P21 is a small laboratory-made peptide derived from a natural nerve-growth protein, of interest for protecting memory and brain function with age. Rodent studies, nearly all from the developer's laboratory, reported better memory, more new brain cells and less Alzheimer-type protein build-up; it is untested in people, and no pharmaceutical-grade product is available. Risks include possible appetite and weight loss, impure online products and theoretical tumor and pregnancy concerns. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ALT (liver enzyme) | 7–55 U/L | Safety check: a rise stops use |
| AST (liver and muscle enzyme) | 8–48 U/L | Safety check: a rise stops use |
| Creatinine (kidney filtration) | 0.59–1.35 mg/dL | Safety check: a rise stops use |
| White blood cell count | 3.4–9.6 × 10⁹/L | Safety check: a rise with fever stops use |
| Serum hCG (pregnancy hormone) | Negative, below 5 IU/L | Safety check: a positive result stops use |
| Body weight | No unintended loss over 5% of starting weight | Safety check: the parent protein caused appetite loss |
| Serum BDNF (brain growth factor) | No established target; track change from own baseline | Expected to change: P21 raises this brain growth factor in animals |
| Plasma p-tau217 (blood form of tau, an Alzheimer-linked protein) | No established target; track change from own baseline | Expected to change: P21 lowered tau in animals |
| Validated cognitive test (e.g., Montreal Cognitive Assessment) | Improvement over own baseline on the same test | Defines success; no target result has been validated for P21 |
Cadence: Weight weekly; repeat blood tests at 4 weeks, at the end of each 8–12-week cycle, then every 6 months while use continues; cognitive testing at the end of each cycle.