Episode 16: Peptides 101: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Use Them Safely

Episode 18: GHK-Cu: The Copper Peptide Shaping Modern Longevity Protocols

GHK-Cu, the copper peptide currently positioned across social media as a near-miraculous anti-aging compound, has actually been studied for more than four decades. In this episode, we take an honest look at GHK-Cu as an anti-aging cure-all. We cover what 40+ years of research actually shows, the difference between GHK and GHK-Cu, the human topical studies that support its use, the gaps in the data on injectable use, the labs to monitor (especially copper and zinc), and how it compares to free alternatives like exercise, vitamin C, and retinol. We also slow down and look at what the research truly supports, what remains speculative, and how to evaluate this peptide with the same clinical rigor we would apply to any therapeutic decision. We close with the lab work to consider before starting, the patient profiles most likely to benefit, and a reminder that one of the most powerful interventions for the same gene-expression benefits is something far more accessible: thirty minutes of exercise, three times per week, which has been shown to reset mitochondrial gene expression to that of a younger person. If you have been wondering whether GHK-Cu lives up to the hype and how to use it thoughtfully if you choose to, this episode is for you. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:06 Introduction to GHK-CU: The Skin Peptide Phenomenon 01:21 Understanding GHK and GHK-CU: The Science Behind the Peptide 03:47 Mechanisms of Action: How GHK-CU Works 06:49 Research and Studies: Evidence Supporting GHK-CU 13:18 Potential Benefits: Wound Healing and Anti-Aging Effects 15:59 Risks and Contraindications: What to Consider Before Use 17:15 Dosing and Administration: Guidelines for Safe Use 19:17 Conclusion: The Future of GHK-CU and Alternatives 22:17 Outro

Episode 17: Peptides, Hormones & IV Therapy: A Functional Medicine Conversation with Jason Pencek

Some of my favorite conversations start in the DMs, and this one is no exception.  For this episode of The Rever Rundown, I sat down with Dr. Jason Pencek. He’s a chiropractor, nurse practitioner, and founder of Fountain Wellness in Chicago. He's one of the most generous voices I've come across in the peptide and functional medicine space, and the conversation that unfolded was one of the most candid and clinically rich I've had on the show so far. We talked about Dr. Pencek's path from nursing to nurse practitioner, and the frustration with symptom-based medicine that shaped his approach. We went deep on peptides and why he still describes them as a sprinkle on the cake, never the cake itself. Labs first. Hormones, iron, gut, inflammation. Then peptides. Then the more advanced tools. We also talked about IV therapy in real clinical practice, the hormone and thyroid conversations so many women are still being denied, the gut work that has to underpin Hashimoto's care, and the responsibility providers carry as patients increasingly arrive with AI-generated recommendations in hand. If there's a single takeaway, it's the one Dr. Pencek offered at the end, and the one that underpins how we practice at Rever: do the lab work, and work with a practitioner who actually knows you. Whether you're a patient or a provider, this one is for you. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Dr. Jason Pencek ⁠Website⁠ [http://www.fountainwellness.org] ⁠Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.jasonpencek/] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:06 Guest Introduction: Dr. Jason Pencek 02:43 The Journey into Functional Medicine 05:35 Peptides and Their Role in Health 08:30 Navigating AI in Healthcare 11:48 The Importance of Provider Guidance 15:32 Traveling with Peptides: What to Bring 18:18 FDA Approval and Melanotan Studies 19:08 Melanotan-1 vs. Melanotan-2: A Comparative Analysis 20:10 The Role of Data in Peptide Efficacy 22:14 The Placebo Effect vs. Real Results 24:30 Challenges in Peptide Research and Funding 26:11 The Failings of Modern Medicine and Insurance 26:58 The Shift from Symptom-Based Care to Holistic Treatment 27:58 Exploring IV Therapy and Nutrient Infusions 31:23 The Importance of Hormone Testing and Treatment 35:09 Understanding Thyroid Health and Reverse T3 36:53 Utilizing LDN and Gut Health in Autoimmune Conditions 44:39 Outro

Episode 16: Peptides 101: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Use Them Safely

