Let’s Clear This Up. This comes up a lot, so I want to reframe an important point. When someone tells me they’re “microdosing” retatrutide because they’re splitting a 2 mg weekly dose into four 500 mcg injections, that is not microdosing. That’s called split dosing, and there’s a big difference. What Microdosing Actually Means In pharmacology, microdosing has a specific definition: Less than 1/100th of the dose that produces a measurable pharmacological effect. At that level: - You don’t meaningfully activate receptors - You don’t reach therapeutic blood levels - You don’t get real metabolic or appetite effects So when we’re talking about drugs like retatrutide, true microdosing does not work. What Most People Are Really Doing: Split Dosing If your total weekly dose stays the same, but you divide it into smaller, more frequent injections, that’s split dosing. Example: - 2 mg once per week - 1 mg twice per week - 500 mcg four times per week All of these add up to 2 mg per week. The total weekly dose hasn’t changed — only how it’s delivered. Why Split Dosing Can Make Sense Retatrutide has a long elimination half-life of about 6 days. That means: - After 6 days, roughly half of the injected amount is still in your system - Each new dose stacks on top of what hasn’t been eliminated yet Over time, this creates a rolling average concentration in the bloodstream. Eventually, you reach what’s called a steady state, where the amount you’re injecting equals the amount your body is eliminating. This usually takes about 4–5 half-lives, regardless of how often you inject. What matters most is total weekly dose, not injection frequency. Why Microdosing Retatrutide Doesn’t Work True microdosing never allows you to: - Reach steady state - Achieve sufficient receptor activation - Maintain concentrations high enough to produce results GLP-based drugs have a threshold effect. If you don’t reach that threshold, nothing meaningful happens.

Some peptides sting on injection. This is usually due to acidic reconstitution, histamine release, or technique, not because anything is “wrong” with the peptide. When needed, topical numbing agents can make injections more tolerable, especially for peptides known to burn on entry. Numbing Options: Lidocaine creams (2–5%) - Most effective - Apply a thin layer 15–30 minutes before - Must be entirely removed before injecting Lidocaine or benzocaine wipes - Faster onset (5–10 minutes) - Milder effect - Useful for light sting or quick prep Combo creams (lidocaine + prilocaine) - Deeper numbing - Slower onset - Use sparingly and remove completely How to Use Properly: 1. Apply to intact skin only 2. Wait for the numbing to take effect 3. Remove all residue 4. Clean with alcohol 5. Let alcohol fully dry 6. Inject slowly Never inject through numbing cream or any residual product. Other Ways to Reduce Sting (Often Enough on Their Own) - Inject slowly - Use smaller gauge needles - Rotate sites - Let the alcohol dry completely - Warm the syringe slightly in your hand Good technique solves most sting issues without numbing. Bottom Line: Injection discomfort is a chemistry and technique issue, not a peptide problem. Numbing creams and wipes are optional tools; use them correctly, and only when needed. All content is for educational and research discussion only.