Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen. Some compounds listed may require a prescription in your jurisdiction.

The Founder Stack

A tiered guide to health optimization compounds — from foundational supplements everyone should consider, to advanced protocols for experienced biohackers. Click any compound for detailed dosing, safety, and evidence data.

Tier 1

Everyone Should Be Doing This

Over-the-counter, decades of research, no controversy. You're leaving performance on the table without these.

Electrolytes (Na/K/Mg)

Oral

Most underrated performance hack — chronic dehydration tanks cognition and energy.

Electrolyte & Hydration

L-Theanine

Oral

Smooths out caffeine jitters and promotes calm focus without sedation.

Amino Acid & Nootropic

Magnesium Threonate

Oral

The only magnesium form proven to cross the blood-brain barrier — supports sleep and cognition.

Mineral & Vitamin

Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)

Oral

Foundational for brain cell membrane health and reducing neuroinflammation.

Fatty Acid

Creatine

Oral

Not just for the gym — 5g/day improves working memory and mental endurance under stress.

Amino Acid & Nootropic

Vitamin D3 + K2

Oral

Most people are deficient — supports mood, immune function, and hormone production.

Mineral & Vitamin

Ashwagandha (KSM-66)

Oral

Lowers cortisol 25-30% in clinical trials — directly counters chronic stress.

Adaptogen

CoQ10 / Ubiquinol

Oral

Mitochondrial energy production declines after 30 — this supports restoring it.

Mitochondrial Support

Rhodiola Rosea

Oral

Adaptogen that improves fatigue resistance under stress — strong clinical evidence.

Adaptogen

Taurine

Oral

Longevity compound that depletes with age — supports cardiac function and neuroprotection.

Amino Acid & Nootropic
Tier 2

Biohacker Curious

Oral bioregulators, nasal peptides, advanced nootropics. Solid research but you need to know what you're doing.

Pinealon

Capsule

Khavinson bioregulatory peptide that supports pineal function and circadian rhythm regulation.

Bioregulator

Epitalon

Capsule

Flagship Khavinson peptide with 20+ years of published research on telomerase activation and longevity.

Bioregulator

Selank

Nasal

Anxiolytic cognitive enhancer without sedation — modulates GABA and serotonin systems.

Neuropeptide

Semax

Nasal

Boosts BDNF to enhance focus, memory, and neuroprotection.

Neuropeptide

Bromantane

Oral

Upregulates dopamine synthesis (not release) — sustainable motivation without tolerance.

Amino Acid & Nootropic

Methylene Blue

Oral

Enhances mitochondrial electron transport chain — supports brain energy at low doses.

Mitochondrial Support

Modafinil / Armodafinil

Rx

Wakefulness agents that support focus and executive function.

Wakefulness Agent

Tadalafil (Low-Dose)

Rx

PDE5 inhibitor that supports blood flow, cardiovascular health, and exercise performance at daily low dose.

Cardiovascular
Tier 3

Full Optimization

Injectables, advanced nootropics, research compounds. Frontier stuff — real commitment required.

Tirzepatide / Retatrutide

Injectable

GLP-1 metabolic optimization — appetite regulation and metabolic health without increased resting heart rate.

Metabolic Optimizer

SS-31 (Elamipretide)

Injectable

The most direct mitochondrial repair peptide — targets cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Mitochondrial Support

MOTS-c

Injectable

Mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis and cellular energy.

Mitochondrial Support

GH / IGF-1 Optimization

Injectable

Growth hormone optimization for recovery, sleep quality, body composition, and longevity.

Growth Optimization

KLOW Blend (BPC-157 / TB-500 / GHK-Cu / KPV)

Injectable

Regenerative peptide stack — tissue healing, systemic repair, gene expression reset, and inflammation suppression.

Regenerative Peptide