Huberman Lab

Peptide & Hormone Therapies for Health, Performance & Longevity | Dr. Craig Koniver

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Key takeaways

  • Peptides are small proteins that can be used therapeutically to enhance mental and physical performance.
  • GLP-1 agonists can support weight loss and metabolic health but may require careful management to prevent muscle loss.
  • BPC-157 is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties and injury recovery benefits, though it faces sourcing limitations due to regulatory actions.
  • Testosterone therapies are on the rise; however, they should be approached cautiously to avoid dependency.
  • NAD is crucial for mitochondrial health and can lead to significant improvements in energy levels and cognitive function.
  • Maintaining a positive mindset is essential for overall health, and it can profoundly influence physical and mental well-being.

Summary

Introduction to Peptides and Performance Medicine

The episode begins with Dr. Andrew Huberman introducing Dr. Craig Koniver, an expert in performance medicine focusing on peptides and hormone therapies. They discuss how peptides, which are small proteins, can activate various health pathways in the body to improve both mental and physical performance. The conversation introduces listeners to GLP-1 peptides, like semaglutide, known for weight loss and metabolic health, and BPC-157, recognized for wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Role of GLP-1 and BPC-157

Dr. Koniver outlines the effects of GLP-1 agonists, emphasizing their importance in weight loss and glucose regulation. They note that while these drugs are often beneficial, concerns about potential muscle loss arise, calling for a balanced approach with the use of resistance training and dietary factors. BPC-157 is highlighted for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to aid in recovery from injuries, though it faces availability challenges due to recent FDA regulations.

Testosterone and Hormone Therapies

The discussion turns to the complexities surrounding testosterone therapies, addressing their growing popularity for both men and women. Dr. Koniver emphasizes the need for responsible and informed use of hormone therapies, balancing between necessary supplementation and avoiding dependency on external hormones for health. The role of peptides in hormone therapies is also explored, particularly their ability to enhance natural hormone production without shutting down endogenous processes.

Safety, Sourcing, and Regulation of Peptides

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the need for safe sourcing of peptides, particularly in light of the FDA's recent crackdowns on certain compounds. Physicians are encouraged to guide patients in sourcing clean and effective peptides, ideally through licensed compounding pharmacies. This highlights the conversation on black market dangers and the importance of quality assurance in peptide use.

NAD and Mitochondrial Health

Dr. Huberman and Dr. Koniver discuss NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), emphasizing its transformative effects on energy metabolism, cognitive function, and recovery. Dr. Koniver shares his regimen for NAD infusions, explaining how they help facilitate better mitochondrial function and aid in recovery from illnesses like COVID-19. The nuances between NAD, NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide), and NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) are also clarified, particularly regarding their effectiveness and absorption.

Mindset, Positivity, and Health

Towards the conclusion, Dr. Koniver emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset for achieving optimal health. He points out that negative thoughts can be detrimental while encouraging listeners to pursue positivity as a pathway to improved well-being. This holistic view reinforces the interconnectedness of physical health and mental health, promoting a comprehensive approach to wellness.

Sponsors

  • AG1 · AG1 is a vitamin mineral probiotic drink that also includes prebiotics and adaptogens, designed to cover all foundational nutritional needs.
  • Joovv · Juve makes medical-grade red light therapy devices that have positive effects on various aspects of health, including faster muscle recovery and improved skin health.
  • BetterHelp · BetterHelp offers professional therapy with licensed therapists conducted entirely online.
  • Function · Function provides in-depth lab testing to help analyze blood, urine, and saliva for a complete picture of health, along with insights from top doctors.
  • Eight Sleep · 8Sleep makes smart mattress covers with cooling, heating, and sleep tracking capabilities to improve sleep quality.

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Craig Koniver, M.D., a board-certified physician trained at Brown University and Thomas Jefferson University, discusses the therapeutic application of peptides and hormones for enhancing physical and mental health and performance.

We explore GLP-1 analogs for weight loss, BPC-157 for wound healing and reducing inflammation, as well as peptides that increase growth hormone, improve REM sleep, and enhance cognitive function. We also cover testosterone therapy, NAD, NMN, and NR supplementation, methylene blue for mitochondrial health, stem cell therapies, and supplements such as CoEnzyme Q10 and methylated B vitamins.

Additionally, we discuss effective dosages, sourcing, safety considerations, and the importance of working with knowledgeable physicians. Whether you're currently using peptides or exogenous hormones, or simply curious about their potential benefits and risks, this episode provides the scientific rationale behind how peptides function, their potential to enhance mental and physical health, and how they can optimize performance.

Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Timestamps
00:00:00 Dr. Craig Koniver
00:04:52 Sponsors: Joovv & BetterHelp
00:07:40 What is a Peptide?
00:09:37 GLP-1 Agonists, Semaglutide Weight Loss, Brain Health
00:15:49 GLP-1 Microdoses, Muscle Loss; Inflammation
00:18:43 BPC-157, Inflammation
00:23:27 BPC-157, Injection & Oral Forms; Injury Repair
00:28:43 Sourcing, Anabolic Steroids, Testosterone
00:34:48 Black & Gray Market, Compounding Pharmacies, Purity
00:38:20 Sponsor: AG1
00:39:51 Partnering with a Physician, LPS
00:43:00 BPC-157, Pentadeca Arginate (PDA); Side Effects & Doses
00:46:35 Ipamorelin, GHRP-6, Sleep, Appetite; Tool: Sleep & Growth Hormone
00:54:17 Tesamorelin, Sermorelin, CJC-1295; Stacking Peptides
00:58:45 Sponsor: Function & Eight Sleep
01:01:54 Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Mitochondrial Health
01:05:16 Prescriptions, Physicians & Trust
01:14:09 Agency in Your Health
01:17:13 MK-677, Appetite
01:19:32 Hexarelin; Growth Hormone Secretagogues Dosing
01:21:10 Methylated B Vitamins, Homocysteine
01:24:47 Peptides for Sleep, Pinealon, Epitalon
01:31:03 Glycine, Liver Detoxification; Dosage
01:37:19 GLP-1, Compounding Pharmacies
01:39:03 Stem Cell Therapy, PRP
01:41:18 Thymosin Alpha-1, Cerebrolysin & Brain Health
01:44:17 Peptides for Cognitive Function, Methylene Blue, Doses
01:50:20 Covid, NAD Infusion, NMN & NR Supplements
01:57:13 Nutritional Deficiencies; NAD Dose & Regimen, NMN & NR
02:07:53 PT-141, Vyleesi, Libido; Nausea
02:10:57 FDA Approval & Removal, Pharmaceutical Companies
02:20:17 Positivity, Mindset & Health
02:26:23 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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