BPC-157 — Research, Dosing & Price Guide

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. It exhibits extraordinary healing properties across virtually every tissue type studied — tendons, ligaments, muscles, bone, gut lining, brain, liver, and blood vessels. With over 100 peer-reviewed preclinical studies demonstrating robust therapeutic effects, it is arguably the most widely used and most extensively researched peptide in the biohacking and regenerative medicine communities. Its remarkable ability to accelerate healing whether administered locally near an injury or systemically has earned it a reputation as the single most versatile healing compound available.

BPC-157's healing effects arise from the simultaneous activation of multiple synergistic repair pathways, which explains its ability to heal such diverse tissue types. Understanding these pathways reveals why it is effective for everything from torn tendons to leaky gut to traumatic brain injury. **Angiogenesis and Growth Factor Upregulation:** BPC-157 robustly upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and their respective receptors (VEGFR2, FGFR1) in damaged tissue. This drives the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) at the injury site, ensuring adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery for tissue repair. It also upregulates growth hormone receptor expression, potentially amplifying the body's endogenous GH signaling at the site of injury. **Cell Migration and Wound Closure:** BPC-157 activates the FAK-paxillin signaling pathway, which is central to cell adhesion and migration. By phosphorylating focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its downstream target paxillin, BPC-157 promotes the migration of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and other repair cells into the wound site. This accelerates both the proliferative and remodeling phases of healing. **Nitric Oxide System Modulation:** One of BPC-157's most distinctive properties is its complex interaction with the nitric oxide (NO) system. It protects endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) function, maintaining vascular tone and blood flow. It counteracts the effects of both NO system blockade (L-NAME) and NO system overstimulation (L-arginine excess), effectively acting as a NO system stabilizer. This is likely key to its vascular protective effects. **Neurotransmitter System Effects:** BPC-157 has significant effects on the dopaminergic system — it protects against dopaminergic neurotoxicity (from compounds like MPTP and 6-OHDA), counteracts dopamine receptor supersensitivity, and has been shown to reverse behavioral effects of both dopamine agonists and antagonists. It also has GABAergic activity and interacts with the serotonergic system, contributing to its observed antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in animal models. **Gut-Specific Effects:** In the gastrointestinal tract, BPC-157 tightens epithelial tight junctions (reducing intestinal permeability / 'leaky gut'), downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), promotes mucosal repair and angiogenesis, and protects against NSAID-induced GI damage, alcohol-induced damage, and stress ulcers. It appears to work through the gut-brain axis, with systemic effects when administered orally. **Tendon and Ligament Repair:** BPC-157 promotes tendon fibroblast proliferation, increases collagen synthesis (particularly type I collagen), and improves the biomechanical properties of healing tendons. It appears to shift the healing phenotype from scar formation toward more organized, functional tissue. In Achilles tendon transection models, it accelerated healing by up to 72%. Remarkably, BPC-157 demonstrates these healing effects regardless of whether it is administered locally at the injury site or systemically (subcutaneous injection in the abdomen), suggesting it has both direct tissue effects and systemic signaling properties that recruit repair mechanisms to damaged areas.

• Over 100 peer-reviewed preclinical studies across multiple research groups worldwide demonstrate consistent healing effects across tendons, ligaments, muscles, bone, gut, brain, liver, heart, and blood vessels — a breadth of evidence unmatched by any other research peptide.
• Achilles tendon transection model: BPC-157 accelerated tendon healing by 72%, with improved biomechanical properties (tensile strength and load-to-failure) compared to untreated controls. Published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
• Complete counteraction of NSAID-induced GI damage: BPC-157 fully prevented and reversed the gastric and intestinal ulcers, bleeding, and mucosal damage caused by diclofenac, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs in multiple rodent studies — a finding with massive clinical relevance given the widespread use of NSAIDs.
• Neuroprotective effects: BPC-157 protected dopaminergic neurons against MPTP and 6-OHDA toxicity (Parkinson's disease models), reduced damage from traumatic brain injury, and promoted recovery from spinal cord injury in rodent models.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: BPC-157 improved all parameters in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis, reducing inflammation, restoring mucosal integrity, and normalizing intestinal transit.
• Alcohol-related damage: BPC-157 reversed the behavioral and organ damage caused by acute alcohol intoxication, chronic alcohol exposure, and alcohol withdrawal — protecting the liver, brain, and GI tract simultaneously.
• Corneal healing: Topical BPC-157 accelerated corneal wound healing in a rabbit model, demonstrating ocular tissue repair capability.
• Muscle healing: BPC-157 accelerated the recovery of crushed gastrocnemius muscle, with earlier formation of organized muscle fibers and reduced fibrosis compared to controls.
• Bone healing: BPC-157 promoted bone fracture healing with earlier callus formation and improved biomechanical properties in a rabbit segmental bone defect model.
• Liver protection: BPC-157 reduced hepatotoxicity from multiple insults including alcohol, NSAIDs, and common hepatotoxic drugs, with normalization of liver enzymes and improved histology.

