If you're researching peptides, you've probably wondered: "Am I going to fail a drug test?" It's a fair question, especially if you have a job that requires regular screenings or you're involved in competitive sports. Here's the short answer: It depends entirely on what KIND of drug test you're taking. Let me break this down in plain English so you understand exactly what you're dealing with. Two Completely Different Worlds of Drug Testing Before we dive into specific peptides, you need to understand that there are two completely separate drug testing systems that work in totally different ways: 1. Employer/Workplace Drug Tests — These are the standard screenings you take for jobs, DOT requirements, or random workplace testing. 2. WADA/Sports Anti-Doping Tests — These are the highly specialized tests used for competitive athletes at all levels, from college sports to the Olympics. These two systems are looking for completely different things, using completely different technology, with completely different goals. Let's break each one down. What Employer Drug Tests Actually Look For When your employer sends you for a drug test, they're using what's called a "panel" test. The most common ones are: The 5-Panel Test (Most Common) This is the standard test used by most private employers and all DOT-regulated positions. It screens for: - Marijuana (THC) - Cocaine - Opiates (heroin, codeine, morphine) - Amphetamines (meth, Adderall, ecstasy) - PCP (angel dust) The 10-Panel Test Used for more sensitive positions like law enforcement, healthcare workers, or government jobs. It adds: - Barbiturates - Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) - Methadone - Propoxyphene - Methaqualone (Quaaludes) Notice anything missing? That's right — peptides aren't on any of these lists. Not even close. Why Peptides Don't Show Up on Standard Tests Here's the deal: standard drug tests use a technology called immunoassay. Think of it like a lock-and-key system — the test has specific "locks" (antibodies) that only react to specific "keys" (drug metabolites).

I've been sitting on this one for a while, and honestly, I should have added them sooner. Glacier Aminos has been doing testing the right way for a long time now—net content, net purity, endotoxins, and conformity on everything. This is one of those companies that actually prints the net content directly on the vial and includes a QR code so you can pull up the COA. No hunting around, no guesswork. I've been talking with the owner, Steve, for a while now (you might recognize him from TikTok), and we were waiting for the right moment to make this official. That moment is now. Their inventory has some really interesting stuff, including fully tested bioregulators at prices that are hard to beat. I was actually very surprised with this unboxing, and everything looked amazing. Full unboxing down below. If you want to support another hard-working guy in the space, Glacier Aminos is definitely a good option. One thing to note: Their site is login-gated due to new payment processing rules, so you'll need to create an account to browse directly. If you just want to see what Glacier has to offer without creating an account, you can check out their full inventory on PeptidePrice.store. Shop Glacier Aminos: https://glacieraminos.shop/?ref=DEREK Code DEREK gets you an additional 5% off Welcome to the list, Glacier. 🧊 P.S. These are also the best prices I've seen on bioregulators in the space 👀

The end of January is stacking up with some serious discounts. Whether you're stocking up on GLP-1s, healing peptides, or nootropics, there's something for everyone this week. Most of these sales end in the next few days so don't sleep on them. Compare all prices on peptideprice.store Research Use Only - Not for human consumption. 🔥 Atomik Labz - January Sale - Discount: 25% OFF Site-wide - BOGO on GLP-1s & SS-31: Tirzepatide, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, SS-31 - Code: derek25 - Dates: Through Feb 1, 2026 - Link: https://atomiklabz.com/?aff=51 🌟 EZ Peptides - Community Favorite Sale - Discount: 20% OFF Site-wide - Code: derek - Dates: Jan 29 - Feb 1, 2026 - Link: https://ezpeptides.com/ref/derekliftz/ 🎉 Felix Chem - Felix Friday KPV BOGO - Discount: KPV Buy One Get One FREE (50% OFF) - Code: derek - Dates: Through Jan 31, 2026 - Link: https://felixchem.is/refer/3681/ 🚀 Flawless Compounds - Boosted Sale - Discount: 20% OFF Site-wide + 15% derek15 = 32% OFF Total - Code: derek15 - Dates: Through Feb 1, 2026 - Link: https://flawlesscompounds.com/?coupon=derek15 🚀 Glow Aminos - Boosted Sale - Discount: 20% OFF Site-wide + 15% derek15 = 32% OFF Total - Code: derek15 - Dates: Through Feb 1, 2026 - Link: https://glowaminos.com/shop/?coupon=Derek15 🔥 Ion Peptide - End-of-Month Sale - Base Discount: 15% OFF with code derek - Stacking Product Discounts: 10% auto → 23.5% total: Retatrutide, GHK-Cu, BPC-157/TB-500 15% auto → 27.75% total: Tirzepatide, KLOW, Glutathione, GHK-Cu/KPV 20% auto → 32% total: Raw peptides, Cosmetics - Dates: Jan 21-31, 2026 - Link: https://ionpeptide.com/?apply-promo=derek&ref=derek 🎂 Peptira - Mr. P's Birthday Bash