In this episode, we break down peptides. What they are, how they work in the body, and which categories are most relevant in modern medicine.  Peptides are everywhere; across social media, wellness clinics, and patient questions in nearly every functional and integrative medicine practice. They are also one of the most misunderstood categories in modern medicine. We cover GLP-1s, growth hormone-releasing peptides, healing peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500, skin and cosmetic peptides, and immune-modulating peptides, along with the safety questions every patient should ask before starting one. For each category, we cover the proposed mechanism, the available human data, what is FDA approved and what is not, the theoretical risks worth understanding, and the patient profiles most likely to benefit. We also walk through the critical safety questions every patient should ask before starting sourcing peptides, third-party testing, certificates of analysis, compounding pharmacy regulation, and the meaningful differences between compounded medications, investigational compounds, and research chemicals. This episode is meant to do what social media cannot: give you the framework to make a thoughtful, informed decision about whether peptides belong in your protocol, and how to use them safely if they do. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:06 Introduction to Peptides 00:38 Understanding Peptides: Basics and Functions 01:58 Peptides in Medicine: Applications and Limitations 02:50 Categories of Peptides: Metabolic and Growth Hormone 05:07 Healing and Regeneration Peptides 07:04 Cosmetic and Skin Peptides 08:24 Immune Modulating Peptides 08:49 Safety and Regulation of Peptides 11:14 Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions about Peptides 12:46 Outro

Episode 15: Compounding Pharmacies and Personalized Hormone Therapy with Dr. Luis Delgado

In this episode of The Rever Rundown, I'm joined by my uncle and one of the most thoughtful pharmacists I know, Luis Delgado, owner of Village Pharmacy and Compounding in Miami. We have the kind of unfiltered conversation about pharmacy, personalized medicine, and hormone therapy that most patients have never been invited into. Luis walks us through what a compounding pharmacy actually is, how compounded medications are sourced, tested, and regulated, and why the lingering cultural skepticism around compounding pharmacies often does not reflect modern clinical reality.  We also dig into the gap in FDA-approved testosterone dosing for women, why so much of the most clinically meaningful hormone therapy falls outside conventional protocols, and how providers can begin to think about partnering with reputable compounding pharmacies rather than working around them. Beyond the clinical content, Luis shares his entrepreneurial journey, from working in a federally qualified health center to opening Village Pharmacy with his wife, trading in his car to fund the business, and standing outside a restaurant in his early days introducing himself to potential patients.  If you have ever been told compounding pharmacies are unsafe, wondered whether your hormone therapy could be more precisely tailored, or simply needed permission to keep advocating for the care you deserve, this episode is for you. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Dr. Luis Delgado Website [⁠https://www.villagepharmacymiami.com/⁠ ] Instagram [⁠https://www.instagram.com/villagepharmacymiami/⁠ ] Location 9408 SW 87 AVE, Suite 105, Miami, Florida 33176 00:00 Intro 01:05 Introduction to Compounding Pharmacy and Personal Connections 02:10 Luis’ Journey to Pharmacy and Entrepreneurship 07:19 Transitioning from Employment to Entrepreneurship 12:18 The Growth of Village Pharmacy and Its Impact 13:52 Understanding Compounding Pharmacies and Their Importance 19:28 The Role of Testosterone Therapy in Personalized Medicine 25:00 Understanding Drug Absorption Variability 27:06 The Importance of Integrity in Healthcare 27:53 Differentiating Pharmacy Types 29:43 The Art of Hormone Replacement Therapy 31:28 Challenges in Compounding Pharmacy Utilization 33:14 Regulatory Landscape of Compounding Pharmacies 35:21 Safety and Regulation in Compounding Medications 38:19 Addressing Misconceptions About Compounding Pharmacies 40:11 The Future of Individualized Medicine 45:13 Empowerment Through Knowledge and Mindset 47:11 Outro

Episode 14: Testosterone in Women: Benefits, Risks, and Why It's Under-prescribed

In this episode, we take on testosterone, the hormone that became a controlled substance in the 1990s after decades of misuse, and that remains one of the most misunderstood pieces of the hormonal picture for both women and men. We cover what testosterone actually is, where it is produced, and why women have higher absolute levels of testosterone across their lifetime than estrogen or any other hormone. We unpack the role testosterone plays in libido and sexual function, mood and cognition, muscle protein synthesis, bone density, fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic health and we talk honestly about what happens when levels are too low, too high, or out of balance. We also dig into what testosterone is and is not FDA approved for, why hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women remains the only female indication, and why so many of the broader benefits women experience on testosterone therapy fall outside conventional prescribing guidelines. Throughout, we explore the difference between physiological replacement and supraphysiologic dosing, the nuance between free and total testosterone, and what to look for in a provider who works with hormones thoughtfully. If you have wondered whether your fatigue, low drive, mood changes, or loss of strength might be hormonal, this episode is for you. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:16 What is Testosterone? 00:44 Testosterone in Men and Women 01:26 Production and Feedback Loop 01:46 Role of Testosterone 02:23 Impact on Body and Health 04:12 FDA Approval and Clinical Use 05:41 Balancing Testosterone Levels 06:31 Final Takeaways 06:59 Outro