THYMOSIN ALPHA 1: IMMUNITY IN A BOTTLE
Thymosin Alpha 1: Immunity In a Bottle
By: Biohacking Daily
2020 has brought our immune systems to the front line. Everyone in Biohacking communities has discussed extensively about things like vitamin C, NAC, and D3. But what if I told you there was a peptide that is extremely effective for things like covid, cancer, and your immune system. The peptide is rarely talked about in Biohacking spaces and that peptide is Thymosin Alpha 1. In this article I want to dive into what it is, its main applications for us as biohackers, and then finally where to source this and proper dosing protocols.
Thymosin Alpha 1 is a regulator of the immune system. It is a naturally occurring peptide fragment that was first isolated from tissue in the thymus gland. The thymus plays a crucial role in the immune system by helping to produce T cells. It has been approved for use for chronic hepatitis B and C in developing nations. Thymosin Alpha 1 is extremely effective at helping to restore proper immune function and help prevent other viruses and infections. Research has been slowed slightly as in March of 2020 the FDA placed new restrictions on compounding pharmacies producing Thymosin Alpha 1.
The first main benefit we must discuss is Thymosins Alpha 1s ability to supercharge the immune system. Numerous trials are under way to show if Thymosin Alpha 1 is effective for covid and should be wrapped up around 2022. A published study has also shown that it was able to reduce the mortality of severe coronavirus disease by restoring the Lymphocytopenia and reversing exhausted T cells. Strangely, another recent study showed that it had no benefit in restoring CD4+, CD8+, and T lymphocyte counts. Either way I personally think that Thymosin Alpha 1 paired with other things like glutathione, GH, and vitamins like D3+K2 can be essential for properly overcoming various viruses. It also plays a key role in helping fight against Hepatitis B. Its ability to properly supercharge the immune system makes it highly valuable in dealing with various illnesses and viruses. It even may play a role in potentiating the release of CD8+ cells to help inhibit HIV-1 (in vitro).
The second benefit I wanted to touch on is Thymosin Alpha 1 in cancer. Now before I touch on this I want to clarify cancer is an extremely complex disease that we still do not fully know. I am in no way suggesting that it is a cure for cancer, but what I am suggesting is that it may hold value in fighting some forms of cancer. A modified Thymosin Alpha 1 in vivo distributes and inhibits the growth of lung cancer. It was also found to be able to suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells via PTEN-mediated inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTor signaling pathway. Which could mean that it has the potential to be counterproductive when it comes to gaining muscle. There is even discussion centered around whether Thymosin Alpha 1 may be effective in helping with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Thymosin Alpha 1 even works synergistically with dacarbazine, a chemotherapy to help slow the progression of tumors. There are many cancers that it is currently being tested with and it carries tons of potential in being a key player in the fight against cancer.
While I know the first two might not be super appealing to people who are bodybuilding. It may carry features that are very helpful for bodybuilders or people using androgens in general. Another interesting feature that it carries is that it has the potential to help increase the fertilizing capacity of sperm of infertile men. This could make it a novel addition to PCT protocols for bodybuilders attempting to optimize their HPTA and fertility following cycles with androgens. Another reason bodybuilders and PED users may want to pay attention to this peptide is that in a study with atherosclerotic rabbits it was found to help protect the liver and the aorta from oxidative damage.
My Experience
This is a trickier one to share my experience with. I will definitely say I am excited to try the nasal version the next time that I get sick. As when I am sick I already dislike injections. Also when I am sick I do not just take Thymosin Alpha 1, but I also take a very comprehensive stack to help beat the virus. It is a more difficult one because I can not predict when I will be sick next. The next time I am though I will do a more controlled experiment with the nasal version as I used the injectable previously.
With that in mind I followed the dosing protocol listed by this PubMed Article and it seemed to help me recover faster from my illness. Again though it is very hard to know with this, and I will set up better experiments in the future. I personally used 1mg EOD for the first week followed by 1mg twice per week for the week after the cold started to go away. I used a lower dose, but more frequently when I really first had the symptoms because that time frame is crucial in quickly beating a virus, then I dropped to a cruise dose after when the symptoms started to recede.
How to Use and Dose
When it comes to dosing this peptide and using it I have a few recommendations. There is not tons of data on it so I am kind of shooting in the dark here slightly. Many hormone clinics do offer this so if you are at a hormone clinic please consult with your doctor there on dosing and how to use it.
I think the best way to use it is to always have it on hand and ready to go. The first small symptom you get whether it be a cough or a scratchy throat immediately begin your protocol along with your supplements for colds. It should be injected twice a week via a subcutaneous shot. The standard single dose ranges from .6 to 6.4mg whereas multiple doses range from 1.6 to 16mg for five to seven days. Use your common sense with this. If you are on the smaller side then you should stick with a lower end dose and if you are on the larger side then go with a higher end dose. It has a good safety profile and is well tolerated. The literature does not speak on nasal spray preparations which I have seen before so I can not accurately advise on those.
Sourcing (All Sources Have Been Properly Tested By Zac and are the Top Sources on the Market) Code: Retro to Save
Swiss Chems Thymosin Alpha 1 (Injectable) (10% off code retro)
Pure Rawz Thymosin Alpha 1 (Injectable) (15% off code retro)
Studies
https://resist.bot/petitions/PDIIDT
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32442287/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.568789/full
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32426594/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26002438/
https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06757.x
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7826907/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25640173/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8579476/