Protocol · SOP-002
Popular research stacks — mechanisms, synergy, dosing windows, and cycle length. Compiled from current peptide-research literature and practitioner protocols. Built on pharmacology, not trends.
Research use only. All ForgedFit Labs products are supplied for in-vitro laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use. This document is educational reference material — not medical advice.
01 · What stacking is
Peptide stacking is the deliberate combination of two or more compounds that hit different, complementary pathways. A well-built stack pairs mechanisms — a signal that mobilizes fat with a signal that preserves muscle, or a signal that repairs tissue with one that drives the growth-hormone pulse needed to rebuild it.
Principle · A
Never stack two compounds that push the same receptor. Pair a GHRH with a GHRP, not two GHRHs.
Principle · B
GH-axis peptides work because they mimic physiology. Dose at the natural rhythm — pre-bed and/or AM fasted.
Principle · C
Receptor desensitization is real. 6–12 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off is the standard cadence.
STACK-01 · Healing & recovery
The archetypal healing stack. BPC-157 and TB-500 act as systemic repair signals while a GHRH + GHRP pair restores pulsatile growth hormone to drive collagen turnover and connective-tissue remodeling.
Compounds
| Compound | Role | Research dose |
|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Angiogenesis, tendon/ligament repair, gut lining 250–500 mcg 1–2×/day | 250–500 mcg 1–2×/day |
| TB-500 (Thymosin β4) | Actin remodeling, cell migration, systemic healing 2–2.5 mg 2×/week | 2–2.5 mg 2×/week |
| CJC-1295 (No DAC) | GHRH analog — amplifies GH pulse 100 mcg pre-bed | 100 mcg pre-bed |
| Ipamorelin | Selective GHRP — triggers clean GH pulse 100–200 mcg pre-bed | 100–200 mcg pre-bed |
Why it works
BPC-157 drives local vascularization at the injury site; TB-500 accelerates cell migration into that vasculature; the CJC/Ipamorelin pulse elevates IGF-1 overnight so the freshly recruited tissue actually rebuilds.
Expected benefits
Timing
BPC-157 AM + PM (subQ near site if localized). TB-500 twice weekly (any time). CJC/Ipamorelin 15–30 min before sleep, empty stomach.
Cycle: 6–8 weeks, then 4-week washout. TB-500 loading phase (6 mg/wk × 4 wk) then maintenance.
Cautions · Do not stack with active malignancy — GH-axis peptides are contraindicated. Rotate injection sites; watch for water retention on higher GHRP doses.
STACK-02 · Fat loss + muscle preservation
The most-asked 2025/26 protocol. A GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist drives aggressive fat oxidation while a CJC/Ipamorelin pulse preserves lean mass and offsets the catabolic drift of a deep deficit.
Compounds
| Compound | Role | Research dose |
|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonist — appetite + lipolysis 2 mg → 4 mg → 8 mg weekly titration | 2 mg → 4 mg → 8 mg weekly titration |
| CJC-1295 (No DAC) | Pulsatile GH release 100 mcg pre-bed | 100 mcg pre-bed |
| Ipamorelin | GHRP, selective (no cortisol/prolactin spike) 200 mcg pre-bed | 200 mcg pre-bed |
Why it works
Retatrutide creates the deficit and mobilizes fat; the GH pulse spares muscle and improves overnight lipolysis. The GHRP is deliberately selective to avoid the cortisol bump that would blunt recomposition.
Expected benefits
Timing
Retatrutide 1× weekly, same day. CJC/Ipamorelin nightly, ≥ 2 h after last meal. Titrate retatrutide slowly — never skip the ramp.
Cycle: 12–24 weeks on retatrutide; GH pulse can run continuous with 1-week breaks every 8 weeks.
Cautions · Nausea, fatigue, and hair shedding are common at titration. Do not combine with other GLP-1s. Get baseline HbA1c, lipids, and thyroid before starting.
STACK-03 · Hypertrophy & output
A GH-restoration base with an IGF-1 driver added on training days for local hypertrophy. Pairs well with a hard progressive-overload block.
