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Timeline tool

Research Protocol Simulator

Generate a 4, 8 or 12-week research-stage protocol with induction, titration, maintenance and taper phases. Suggested blood-marker checkpoints are layered onto each phase.

Simulate a protocol

% of peak

Percentage of the peptide's high-range research dose (the maintenance level). Lower starts produce gentler titration ramps.

Reference research range: 250 – 2400 mcg per administration.

Phase timeline

  1. 1Induction· 3 weeks1200 mcg per dose

    Familiarisation with delivery and tolerability checkpoints.

  2. 2Titration· 3 weeks1800 mcg per dose

    Step-wise dose increase; record blood-marker baselines.

  3. 3Maintenance· 5 weeks2400 mcg per dose

    Held at typical research dose; mid-protocol blood panel.

  4. 4Taper· 1 week1800 mcg per dose

    Gradual reduction to baseline; final marker check.

Suggested blood-marker checkpoints: baseline panel before the induction phase; mid-protocol panel at the start of the maintenance phase; final panel two weeks after the taper completes.

Why phased protocols?

Every well-designed research protocol begins with a brief induction phase (familiarisation with the delivery route and a tolerability check at a sub-therapeutic dose), followed by a titration phase that steps the dose upward, a maintenance phase at the research-target dose, and a short taper phase that reduces dose-discontinuation rebound effects.

Blood-marker checkpoints

A baseline panel is recommended before the induction phase; a mid-protocol panel at the start of maintenance; and a final panel two weeks after the taper completes. Specific markers depend on the peptide class — IGF-1 for GH-class peptides, HbA1c and fasting glucose for incretins, lipid panel and inflammation markers for healing-class peptides.

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Frequently asked questions

How long should a research peptide protocol last?
Most published research-stage protocols run for 4, 8 or 12 weeks. Short-half-life peptides (GHRH, GHRP) commonly use 4–8 week cycles; long-acting incretin agents typically need 12 weeks or more to reach a meaningful steady-state outcome.
Why is a titration phase needed?
Titration steps the dose upward from a familiarisation level to the research target. It lets the investigator capture tolerability data, reduce gastric side-effect probability (particularly for GLP-1 agents), and identify subject-specific thresholds before the maintenance phase.
What blood markers should be checked during a peptide protocol?
The relevant panel depends on the peptide class. Growth-hormone-axis peptides call for IGF-1 and fasting glucose; GLP-1 incretins call for HbA1c, fasting glucose and lipid panel; healing-class peptides call for inflammation markers (hs-CRP) and a full lipid panel.
Is a taper phase necessary?
Yes for long-acting peptides where abrupt discontinuation can produce rebound effects (notably GLP-1 incretins). For short-half-life GHRH or GHRP class peptides, a taper is less critical because each dose already acts independently.
Can I simulate a custom-length protocol?
The simulator currently supports 4, 8 and 12-week cycles — covering the vast majority of research-stage protocols in the literature. The starting-dose percentage slider lets you compare gentler or steeper titration ramps within each duration.