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11d (edited) • Peptide Tips
When to Actually Add Energy Peptides to Your GLP-1 Protocol (Step-by-Step)
RESEARCH USE ONLY: The peptides discussed in this post are for research purposes only and are not intended for human consumption. This information is educational and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide protocol.
One of the most common questions I get: "Derek, when should I add energy peptides? Which ones? And in what order?"
Here's the honest answer most people don't want to hear — if weight is coming off and your energy feels good, you don't need any of these yet. Seriously. Don't fix what isn't broken. GLP-1s are doing their job, your body is responding, ride that wave.
Energy peptides are a tool for when the basics aren't enough anymore. They are not a starting point.
So let's walk through this the right way, one step at a time.
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STEP 1: LET THE GLP-1 DO ITS JOB
When you first start a GLP-1, your body is adjusting. Appetite drops, eating patterns shift, and yes, energy might fluctuate a little. That's completely normal. Give it time.
Ask yourself:
→ Is my weight consistently trending down week to week?
→ Can I get through my day without crashing?
→ Am I sleeping reasonably well?
✅ If things are moving in the right direction, stay right here. There is no trophy for adding more peptides faster. The goal is reaching your target weight, and if you're getting there, you're winning. You do NOT have to move to Step 2.
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STEP 2: DIAL IN YOUR LIFESTYLE FOUNDATIONS
If energy starts dipping or weight loss stalls, your first move is NOT adding a peptide. It's auditing the basics. I can't stress this enough. Nine times out of ten, the issue is one of these three things:
1️⃣ CARDIO Even 20-30 minutes of walking daily makes a massive difference in energy and metabolic health on GLP-1s. You don't need to run marathons. Just move consistently.
2️⃣ NUTRITION This is the big one. On a GLP-1 you're eating less, which means every bite matters more. You need adequate protein (aim for 0.7-1g per pound of bodyweight) to protect muscle mass, and enough carbohydrates around your workouts to actually fuel your training. A lot of the "energy crash" people blame on GLP-1s is actually just underfueling.
3️⃣ SLEEP If you're getting less than 7 hours consistently, that's your energy problem right there. No peptide on earth is going to outperform quality sleep.
Ask yourself:
→ Am I hitting 7+ hours of sleep most nights?
→ Am I getting consistent movement or cardio?
→ Am I eating enough protein and not accidentally starving myself?
✅ If fixing these solves your energy problem, stop here. You do NOT have to move to Step 3. Many people never need to.
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STEP 3: TIME TO CONSIDER ENERGY PEPTIDES
Okay so you've been on your GLP-1 for a while, the lifestyle foundations are locked in, and you're still dragging. This is where mitochondrial peptides enter the conversation.
Here's what's happening in simple terms: when you're in a caloric deficit for a long time, your cells can become less efficient at producing energy. Think of it like your engine running on low-quality fuel for too long. These peptides tune up the engine itself.
I broke all four of these down in detail in my full energy peptide guide (linked at the bottom). Here's the simplified walkthrough of how to layer them in one at a time.
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LEVEL 1 → SS-31 (Start Here)
What it does in plain English: SS-31 goes directly into your mitochondria (your cells' power plants) and makes them run more efficiently. Think of it as an oil change for your engine.
Starting dose: 2.5mg subcutaneous daily for 4-6 weeks
How to know it's working:
→ More consistent energy throughout the day (fewer afternoon crashes)
→ Better exercise capacity and workout recovery
→ Less of that "running on empty" feeling
If SS-31 alone solves your energy issues, you can absolutely stop here. Give it a full 4 weeks before deciding to add anything else.
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LEVEL 2 → Add MOTS-c
What it does in plain English: MOTS-c helps your body get better at switching between burning sugar and burning fat for fuel. When you've been dieting a long time, your body gets "stuck" and doesn't switch between fuel sources efficiently. MOTS-c fixes that.
This is the one I consider the MVP for anyone on GLP-1s.
Starting dose: 0.5mg subcutaneous, 5x per week for 2 weeks, then bump to 1mg
How to know it's working:
→ Fewer energy crashes and more stable energy all day
→ Less of the "highs and lows" feeling
→ Better performance in the gym
→ You feel like your body is working WITH you again, not against you
For most people, SS-31 plus MOTS-c is the sweet spot. If you feel good here, stay here. No need to keep adding.
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LEVEL 3 → Add NAD+
What it does in plain English: NAD+ is a molecule your body already makes and needs to produce energy at the cellular level. Problem is, it naturally drops as you age AND when you're in a caloric deficit. Supplementing it fills in the gaps that SS-31 and MOTS-c can't cover on their own.
Starting dose: 50mg subcutaneous, 3x per week. Can increase to 100mg 3x per week after a few weeks if tolerated.
How to know it's working:
→ Better mental clarity and less brain fog
→ That lingering "flat" feeling finally lifting
→ Improved overall recovery between workouts
This three-peptide stack covers the vast majority of people. You very likely don't need to go any further.
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LEVEL 4 → 5-Amino-1MQ (Advanced / Optional)
What it does in plain English: This one blocks an enzyme that eats up your NAD+. So if you're already taking NAD+, this makes it work harder by preventing your body from breaking it down as fast. Think of it like plugging a leak in a bucket you're trying to fill.
Who this is actually for: Only consider this if you've been dieting for 8-12+ weeks and you've hit a clear plateau where fat loss has stalled despite everything else being dialed in.
Starting dose: 250mcg subcutaneous, 5x per week. Work up to 500mcg after 2 weeks, then 1mg after 4 weeks if needed.
How to know it's working:
→ Fat loss resuming after a stall
→ Metabolic rate feeling like it's picked back up
→ This is the most subtle of the four so give it time
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THE BIG PICTURE
Energy peptides are Step 3, not Step 1.
The progression is always:
1️⃣ Let the GLP-1 work → Weight coming off, energy stable? Stay here.
2️⃣ Fix the foundations → Cardio, nutrition, sleep dialed in and energy improved? Stay here.
3️⃣ Add energy peptides one at a time → Start with SS-31, layer as needed, and stop at whatever level solves the problem.
You don't earn bonus points for running a complex stack. The best protocol is the simplest one that gets you to your goal.
For the full deep dive on mechanisms, detailed dosing, and how these work synergistically with GLP-1s, check out my energy peptide breakdown here: https://open.substack.com/pub/derekpruski/p/unlimited-energy-guide-breaking-down?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web
Compare peptide prices here: https://peptideprice.store
Questions? Drop them below 👇
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When to Actually Add Energy Peptides to Your GLP-1 Protocol (Step-by-Step)
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