Overview
The Complete Recovery Stack is a 4-peptide combination designed for comprehensive tissue repair and systemic recovery. By pairing two direct healing peptides (BPC-157 and TB-500) with two growth hormone secretagogues (CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin), this stack addresses recovery from multiple biological angles simultaneously.
This combination has become one of the most popular peptide protocols in regenerative medicine clinics and among athletes seeking accelerated recovery from injuries, surgery, or intense training.
Why These Four Peptides Together?
Each peptide in this stack serves a distinct role:
| Peptide | Primary Role | Key Mechanism | |---------|-------------|---------------| | BPC-157 | Local tissue repair | Angiogenesis, GH receptor upregulation, gut protection | | TB-500 | Cell migration & tissue remodeling | Actin regulation, anti-inflammatory, systemic healing | | CJC-1295 | Sustained GH release | GHRH analog — stimulates pituitary for extended GH output | | Ipamorelin | Clean GH pulsatility | Selective ghrelin mimetic — GH release without cortisol/prolactin spikes |
The Synergy
BPC-157 + TB-500 form the "repair duo." BPC-157 excels at localized healing — tendons, ligaments, gut lining — and promotes new blood vessel growth to injured areas. TB-500 works systemically, promoting cell migration to damaged tissue and reducing inflammation throughout the body. Together, they accelerate healing far beyond what either achieves alone.
CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin form the "growth hormone duo." CJC-1295 (especially the DAC version) provides a sustained baseline elevation of growth hormone. Ipamorelin adds clean GH pulses on top of that baseline. This combination amplifies the body's natural repair machinery — improving sleep quality, enhancing collagen synthesis, supporting fat metabolism, and creating the hormonal environment needed for deep recovery.
When all four work together, the repair peptides handle the direct healing while the GH peptides supercharge the body's ability to support and sustain that healing process.
Mechanism of Action (Detailed)
BPC-157 — The Healer
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. Its mechanisms include:
- Angiogenesis: Promotes new blood vessel formation via the VEGF pathway, delivering nutrients and oxygen to injured tissue
- GH Receptor Upregulation: Increases the density of growth hormone receptors in healing tissue, amplifying the effects of the GH released by CJC-1295/Ipamorelin
- Nitric Oxide Modulation: Regulates NO synthesis to control inflammation and blood flow
- FAK-Paxillin Pathway: Activates cellular signaling essential for cell migration during wound healing
- Gut Protection: Counteracts NSAID damage and promotes GI mucosal healing
TB-500 — The Rebuilder
TB-500 is the active region (amino acids 17-23) of Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring protein involved in tissue repair:
- Actin Regulation: Sequesters G-actin monomers, promoting actin polymerization needed for cell structure and movement
- Cell Migration: Enables stem cells and repair cells to reach damaged tissue faster
- Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammatory cytokines at injury sites
- Tissue Remodeling: Supports organized collagen deposition during healing (reducing scar tissue)
- Systemic Distribution: Its longer half-life (~72 hours) means it reaches tissues throughout the body
CJC-1295 — The Sustained Signal
CJC-1295 is a synthetic analog of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH):
- Pituitary Stimulation: Binds to GHRH receptors on the anterior pituitary, triggering GH synthesis and release
- Extended Half-Life: The DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) modification allows it to bind to serum albumin, extending its half-life from minutes to 6-8 days
- IGF-1 Elevation: The sustained GH release leads to increased hepatic IGF-1 production, which drives tissue repair, protein synthesis, and cell growth
- Preserved Pulsatility: Unlike exogenous GH injection, CJC-1295 works with the body's natural GH rhythm rather than replacing it
Ipamorelin — The Clean Trigger
Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue:
- Selective GH Release: Triggers GH release from the pituitary by mimicking ghrelin at the GHS receptor
- No Cortisol Spike: Unlike GHRP-2 or GHRP-6, Ipamorelin does not significantly increase cortisol or prolactin
- Dose-Dependent: GH release is proportional to dose, providing predictable and controllable outcomes
- Synergy with CJC-1295: CJC-1295 primes the pituitary with GHRH, then Ipamorelin triggers the actual GH release pulse — together they produce significantly more GH than either alone
Dosage Protocol
Standard Protocol
| Peptide | Loading Phase (Weeks 1-4) | Maintenance (Weeks 5-12) | Timing | |---------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------| | BPC-157 | 250-500 mcg/day | 250 mcg/day | 1-2x daily, near injury site | | TB-500 | 2 mg, 2x/week | 750 mcg, 1x/week | Any time of day | | CJC-1295 | 100-300 mcg/day | 100-200 mcg/day | Evening (before bed) | | Ipamorelin | 100-300 mcg/day | 100-200 mcg/day | Evening (before bed) |
Administration Notes
- BPC-157: Inject subcutaneously as close to the injury site as possible. For gut issues, oral BPC-157 may also be effective.
- TB-500: Inject subcutaneously in the abdomen or near injury site. Less frequent dosing needed due to long half-life.
- CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin: Best injected together in the evening on an empty stomach (no food for 1-2 hours before). This aligns with the body's natural GH peak during deep sleep.
- Cycle Length: 8-12 weeks on, followed by 4 weeks off. Some protocols run BPC-157/TB-500 for shorter 6-week cycles with CJC-1295/Ipamorelin continuing for 12 weeks.
Pre-Mixed Blends vs. Individual Peptides
Many compounding pharmacies now offer pre-mixed blends containing all four peptides in a single vial. This simplifies dosing to one injection but offers less flexibility in adjusting individual doses. Individual peptides allow fine-tuning but require multiple injections.
What to Expect: Timeline
| Timeframe | Expected Changes | |-----------|-----------------| | Week 1-2 | Improved sleep quality, subtle increase in energy, possible water retention | | Week 3-4 | Noticeable reduction in joint/tendon pain, improved recovery between workouts | | Week 5-8 | Significant healing progress, improved body composition, better skin quality | | Week 8-12 | Full healing benefits, sustained GH improvements, enhanced overall recovery |
Who Uses This Stack?
- Athletes recovering from tendon, ligament, or muscle injuries
- Post-surgical patients seeking accelerated healing (with physician oversight)
- Aging adults looking to improve recovery capacity, sleep, and body composition
- Bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts managing joint wear and optimizing recovery between training sessions
- Anyone with chronic soft tissue injuries that have been slow to heal
Safety Profile
Common Side Effects
Most side effects are mild and transient:
- Injection site redness or irritation
- Mild nausea (usually subsides within first week)
- Water retention and mild bloating (from GH elevation)
- Increased appetite (primarily from Ipamorelin's ghrelin mimicry)
- Headache
- Tingling or numbness in hands/feet (carpal tunnel-like symptoms from GH)
Rare/Serious Considerations
- Potential for pituitary desensitization with prolonged, uninterrupted CJC-1295/Ipamorelin use (cycling mitigates this)
- Theoretical concern about GH elevation in individuals with active cancer (GH promotes cell growth — not specific to cancer cells, but worth noting)
- No large-scale human clinical trials exist for this specific 4-peptide combination
Contraindications
- Active or suspected cancer
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Children and adolescents (growth plate concerns)
- Individuals with pituitary disorders
- Those taking medications that interact with GH pathways
Legal and Regulatory Status
- BPC-157: Unregulated research chemical in the US. Not FDA-approved. Banned by WADA (in-competition and out-of-competition).
- TB-500: Unregulated research chemical in the US. Not FDA-approved. Banned by WADA.
- CJC-1295: Available from compounding pharmacies with a prescription in the US. Not FDA-approved as a standalone drug. Research chemical status varies by jurisdiction.
- Ipamorelin: Available from compounding pharmacies with a prescription in the US. Not FDA-approved. Research chemical status varies.
⚠️ Note: FDA has signaled increased scrutiny of compounded peptide products. Regulatory status may change. Always source from reputable, licensed pharmacies and consult a healthcare provider.
Research Evidence
The individual peptides in this stack are each supported by a body of preclinical research:
BPC-157 has been studied in over 100 animal studies showing accelerated healing of tendons, muscles, gut tissue, and nerves. No large human clinical trials exist, but the preclinical evidence is extensive (Sikiric et al., 2010; Gwyer et al., 2019).
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) has been studied in both animal models and early human trials. A landmark 2004 Nature study demonstrated its role in cardiac repair after heart attack (Bock-Marquette et al., 2004). Dermal healing studies confirm its wound-repair properties (Philp et al., 2007).
CJC-1295 has human clinical trial data showing it can increase GH and IGF-1 levels for up to 6 days after a single injection (Teichman et al., 2006). It is one of the better-studied GHRH analogs in terms of pharmacokinetics.
Ipamorelin was studied in human trials showing selective GH release without cortisol or prolactin elevation (Raun et al., 1999). Its favorable selectivity profile distinguishes it from earlier GH secretagogues.
Limitations
- No clinical trial has studied this specific 4-peptide combination together
- Most BPC-157 and TB-500 research is preclinical (animal models)
- Long-term safety data for combined use is lacking
- Synergy claims are based on mechanistic reasoning rather than direct combination studies
Comparison with Other Stacks
| Stack | Peptides | Best For | |-------|----------|----------| | Complete Recovery Stack | BPC-157 + TB-500 + CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin | Full-body recovery, injury healing + GH optimization | | Healing Duo | BPC-157 + TB-500 | Targeted injury repair without GH modulation | | GH Stack | CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin | Growth hormone optimization, anti-aging, sleep | | Performance Stack | BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHRP-6 | Healing + aggressive GH push (more side effects) |
Important Disclaimer
These peptides are for research purposes only and are not approved by the FDA for therapeutic use in humans. All information provided is for educational and research purposes. This combination has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any peptide protocol. This content does not constitute medical advice.