John couldn't tie his own shoes. His daughter offered to do it for him. That moment changed everything. He went from 300 lbs to pro bodybuilder at 50—losing almost 100 lbs the hard way before ever touching a peptide. Then he discovered the research space... and made every beginner mistake so you don't have to. In this episode, we cover: The Mistakes → The $130 oral BPC purchase that did nothing (no COA, wrong delivery method) → Taking MOTC and NAD right before bed and wondering why he couldn't sleep → Why most people buy first and research later—backwards The Lessons → 6 months of research before his first real purchase → Why "up your dose" is almost never the answer → The woman who stalled on Retta—fixed by adding electrolytes, not milligrams → Timing is the most overlooked part of any protocol The Mindset → Environment controls cravings more than any peptide → The frozen candy bar trick that actually works → Why the first 6-8 weeks make or break your habits John now helps others avoid the same pitfalls through his coaching at Tac Nutrition. This conversation is a masterclass in doing things the right way. Grateful to @John Crowson for sharing his story. This community continues to be one of the best parts of what I do. Where to Find John: - Website: TacNutrition.com - TikTok: @TacNutrition (main), @PepTac1, @PepTac3 - Facebook: Tac Nutrition LISTEN/WATCH NOW: 🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/d_LGlr-jAag 📝 Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/derekpruski/p/losing-100-pounds-stepping-on-stage?r=4jq1x8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QSWX9uOiaghxd5ufwDAQI?si=kuvFj36BQ_meA_j7tjwcYA

This topic came up on the podcast yesterday with John, and honestly, it blows my mind how many people are leaving results on the table simply because they don't understand timing. You can have the best peptides from the most vetted vendors, perfect reconstitution, dialed-in dosing... and still get subpar results if your timing is off. Let's break down the major categories and when you should actually be using them. GH SECRETAGOGUES – The Fasted State is NON-NEGOTIABLE This is probably the biggest one people mess up. If you're using Ipamorelin, CJC-1295, Tesamorelin, MK-677, or any growth hormone secretagogue and you're dosing after meals... you're literally wasting your money. Here's why: - Growth hormone and insulin have an inverse relationship - When insulin is high (after eating), GH release gets suppressed at the pituitary level - Even a small meal can blunt your GH response for hours But there's another piece people miss - ghrelin. That "hunger hormone" isn't just making you want food. It's also a direct stimulator of GH release. - When you're fasted, ghrelin is elevated - Your body is already primed to release growth hormone - GH secretagogues amplify a pathway that's already active Dose in a fed state? High insulin, low ghrelin, blunted response. Dose fasted? Low insulin, high ghrelin, maximum response. The protocol: - Minimum 2 hours after eating - If you're on GLP-1s, you can comfortably push this to 3-4+ hours since the appetite suppression makes longer fasts easy Best timing: - Upon waking (easiest fasted window) - 30-60 minutes before bed (2+ hours after dinner for that natural nighttime GH pulse) - Pre-workout if training fasted ENERGY & MITOCHONDRIAL PEPTIDES – Morning, Always This seems obvious, but I still see people asking about dosing MOTS-c or NAD+ in the evening. Don't do that. These peptides are designed to optimize cellular energy production. Taking them late in the day is like drinking coffee at 9pm - you're working against your body's natural rhythm.