[Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. The dosage mentioned in the article is based on anecdotal evidence, as there’s not enough clinical research yet. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider to get your personalized dosage regimen.]
Do you know how many injuries occur in the gym every year?
According to the National Safety Council, around 482,886 injuries occurred last year due to exercise and exercise equipment.
Injuries severely affect the progress of bodybuilders due to missed workout sessions. However, TB-500 helps you come back to the pavilion faster.
In this article, we will explore the TB-500 dosage for bodybuilding, its benefits, the administration techniques, and the best TB-500 combinations. We will also find out whether it grows muscles.
What is TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)?
TB-4 is a natural peptide present in humans and animals that is used for tissue repair. However, its quantity is limited in the body. Therefore, scientists derived its small fragment (containing the most healing efficacy) and named it TB-500.
Being a lightweight peptide, TB-500 can travel a long distance in the body to reach the target tissues and mimic the effects of TB-4. It also has better stability and bioavailability than TB-4.
TB-500 peptide aids the healing of both minor and difficult injuries and helps bodybuilders achieve their goals.
Is TB-500 a steroid?
No. Steroids artificially grow muscles by increasing testosterone, while TB-500 is a regenerative peptide that works at a cellular level to repair tissues more safely.
Benefits of TB-500 for Bodybuilding
Explore the TB-500 benefits for bodybuilders and workout geeks below:
Note: Most of the studies are related to TB-4 peptide, but since TB-500 mimics its properties, TB-4 results apply to it as well.
Speeds up Injury Healing
TB-500 stimulates actin binding and angiogenesis to activate the body’s natural healing mechanism, as mentioned below:
Regulation of Actin
TB-500’s primary action is upregulating actin, a cell-building protein. Research indicates that TB-500 controls cell dynamics and prevents actin from joining inside cells.
That way, actin can remain in a dynamic state and help cells to migrate efficiently to injury sites, thereby accelerating the healing process.
Formation of Blood Vessels
Secondly, a study reports that TB-500 supports the formation of blood vessels with the help of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). Increased blood flow sufficiently supplies oxygen, nutrition, and repair factors to the injury site for healing.
A TB-500 user shared their experience:
I had been diagnosed with hip tendinosis and had minor annoying aches/pain with it for about a year before I did a loading phase of TB-500. I think it’s typically 5mg 2x a week for 6 weeks, but I could only afford the 2mg vials, so I did 2mg 2x a week.
After 2 weeks, I had zero pain or issues with my hip anymore. This was back in 2017 and, to this day, I haven’t had any more issues with it.
Tendinosis is a chronic tendon condition in which the collagen fibers of the tendon tear down over time. However, TB-500 treats musculoskeletal injuries, including tendons and ligaments. That’s why it is one of the best peptides for tendon repair.
Increases Flexibility and Endurance
Increased blood supply nourishes the tissues and enhances the endurance and stamina of bodybuilders during intense workouts.
- In a clinical study, TB-4 was provided to heart attack patients. The peptide improved their heart function and stamina. Plus, TB-4 treatment helped them walk longer (37.5 meters in 6 minutes) than others.
- Another preclinical study indicated that TB-4 could be used as a therapeutic compound for people with pulmonary hypertension.
So, it may be used to repair the athlete’s heart (cardiac changes due to strenuous exercise). Additionally, TB-500 is anecdotally reported to enhance the range of motion, flexibility, and stretching ability of joints and other body parts by increasing collagen.
Collagen is found in multiple types of tissues, including muscles, tendons, skin, bones, and joints. Increased collagen provides support and strength to connective tissues, which may prevent injuries.
Repairs and Regenerates Muscle Tissues
There are mixed opinions regarding TB-500 muscle growth. Some experts claim that it grows muscles, but the reality is that it does not build muscle mass. The peptide regenerates and heals tissue wear and tear.
- In a preclinical investigation published in the Plos One, TB-500 was administered to mice with impaired muscle cell function. It was observed that the peptide regenerated the skeletal muscle fibers.
- Another preclinical study published in The Journal of Biochemistry reported that muscle injury increases the production of TB-4. The presence of the peptide at the injury site stimulates the migration of myoblasts (immature muscle cells) to aid skeletal muscle regeneration.
