The Metabolic Stack

🚨 CRITICAL WARNING: This protocol relies on Semaglutide (GLP-1 Agonist) and AOD-9604. Both are Schedule 4 Prescription-Only medicines. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic/Wegovy. While Semaglutide itself is currently permitted by WADA, AOD-9604 is strictly Prohibited under Category S2 (Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics) as it is a fragment of Human Growth Hormone.

What is the “Metabolic” Protocol?

This is the combination that dominates Australian cosmetic and weight-loss clinics.

While Semaglutide (Ozempic) has become famous for stopping people from eating, it has a flaw: it can cause muscle loss and a “slowed metabolism” because the body panics when calories drop too low. This protocol fixes that flaw by stacking the “Appetite Killer” (Semaglutide) with a “Fat Mobilizer” (AOD-9604).

  • Semaglutide: acts as the “Brake.” It mimics the hormone GLP-1, telling your brain you are full and physically slowing down how fast your stomach empties. It creates the massive calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
  • AOD-9604: acts as the “Furnace.” It is the specific fragment of Growth Hormone (C-Terminal 177-191) responsible for burning fat. Unlike full HGH, it does not cause growth or affect blood sugar. It keeps the metabolic fire burning even when food intake is low.

The Science for Dummies: “The Lock and The Key”

Imagine your body fat is a savings account you are trying to empty.

1. Semaglutide stops you from making deposits

Usually, you keep putting money (food) into the bank. Semaglutide locks the bank’s front door. You physically cannot put more food in because you feel full after three bites. This stops the fat account from growing.

2. AOD-9604 authorizes withdrawals

Even if you stop depositing money, the bank (your body) hates withdrawals. It tries to “save” energy by making you tired (metabolic adaptation). AOD-9604 is a manager override key. It forces the bank to release the funds (fatty acids) into the bloodstream to be burned for energy, preventing your metabolism from crashing.

The Synergy: Semaglutide handles the “Calories In.” AOD-9604 handles the “Calories Out.”

Who Is Talking About This Protocol?

  • Dr. Andrew Huberman: Has extensively covered GLP-1 agonists (Semaglutide), describing them as a revolutionary tool for obesity that fundamentally changes the brain’s relationship with food, specifically quieting “food noise.”
  • Australian Weight Loss Clinics: This is the standard “Platinum” package in many clinics. Doctors prescribe Semaglutide to control the diet and AOD-9604 to ensure the weight lost is stubborn fat rather than just water and muscle.
  • Calum von Moger: Before his hiatus, discussed using AOD-9604 to stay lean without the side effects of traditional fat burners like Clenbuterol.

The Strategy: How It Is Used

This protocol combines a once-weekly shot with a daily shot.

The Schedule

  • Component A: Semaglutide (The Weekly Shot)
    • Dose: Titrate slowly.
      • Weeks 1-4: 0.25mg once weekly.
      • Weeks 5-8: 0.5mg once weekly.
      • Weeks 9+: 1.0mg once weekly (only if needed).
    • Timing: Inject on the same day each week (e.g., Sunday night).
  • Component B: AOD-9604 (The Daily Shot)
    • Dose: 300mcg – 500mcg daily.
    • Timing:Fasted Morning.
      • Crucial Rule: AOD-9604 only works if insulin is low. Inject it immediately upon waking. Do not eat for 60-90 minutes afterwards. If you eat breakfast immediately, you render the AOD useless.

The Cycle

  • Duration: Typically 12 to 16 weeks. Semaglutide is designed for long-term use; AOD-9604 helps plateau-busting during the cut.

Necessary “Fuel”: Potentiation

  1. Protein, Protein, Protein: Semaglutide kills your appetite for meat. You must drink protein shakes. If you don’t hit 1.5g of protein per kg of bodyweight, you will lose muscle (“Ozempic Face/Butt”).
  2. Electrolytes: Low carb/low calorie intake flushes water. Drink electrolytes daily to prevent the “Keto Flu” headache.
  3. Fiber (Psyllium Husk): Semaglutide slows gut motility (constipation). Fiber is non-negotiable to keep things moving.

Safety & Troubleshooting

Nausea (The Semaglutide Hurdle) Most users feel sick for the first 2 weeks.

  • The Fix: Inject in the thigh (less nausea than stomach). Do not increase the dose until the nausea passes. Eat small, bland meals.

“I’m not losing weight”

  • The Reality: Semaglutide takes 4-5 weeks to reach “steady state” in your blood. Week 1 is just the loading phase. Be patient.
  • The AOD Factor: Are you eating after your AOD shot? If yes, that’s why it’s not working. You must be fasted.

Muscle Loss

  • The Fix: You must lift weights. If you take this stack and just do cardio or sit on the couch, you will become “skinny fat.” Resistance training is required to signal the body to keep the muscle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) instead?

Yes. Tirzepatide is the “2.0” version. It targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. It is stronger and often has less nausea than Semaglutide. The protocol remains the same: stack it with AOD-9604 for fat mobilization.

Will the weight come back?

If you don’t change your habits, yes. Semaglutide is a tool to buy you time to fix your diet. If you stop the drug and go back to eating junk, the appetite will return.

Is AOD-9604 safe?

Generally, yes. It has “GRAS” (Generally Recognized As Safe) status in the USA for food supplements, though injection is different. It lacks the side effects of full HGH (no water retention, no insulin resistance).

Will I fail a drug test?

YES. Because of the AOD-9604. It is banned S2. Semaglutide is generally allowed out-of-competition, but check your specific federation rules.