Midas Longevity Protocol — All 12 Compounds: Mechanisms & Science
Midas Longevity Protocol — All 12 Compounds: Mechanisms & Science
CAS · Molecular Data · Longevity Pathway · Research Context · ← Back to Protocol
⚠️ Research Use Only.
1. NAD+ 500mg — Bioenergetics & DNA Repair
CAS 53-84-9 · MW 663.43. The foundational longevity intervention. NAD+ is simultaneously: (1) the critical electron carrier in mitochondrial Complex I (oxidative phosphorylation), (2) substrate for SIRT1–7 (deacetylases regulating metabolism, stress response, genome stability, and circadian rhythms), (3) substrate for PARPs 1–16 (DNA strand-break repair enzymes), and (4) substrate for CD38 (major consumer of cellular NAD+). NAD+ declines ~50% between ages 40 and 60 in human tissues. QSC supplies at 500mg/vial — 5,000mg per 10-vial kit.
NAD+ 500mg | 10-Vial Kit 500mg/vial · 5,000mg total
CAS 307297-39-8 · MW 390.35. Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly synthetic tetrapeptide based on pineal gland epithalamin. Primary mechanism: activation of telomerase — the reverse transcriptase enzyme that extends telomeric DNA repeats at chromosome ends. Telomere attrition (López-Otín Hallmark 2) is directly linked to cellular senescence and organismal aging. Epithalon also increases melatonin production (disrupted in aging), upregulates antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase), and normalises circadian neuroendocrine rhythms.
Epithalon 10mg | 10-Vial Kit 10mg/vial · 100mg total
CAS 49557-75-7 · MW 403.93. Gly-His-Lys:Cu²⁺. Endogenous copper tripeptide declining from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL by age 60. Activates collagen I/III/IV synthesis, elastin, GAG accumulation, MMP-1/2/9 modulation, VEGF, FGF-2. Uniquely, GHK-Cu modulates 4,000+ genes related to tissue repair and inflammation — one of the broadest gene-regulatory footprints of any known peptide. Clinical data: 70% of subjects showed measurable collagen increases. Hair follicle cycling stimulation. 100mg/vial.
GHK-Cu 100mg | 10-Vial Kit 100mg/vial · 1,000mg total
D-amino acid retro-inverso FOXO4 peptide. FOXO4 is overexpressed in senescent cells, where it retains p53 in the nucleus preventing apoptosis. FOXO4-DRI is a competitive inhibitor: it binds FOXO4, displacing p53 → p53 translocates to mitochondria → activates intrinsic apoptosis pathway selectively in senescent cells. Normal proliferating and quiescent cells are unaffected. Baar et al. 2017 (Cell): treated aged mice showed restored fitness, increased hair density, and improved kidney function. Senescent cell accumulation drives inflammaging — the chronic low-grade sterile inflammation that underlies most age-related diseases.
FOXO4-DRI 5mg | 10-Vial KitBaar 2017 5mg/vial · 50mg total
6. Thymosin Alpha-1 5mg — Immune System Rejuvenation
CAS 62304-98-7 · MW 3108.30. 28-AA thymic peptide (Thymalfasin). TLR9/TLR2 agonist and immune modulator. Enhances: T-cell maturation and clonal proliferation, NK cell cytolytic activity, dendritic cell antigen presentation efficiency, macrophage phagocytic function, and interferon production. Addresses thymic involution — thymic output of naive T cells falls to ~2% of peak by age 70. Approved as Zadaxin in 35+ countries for hepatitis B/C, cancer support, and immunodeficiency. Uniquely relevant to longevity research as immune competence is a primary determinant of healthspan.
Thymosin Alpha-1 5mg | 10-Vial KitZadaxin-class 5mg/vial · 50mg total
CJC-1295 No DAC (CAS 863288-34-0 · MW 3367.97): Modified GRF 1-29, ~30-min half-life, pulsatile GH release without receptor desensitisation. Ipamorelin (CAS 170851-70-4 · MW 711.85): most selective GHSR-1a agonist — zero cortisol, zero prolactin, zero aldosterone elevation. Combined, they provide dual-axis GH pulse stimulation (GHRH + GHSR-1a) for improved sleep architecture (GH pulses peak during slow-wave sleep), skin elasticity, lean body mass, and recovery. The CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin combination is the most widely researched GH secretagogue pairing.
CJC-1295 No DAC 5mg | 10-Vial Kit 5mg/vial · 50mg total
CAS 70-18-8 · MW 307.32. γ-L-Glu-Cys-Gly — the most abundant endogenous antioxidant, present at 1–10 mM in virtually all mammalian cells. Functions: (1) free radical scavenging via GSH/GSSG redox cycling, (2) Phase II xenobiotic conjugation (GST enzymes), (3) thiol redox buffer maintaining protein cysteine residues in reduced state, (4) tyrosinase inhibition for melanin regulation, (5) dopamine quinone trapping (neuroprotection). In multi-compound protocols, oxidative burden from concurrent compound use increases — Glutathione provides the antioxidant defence layer. 600mg/vial.
Glutathione 600mg | 10-Vial Kit 600mg/vial · 6,000mg total
CAS 475488-23-4 · MW 2802.28. 21-AA peptide encoded within the 16S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA — the first and most studied mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP). Mechanistically unique: Humanin is secreted from mitochondria into systemic circulation and acts on receptors across multiple tissues. Activates: (1) JAK2/STAT3 signalling (cell survival, anti-apoptotic), (2) PI3K/Akt (metabolic regulation, cell survival), (3) FPRL1/CXCR4 receptors (immune modulation). Inhibits Bax-mediated apoptosis and amyloid beta aggregation. Researched for: neuroprotection, cardioprotection, pancreatic beta-cell survival, and systemic cytoprotection. Humanin circulating levels decline with age, correlating inversely with age-related disease risk in human cohort studies.
Humanin 10mg | 10-Vial KitUnique MDP 10mg/vial · 100mg total
SS-31 (Elamipretide) is the only research compound that directly binds cardiolipin — the inner mitochondrial membrane phospholipid critical for cristae structure and ETC efficiency. MitoQ and CoQ10 operate differently: they act as electron carriers/antioxidants but do not stabilize cristae architecture. SS-31 addresses the structural cause of mitochondrial dysfunction with specificity unavailable from supplemental approaches.
Why Thymosin Alpha-1 for longevity research?
Thymic involution — the progressive shrinkage and fatty replacement of the thymus — begins in early adulthood and accelerates after 40. By age 70, thymic output of naive T cells is ~2% of peak. This collapse underlies immunosenescence: reduced pathogen response, impaired vaccine efficacy, and increased cancer risk. Thymosin Alpha-1 (Thymalfasin/Zadaxin) is the most clinically-validated immune rejuvenation compound, approved in 35+ countries.
What makes Humanin different from BPC-157 or TB-500?
Humanin is a mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) — it is encoded within mitochondrial DNA and communicates mitochondrial status to the nucleus and systemic circulation. Its cytoprotective mechanisms (JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt, Bax inhibition) are specifically mitochondrial-nuclear in nature. BPC-157 and TB-500 address local and systemic tissue repair through growth factor and cytoskeletal mechanisms. Humanin adds a unique mitochondria-to-circulation signalling layer.
Can the Midas Protocol compounds be researched individually?
Yes. All 12 compounds in the Midas Protocol are available individually in the QSC Midas Longevity Protocol category at multiple doses and vial counts. The full Midas stack is available as a pre-assembled bundle.