- In another preclinical study, TB-500 treatment in mice did not enhance muscle regeneration.
However, there is more research-based evidence regarding its muscle-regenerating potential than contradictory studies.
Therefore, it can be concluded that TB-500 does all the little wonders (including myoblast migration and muscle regeneration) to contribute to muscle development. And that’s the reason why TB-500 is one of the best peptides for bodybuilding.
Reduces Downtime and Aids Training Sessions
During exercise (including strength training), muscle fibers stretch a lot, causing tissues to wear and tear. That’s why you might feel sore after exercise. TB-500 may reduce muscle soreness and aid you in bouncing back after high-intensity training or sports.
- According to research, TB-500 reduces inflammation by reducing inflammatory chemicals.
- Another study indicated that the peptide fights inflammation by cleaning the cellular waste. And the decrease in inflammation reduces pain, swelling, and fatigue in peptide users.
Athletes reported training longer and harder when using TB-500. Also, their downtime after injuries was reduced. That’s why TB-500 is among the best peptides for athletic performance.
Note: TB-500 is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in some countries. So, those playing competitive sports should avoid peptide intake.
Remodels Bones and Aids Fracture Healing
A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research reported that mice injected with TB-4 into their abdominal cavity quickly healed from bone fracture compared to the untreated mice.
Here’s how the peptide remodeled bones in mice:
- Strengthened Bones: TB4-treated bones were 25% stiffer and 41% stronger. This means the repaired bone had the potential to withstand high force without breaking.
- Improved Bone Structure: TB-4 helped form new mineralized bone tissues in the fractured area. It also reduced the size of calluses (a temporary tissue structure formed while healing) in the bone.
Another preclinical study checked the role of the synthetic peptide of TB-4 (aka TB-500) on wound healing and the formation of new bone tissues after tooth removal. Here’s what abdominal injection of TB-500 did in rats:
- Reduced inflammation to provide an ideal healing environment.
- Supported the new bone formation.
- Enhanced the formation of blood vessels for quick healing.
- Sped up the process of wound healing of tooth extraction sockets.
These findings suggest that bodybuilders could take advantage of TB-500, which may help them strengthen their bones, maintain their training routines, and bounce back to peak performance after injuries.
Recommended Dosage for Bodybuilding
Like other individuals, bodybuilders follow multiple TB-500 dose protocols according to their health, weight, and needs. You may pick any dosing regimen as per your need:
- If you want to start small, take 750 mcg (or 0.75 mg) of TB-500 daily.
- Another way is to take 3 mg of TB-500 on alternate days.
Maintenance and Loading Phase of TB-500
Remember, you need to start small to check the body’s response to the peptide and help your body adapt to it. Once the body gets accustomed to the lower dose of TB-500, you can hop on to the higher loading dose for 2-4 weeks.
Follow the loading phase with the maintenance period, during which you drop to approximately half of the loading dose to enjoy the TB-500 peptide benefits without overburdening the body. Also, split the weekly dosage into two to three evenly spaced injections.
Here’s the TB-500 dosing regimen for different phases:
- Starting Dose: Most people start with 2-2.5 mg of TB-500 per week.
- Loading Dose: For the loading phase, bodybuilders take 4-10 mg of TB-500 every week for approximately two weeks.
- Maintenance Dose: During the maintenance phase, take half the loading dose, i.e., 2-5 mg per week.
If you want an exact answer to how much TB-500 should I take?
The answer is that there is no specific TB-500 dose. Do what works best for you. Beginners should start with the minimum dose range, experienced individuals may choose the medium range, and those looking for maximum healing effects may choose the higher range.
Pro tip: Remember to add a washout period between two cycles. Take a one-month break after 3 months of TB-500 intake, as prolonged treatment or overconsumption could mess with your hormones.
How to Administer TB-500
Depending on the need and convenience, TB-500 dosage is administered through injections, pills, sprays, or even topical application.
TB-500 Oral Dosage
TB-500 oral dosage depends on the individual’s weight, goals, and health. However, as per anecdotal reports, the average dose is 2.5 mg.
You can take TB-500 pills with water. Some people prefer taking the TB-500 capsules or pills in the morning, while others divide the daily dose into chunks and take it throughout the day.
