Peptide & Hormone Therapies for Health, Performance & Longevity | Dr. Craig Koniver

Koniver sees semaglutide and especially tirzepatide as powerful tools when used via microdosing from compounding pharmacies, starting very low and titrating slowly. He aims for ≤2 pounds of weight loss per week, combines them with resistance training and adequate protein, and often stacks with growth hormone secretagogues (e.g., tirzepatide + sermorelin) to preserve lean mass. Conventional high-dose protocols drive rapid loss, “Ozempic face,” and quick weight regain once stopped.

Many online vendors label products “not for human consumption” and skip rigorous endotoxin and sterility testing. Koniver has seen anaphylaxis and serious inflammatory reactions from such products, largely driven by contaminants like LPS. FDA‑regulated compounding pharmacies must meet strict purity and sterility standards and allow customized dosing and stacking; his protocol always includes a physician consult, contraindication review, and careful dosing rather than self‑experimentation from the internet.

BPC‑157 was one of Koniver’s most broadly useful peptides for systemic anti‑inflammatory effects and tendon/ligament repair, often injected subcutaneously away from the injury site with strong whole‑body benefits. After FDA removal, he now uses PDA—a single amino acid variant—with similar clinical outcomes so far. His starting dose: 250–500 mcg subcutaneously once daily, Monday–Friday, to support joint recovery, post‑viral inflammation, and general tissue healing.

Ipamorelin (≈100 mcg at bedtime, 5 days on/2 off) is his “clean,” sleep‑supportive, fat‑loss‑favoring GH secretagogue with minimal side effects when dosed properly. Tesamorelin (≈2 mg) targets visceral fat and often works especially well in women. Hexarelin (≈100 mcg in the morning) is more of an energy/endurance enhancer. By contrast, GHRP‑6 and MK‑677 strongly stimulate appetite and may raise prolactin and cortisol; he reserves them for hard‑gainers who specifically want rapid muscle and strength gains.

Pinealon is a very small pineal‑targeted peptide that, in Koniver’s practice and Huberman’s personal experience, can substantially increase REM sleep time and improve overall sleep quality without sedation or observed side effects. Koniver compounds pinealon with injectable glycine (for inhibitory neurotransmission and liver support) and typically doses it subcutaneously at bedtime. Huberman reports roughly doubling his REM sleep on nights he uses it and seeing better sleep even on off nights, consistent with pineal support rather than simple sedation.