🚨 CRITICAL WARNING: This protocol utilises Epithalon and Thymalin, two powerful peptide bioregulators developed in the Soviet Union. While generally considered safe and currently Permitted by WADA (as they are not anabolic agents), they are Schedule 4 Prescription-Only medicines in Australia. This protocol is distinct because it is not a “daily maintenance” routine; it is a rapid, high-dose “system reset” performed only once or twice a year.
What is the “Russian” Protocol?
In the 1980s, Soviet scientist Professor Vladimir Khavinson was tasked with a secret military objective: prevent rapid aging in submariners and cosmonauts exposed to radiation and high stress. The result of his 30+ years of research was a class of peptides called “Bioregulators.”
The most famous protocol to emerge from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation is the combination of Epithalon (Pineal Gland) and Thymalin (Thymus Gland).
The theory is that aging is driven by the collapse of two key systems:
- The Neuro-Endocrine System: Regulated by the Pineal Gland (Melatonin/Circadian Rhythms).
- The Immune System: Regulated by the Thymus Gland (T-Cell production).
By injecting these two specific peptides simultaneously, you theoretically “reboot” these organs, restoring their function to that of a younger person. Khavinson’s human clinical trials showed a remarkable 40% reduction in all-cause mortality over 15 years in elderly patients who followed this protocol.
The Science for Dummies: The “Factory Reset” Analogy
To understand this stack, think of your body as a Computer.
1. Epithalon is the “BIOS Update”
The Pineal Gland is the master clock of the computer. Over time, the code gets corrupted (short telomeres), and the clock drifts (poor sleep/hormone regulation). Epithalon acts on the DNA itself. It induces “Telomerase activity,” which is essentially adding fresh code to the ends of your DNA strands. It resets the master clock and protects the hardware from degrading.
2. Thymalin is the “Antivirus Software”
The Thymus Gland is your antivirus program. It trains T-Cells to hunt down viruses and cancer. By age 50, the Thymus has usually shriveled up into fat (a process called involution), leaving you with an expired antivirus subscription. Thymalin wakes up the dormant tissue, forcing the computer to download the latest virus definitions and start hunting threats again.
The Synergy: Epithalon fixes the hardware (DNA/Clock). Thymalin fixes the software (Immune Defense). Doing one without the other is only doing half the job.
Who Is Talking About This Protocol?
This protocol is legendary in the “Deep Longevity” community.
- Professor Vladimir Khavinson: The inventor himself. He famously stated that “Aging is a treatable disease” and claimed that this specific combination could extend the human lifespan to 110-120 years. He used the peptides himself for decades.
- Phil Micans: A leading expert in preventative medicine and peptide pharmacology. He frequently cites the 15-year Russian studies as the “strongest evidence we have for pharmaceutical life extension,” noting that no other intervention has shown such a drastic reduction in mortality.
- Ben Greenfield: Has documented his use of the “10-day Bioregulator Blitz.” He uses it not for muscle growth, but as an annual “anti-aging insurance policy” to keep his biological age lower than his chronological age.
The Strategy: The “Bi-Annual Blitz”
Unlike HGH or Testosterone, which you take forever, the Russian Protocol is episodic. You hit the body hard, fix the problem, and then walk away.
The Schedule: “10 Days On, 6 Months Off” You perform this course only twice a year (e.g., January and July).
- Duration: 10 Days consecutive.
- Epithalon Dose: 10mg per day.
- Thymalin Dose: 10mg per day.
- Total Cycle: You will use 100mg of Epithalon and 100mg of Thymalin in just 10 days.
Daily Routine (Days 1-10):
- Morning: Inject 10mg Thymalin (Subcutaneous).
- Evening: Inject 10mg Epithalon (Subcutaneous).
Note: Some users mix them, but purists separate them to mimic the body’s natural rhythm (Thymus active in day, Pineal active at night).
Necessary “Fuel”: Potentiation
Since this protocol targets DNA and protein synthesis, you need to support methylation and cellular energy.
- Methyl B-Complex: Epithalon affects gene expression (epigenetics). Ensuring you have adequate B12 and Folate ensures this process runs smoothly.
- Zinc: 30-50mg daily. The Thymus gland is zinc-dependent. Thymalin cannot regenerate thymic tissue without adequate zinc.
- Melatonin (Optional): Small doses (300mcg) can be used, but Epithalon should naturally restore your own melatonin production, so many users stop taking external melatonin during the cycle.
Safety & Troubleshooting
The “Cloudy” Vial Scare Thymalin often comes in 10mg vials. When you mix 10mg of powder into 1ml or 2ml of water, the solution can sometimes look cloudy or milky.
- The Reality: This is often normal for such a high concentration. It is not necessarily “bad.” However, always double-check with your pharmacist. If it won’t dissolve, add more water (dilute it further).
Fatigue and “Herx” Reactions Waking up the immune system takes energy. Around Day 3 or 4, many users report feeling hit by a bus—tired, heavy, and wanting to sleep 10 hours a day.
- The Fix: Listen to your body. Sleep. This is your body diverting energy to repair. Do not force high-intensity interval training (HIIT) during these 10 days. Treat it like a recovery week.
Injection Volume Pain Injecting 10mg of peptide usually requires a larger volume of water, which can leave a painful lump under the skin.
- The Fix: Split the dose. Instead of one big shot, do two smaller shots in different areas (e.g., left side of stomach, right side of stomach).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use lower doses (e.g., 100mcg)?
You can, but it’s a different protocol. The “10mg Blitz” is the clinical anti-aging protocol used in the Russian studies. Lower doses (like 300mcg nightly) are used by some for general sleep support, but they do not achieve the rapid “organ reset” effect described by Khavinson.
Why is it so expensive?
You are buying 200mg of peptides at once. Most peptides are sold in 2mg or 5mg vials. The sheer quantity of raw material drives the price up. However, remember you only pay this once every 6 months.
Does it lengthen telomeres immediately?
Yes. Studies show telomerase activation happens within hours of administration. However, the physical result (longer telomeres) is a slow process that accumulates over years of repeating the protocol.
Can I stack this with other peptides?
Yes, but why? This is a system reset. Adding other variables complicates things. It is generally recommended to run this protocol “clean” (on its own) so your body can focus entirely on the deep repair work without being pulled in other directions by GH secretagogues or fat burners.