Analyzing Clavicular's Current Peptide and Longevity Stack

If you haven't come across the viral sensation yet – Clavicular, or Clav as he's widely known, has taken over social media feeds with his streaming content and his unapologetic affinity for "looksmaxxing." He's become one of the most polarizing and fascinating figures at the intersection of internet culture and extreme self-optimization.

The world of biohacking is no stranger to extreme protocols, but every so often, a regimen is revealed that pushes the boundaries of modern performance optimization. In a recent podcast interview, Clav pulled back the curtain on his current longevity and peptide stack – a complex, highly aggressive protocol that combines established hormone therapies with experimental, clinical-trial-stage compounds.

Clav, who matter-of-factly acknowledges being "heavily medicated," is running a stack designed to simultaneously optimize body composition, halt hair loss, enhance skin appearance, and combat cellular aging. However, he also openly discusses the trade-offs, including cardiovascular strain and suspected infertility resulting from his protocol. For those looking to understand the legal landscape of these compounds, our guide on peptide legality and FDA regulations provides essential context.

In this article, we will break down the 11 different medications, peptides, and treatments Clav is currently administering. We will analyze the intended effect of each compound, the science behind how they work, and the potential physiological impact of running such a potent combination in tandem. For those new to this space, we recommend starting with our foundational guide on how peptides work at a cellular level.

The Core Hormones and Metabolic Drivers

1. Retatrutide (12 mg)

The Intended Effect: Extreme fat loss and metabolic optimization.

Retatrutide is arguably the most cutting-edge compound in Clav's stack. Unlike Semaglutide (a single GLP-1 agonist) or Tirzepatide (a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist), Retatrutide is a "triple G" agonist. It targets three distinct hormone receptors: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. According to phase 2 clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Retatrutide has demonstrated unprecedented weight loss results, with participants losing up to 24% of their body weight over 48 weeks.

By activating the glucagon receptor in addition to GLP-1 and GIP, Retatrutide not only suppresses appetite and improves insulin secretion but also directly increases basal metabolic rate and energy expenditure. Clav notes he sources this experimental compound in raw powder form from a pharmacy in China, highlighting the lengths biohackers will go to access pre-approval therapeutics. For more on metabolic peptides, see our guide on peptides for weight loss, or explore our comparison of the best weight loss peptides.

2. Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

The Intended Effect: Muscle preservation, energy, mood, and vitality.

Testosterone is the foundational base of many male biohacking protocols. Exogenous testosterone administration ensures optimal, often supra-physiological, levels of the primary male sex hormone. This supports lean muscle mass retention — which is particularly crucial when running a powerful catabolic agent like Retatrutide — while also boosting libido, cognitive drive, and recovery. Those looking for non-hormonal alternatives for muscle preservation often turn to the best peptides for muscle growth.

However, as Clav admits in the interview, the amount of testosterone he takes has likely rendered him infertile. Exogenous testosterone suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, shutting down the body's natural production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are required for spermatogenesis. This is a well-documented side effect of TRT. To understand how different compounds affect the body's natural systems, review our beginner's guide to peptides.

3. Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

The Intended Effect: Cellular regeneration, tissue repair, and anti-aging.

HGH is a peptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell regeneration. In a longevity context, exogenous HGH is used to improve skin thickness, increase bone density, reduce body fat, and accelerate recovery from physical stress. When stacked with TRT, it creates a highly anabolic environment. While HGH is a powerful regenerative compound, its long-term use for anti-aging remains controversial, as elevated IGF-1 levels (driven by HGH) can theoretically accelerate cellular aging pathways if not carefully managed. You can read more about growth pathways in our deep dive on the best peptides for muscle growth.

Cardiovascular and Cellular Protection

4. Beta Blocker

The Intended Effect: Offsetting cardiovascular strain.

Clav specifically mentions taking a beta blocker to mitigate the cardiovascular strain caused by the other drugs in his system. Compounds like Retatrutide can increase resting heart rate, while high-dose TRT can elevate blood pressure, increase hematocrit (blood thickness), and cause left ventricular hypertrophy over time. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), thereby slowing the heart rate and reducing blood pressure. This is a classic "polypharmacy" approach: using one medication to manage the side effects of another. For those focused on healing without cardiovascular strain, compounds like TB-500 and BPC-157 are often preferred.

5. High-Dose Melatonin (300–500 mg)

The Intended Effect: Extreme antioxidant protection and mitochondrial support.

While most people take 1–5 mg of melatonin for sleep, Clav is taking a "megadose" of 300 to 500 mg. At these extreme physiological doses, melatonin acts less as a sleep aid and more as a potent, mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. Research published in Molecules highlights melatonin's unique ability to cross cell membranes and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) directly within the mitochondria. This high-dose protocol is an emerging trend in longevity circles aimed at protecting cellular DNA from the oxidative stress generated by high metabolic turnover.