Compounds
| Compound | Role | Research dose |
|---|---|---|
| CJC-1295 (No DAC) | GHRH — pulse amplification 100 mcg 2×/day | 100 mcg 2×/day |
| Ipamorelin | GHRP — clean release 200 mcg 2×/day | 200 mcg 2×/day |
| MK-677 (oral, optional) | Ghrelin mimetic — 24 h IGF-1 elevation 10–25 mg pre-bed | 10–25 mg pre-bed |
| IGF-1 LR3 (advanced) | Direct IGF-1 signaling for hypertrophy 20–40 mcg post-workout, training days only | 20–40 mcg post-workout, training days only |
Why it works
GHRH + GHRP produces a physiological GH pulse; MK-677 keeps the IGF-1 tide high all day; LR3 delivers a supraphysiological IGF-1 spike into freshly damaged muscle post-training.
Expected benefits
Timing
GHRH/GHRP AM (fasted) and pre-bed. MK-677 pre-bed only. LR3 post-workout, 4–6 h before sleep.
Cycle: 8–12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. LR3 max 4–6 weeks per block due to receptor desensitization.
Cautions · MK-677 causes water retention and appetite spikes. LR3 requires blood-glucose awareness. Not for anyone with active neoplasia.
STACK-04 · Anti-aging & recovery baseline
A low-dose maintenance stack aimed at restoring youthful GH pulsatility, reducing systemic inflammation, and supporting mitochondrial and skin/collagen quality.
Compounds
| Compound | Role | Research dose |
|---|---|---|
| Sermorelin or CJC-1295 (No DAC) | Restores natural GH pulse 100 mcg pre-bed, 5 days on / 2 off | 100 mcg pre-bed, 5 days on / 2 off |
| Ipamorelin | GHRP pulse partner 100 mcg pre-bed | 100 mcg pre-bed |
| Epithalon | Telomerase activation, pineal/circadian support 5–10 mg/day × 10–20 days, 2× per year | 5–10 mg/day × 10–20 days, 2× per year |
| GHK-Cu (optional) | Copper peptide — skin, collagen, gene modulation 1–2 mg subQ or topical daily | 1–2 mg subQ or topical daily |
Why it works
The GH pulse restores IGF-1 into a healthier midlife range; epithalon runs as intermittent 'reset' blocks; GHK-Cu handles skin, hair, and extracellular matrix quality that GH alone doesn't cover.
Expected benefits
Timing
GH pulse pre-bed only (mimics endogenous rhythm). Epithalon: run 10–20 day blocks twice per year. GHK-Cu daily or topical.
Cycle: GH pulse continuous with weekly 2-day break. Epithalon in defined blocks. GHK-Cu open-ended.
Cautions · Screen for cancer history before any GH-axis peptide. Keep doses conservative — longevity is a low-dose game, not a hypertrophy protocol.
STACK-05 · Aggressive body-fat drop
A short, high-intensity block for cutting into single-digit body fat while protecting muscle. Uses a fat-mobilizing GH fragment plus GH pulse plus a GLP-1 for appetite control.
Compounds
| Compound | Role | Research dose |
|---|---|---|
| AOD-9604 | GH fragment 176–191 — lipolysis without GH side effects 300 mcg AM fasted | 300 mcg AM fasted |
| Tesamorelin | GHRH — targets visceral fat specifically 1 mg pre-bed | 1 mg pre-bed |
| Ipamorelin | GHRP pair 200 mcg pre-bed | 200 mcg pre-bed |
| Semaglutide (optional) | GLP-1 — appetite suppression 0.25 → 1 mg weekly titration | 0.25 → 1 mg weekly titration |
Why it works
AOD hits fat cells directly; tesamorelin targets visceral adipose; the GH pulse spares muscle; semaglutide keeps the deficit sustainable.
Expected benefits
Timing
AOD AM fasted, cardio ideally within 60 min. Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin pre-bed.
Cycle: 8–12 weeks max, then full washout. Do not stack with retatrutide.
Cautions · GLP-1 side effects (nausea, GI). Monitor for lean-mass loss — add protein aggressively (1 g/lb bodyweight).
Rules of the lab
One new variable at a time
Start a new compound solo for 1–2 weeks before adding it to a stack. If something goes wrong you need to know which molecule caused it.
Baseline blood work
Fasted glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel, IGF-1, and a metabolic panel before any GH-axis or GLP-1 stack. Repeat at week 8 and post-cycle.
Sterile reconstitution is non-negotiable
Every stack assumes the peptide was reconstituted correctly. Review SOP-001 before mixing.
No stack fixes bad training or bad food
Peptides amplify signal. If the underlying signal (progressive overload, protein intake, sleep) is missing, the amplifier does nothing.