Huberman Lab Podcast: Peptide Therapies with Dr. Craig Conover
Introduction
- Host: Dr. Andrew Huberman, Professor of Neurobiology and Ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine.
- Guest: Dr. Craig Conover, expert in performance medicine focusing on peptide therapies.
Understanding Peptides
- Peptides: Chains of amino acids, less than 40 amino acids.
- Thousands are naturally occurring in the body, used therapeutically are around 150.
- Function: Augment health by activating brain and body pathways without shutting down natural hormone production.
Popular Peptides Discussed
GLP-1 Agonists
- Known for weight loss, initially used for type 2 diabetes (e.g., semaglutide).
- Tapetide: Enhances glucose control and weight loss.
- Micro-dosing: Important to avoid muscle loss and side effects.
- Benefits: Can motivate lifestyle changes, improve inflammation markers.
BPC-157
- Function: Anti-inflammatory, accelerates wound healing, treats inflammation.
- Applications: Used for joint, tendon, ligament injuries.
- Administration: Injected subcutaneously or orally (oral more gut-focused).
- Replacement: Penta deca peptide arginate (PDA) as an alternative after FDA ban.
Growth Hormone Secretagogues
- Ipamorelin: Clean peptide for growth hormone release, aids sleep and durability.
- GHRP-6: Increases appetite and muscle mass.
- Tesamorelin: Reduces visceral fat, FDA approved for HIV lipodystrophy.
- Hexarelin: Endurance and energy enhancement.
- CJC-1295: Previously used with secretagogues, now banned by FDA.
Peptide Therapies and Regulatory Issues
- FDA Bans: Many peptides removed from market (e.g., BPC-157, CJC-1295).
- Concerns: Safety, sourcing, potential shift to pharmaceutical control.
- Trustworthy Sources: Emphasis on obtaining through physicians and compounding pharmacies.
Additional Therapies Discussed
NAD Therapy
- Use: Enhances energy, cognitive function, and recovery from viral infections.
- Administration: IV for rapid effects; subcutaneous injection for maintenance.
Methylene Blue
- Function: Cognitive enhancement, mitochondrial function improvement.
- Use Cases: Antiviral properties, cognitive improvement.
Other Therapies
- Methylated B Vitamins: Important for cardiovascular health, especially for those with MTHFR polymorphisms.
- Coenzyme Q10: Suggested dose of 200 mg for mitochondrial function.
Conclusion
- Positive Thoughts: Dr. Conover emphasizes the role of mindset in health.
- Future Outlook: Continued exploration of peptide therapies and their regulation.
- Takeaway: Importance of informed choices and working with knowledgeable healthcare providers for peptide therapies.
This summary captures the essential points of the discussion on peptide therapies and the regulatory landscape affecting their use.