TB-500 Oral Bioavailability
Due to its large molecular size, TB-500 is not easily absorbed after oral intake. That’s why it is fragmented into a smaller fragment (Ac-SDKP), which is available in the form of enteric-coated capsules.
It is easier to enjoy the benefits of TB-500 in capsule form without going through the hassle of pricking the needles and reconstitution (mixing the dose in bacteriostatic water) for injections. Plus, each TB-500 capsule delivers a definite dosage to the body.
TB-500 Nasal Spray
TB-500 sprays are a gentle and noninvasive way of administering doses. Once sprayed, TB-500 enters the nasal mucosa and reaches multiple body parts by systemic absorption through the bloodstream.
The TB-500 sprays are convenient as they do not need additional supplies or mixing. However, they are not preferred like injections due to their limited absorption.
Also, there is a chance of degradation or clearance of the sprayed TB-500 dose in the nasal passage. Additionally, it is difficult to have a definite dose or adjust the dosage according to your needs.
How to Use TB-500 Nasal Spray?
Ensure to keep the pump area of the spray bottle clean to avoid contamination. Here’s how you can use the nasal spray:
- While spraying, keep your head in a tilted position to prevent the TB-500 peptide from dripping into the throat.
- Clean the nose to clear the nasal congestion and enhance the peptide absorption.
Note: Keep the spray bottle refrigerated to avoid peptide degradation.
TB-500 Injection
TB-500 is mainly administered through injections. Injections ensure maximum bioavailability, as the dose directly reaches the target tissues through blood without dumping into the stomach.
Here’s how to reconstitute and inject TB-500:
- Mix the powdered form of TB-500 in the bacteriostatic water to reconstitute it.
- Sanitize the supplies (like the bacteriostatic water vial and TB-500 container) with an alcohol swab.
- Fill the needle with bacteriostatic water.
- For thorough mixing, surge the water to the walls of the TB-500 bottle instead of the middle of the TB-500 powder.
- Carefully measure the powder quantity and water for accurate dose preparation. For instance, if you mix 5 mg of TB-500 powder with 10 mL of bacteriostatic water, the concentration per mL would be 0.5 mg/mL.
Concentration = 5 mg ÷ 10 mL
= 0.5 mg/mL.
That means each 1 mL solution has 0.5 mg of TB-500.
- Draw the formulated dose into the syringe.
- Clean the injection area with an alcohol swab and then inject.
Where to Inject TB-500
TB-500 is injected through subcutaneous (skin) or intramuscular (within the muscle) routes. Some people interchangeably use both techniques. You may choose any method based on your goal and level of comfort.
Subcutaneous Injections:
Subcutaneous injections involve injecting the TB-500 through the fatty layer of the skin. The peptide slowly gets absorbed into the bloodstream. The subcutaneous route is used for long-term recovery and healing.
Subcutaneous injections are:
- More convenient and less painful than intramuscular injections
- Injected in the upper arms, upper thighs, or abdomen
- Mostly preferred by those who find the intramuscular injections challenging
Intramuscular Injection:
Intramuscular administration involves injecting the peptide into the muscles. These injections are mostly injected in the hips or thighs, from where they reach the bloodstream.
Intramuscular injections ensure:
- Quick absorption and delivery of the peptide in the affected area
- Targeted healing from inflammation or injury
How to Stack TB-500 with Other Compounds
TB-500 is stacked with other peptides for synergistic benefits like muscle growth and healing. Here are the common TB-500 combinations:
TB-500 + GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is considered the best anti-aging peptide. It is known to rejuvenate and improve skin elasticity.
When GHK-Cu is combined with TB-500, the stack may:
- Improve skin health
- Enhance collagen production
- Improve joint health
TB-500 + CJC-1295 Ipamorelin
As growth hormone secretagogues, CJC-1295 peptide and Ipamorelin signal the pituitary gland to release growth hormones. The increased level of growth hormones leads to increased healing effects. When stacking, make sure to use less TB-500 and CJC-1295 Ipamorelin dosage.
TB-500 is stacked with the CJC-1295 ipamorelin for:
- Quicker tissue repair and recovery
- Better sleep quality
- Fat loss
TB-500 + BPC-157
Last but not least, TB-500 with the BPC-157 peptide (aka Wolverine Stack) is the perfect peptide combo. Wolverine Stack users continue to share their positive reviews on multiple platforms.
