This is a tale a two different vendors and why my Research Subject (RS) will choose one over the other from this point forward. My RS ordered from Ion and another unnamed vendor. The unnamed vendor sent the order (3 vials) in bubble wrap inserted in a bubble wrap package and it was expected to arrive about 10 days after original order. Not horrible. UPS ended up destroying the package before my RS ever received it. It took about a month to get a replacement package. My RS was not a happy camper. RS ordered from Ion (5 vials) and the order arrived 4 days after original order. Vials were in a small thick presentation box, wrapped in bubble wrap and then shipped in a another box secured by bubble wrap. While the presentation box was nice, the RS was more concerned about the safety and security of the product. Product arrived safe and sound even though the delivery box had seen better days. Needless to say, Ion has the future RS business.

RESEARCH USE ONLY: This information is for educational purposes only. These compounds are not intended for human consumption and are not FDA-approved. Not medical advice. You're spending hundreds on GH secretagogues but getting minimal IGF-1 response? The problem isn't your peptides. It's your timing. Here's the science behind why fasted state administration is non-negotiable—and how GLP-1s can extend your optimal window. The Insulin-GH Death Grip Growth hormone and insulin have an inverse relationship: - High insulin = Suppressed GH release = Poor IGF-1 conversion - Low insulin = Optimal GH release = Maximum IGF-1 elevation When you eat, insulin spikes to shuttle nutrients into cells. This insulin surge directly inhibits growth hormone secretion at the pituitary level. Even a small meal can suppress GH release for several hours. If you're dosing GH secretagogues in a fed state, you're literally wasting your money. The Ghrelin Connection Here's where it gets interesting: Ghrelin (the "hunger hormone") serves a dual purpose: 1. Signals hunger to the brain 2. Directly stimulates GH release In a fasted state: - Ghrelin levels rise naturally - The body is primed for GH secretion - GH secretagogues amplify this already-active pathway Think of it like this: GH secretagogues work by mimicking or enhancing ghrelin signaling. When natural ghrelin is already elevated (fasted state), you're adding fuel to a fire that's already burning. The Metabolic Environment During fasting (typically 2+ hours post-meal): - ✅ Insulin is low/baseline - ✅ Ghrelin is elevated - ✅ Blood glucose is stable - ✅ Free fatty acids are mobilized - ✅ GH receptors are more sensitive This creates the perfect metabolic environment for GH secretagogue efficacy and IGF-1 conversion. How GLP-1s Change the Game Now here's where things get really interesting for researchers... The Traditional Fasting Window Standard research protocols for GH secretagogue administration typically require:

I'm home for the week leading up to Thanksgiving, and I'm realizing something that would have seemed impossible a couple years ago: I'm not white-knuckling it through every day. I'm not planning restriction cycles. I'm not obsessing over every bite or calculating when I'll lose control. This is the first time in years I've been home for an extended visit where I'm not consumed by food noise. Thanks to tirzepatide and reta, I'm over a year binge free. And the difference isn't just the scale or the mirror - it's that I finally feel like I have agency in my own life, even when I can't control what's around me. The Food Environment Will Make or Break You Here's what nobody talks about enough: your environment is more powerful than your willpower. Period. When you're surrounded by hyperpalatable foods designed by food scientists to hijack your reward pathways, you're not fighting a fair battle. You're fighting against evolutionary biology that spent millions of years making sure you never passed up calorie-dense food. Your ancestors who said "nah, I'm good" during the feast didn't survive the famine. You're descended from the ones who ate everything available. Being home is the perfect example. My family's house has different food than I keep at my place. The pantry is stocked differently. There are snacks I grew up with. There are emotional connections to certain foods. And with Thanksgiving coming up, there's already prep happening - dishes being planned, ingredients showing up, the energy building around the big meal. For someone who's struggled with binge-restrict cycles, this environment is a minefield. You've got familiar trigger foods from childhood. You've got family members with their own relationships with food. You've got the disruption to your normal routine. And willpower? Willpower is a finite resource that gets depleted throughout the day. By the third or fourth time you're navigating the kitchen, your prefrontal cortex is exhausted. The Psychology of Food Noise

When you reconstitute your peptides, proper storage becomes critical to maintaining their stability and potency. While most researchers know to refrigerate reconstituted peptides at 2-8°C (36-46°F), there are two often-overlooked factors that can significantly impact peptide degradation: light exposure and physical agitation. Light Exposure: The Silent Degrader Reconstituted peptides are particularly vulnerable to photodegradation. UV and visible light can break peptide bonds, causing oxidation and structural changes that compromise efficacy. This is why pharmaceutical-grade peptides often come in amber vials - the tinted glass filters harmful wavelengths. Best practices for light protection: - Store vials in their original boxes when possible - If boxes aren't available, wrap vials in aluminum foil or use an opaque container - Keep peptides away from the refrigerator light (yes, that matters during the 10 seconds the door is open multiple times per day) - Never leave vials on the counter under room lighting longer than necessary during dosing Some peptides are more photosensitive than others. Growth hormone peptides, for example, are notoriously susceptible to light degradation, while some others may be more stable. When in doubt, protect from light - there's no downside to being cautious. Physical Stability: Location Matters The placement of your peptides within the refrigerator affects their longevity more than most people realize. Constant vibration and temperature fluctuation accelerate degradation through several mechanisms. Optimal refrigerator placement: Choose a spot on the back of a middle or lower shelf - specifically a section that doesn't see much activity. Here's why this location is ideal: - Temperature stability: The back of the fridge maintains the most consistent temperature, while door shelves can fluctuate 5-10°F every time you open it - Reduced vibration: Door shelves experience constant movement and vibration from opening/closing, which can stress peptide bonds over time - Away from the freezer: The back wall near the freezer compartment can sometimes get too cold, risking accidental freezing

I started researching with Pinealon last week as I was interested in the following benefits that research has shown: Cognitive & Brain Health: May support brain function and mental clarity Potential neuroprotective effects Could help with memory and focus May support healthy brain aging Neurological Support: Reported to help regulate the central nervous system May support nerve cell health and regeneration Potential benefits for stress resilience Sleep & Circadian Rhythm: May help regulate sleep-wake cycles (related to pineal gland function) Could support melatonin production Potential improvements in sleep quality General Wellbeing: May support overall nervous system balance Reported anti-aging effects on neural tissue Could help with recovery from neurological stress Here's what I've noticed so far: ✅ Better Sleep/Wake Cycles: It's easier to go to bed naturally and wake up in the morning ✅ Mood Stability: Stable energy/ cognition throughout the day ✅ Focus: Not an intense focus but, overall pretty productive throughout the say ✅ Calmness: A lot of anxiety/ overthinking has calmed down Overall mild effects at 300mcg daily but, I'm interested in the long term results. I will keep you guys updated and I'm super excited to try out this Calm + Clarity blend from Ascension Peptides: https://ascensionpeptides.com/product/calm-clarity-30mg/ref/derekpruski/ I'll do a deep dive on it later today