Save this. Screenshot it. Tape it to your fridge. Whatever works. BEFORE RECONSTITUTION (Lyophilized Powder) • Short-term (under 1 month): Refrigerator (2-8°C / 36-46°F) • Long-term (1+ months): Freezer (-20°C / -4°F) • Extended storage (6+ months): Deep freezer (-20°C or colder) • Shelf life: 12-24 months if stored properly • Light exposure: Keep in original packaging or wrap in foil • Humidity: Keep sealed; desiccant packs help Lyophilized peptides are surprisingly stable when kept cold and dry. AFTER RECONSTITUTION (In Solution) • Storage: Refrigerator ONLY (2-8°C / 36-46°F) • With BAC water: Good for 28-30 days • With sterile water: Use within 24-48 hours • Freezing: Do NOT freeze reconstituted peptides • Light exposure: Keep in box or wrap vial in aluminum foil • Between uses: Return to fridge immediately after drawing Never leave a reconstituted vial out at room temperature for more than the time it takes to draw your dose. THE 5 RULES 1. Cold. Always. 2. Dark. Always. 3. Dry. Before reconstitution. 4. Sterile. After reconstitution. 5. Don't freeze reconstituted peptides. Ever. When in doubt: colder and darker is better. — Marcus

This is one of the most important conversations we can have here. The peptide vendor space is the Wild West, and the difference between a trustworthy source and a dangerous one isn't always obvious — especially when you're new. I've been vetting vendors for years now, and I want to share some of the red flags I've learned to watch for. Then I want YOU to add yours, because collective knowledge is how we protect each other. Here are my top red flags: 🚩 No third-party testing or COAs (Certificates of Analysis). This is non-negotiable. If a vendor can't provide recent, batch-specific third-party testing from an accredited lab, walk away. Some vendors post COAs that are years old, or from batches that don't match what they're currently selling. Real transparency means current, verifiable testing for purity AND identity. 🚩 Making explicit medical claims. Peptides exist in a regulatory gray area. Legitimate vendors sell them as "research chemicals" and are careful about the language they use. If a vendor's website says things like "cures joint pain" or "guaranteed muscle growth" or "reverses aging," that's a major red flag. They're either reckless, uninformed, or deliberately misleading — none of which you want from someone making compounds you put in your body. 🚩 No contact information or customer support. I've seen vendors with nothing but a Gmail address and a contact form that goes nowhere. A legitimate operation has real customer service, responds to questions, and stands behind their products. If you can't reach a human being before you buy, imagine trying to reach one when something goes wrong. 🚩 Prices that are dramatically below market. I get it — we all want a deal. But peptide synthesis and proper testing cost money. If someone is selling at 50% below what everyone else charges, ask yourself where they're cutting corners. Usually it's purity, testing, or both. The cheapest option is almost never the best value when you factor in potency and safety. Your turn. What red flags have you encountered? What made you walk away from a vendor — or wish you had? Let's build a list that everyone in this community can reference.

One of the things I love about building this community is that we're going to have people at every stage — from the just-curious to the deeply experienced. And that's a strength, not a weakness. Beginners ask the best questions. Veterans have battle-tested wisdom. I want to get a snapshot of where everyone's at so I can tailor content to what's actually useful for YOU. This takes two seconds: Where are you in your peptide journey? 🔵 Just curious — I've heard about peptides and want to learn more 🟢 Done some research — I've been reading/watching but haven't started 🟡 Currently using — I'm running a protocol right now 🟠 Experienced user — I've used multiple peptides over an extended period 🔴 Industry professional — I work in pharma, compounding, medicine, or research Drop your answer below and feel free to add context — what got you interested? What are you hoping to learn? The more I know about where you're at, the better I can serve this community. ---