u/instanceOfObject

Nothing surprising. No evidence that BPC does much. Not really a shocker since it's mostly a placebo effect driven by online hype and hysteria.

https://www.fda.gov/media/193343/download

Edited: Here's the cliff notes version.

It's promising if you're a rat:
- Prevention of colonic fistulas
- Protection against NSAID-induced stomach/intestinal lesions
- Hepatoprotective effects
- No dose-response relationships were established
- Molecular targets and mechanisms of action remain unknown
- Animal results don't reliably predict human outcomes

Animal Toxicity Findings (28-day studies):
- Clotting abnormalities: aPTT shortening in rats, prolongation in dogs (suggesting altered clotting)
- Liver signals: elevated ALT, glucose, and triglycerides
- No teratogenicity observed in pregnant rats

Reported Adverse Events (FAERS Database) for humans:
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling)
- Shortness of breath requiring ER visit
- Diffuse hyperpigmentation and gingival darkening

Immunogenicity Concerns (major FDA concern):
- Immune responses ranging from benign antibodies to life-threatening reactions
- Peptide aggregation (which can trigger immune responses and reduce efficacy)
- Potential neutralization of endogenous peptides

HCT: 54.7 (H)
Hgb: 17.3 (H)
RBC: 6.43 (H)

I realize these numbers aren't 'too high' for some, but they are for me. FYI, I'm very hydrated.

My first thought was a blood donation, but since my ferritin is 10, a donation would put me squarely in 'iron-deficiency anemia'. So, it's a real Catch 22. It would seem my best option is to lay off the testosterone for 4-8 weeks, while taking an iron supplement during the T-hiatus. Once my ferritin is back up, then do a donation to lower the high blood values. This will crash my ferritin again, so supplement for a few more weeks. Then eventually, get back on TRT (next time I'm microdosing and using a smaller amount).

Anyway, just curious if I'm missing any other options that I'm not seeing. If you think of anything besides supplementing with iron during a long T-vacation, please let me know.

Thanks.

Has anyone experimented with the peptide Semax? If so, any noticeable changes in your vision or cognition?

It's on my radar because of it's purported ability to regenerate the optic nerve and it's supposedly quite neuroprotective mostly due to its ability to greatly increase BDNF.

It's all just so much fun, isn't it?

Well, turns out there's a new player in town now. It started in the past couple years. Basically, when I look at something with contrasting patterns, like a rug with a design, whatever is immediately around my point of focus is sort of vibrating/jiggling. I noticed it only happens when looking with both eyes - covering either makes it go away. AI tells me this is something like "Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) manifesting as Pattern-Induced Oscillopsia".

Just curious, does anyone else have this?