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Longevity & Skin
Tetrapeptide proposed to support telomerase and circadian rhythm.
Longevity & Skin
A Russian 'bioregulator' tripeptide aimed at cartilage — with very limited evidence.
Epithalon is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5 for evidence; Cartalax is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5. Epithalon has more human evidence behind it. Both are banned in sport by WADA. Both are used for longevity & skin goals.
Often used together: Both are Khavinson bioregulators and share the AED motif; they are often run together in 'bioregulator' courses.
| Compare | Epithalon Tetrapeptide proposed to support telomerase and circadian rhythm. | Cartalax A Russian 'bioregulator' tripeptide aimed at cartilage — with very limited evidence. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Longevity & Skin | Longevity & Skin |
| Evidence | 2/5Mostly Russian research groups; independent replication lacking. | 1/5Mostly in-vitro and animal work from one research group. No independent controlled human trials. |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved |
| WADA (sport) | Banned | Banned |
| Also known as | Epitalon, Epithalone, AEDG | AED peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp, T-31 |
| How it works | Proposed to activate telomerase and boost melatonin production from the pineal gland. Mechanisms not confirmed by independent Western research. | Proposed to enter cells and interact with DNA and chromatin, adjusting gene activity in cartilage and connective-tissue cells. In cell studies it is reported to influence markers of cell aging and repair. This 'gene-regulating short peptide' model has not been independently confirmed. |
| Half-life | Short | Not characterized |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Subcutaneous | Subcutaneous |
| Good once mixed | ~30 days in the fridge | ~28 days in the fridge |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest research-listing price per mg | $1.80 (10 mg vial, 40% off) | $2.10 (20 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.26% (lot EPI0002) | 99.90% (lot CTX0002) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.
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Epithalon is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5 for evidence; Cartalax is not FDA-approved and rated 1/5. Epithalon has more human evidence behind it. Both are banned in sport by WADA. Both are used for longevity & skin goals.
Epithalon: Not FDA-approved. Cartalax: Not FDA-approved. Regulations change, so confirm with the FDA.
Epithalon is rated 2 out of 5: Mostly Russian research groups; independent replication lacking. Cartalax is rated 1 out of 5: Mostly in-vitro and animal work from one research group. No independent controlled human trials. The scale is explained on our methodology page.
Epithalon is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class. Cartalax is banned by WADA, by name or as part of a named class.
Both are Khavinson bioregulators and share the AED motif; they are often run together in 'bioregulator' courses. That describes how some people use them, not a recommendation.