🔑 Key Takeaways
- Standard Epithalon dose: 5–10mg per day for 10–20 day courses
- Most protocols run 10 days on, then off for 3–6 months
- Can be injected subcutaneously or administered as nasal spray
- Results are cumulative — most people run 1–2 courses per year for longevity
- 10mg vial from Ascension = one 10-day course at 1mg/day; a standard 5–10mg/day course needs 5–10 vials
- Free calculator: peptide dosage calculator
Epithalon (also spelled Epitalon, or AEDG for its Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly sequence) is a tetrapeptide studied for its effects on telomerase activation, sleep regulation, and longevity. Unlike most peptides taken daily in ongoing cycles, Epithalon is typically used in short intensive courses 1–2 times per year. Here's how to dose it properly.
ℹ️ Where the numbers come from: The 5–10mg/day courses below are community convention, repeated on vendor and user sites. The only published human dose for whole-body use is far lower: 0.5mg a day under the tongue for 20 days, in a placebo-controlled study of 40 night-shift workers with low melatonin output (Khavinson, Linkova & Ivko, World Heart Journal 2021; PMID 33280326). The Epithalon dosage chart lays out both tiers with syringe units.
Standard Epithalon Dosage Protocols
Protocol 1 — Standard Longevity Course (Most Common)
- Dose: 5–10mg total daily
- Split: 2.5–5mg twice daily (morning + evening) OR single daily injection
- Duration: 10 days on, then stop
- Frequency: 1–2 courses per year (e.g., spring and fall)
- Best for: general longevity, telomere support, anti-aging
Protocol 2 — Conservative Low-Dose Course
- Dose: 1–2mg per day
- Duration: 10–20 days
- Frequency: 1–2x per year
- Best for: first-timers, conservative approach
Protocol 3 — Sleep & Pineal Regulation
- Dose: 5mg before bed
- Duration: 10 days
- Frequency: 1x per year or as needed for sleep issues
- Best for: sleep quality, circadian rhythm regulation
Reconstitution reference — 10mg vial:
BAC Water
Concentration
1mg dose
2.5mg dose
5mg dose
1mL ⭐
10mg/mL
10 IU
25 IU
50 IU
2mL
5mg/mL
20 IU
50 IU
100 IU
4mL
2.5mg/mL
40 IU
100 IU
—
1mL ⭐
Concentration
10mg/mL
1mg dose
10 IU
2.5mg dose
25 IU
5mg dose
50 IU
2mL
Concentration
5mg/mL
1mg dose
20 IU
2.5mg dose
50 IU
5mg dose
100 IU
4mL
Concentration
2.5mg/mL
1mg dose
40 IU
2.5mg dose
100 IU
5mg dose
—
Daily Dose
10mg Vial Lasts
1mg/day
10 days (one full course)
2.5mg/day
4 days
5mg/day
2 days
10mg/day
1 day
For a full 10-day standard protocol at 5mg/day, you need 5 vials. At 1mg/day for 10 days, one vial covers the course.
Nasal Spray Dosage
Epithalon is also used as a nasal spray:
- Typical concentration: 1–2mg per mL
- Dose: 2–4 sprays per nostril, 1–2x daily
- Less precise than injection but more convenient
- No bioavailability figure has been published for nasal Epithalon, so how much reaches the blood is unknown
- Best for: people avoiding injections
Injectable Epithalon — Subcutaneous Protocol
- Injection site: abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm
- Needle: 29–31G insulin syringe, 0.5 inch
- Inject slowly (5–10 seconds)
- Rotate sites between doses
- Most people inject once daily in the evening — Epithalon has pineal/sleep effects, and evening timing makes sense
Why Epithalon Is Dosed in Courses (Not Continuously)
Epithalon works differently from most peptides. Its primary studied mechanism is telomerase activation — stimulating the enzyme that rebuilds telomere length. This is not something that needs daily ongoing stimulation. Research protocols used short courses because:
- Telomere effects are cumulative and persist after the course
- Pineal gland regulation benefits carry over
- Receptor desensitization is avoided
- Course-based dosing is community convention; the only published human systemic dose is 0.5mg/day for 20 days (sublingual, Khavinson 2021)
Most longevity-focused users run 2 courses per year: once in spring, once in autumn.
What to Expect and When
- Days 1–3: possible mild changes in sleep quality, vivid dreams
- Days 4–7: some users report improved sleep depth and waking more refreshed
- Week 2–4 post-course: energy and general wellbeing may gradually improve
- Months later: the longevity and telomere effects are not something you "feel" — they're background biology
- Hair and skin: some users report improvements in hair growth and skin quality over months
Stacking Epithalon
Commonly stacked with:
- MOTS-C — mitochondrial peptide for energy and metabolic health. Complementary longevity stack.
- BPC-157 — for tissue repair alongside longevity support
- GHK-Cu — skin, hair, and anti-aging from a different angle (collagen, copper peptide)
- Not typically stacked with GHRPs or GLP-1s — different purpose
How much Epithalon should I take?
Standard protocols used 5–10mg total daily, split across morning and evening injections, for 10 days. Conservative first-timers often start at 1–2mg/day for 10 days. Both are community protocols, not trial doses: the only published human systemic dose is 0.5mg a day under the tongue for 20 days (Khavinson, Linkova & Ivko, 2021). See the Epithalon dosage chart.
How long does one Epithalon course last?
Typically 10 days. Some protocols extend to 20 days at lower doses. After the course, you stop and repeat in 3–6 months.
How often should I use Epithalon?
Most people run 1–2 courses per year. Common timing: spring and autumn. More frequent use hasn't shown additional benefit in protocols.
Can I inject Epithalon every day?
Yes — daily injection for the duration of the course (10–20 days) is the standard approach. Once daily in the evening is most common.
How much BAC water do I add to a 10mg Epithalon vial?
1mL, giving 10mg/mL. A 5mg dose = 50 IU and a 10mg dose = 100 IU on a U-100 syringe. Use the reconstitution calculator for your specific protocol.
Can a pharmacy compound Epithalon in the US?
As of November 2026, under conditions. On October 28, 2026 HHS announced it will not take enforcement action against state-licensed pharmacies or physicians compounding Epitalon acetate under section 503A while the bulks list goes through rulemaking (Federal Register, October 30, 2026). The policy limits it to subcutaneous or intramuscular injection given in periodic cycles (BakerHostetler summary). It is not FDA approval, and HHS can revisit it if a safety signal appears.
Is there a nasal spray version of Epithalon?
Yes. Nasal spray is used at 1–2mg per mL concentration, 2–4 sprays per nostril twice daily. It's less precise than injectable and its absorption has never been measured, but it is an option for those who prefer to avoid needles.
Sources
- Khavinson V, Linkova N, Ivko O. AEDG Peptide Regulates the Expression of Circadian Genes Clock, Cry2, Csnk1e in Human Immune Cells. World Heart Journal 2021;13(1):189-191
- Ivko OM et al. AEDG peptide regulates human circadian rhythms genes expression during pineal gland accelerated aging. Adv Gerontol 2020;33(3):429-435. PMID 33280326
- HHS. Enforcement Discretion Policy Regarding 503A Compounding Using Certain Peptide Bulk Drug Substances. Federal Register, October 30, 2026
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement or compound. Results vary by individual.