The First Responder Peptide Stack

Happy Wednedsay!

If you tune into our Saturday morning coffee talks, you know we love diving into real-world questions.

This week, Taylor and I got one that hits close to home for a lot of people in our audience:

Suppose you are a firefighter, police officer, EMT, or trauma nurse.

In that case, you need above-average energy, sharper-than-average focus, and an immune system that can handle whatever gets thrown your way.

Ordinary supplement advice simply won’t suffice.

So today, we’re going deep on the peptide stack that’ll keep you mission-ready…no matter what shift work, stress, or exposure throws your way.

Why First Responders Need a Unique Stack

First responders live in a pressure cooker.

Erratic hours, trauma, toxic exposures, chronic sleep loss, and relentless stress are the default.

This literally fries your mitochondria, weakens your immune defense, and derails your circadian rhythm.

If you’ve read the stats, you know that shift workers and first responders are at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes, and infections.

You need a stack that goes way beyond what the average person needs.

So let’s break down exactly how to do that.

Testosterone

If your testosterone isn’t optimized, don’t even bother with peptides yet.

Testosterone is essential for mood, cognitive sharpness, fat loss, and recovery.

Optimal T supports mitochondrial function and antioxidant defenses, meaning more energy and resilience against stress.

Studies even show testosterone therapy improves motivation, reduces oxidative brain stress, and helps both men AND women stay physically and mentally sharp under pressure.

So, the foundation of your stack is ensuring your hormones are in balance.

Only then do we layer in the peptides.

Orexin-A

Let’s talk about nights on call, marathon shifts, and the brain fog that follows.

This is where Orexin-A comes in.

Orexin is the “wakefulness” peptide.

It is a neurotransmitter that literally turns the brain on.

Low orexin = narcolepsy. High orexin = laser focus.

Intranasal Orexin-A has been shown in research to improve attention, executive function, and reaction time, even after sleep deprivation.

In both animal and human studies, Orexin-A wakes up the brain’s attention networks and ramps up neurotransmitter release.

In sleep-deprived monkeys, a single dose of Orexin-A restored cognitive performance back to “well-rested” levels.

If you’re dragging on night shift or need to be razor-sharp in a crisis, this is your tool.

No jitters, no crash, just focused alertness.

SS-31

If you want real, sustainable energy, not the kind that leaves you crashed at 2am, your mitochondria have to be humming.

SS-31 is a peptide that targets mitochondria directly, acting as a shield against oxidative stress and mitochondrial breakdown.

By binding to cardiolipin in the mitochondrial membrane, it prevents electron leakage (a major source of free radicals) and improves ATP output.

In both preclinical and human studies, SS-31 increases cellular energy, protects organs from injury, and boosts endurance.

For first responders, this means stronger muscles, a sharper brain, and less “wear and tear” from toxic exposures or extreme exertion.

If you want to feel more vital, recover faster, and bounce back from the grind, SS-31 is a foundational piece.

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-encoded peptide, and the closest thing in peptide science to an “exercise mimetic.”

Human studies show that exercise naturally boosts MOTS-c.

This peptide improves glucose utilization, insulin sensitivity, and even enhances endurance in older adults.

In animal research, MOTS-c has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve metabolic function, and even reverse some of the effects of aging.

The upshot?

You get more energy, better blood sugar regulation, and a body that’s more resilient to physical stress.

For shift workers and first responders, this means fewer crashes, increased stamina, and improved long-term health.

SLU-PP-332

SLU-PP-332 is a small-molecule “exercise mimetic.”

It tricks muscle into activating endurance and fat-burning pathways, no extra hours at the gym needed.

Mice treated with SLU-PP-332 gained up to 70% more endurance and lost weight without diet or exercise changes.

It activates ERRα, the same master gene that is switched on during intense cardio.

While human data is just emerging, the animal data is remarkable.

If you’re struggling to maintain fitness while working unpredictable shifts, this can help keep you leaner, more energetic, and metabolically “trained” even if your gym schedule gets wrecked.

Injectable Glutathione

If you’re a first responder, your body is exposed to more toxins, smoke, and pathogens than almost anyone.

That’s why injectable glutathione belongs in your stack.

Glutathione is your “master antioxidant”.

It neutralizes free radicals, recycles other antioxidants, and directly supports immune cells.

IV or IM glutathione replenishes depleted stores quickly, restores mitochondrial function, and supports liver detoxification (your primary filter).

Clinical studies have shown that increasing glutathione levels improves NK cell activity, reduces oxidative stress, and accelerates recovery after illness or trauma.

In short, if you want to recover faster, fight off illness, and keep your system clean in a dirty world, injectable glutathione is essential.

Thymosin Alpha 1

This peptide is a master regulator of the immune system, enhancing T-cell production and activity, and optimizing cytokine balance.

It has been used in clinics worldwide for a range of conditions, including chronic viral infections, sepsis, and even as a COVID-19 adjuvant.

For first responders, it means you recover faster from colds, flu, and other infections, and you’re less likely to get sick in the first place.

Thymosin Alpha 1 acts like your immune “tune-up,” raising your resilience, especially in times of chronic stress.

LL-37

LL-37 is a natural peptide your body makes to fight bacteria, viruses, and even fungi.

It’s what scientists call an “antimicrobial peptide,” part of your body’s frontline defense, literally punching holes in invaders’ membranes.

Studies show that LL-37 can disrupt bacterial biofilms (the hard-to-kill colonies), neutralize toxins, and accelerate wound healing.

If you’re constantly exposed to new bugs, LL-37 gives your immune system the edge it needs to prevent and quickly clear infections.

It’s not a “maybe,” it’s a foundational immune defense your body should have more of.

DSIP

You can train, you can eat right, but if you don’t sleep, you don’t recover.

DSIP (Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide) helps your brain achieve deep, restorative sleep, even when rotating shifts disrupt your circadian rhythm.

In controlled studies, DSIP increased the time spent in deep (delta) sleep, reduced the time it took to fall asleep, and helped insomniacs feel genuinely rested in the morning.

It also reduces excessive cortisol after stress, so your body actually recovers and repairs, rather than just “surviving” the next shift.

For first responders, DSIP means waking up refreshed, with your immune system and brain ready to fire on all cylinders.

Peptide Stack for First Responders – Dosing Chart

Final Thoughts

Together, these peptides (in conjunction with baseline testosterone) foster true resilience, characterized by increased energy, enhanced focus, a stronger immune system, rapid recovery, and the ability to handle the unpredictable.

It’s a force multiplier for every first responder.

Best,

Hunter Williams

Further Reading and References

• Testosterone

• Orexin A

• SS-31 

• MOTS-c

• SLU-PP-332

• Glutathione 

• Thymosin Alpha-1

• LL-37

• DSIP