TB-500
Healing & Recovery PeptideresearchAlso known as: Thymosin Beta-4, Tβ4, TB4, Thymosin Beta 4
A synthetic version of the naturally occurring 43-amino acid peptide Thymosin Beta-4, widely used for tissue repair, wound healing, reduced inflammation, and improved flexibility.
Overview
TB-500 is a synthetic fraction of Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4), a naturally occurring peptide present in virtually all human and animal cells. Thymosin Beta-4 is the primary intracellular G-actin sequestering peptide, playing a critical role in cell migration, tissue repair, and new blood vessel formation. TB-500's key mechanism involves its ability to upregulate actin, a cell-building protein critical for cellular migration and proliferation at wound sites. The peptide has been extensively used in equine medicine for injury recovery and has gained significant popularity in the human biohacking and recovery community. TB-500 is particularly valued for its systemic healing effect — unlike BPC-157, it does not need to be injected locally and travels systemically to find and promote repair at injury sites throughout the body. It is commonly stacked with BPC-157 for comprehensive injury recovery protocols.
Mechanism of Action
TB-500 promotes healing through several mechanisms: (1) Upregulates actin production, enhancing cellular migration to injury sites — actin is involved in forming the cytoskeleton needed for cell structure and movement; (2) Promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) at injury sites, improving nutrient and oxygen delivery; (3) Reduces inflammation by downregulating inflammatory cytokines; (4) Promotes stem cell maturation and differentiation; (5) Inhibits fibrosis and scar formation by regulating extracellular matrix deposition; (6) Has low molecular weight and unique molecular structure allowing it to travel long distances through tissues; (7) Activates hair follicle stem cells, contributing to potential hair regrowth.
Molecular Formula
C212H350N56O78S
Molecular Weight
4963.44 g/mol
Sequence
43-amino acid peptide (full Thymosin Beta-4 sequence); active region: LKKTETQ
Dosage Protocols
Dose Range
2mg – 2.5mg
Frequency
Twice per week
Route
subcutaneous
Cycle Length
4-6 weeks loading, then maintenance
Loading phase uses higher frequency dosing to build up systemic levels. Can inject anywhere subcutaneously — TB-500 is systemically active and does not require local injection near injury.
Source: Veterinary protocols adapted for human use
Side Effects
| Effect | Severity |
|---|---|
| Head rush / lightheadedness | mild |
| Lethargy | mild |
| Injection site irritation | mild |
| Headache | mild |
| Nausea | mild |
Pros & Cons
Systemic healing effect — no need to inject at the injury site; travels throughout the body to find damaged tissue
Promotes healing of diverse tissue types including tendons, ligaments, muscles, skin, heart, and eyes
Anti-fibrotic properties help reduce scar tissue formation during healing
Improves flexibility and reduces stiffness, particularly beneficial for chronic injuries
Synergistic when stacked with BPC-157 for comprehensive injury recovery
Most evidence comes from animal and in vitro studies; limited human clinical trial data
Theoretical concern about promoting growth of existing cancers (due to angiogenic and cell-proliferative properties)
Not FDA-approved; peptide purity and quality vary by supplier
Relatively expensive compared to some other peptides due to larger molecular size
Banned by WADA and most sports organizations
Research Studies
Legal Status
Not FDA-approved for human use. Used in veterinary medicine (particularly equine). Available as a research chemical. Banned by WADA and most equine racing authorities.
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