6. Glutathione

The Intended Effect: Systemic detoxification and neuroprotection.

Glutathione is the body's master antioxidant. Clav specifically mentions using it to combat "dopamine toxicity." High levels of oxidative stress in the brain can damage dopaminergic neurons. Glutathione helps neutralize these free radicals, supporting liver detoxification and protecting the central nervous system. A 2024 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrated that boosting glutathione biosynthesis rescues age-related dopamine neuron loss. It works synergistically with high-dose melatonin to manage the systemic oxidative burden of his aggressive stack. For cognitive optimization, many biohackers also explore nasal peptides like Semax.

7. NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

The Intended Effect: Cellular energy production and DNA repair.

NAD+ is a critical coenzyme found in every cell of the body, essential for mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. NAD+ levels naturally decline with age. By supplementing with NAD+ (likely via IV or subcutaneous injection, given the rest of his protocol), Clav is attempting to boost cellular ATP production, activate sirtuins (longevity proteins), and enhance the body's natural DNA repair mechanisms. This fits perfectly into a broader anti-aging peptide protocol. For more on mitochondrial health, see our article on MOTS-c, the exercise-in-a-bottle peptide.

Aesthetics: Hair and Skin

8. Minoxidil

The Intended Effect: Stimulating hair follicle growth.

Minoxidil is a well-known vasodilator that increases blood flow to the scalp, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. It prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. Given that high-dose TRT significantly increases the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) — the primary culprit behind male pattern baldness — Minoxidil is a necessary defensive measure to maintain his hair. Those interested in peptide-based hair restoration often look to GHK-Cu copper peptides as an alternative.

9. Dutasteride

The Intended Effect: Blocking DHT conversion to prevent hair loss.

Clav mentions taking Dutasteride via a "lucky dip" (dipping his finger into raw powder). Dutasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. Unlike Finasteride, which blocks only Type II and III isoenzymes, Dutasteride blocks all three types, making it significantly more potent at reducing systemic DHT levels. This is the heavy artillery required to protect hair follicles from the massive DHT spikes caused by his TRT protocol. Proper dosing is critical when handling raw powders; refer to our guide on safely preparing peptides for best practices.

10. Melanotan II

The Intended Effect: Rapid skin tanning with minimal sun exposure.

Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It stimulates melanogenesis, causing the skin to darken rapidly. While it provides a cosmetic tan, it also carries risks, including increased blood pressure and potential stress on the kidneys. It is a popular, albeit controversial, compound in the bodybuilding and biohacking communities. Always ensure you know how to tell if your peptides are high quality before use.

11. Accutane (Isotretinoin) (25 mg)

The Intended Effect: Controlling acne and skin oil production.

High-dose TRT and HGH frequently cause severe cystic acne by drastically increasing sebum (oil) production in the skin. Accutane is a powerful Vitamin A derivative that shrinks the sebaceous glands. At a low, sustained dose of 25 mg, it keeps the skin clear of hormonally induced acne. However, it is notoriously harsh on the liver and can cause severe dryness, which makes the inclusion of cellular protectants like Glutathione even more critical. For a safer approach to skin health, many prefer topical GHK-Cu serums.

Analyzing the Stack: Synergies and Conflicts

To understand how these compounds interact, we must look at them not as isolated drugs, but as a highly interconnected system of biological levers.

The Potential Impact of Doing All of This in Tandem

Running 11 powerful pharmacological agents simultaneously is the definition of extreme biohacking. The potential impact of this stack is a double-edged sword.

On the positive side, the synergistic effects on body composition are likely profound. The combination of Retatrutide's metabolic acceleration with the anabolic preservation of TRT and HGH creates an environment where the body rapidly sheds fat while maintaining muscle. Aesthetically, the aggressive management of DHT (Dutasteride) and sebum (Accutane) allows him to reap the benefits of high androgens without the typical cosmetic side effects of hair loss and acne. This level of optimization is what many seek when exploring the best peptides for muscle growth.

However, the physiological toll of this protocol cannot be overstated. The stack requires a delicate, high-wire balancing act. The metabolic accelerators (Retatrutide, TRT) put immense strain on the cardiovascular system, necessitating the use of a beta blocker just to keep the heart rate and blood pressure in a safe range. Furthermore, processing this volume of synthetic compounds, raw powders, and oral medications places a heavy burden on the liver and kidneys, which is likely why he is relying so heavily on megadoses of Glutathione and Melatonin for systemic protection. This highlights the importance of understanding what peptides are and how they interact before starting any regimen.

As Clav himself noted, the most immediate and tangible consequence is infertility. The exogenous testosterone has shut down his natural production, a common reality for those on aggressive TRT protocols. For a deeper understanding of how to manage peptide protocols safely, review our peptide dosing and cycle length cheat sheet.