Side-by-side · Research reference
IGF-1 LR3vsPinealon
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED10/58 cited
BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED12/36 cited
IGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 Analogue · Research
3–10×Potency vs IGF-I
Low IGFBPBinding affinity
ResearchStatus
Research only · SQ typical in animal models
Pinealon
Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective
SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
IGF-1 LR3
Pinealon
Primary target
IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)McTavish 2009
Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014
Pathway
IGF-1R → IRS-1 → PI3K/Akt → Cell proliferation, protein synthesis, anti-apoptosisMuhlbradt 2009
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014
Downstream effect
Enhanced cell proliferation, muscle anabolism, inhibition of apoptosis, increased telomerase activity
Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014
Feedback intact?
No — exogenous IGF analogue bypasses GH-mediated regulation
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Origin
Synthetic 83-AA analogue: 13-AA N-terminal extension + Arg substitution at position 3
Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014
Antibody development
—
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02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
IGF-1 LR3
Pinealon
Research dose (animal models)
Variable by protocol and species
In vivo murine atherosclerosis studies used sustained delivery.
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In vitro typical concentration
10–1000 ng/mLThomas 2007
Dose-dependent effects on follicle growth and estradiol production.
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Half-maximal stimulation
0.6 nM LR3 vs 1.5 nM native IGF-1Price 2004
2.5-fold greater potency in lung fibroblast proliferation.
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Human use
Not FDA-approved; no published human trials
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Frequency
—
Once daily during cycle
Lower / starter dose
—
2.5 mg / day
Duration
—
10-day cycles, 1–2× per year
Reconstitution
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Bacteriostatic water
Timing
—
No specific time
Half-life
—
Hours
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
IGF-1 LR3
Pinealon
Mechanism
IGF-1R activation → lipolytic signaling; secondary to anabolic effects
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Direct lipolytic evidence
Minimal — primarily anabolic/anti-apoptotic in literature
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Atherosclerotic plaque effects
Reduced stenosis and core size in ApoE-KO micevon 2011
Plaque stabilization via vSMC phenotype modulation, not direct fat loss.
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Human data
None published
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04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
IGF-1 LR3
Pinealon
Hypoglycemia risk
Theoretical — IGF-1 analogues can lower blood glucose
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Excessive cell proliferation
Mitogenic signaling; theoretical tumor promotion risk
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Telomerase activation
2–10-fold increase in prostate cancer cells (PC-3, DU-145, LAPC-4)Wetterau 2003
Critically involved in cancer cell immortalization.
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Oocyte degeneration
Increased oocyte degeneration at high doses (≥1000 ng/mL) in bovine folliclesThomas 2007
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Unregulated anabolism
Bypasses physiological GH/IGF-1 feedback; no pulsatility control
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Unknown human safety profile
No published human trials; safety data absent
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Injection site reaction
—
Mild irritation
Long-term safety
—
Limited Western data
Pregnancy / OB
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Avoid
Absolute Contraindications
IGF-1 LR3
- ·Active malignancy or history of cancer
- ·Not approved for human use
Pinealon
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
Relative Contraindications
IGF-1 LR3
- ·Diabetes or glucose intolerance
- ·Family history of cancer
Pinealon
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
IGF-1 LR3
Pinealon
1. Research use only
IGF-1 LR3 is not FDA-approved for human use. All administration data derives from animal or in vitro studies.
Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.
2. Typical research route
Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection in animal models. In vitro: added directly to culture medium at concentrations of 10–1000 ng/mL.Thomas 2007
SQ — abdomen preferred.
3. Reconstitution (research)
Lyophilised powder reconstituted in sterile water or buffered saline per manufacturer protocol. Store at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.
Daily during cycle, any time.
4. Stability
Enhanced stability vs native IGF-1 due to reduced IGFBP binding; exact half-life in vivo not fully characterized in humans.
Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
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29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
IGF-1 LR3
+ GHRP-6
Multi-pathwayGHRP-6 stimulates endogenous GH release, which drives hepatic IGF-1 synthesis. IGF-1 LR3 provides exogenous, IGFBP-resistant IGF signaling. Combining upstream GH stimulation with downstream IGF receptor activation creates a dual-pathway anabolic effect. However, this bypasses natural feedback and carries compounded mitogenic risk.
- GHRP-6
- 100–200 mcg SQ · 2–3× daily
- IGF-1 LR3
- Research doses variable · post-workout typical in animal models
- Note
- Research context only — no human protocols exist
- Primary benefit
- Theoretical maximal anabolic signaling (GH + IGF axes)
+ Ipamorelin
Multi-pathwayIpamorelin (selective GHRP) stimulates pulsatile GH release without cortisol/prolactin elevation. IGF-1 LR3 directly activates IGF-1R independent of GH. This stack targets both upstream (GH secretion) and downstream (IGF receptor) nodes but eliminates physiological feedback, raising safety concerns around unchecked proliferation.
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · evening
- IGF-1 LR3
- Research doses only · timing variable
- Caution
- No human data; animal/in vitro only
- Primary benefit
- Dual-axis anabolic signaling (theoretical)
Pinealon
+ Epitalon
ModeratePinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.
- Pinealon
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
- Epitalon
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
- Primary benefit
- Neuroprotection + telomere preservation