BPC-157

What BPC-157 Does

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. It is the single most researched healing peptide in the biohacking community, and the most common first peptide people run.

The mechanisms that matter for your protocol:

• Angiogenesis — forms new blood vessels to increase blood flow to damaged tissue via VEGFR2 upregulation
• Growth hormone receptor upregulation — increases GHR expression up to 7-fold in tendon fibroblasts, potentiating growth hormone’s repair effects without requiring higher GH doses
• Nitric oxide modulation — activates the Akt-eNOS pathway, improving blood flow and tissue oxygenation
• Anti-inflammatory signaling — reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines at injury sites
• Cellular migration — activates the FAK-paxillin and ERK1/2 pathways, promoting cell adhesion, migration, and survival

A 2019 systematic review in Cell and Tissue Research found that every study investigating BPC-157 demonstrated “consistently positive and prompt healing effects” for tendon, ligament, and skeletal muscle injuries. Few reported any adverse reactions.

Dosing Protocol

Subcutaneous Injection (Primary Route)

Parameter	Detail
Dose range	250–500 mcg/day
Starting dose	250 mcg once daily
Advanced dose	500 mcg/day (single or split 250 mcg AM + 250 mcg PM)
Cycle length	4–8 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off
Injection site	Subcutaneous, near the injury when practical

Weight-based reference: Research literature uses 2.5–3.75 mcg/kg twice daily. For most adults (150–200 lbs), this lands squarely in the 300–400 mcg/day range.

Huberman protocol: 300–500 mcg subcutaneously, two to three times per week for approximately 8 weeks, followed by an 8–10 week off period. He emphasizes using the minimal effective dose.

Oral Administration (For Gut Issues)

Parameter	Detail
Dose range	250–500 mcg/day
Frequency	Once or twice daily, empty stomach
Best for	IBS, leaky gut, ulcers, gastric inflammation

BPC-157 is uniquely stable in gastric acid — unlike most peptides, oral dosing is viable. It delivers the peptide directly to the GI lining where it contacts local receptors. For musculoskeletal injuries, injectable is more effective.

Route selection rule: Injectable for tendons, ligaments, joints, muscles. Oral for gut healing. Either provides some systemic benefit, but each is superior for its target tissue.

Injection Guide

Where to Inject

Subcutaneously, as close to the injury site as practical:

• Knee injury — inject in the fat pad near the knee
• Shoulder injury — inject in nearby subcutaneous tissue
• Gut healing or systemic use — inject in the lower abdomen

If injecting near the injury isn’t feasible, any standard subcutaneous site (lower abdomen, love handles, front of thigh) provides systemic distribution. Research suggests the route of delivery matters less than consistent dosing.

Reconstitution

For a 5 mg vial — add 2 mL bacteriostatic water:

Dose	Volume to Draw
250 mcg	10 units on insulin syringe
500 mcg	20 units on insulin syringe

This gives a clean 2,500 mcg/mL concentration. Easy math, easy dosing. The vial lasts 20 days at 250 mcg/day.

Inject the BAC water slowly against the glass wall — not directly onto the powder. Gently swirl to dissolve. Never shake. Solution should be clear and colorless. Discard if cloudy.

Storage

• Unreconstituted powder: Refrigerate. Stable for months. Can freeze for long-term storage.
• Reconstituted solution: Refrigerate at 2–8°C. Use within 28–30 days. Never freeze reconstituted peptide.

Use Cases

Goal	Protocol Notes
Tendon/ligament repair	250–500 mcg/day subQ near injury, 4–6 weeks
Muscle injury recovery	300–500 mcg/day subQ, 4–6 weeks
Joint pain / osteoarthritis	250–500 mcg/day subQ, 6–8 weeks
Gut healing (IBS, leaky gut)	250–500 mcg/day oral, 4–8 weeks
Post-surgical recovery	300–500 mcg/day subQ, starting post-op, 4–6 weeks
Stacking with TB-500	Add TB-500 2.0–2.5 mg twice weekly for the Wolverine Stack

What the Research Says

The evidence base for BPC-157 is strong in animals, limited in humans. Here’s where it stands:

Animal data (extensive): A 2025 systematic review in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed 36 studies (35 preclinical, 1 clinical) and found consistent benefits across musculoskeletal models — tendon healing, muscle repair, reduced inflammation, accelerated recovery.

Human data (limited but promising): Only 3 human studies exist. A pilot study of IV BPC-157 infusions up to 20 mg in healthy adults was well tolerated with no adverse events. One clinical study showed 7 of 12 patients with chronic knee pain achieved 6+ months of relief from a single intra-articular injection.

Safety profile: Preclinical toxicology showed no harmful effects in single-dose or repeated-dose studies. No genetic toxicity. No embryo-fetal toxicity. The LD50 is approximately 2 grams per kg of body weight — thousands of times above the therapeutic dose.

Key citations:

• Gwyer et al., Cell and Tissue Research, 2019 — systematic review confirming consistent healing effects
• Chang et al., Molecules, 2014 — 7-fold GHR upregulation in tendon fibroblasts
• Huberman Lab — peptide therapeutics episode covering dosing, cycling, and cancer risk
• Derek (MPMD) on Peter Attia’s The Drive — practical application for injury recovery

Safety

Side Effects (Reported in Community)

Most are mild and transient:

• Injection-site soreness, redness, or swelling (most common)
• Mild headaches
• Digestive discomfort (more common with oral dosing)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue or drowsiness

Critical Warnings

Angiogenesis and cancer risk: BPC-157 promotes new blood vessel formation. This is what makes it heal injuries. It could also theoretically sustain existing tumors. Do not use if you have active cancer, tumor history, or significant cancer risk factors. Huberman is explicit on this point.

Not FDA-approved. The FDA classified BPC-157 as Category 2 in September 2023, banning it from US compounding pharmacies.

Banned by WADA (2022). Tested athletes cannot use BPC-157.

Source quality matters. Studies estimate 12–58% of unregulated peptide products are contaminated. Only purchase from vendors providing third-party certificates of analysis with HPLC purity testing.

Do Not Use If

• Active cancer or tumor history
• Currently on blood thinners (no interaction data exists)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Under 18
• Subject to WADA/USADA testing

What Comes Next

Once you’ve run a BPC-157 cycle, common next steps:

• Add TB-500 for the Wolverine Stack — the most popular healing peptide combination
• Add GHK-Cu for the Glow Stack — skin rejuvenation and anti-aging on top of healing
• Use the Reconstitution Calculator for exact unit counts for your specific vial