Insulin
The body's primary anabolic hormone — FDA-approved, essential for glucose metabolism and protein synthesis.
Research facts
| Half-life | ~5 minutes (regular) |
|---|---|
| Route | SubQ / IV |
| Typical dose | Highly variable — T1DM dosing is weight/carbohydrate-based |
| Frequency | Multiple daily injections or pump |
| Solvent | Commercial formulation |
| pH | N/A |
| Stability | Refrigerated |
Mechanism of action
Insulin is a 51-amino acid peptide hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells. It binds the insulin receptor (IR), activating PI3K/Akt signalling to drive glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocation, glycogen synthesis, protein synthesis (via mTOR), and lipid synthesis. It is simultaneously the most important metabolic hormone (enabling cellular glucose uptake) and the most potent anabolic hormone in the human body. All other anabolic peptides in this library (GH, IGF-1, GHRPs) ultimately exert significant portions of their anabolic effects through the insulin signalling pathway.
Documented effects (research-model)
- S-tier: Essential for life in T1DM — FDA-approved for decades
- Most potent driver of protein synthesis and muscle anabolism
- Glucose disposal and glycogen synthesis
- Fat storage and lipogenesis regulation
- Cellular nutrient uptake coordination
Research protocols
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Cycle | Vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational only | Varies by indication | Medical supervision required | Chronic in diabetes | Commercial vials/pens |
Research context only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any protocol decision.
Synergies
- IGF-1 LR3 MODERATE
Insulin and IGF-1 share signalling pathway components. IGF-1 LR3 activates IGF-1R (which cross-activates IR); insulin activates IR directly.
Myths & misconceptions
Evidence gaps
- Insulin biology in healthy humans vs. diabetic individuals differs significantly.
- Optimal exogenous insulin use in athletic contexts is not studied in ethical RCTs for obvious safety reasons.
Safety notes
CRITICAL: Hypoglycaemia is life-threatening. Do not use exogenous insulin without medical supervision and continuous glucose monitoring. For T1DM, essential and life-saving. For non-diabetic use: extremely high risk. This profile is educational only.
Biomarkers to monitor
Primary-source citations
- PMID 21330621 — The discovery of insulin: an important milestone in the history of medicine (Perspect Biol Med. 2011)
Frequently asked
What is Insulin?
Insulin (Human Insulin — Anabolic Master Hormone) is a research compound classified in our library as Tier S — Overwhelming human data — approved and prescribed.. The body's primary anabolic hormone — FDA-approved, essential for glucose metabolism and protein synthesis.
What is the evidence tier for Insulin?
We classify Insulin as Tier S: Overwhelming human data — approved and prescribed. See our full peptide evidence tiers explainer for how we assign S/A/B/C/D.
What is the research dose of Insulin?
For Insulin, typical research dose is Highly variable — T1DM dosing is weight/carbohydrate-based, route is SubQ / IV, half-life is ~5 minutes (regular). Protocols vary by research goal — see the protocols section on this page for standard and advanced dosing schedules. Research use only, not medical advice.
Is Insulin safe?
CRITICAL: Hypoglycaemia is life-threatening. Do not use exogenous insulin without medical supervision and continuous glucose monitoring. Research context only — no compound on this site is approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly noted.