• Subcutaneous injection (localized healing): 250–500 mcg injected as close to the injury site as possible, 1–2 times daily. For tendon, ligament, or muscle injuries, inject subcutaneously directly over or adjacent to the affected area.
• Subcutaneous injection (systemic/gut healing): 250–500 mcg injected into the abdominal subcutaneous fat, 1–2 times daily. This is the standard protocol for gut healing, general recovery, and conditions where the injury site cannot be easily reached.
• Oral administration (GI-focused): 500 mcg capsules, 1–2 times daily on an empty stomach. Oral BPC-157 is primarily used for gastrointestinal issues (leaky gut, IBS, NSAID damage, ulcers) where direct contact with the GI mucosa is desired.
• Loading protocol for acute injuries: 500 mcg twice daily (morning and evening) for the first 2–4 weeks, then reduce to 250 mcg once daily for maintenance.
• Standard cycle for injury healing: 4–8 weeks for acute injuries (sprains, strains, post-surgical). 8–12 weeks for chronic conditions (tendinopathy, chronic gut issues, neurological recovery).
• Extended/indefinite low-dose protocol: 250 mcg once daily for chronic conditions, with no established upper limit on duration. Many users run BPC-157 continuously at maintenance doses for persistent issues.
• Stacking with TB-500: BPC-157 250–500 mcg + TB-500 250–750 mcg daily (or TB-500 2–2.5 mg twice weekly). This is the 'Wolverine stack' — the gold standard healing protocol combining angiogenesis (BPC) with cell migration and anti-inflammation (TB-500).
• Timing: No strict meal timing requirements for injectable BPC-157. Oral capsules should be taken on an empty stomach for best mucosal absorption.
• Injection technique: Use insulin syringes (29–31 gauge). For localized injection, insert the needle subcutaneously (not intramuscular) near but not directly into the injured tissue. Rotate sites within the target area.

Known Side Effects

• Injection site reactions — mild redness, swelling, or irritation at the injection site. The most common side effect, occurring in approximately 5–10% of users. Usually resolves within 30 minutes.
• Mild nausea — reported occasionally, particularly with oral administration or high subcutaneous doses. Typically transient.
• Headache — reported infrequently, usually mild and resolving within the first few days of use.
• Dizziness — rare, possibly related to BPC-157's effects on blood pressure regulation through the NO system.
• Anecdotal reports of increased body temperature or flushing — likely related to enhanced angiogenesis and blood flow to healing tissues.
• Theoretical concern about promoting tumor angiogenesis — BPC-157 upregulates VEGF, which could theoretically support blood vessel growth in existing tumors. No evidence of this in preclinical studies, but individuals with active cancer should exercise caution.
• No serious adverse events have been reported in the extensive preclinical literature, and the widespread use in the biohacking community over 10+ years has not revealed major safety signals.

Safety Profile

BPC-157 has an exceptionally strong safety profile based on the most extensive preclinical evidence base of any research peptide. In rodent studies, it has been tested at doses vastly exceeding the human-equivalent therapeutic range with no observed lethal dose (LD50 has not been established because researchers have been unable to kill animals with BPC-157, even at extremely high doses). No organ toxicity, no mutagenicity, and no teratogenicity have been reported in any published study. The primary theoretical concern is VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in individuals with active malignancies — since BPC-157 promotes new blood vessel formation, it could theoretically support tumor vascularization. While no evidence supports this concern in practice, it represents a reasonable precaution, and individuals with known or suspected cancer should consult oncology before use. Drug interactions are minimal. BPC-157 may counteract some NSAID-induced GI effects (which could be beneficial or could mask damage). It interacts with the dopaminergic system, so caution is warranted when combining with dopaminergic medications (levodopa, dopamine agonists, antipsychotics). It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of reproductive toxicity data, despite the absence of any signal of harm. BPC-157 does not suppress endogenous hormone production and does not require PCT (post-cycle therapy).

Days 1–3: Subtle anti-inflammatory effects may be noticeable — reduced pain, swelling, or stiffness at the injury site. Some users report improved gut comfort within the first 48 hours when using for GI issues. These early effects reflect BPC-157's rapid cytokine modulation. Week 1: Healing acceleration becomes apparent. Users with acute injuries often report noticeably faster recovery than expected. Gut healing patients frequently report reduced bloating, improved digestion, and decreased food sensitivities. Angiogenesis is beginning at the tissue level. Weeks 2–4: This is the primary healing window. Tendon and ligament injuries show significant improvement in pain and function. Range of motion increases. Gut permeability improves measurably. Users recovering from surgery report faster-than-expected closure and reduced scarring. Chronic injuries that plateaued in recovery may break through. Weeks 5–8: Continued remodeling and maturation of healed tissue. The quality of repair improves — tissue becomes stronger and more organized. Chronic tendinopathy patients often report resolution of symptoms that persisted for months or years. Neurological recovery (post-TBI, neuropathy) is slower but progressive. Weeks 9–12+: Long-term remodeling continues. For chronic conditions, this extended period allows comprehensive tissue normalization. Many users transition to a lower maintenance dose or cycle off once primary healing goals are met. Residual benefits persist after discontinuation as the healed tissue maintains its improved state.

Prices sourced from peptides.gg marketplace. Prices may vary.