BPC-157
Body Protection Compound
Cytoprotective Peptide
Evidence Level: Moderate Evidence
Some human data, strong animal studies, plausible mechanism
Regulatory Status: Not FDA approved. Sold as "research chemical" in gray market.
BPC-157 is a peptide (a short chain of amino acids) derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. It's been extensively studied in animals for its remarkable healing properties—gut protection, tendon repair, wound healing. Human data is limited, but it's become popular in biohacking circles for injury recovery and gut issues.
How It Works
Angiogenesis: Promotes new blood vessel formation, bringing more nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissue.
Growth factors: Upregulates receptors for growth hormone and other healing signals.
Nitric oxide modulation: Helps regulate inflammation and blood flow.
Gut protection: Protects the stomach lining and may help repair intestinal damage.
The research is compelling in animals, but we're still waiting for robust human trials. Most of what we "know" comes from rodent studies and anecdotal reports.
Potential Benefits
- Animal studies show accelerated tendon and ligament healing
- May help repair gut lining (IBD, leaky gut, ulcers)
- Neuroprotective effects seen in animal models
- Appears to protect against NSAID-induced gut damage
- Generally well-tolerated in anecdotal reports
- Can be taken orally or injected (oral for gut, injection for systemic)
Risks & Considerations
- No FDA approval—buying from gray market sources
- Limited human clinical trial data
- Quality control varies wildly between vendors
- Potential to promote angiogenesis could theoretically be problematic in cancer
- Long-term effects unknown
- Legal gray area (sold "for research only")
- Interactions with other medications unknown
Dosing Information
There is no official dosing since BPC-157 is not approved for human use. The following reflects common practices in the biohacking community.
- •Common dose range: 250-500mcg per day
- •Oral route (capsules): Better for gut-specific issues
- •Subcutaneous injection: For systemic or localized effects
- •Typical cycle: 4-8 weeks
- •"Stable" version (arginine salt) preferred for oral use
- •Inject near injury site for localized issues
Practical Tips
- 1If using for gut issues, oral route makes more sense
- 2For tendon/injury repair, subcutaneous injection near the site is common
- 3Source matters enormously—buy from reputable peptide vendors with COAs
- 4Store reconstituted peptide in refrigerator
- 5Start with lower dose to assess tolerance
- 6Not a replacement for proper medical care for serious injuries
Key Research
Various animal studies
Hundreds of studies showing accelerated healing in tendons, ligaments, gut, and other tissues in rodent and other animal models.
Systematic review (2022)
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Confirmed strong preclinical evidence but noted critical need for human clinical trials.
Related Goals
Related Treatments
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any treatment. Evidence levels and regulatory status can change—this content was last updated December 2024.