituitary to release growth hormone, leading to benefits such as improved sleep, better skin tone, enhanced recovery from exercise, increased durability, and reduction of visceral fat, without directly administering exogenous growth hormone.
CoQ10 supports mitochondrial health by facilitating electron flow at cytochrome 3 in the electron transport chain, which is crucial for ATP (energy) production. It is considered an 'insurance policy' for mitochondria.
Methylated B vitamins (e.g., methyl B12, methylfolate) help lower homocysteine levels, an emerging marker for cardiovascular risk, by supporting liver detoxification pathways and methylation processes in the body.
Pinealine is a peptide that appears to stimulate the pineal gland, potentially enhancing melatonin production and improving the quality and duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is crucial for neuroplasticity and emotional regulation.
Glycine acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, calming the nervous system to aid sleep, and also supports phase two liver detoxification, helping the body excrete toxins more efficiently.
Methylene blue binds to cytochrome C oxidase in the mitochondria, acting as an oxygenator and cognitive stimulant. It can enhance brain function, memory, and energy, and has shown antiviral properties.
NAD infusions can lead to rapid improvements in energy, mood, cognitive function, and recovery from infections, potentially by fueling mitochondrial function and other unknown systemic effects. NMN and NR are precursors that can increase NAD levels.
The FDA's actions are likely a combination of genuine intent to oversee a rapidly expanding and sometimes unregulated market, and pressure from pharmaceutical companies seeking to develop and patent their own versions of these highly effective compounds for significant profit.
A positive mindset is profoundly impactful, overriding many physical challenges. While not negating real suffering, choosing to pivot towards positivity can lead to more positive outcomes, enhance resilience, and contribute to overall well-being and purpose.
18 Actionable Insights
1. Cultivate Positive Mindset
Actively choose to frame decisions and thoughts positively, as cultivating a positive mindset can lead to more positive outcomes and override many challenges in life.
2. NAD Infusions for Vitality
For broad health benefits including enhanced cognitive function, mood, energy, and sleep, consider a loading dose of five 750mg intravenous NAD treatments over 10 days, followed by a monthly maintenance dose.
3. Subcutaneous NAD Injections
As an alternative to NAD infusions, inject 100 milligrams of NAD subcutaneously five days on and two days off to experience similar benefits.
4. Boost REM Sleep with Pinealine
To significantly increase rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, consider using injectable Pinealine, potentially combined with glycine, as it may also lead to sustained improvements in sleep quality.
5. Glycine for Sleep & Detox
Take 3-5 grams of oral glycine at bedtime, increasing to 10 grams if necessary, to calm the nervous system, aid sleep, and enhance liver detoxification.
6. Methylene Blue for Cognition
Take up to 10 milligrams of methylene blue orally in the morning, around three times a week, to boost cognitive function, aid mitochondrial oxygenation, and potentially provide antiviral benefits.
7. Daily CoQ10 for Mitochondria
Take 200 milligrams of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) daily in the morning to support mitochondrial function by facilitating electron flow at cytochrome 3, which may also help reduce migraines.
8. Lower Homocysteine with Methylated B
To reduce elevated homocysteine levels and cardiovascular risk, take ample methylated B vitamins (e.g., methyl B12, methylfolate, TMG, methionine), ideally in the morning.
9. Source Peptides Safely
To ensure safety and purity, obtain peptides only from a physician who works with highly regulated compounding pharmacies, and build a trusting relationship with your doctor.
10. Microdose GLP-1 for Weight Loss
When using GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide or tirzepatide, use microdoses and aim to lose 2 pounds or less per week to avoid muscle mass loss.
11. Combine GLP-1 with Sermorelin
To counteract muscle loss associated with GLP-1 agonists, consider combining them with growth hormone-releasing peptides such as sermorelin.
12. Resistance Train with GLP-1
When taking GLP-1 agonists, perform resistance training and consume adequate protein to help prevent muscle loss.
13. Use PDA for Inflammation
As an alternative to BPC-157, inject 250-500 micrograms of Pentadeca-arginate (PDA) daily, five days on and two days off, to reduce inflammation and aid recovery.
