Clavicular Ascension Stack:
All 12 Compounds Explained

Clavicular (Braden Peters) is the fitness and looksmaxxing influencer whose viral transformation videos sparked massive interest in research peptide protocols. While his "Core Stack" — Retatrutide + BPC-157 — is widely discussed, the full Ascension Stack is the complete 12-compound protocol behind his transformation.

The term "Ascension Stack" refers to the layered approach Clavicular uses to optimize every axis of physical appearance simultaneously: body composition, skin quality, structural definition, and overall health. Rather than optimizing one variable at a time, the Ascension Stack attacks all vectors of looksmaxxing simultaneously.

This is not a beginner protocol. The Ascension Stack represents the full scope of what serious looksmaxxers and biohackers use when cost and complexity are not constraints.

The Ascension Stack's fat loss layer is anchored by Retatrutide (GLP-3 R), a triple-receptor agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. In Phase 2 clinical trials, Retatrutide produced average weight loss of 24.2% over 48 weeks — significantly outperforming any single or dual agonist on the market.

The glucagon receptor activation is what separates Retatrutide: while GLP-1/GIP agonists like Tirzepatide suppress appetite and improve insulin sensitivity, the addition of glucagon agonism drives direct fat oxidation and thermogenesis. The result is faster fat loss with superior lean mass preservation compared to GLP-1 monotherapy.

The recovery layer serves two purposes: (1) protecting the GI tract and joints during aggressive training and peptide use, and (2) accelerating repair of soft tissue damage to support the high training frequency required for body recomposition.

BPC-157 is the gut-specific compound. Derived from a human gastric protein, it upregulates VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) to drive angiogenesis at injury sites, activates growth hormone receptors, and maintains GI lining integrity during caloric restriction and GLP agonist use.

TB-500 provides systemic tissue repair through a different mechanism: it sequesters G-actin to regulate cytoskeletal dynamics, promoting cell migration and differentiation throughout the body. The BPC-157 + TB-500 combination covers both local and systemic repair — which is why Clavicular pairs them as a "healing stack."

This is the layer that distinguishes the Ascension Stack from a basic fat loss protocol. The skin remodeling layer uses three compounds with distinct but complementary mechanisms:

The GH layer is where the Ascension Stack's body recomposition effects really compound. While Retatrutide drives fat loss, the growth hormone layer ensures lean mass is preserved and built — creating the sharp, defined physique Clavicular is known for.

IGF-1 LR3 is the muscle preservation compound. The LR3 modification (Arg substitution + extended N-terminal sequence) extends half-life from ~15 minutes (native IGF-1) to ~20 hours. It activates muscle satellite cells, drives protein synthesis, and enhances nutrient partitioning — directing calories toward muscle rather than fat.

CJC-1295/Ipamorelin is the GH secretagogue stack. CJC-1295 (without DAC) amplifies GHRH signaling while Ipamorelin triggers selective GH pulses without the cortisol and prolactin elevation seen with less selective secretagogues. Taken pre-sleep, this combination optimizes overnight recovery and fat oxidation.

The longevity layer addresses the cellular health demands of running a multi-compound protocol: oxidative stress management, mitochondrial function, and cellular aging.

NAD+ is the mitochondrial fuel. Required for 500+ enzymatic reactions, NAD+ declines with age and metabolic stress. Supplementation supports sirtuin activation (which mediates many longevity pathways), DNA repair, and metabolic efficiency during the aggressive body recomposition phase.

Glutathione is the master antioxidant — a tripeptide that neutralizes reactive oxygen species generated during intense training and multi-compound peptide use. In the Ascension Stack, it also plays a role in skin brightening by modulating tyrosinase activity, complementing Melanotan II in the appearance layer.

The performance layer includes compounds that fall outside the research peptide category: Testosterone Cypionate and Anavar (Oxandrolone). These are controlled substances and are not available at Clav Tides.

They are included here for completeness of the full Ascension Stack as publicly discussed. Testosterone Cypionate provides the androgenic/anabolic base for muscle preservation and libido maintenance during aggressive caloric restriction. Anavar is a mild oral anabolic used for lean muscle retention without water retention.

The Core Stack (Retatrutide + BPC-157) is the right starting point for most researchers new to Clavicular's protocol. It covers the two most impactful compounds with the best-established research profiles, at a combined cost of approximately $250.

The Ascension Stack is the destination — the full-scope protocol for serious looksmaxxers who have already established the fat loss and recovery foundation and want to optimize every remaining axis.