Protocol Basics · First-Timers

Setting Up Your First
Peptide Protocol

A peptide protocol is a structured plan: which compound, at what dose, on what schedule, with what injection technique. The structure is what turns a vial of powder into a trackable, repeatable intervention.

The Four Elements of Every Protocol

Protocol peptide tracker showing reconstitution calculator for setting up a new peptide protocol

Protocol's calculator — set up your reconstitution before the first injection

Compound: The peptide itself — BPC-157, Ipamorelin, TB-500, or any of the 81 compounds in Protocol's research library. Each compound has a specific mechanism, typical dose range, and injection frequency.

Reconstitution: Mixing the lyophilized powder with bacteriostatic water to create an injectable solution. Vial size and BAC water volume determine concentration. The free reconstitution calculator at reconstitution.health handles this math — or use Protocol's built-in calculator.

Dosing schedule: Frequency (once daily, twice daily, every other day), timing (morning, pre-sleep), and cycle length (many peptides are run in 8–12 week cycles with breaks). Set this in Protocol's scheduling view before your first injection so upcoming doses appear automatically.

Injection tracking: Date, time, dose, site, and any notes. This becomes the data you actually analyze — adherence rates, side effect patterns, cycle length, and the context for any subjective changes you notice.

Logging Your First Injection

After reconstituting, add the compound to Protocol. Enter the vial size, BAC water volume used, and target dose — Protocol calculates and stores the concentration and syringe draw automatically. For every subsequent injection, you tap the compound, confirm the draw units, and log the site. The history builds automatically.

What should a beginner's first peptide protocol look like?
BPC-157 is the most common starting point: 250mcg subcutaneously twice daily, 8-week cycle. It has a strong safety profile, doesn't require complex timing, and has a wide range of documented mechanisms. Set it up in Protocol: 5mg vial + 2mL BAC water = 2,500 mcg/mL, 10 units per 250mcg dose on a U-100 syringe. Rotate between 4 abdominal quadrants. Log every injection.
Do I need to cycle on and off peptides?
It depends on the compound. BPC-157 and TB-500 are typically cycled (8–12 weeks on, 4–6 weeks off) to prevent desensitization. GH secretagogues (CJC-1295, Ipamorelin) are also commonly cycled. Some compounds like BPC-157 for specific injury applications may be run continuously until the goal is met. Protocol's research library includes cycling guidance for each compound in its database.

Set Up Your Protocol

Free on iOS and Android. Reconstitution calculator built in.

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