Glossary & FAQ

A comprehensive reference for the terminology used in peptide research, along with answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Glossary

Lyophilized: A freeze-drying process that removes water from a biological substance while preserving its structure. Peptides are shipped in this stable, powdered state.
Reconstitution: The act of restoring a lyophilized powder to a liquid state by adding a diluent, typically bacteriostatic water, so it can be drawn into a syringe.
Subcutaneous (SubQ): An injection into the fatty tissue layer just under the skin, above the muscle. This is the standard administration route for almost all research peptides.
Intramuscular (IM): An injection directly into the muscle belly. Rarely used for peptides unless specifically required (like certain testosterone preparations).
Half-life: The time required for the concentration of a compound in the body to reduce by exactly half. A short half-life (e.g., 30 minutes) means it clears quickly; a long half-life (e.g., 5 days) means it builds up over weekly dosages.
Microgram (mcg) vs Milligram (mg): Units of mass. 1 milligram (mg) equals 1,000 micrograms (mcg). Powders are measured in mg, while individual doses are often measured in mcg.
Peptide Bond: A chemical bond formed between two amino acid molecules. When many amino acids are linked by peptide bonds, they form a peptide or protein.

FAQ

Can I mix multiple peptides in one syringe?

Yes, this is common. For example, BPC-157 and TB-500 are often drawn into the same syringe to minimize injections. Just ensure you calculate the math for each vial correctly before drawing.

Why did my peptide cloud up when I added water?

Most peptides should dissolve clear. If it remains cloudy after gentle rolling, it might be heavily degraded, exposed to extreme heat, or it could be a specific peptide that requires a slightly different pH (like MOTS-c, which sometimes requires vigorous shaking to dissolve).

What happens if I accidentally freeze a reconstituted vial?

Ice crystals can mechanically shear the delicate peptide bonds, destroying the compound. If a liquid vial freezes, it should generally be discarded.

Does it hurt to inject?

Subcutaneous injections using a 31-gauge insulin syringe are virtually painless. The needle is thinner than a human hair and only goes into the fat layer. Some specific peptides (like certain GLP-1s or high concentrations of BAC water) might cause a minor, temporary sting.

Can I use sterile water instead of BAC water?

Sterile water lacks the 0.9% benzyl alcohol preservative. If you reconstitute with sterile water, bacteria will begin growing immediately, and the vial must be used fully within 24-48 hours. BAC water allows multi-use vials to stay sterile for ~28 days.