14. Cycle Peptides 5 On/2 Off
To maintain the potency of peptides and supplements, use a dosing schedule of five days on and two days off, as continuous exposure can decrease effectiveness.
15. Ipamorelin for Sleep
Inject Ipamorelin (100 micrograms or less) before sleep, avoiding carbohydrates for 45 minutes prior, to improve sleep quality and overall vitality without significant side effects.
16. Tesamorelin for Visceral Fat
To reduce visceral fat, which is fat around the organs, consider using Tesamorelin, a peptide that has received FDA approval for this specific purpose.
17. Hexarelin for Energy
Inject 100 micrograms of Hexarelin in the morning to experience a clean energy boost and improved endurance without stimulating appetite.
18. Sublingual NMN for Growth
Consider taking sublingual NMN daily to potentially accelerate the growth of hair and nails.
8 Key Quotes
No good has ever come from a negative thought.
Dr. Craig Koniver
If I can help people lose weight first, literally by using something like trisepatide, semaglutide, and I've seen this, they're now excited. I mean, I met with a client yesterday here in Los Angeles, and she literally looked at me and said, 'You've changed my life.'
Dr. Craig Koniver
Peptide therapies sit somewhere between doing nothing and supplementation and those more advanced hormone therapies. And that's why peptide therapies, I believe, are growing in popularity. They can augment specific hormone pathways. They can augment specific, in fact, multiple processes within the brain and body to augment health, but they don't tend to operate in that negative feedback cycle by shutting down one's own endogenous production.
Andrew Huberman
Most of the medicines prescribed, particularly in America, are prescribed off-label, meaning they've never, ever been approved for what they're used.
Dr. Craig Koniver
If you've got something going on in your gut, you should take oral BPC because it's going to target it right then. And I found, you know, if we're injecting, it actually works better than the oral. And then it came up, well, what if I've got an elbow injury? Should I inject it in my elbow? And we found, actually, don't. It's going to work systemically.
Dr. Craig Koniver
If you use something for a long time, you're going to get less out of it over time. Anything you expose yourself to continually doesn't work as well.
Dr. Craig Koniver
Your podcast and what you do has been so successful at a time during the pandemic when people lost so much trust in people like me... you in particular, providing this very stable, vetted information that people can trust and have a starting point.
Dr. Craig Koniver
If I had to pick one thing for people, engaging in NAD would be it.
Dr. Craig Koniver
7 Protocols
GLP-1 Microdosing for Weight Loss
Dr. Craig Koniver- Obtain compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide from a physician and compounding pharmacy.
- Start with a very low microdose.
- Increase dosage slowly to achieve a weight loss of 2 pounds or less per week.
- Ensure adequate protein intake and engage in resistance training to preserve muscle mass.
Pentadeca Arginate (PDA) for Anti-Inflammation and Recovery
Dr. Craig Koniver- Inject 250-500 micrograms of PDA subcutaneously daily.
- Follow a schedule of 5 days on, 2 days off.
Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide Stacking for Fat Loss and Durability
Dr. Craig Koniver- Combine Ipamorelin (up to 100 micrograms), Tesamorelin (2 milligrams), and Pentadeca Arginate (250-500 micrograms) into a single subcutaneous injection.
- Administer the injection at bedtime, ensuring no carbohydrates have been ingested in the previous 45 minutes.
- Follow a schedule of 5 days on, 2 days off.
NAD Intravenous Loading Dose
Dr. Craig Koniver- Receive 750 milligrams of NAD intravenously per session.
- Complete 5 treatments within a 10-day period.
NAD Intravenous Maintenance Dose
Dr. Craig Koniver- Receive 750 milligrams of NAD intravenously per session.
- Administer approximately once a month for ongoing benefits.
NAD Subcutaneous Protocol
Dr. Craig Koniver- Inject 100 milligrams of NAD subcutaneously daily.
- Follow a schedule of 5 days on, 2 days off.
Glycine for Sleep and Liver Detoxification
Dr. Craig Koniver- Start with 3,000-5,000 milligrams (3-5 grams) of oral glycine at bedtime.
- If no noticeable effect after a few nights, double the dose to 10 grams.