They prefer this combo as it:
- Treats musculoskeletal injuries quickly
- Improves gastrointestinal health
- Enhances overall recovery
Reviews by TB-500 + BPC-157 Stack Users
A few Wolverine stack users shared their reviews, saying:
Get all your problems potentially solved. For context, I’m 46 years old and I train daily in Muay Thai and BJJ. I healed both a meniscus tear (4 weeks) and a grade 1 AC joint separation (6 weeks) with BPC-157/TB-500. No soreness, great sleep.
Been using both BPC157 and TB500 at the same time. My elbows were horrible and have lower spine damage that’s unrepairable. After 2 injections my elbows were normal and my knees felt like new. My back always hurt as it won’t create spinal fluid but I was able to dead lift for the first time in 5 years and pulled 305lbs easily. It truly works.
I had a sore shoulder on and off for quite a while. I used TB500 and BPC157 for a while and it’s no longer sore for now. Interested to see if I’m completely healed up or not.
BPC-157 and TB-500 Dosage
First, compare TB-500 vs. BPC-157 to decide whether you need both peptides or if any single peptide would suffice.
When taking the peptide alone, the BPC-157 dose ranges from 250–750 mcg daily, and the TB-500 dosage ranges from 2–5 mg per week.
BPC-157 TB-500 Blend Dosage
If stacking, choose half of the lower number of the range, particularly when starting the peptide therapy. Starting from the high doses of both peptides could cause side effects.
- Start the TB-500 regimen with 1 mg (weekly), which is half of 2 mg.
- The starting BPC-157 peptide dosage would be 125 mcg (daily), which is 50% of 250 mcg.
TB-500 and BPC-157 Dosage Timing
Here’s how you can balance the dosage timing of TB-500 + BPC-157:
- Administer BPC-157 once or twice daily because of its short half-life. Also, you may have it in the morning time.
- Inject TB-500 once a week due to its longer half-life. And you can inject it before bedtime or in the evening.
A netizen shared his experience with the Wolverine stack, saying:
I personally see most benefit in myself from doing TB-500 10mg all at once in 3ml of bac. Doesn’t matter what amount of ml but 10mg into the area such as hamstring for me. Works systematically but I also believe it has local effect during initial injection. BPC-157 I do 250mcg once in the morning once before bed.
TB-500 Side Effects and Risks
TB-500 is well-tolerated and safe. However, it may cause mild and temporary side effects in some individuals, particularly at the start of peptide therapy.
Common TB-500 side effects include:
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Skin irritation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Get answers to some of the common questions below.
What Is the Best Time of Day to Take TB-500?
You may take TB-500 before bedtime or in the evening. Some people prefer TB-500 intake after an intense workout to accelerate the healing of injuries, wear and tear, or strains.
What’s the Difference Between TB-500 and BPC-157?
Several peptide users use both peptides for synergistic healing and recovery. In addition to healing, BPC-157 peptide benefits include improving digestive health, especially ulcers and fistulas.
TB-500’s repairing potential is more potent and quick. That’s why bodybuilders, arm wrestlers, and athletes use either TB-500 alone or a TB-500 + BPC-157 stack to accelerate recovery.
Is TB-500 Suitable for Women?
TB-500 is considered safe, regardless of gender. In a preclinical study, TB-4 was injected into pregnant mice, and the peptide effect was (later on) checked on the mice babies.
It was revealed that the newborns had higher body lengths and more developed internal organs (lungs, brain, and heart) than the untreated ones. However, due to the lack of clinical data, pregnant and lactating women are advised to avoid TB-500.
Conclusion
TB-500 shows promising results for bodybuilders as it accelerates recovery and enhances their endurance and flexibility. However, the information regarding TB-500 dosage bodybuilding is based on anecdotal reports.
Consult your healthcare provider to decide on the optimum dose. Also, give enough time to the peptide therapy, as its results may take time in some individuals.
Plus, start from a lower dosage to adapt the body to the peptide. Don’t forget to take sufficient protein and get proper sleep for efficient recovery and muscle growth.
Take the first step to your bodybuilding journey now!
