My DIY 5-Amino-1MQ Solution: What I Learned About the Trade-offs

Last weekend I finally mixed my bulk [5-Amino-1MQ]{card:5-amino-1mq} powder into an oral solution. After ordering supplies and planning the process, it was time to turn powder into something I could actually dose consistently. Here's exactly what happened, the mistake that cost me $30, and why this experiment taught me more about peptide preparation than any YouTube tutorial ever could. ## The Setup If you read my [previous post about ordering supplies](https://retatrutidelog.com/posts/adding-5-amino-1mq-stack-amazon-shopping-list), you know I went deep on the equipment. Today was the day to put it all to work. ## My Complete Amazon Shopping List Since this experiment showed me the importance of having the right equipment, here's everything I used with direct links: ### One-Time Equipment ($52 total): **Amber Glass Dropper Bottles (4-pack)** - $8.99 [Get them here →](https://amzn.to/3HXkQPF) *30ml bottles with graduated droppers. Perfect for precise dosing and UV protection.* **Graduated Pipettes (8-pack)** - $15.88 [Get them here →](https://amzn.to/47q7juq) *Essential for accurate liquid measurement. Multiple sizes for flexibility.* **Digital Scale (0.01g accuracy)** - $26.99 [Get them here →](https://amzn.to/3UTXugP) *Precise enough for supplement dosing, compact design.* ### Consumables ($69 total): **5-Amino-1MQ Bulk Powder (5g)** - $65.00 [Get it here →](https://amzn.to/42dcASn) *99%+ purity, includes 100mg scoop. This is the main investment.* **Propylene Glycol USP (250ml)** - $11.99 [Get it here →](https://amzn.to/3HHw36W) *Pharmaceutical grade solvent. Safe for oral use, improves absorption.* **LorAnn Peppermint "Super Strength" Flavor** - $3.99 [Get it here →](https://amzn.to/4lTuWyQ) *A couple drops per vial to mask any bitterness. Makes sublingual dosing much more pleasant.*  Everything laid out: precision scale, amber vials, pipettes, propylene glycol, distilled water, and my 5g pouch of orange-red 5-Amino-1MQ powder from Akersunder Herbs.  ## The Recipe **Target batch:** **50mL** total solution - **5g** 5-Amino-1MQ powder - **25mL** propylene glycol (PG) - **25mL** distilled water (boiled and cooled) - Final concentration: **100mg/mL** The math was simple. Each 1mL dose would deliver 100mg of 5-Amino-1MQ. My droppers typically pull between 0.9-0.95mL on the first draw, so roughly 90-95mg per dose - close enough for practical purposes. I mixed all **5g** because I initially thought refrigerator storage would work for the full cycle. That turned out to be a costly assumption. ## Sterile Technique Before touching any compounds, I went full sterile protocol: **Work surface prep:** Sprayed down the entire counter area with 75% isopropyl alcohol and wiped clean with paper towels **Glass sterilization:** Boiled all glassware for 10 minutes  **Water prep:** Boiled distilled water for 10 minutes, then cooled to "baby bottle warm" to help with powder dissolution. No picture captured, but I boiled a few cups of distilled water in a smaller pot and let it cool until it was warm enough to not burn the back of my wrist. **Tool sanitization:** Soaked all rubber droppers and caps in 75% isopropyl alcohol, then air dried  **Scale calibration:** Zeroed the scale and verified accuracy with the included calibration weight  This level of preparation might seem excessive, but I wanted to eliminate variables. If this experiment failed, it wouldn't be due to contamination or measurement errors. ## The Weighing Process First weigh-in showed the powder was actually about 350mg over the advertised 5g.  Initially, I removed the excess to get exactly 5.00g. Then I realized some powder would be lost in the mixing glass and transfer process, so I added about 200mg back to compensate for inevitable losses.  ## Mixing Process The dissolution process followed a specific order: **Step 1:** Added propylene glycol first to the powder  The powder dissolved readily in PG, creating a deep red-orange solution. I used a glass stirring rod and the warm water bath method to ensure complete dissolution.  **Step 2:** Added the warm (not hot) distilled water gradually while stirring  **Step 3:** Final mixing until completely homogeneous  ## Bottling and First Dose Split the 50mL solution into two 25mL amber vials, added a few drops of peppermint oil to each for taste masking. Since these are the only amber vials I have, no labeling was needed.   First sublingual dose was manageable. I held it under my tongue for 90 seconds - the peppermint helped but it was still quite bitter. There was some orange staining, so I used a glass of water to swish my mouth and drank the residue, then brushed my teeth to clear everything out. ## The $30 Mistake Here's where things went sideways. I stored the vials in my refrigerator, thinking cold storage would extend shelf life. Four hours later: both vials were completely solid. Not spoiled or contaminated - crystallized. I was so focused on troubleshooting the problem that I didn't think to document it with photos. **The problem:** PG + water solutions lose solubility when cold. The compounds essentially crashed out of solution. **The fix:** Moved vials to room temperature storage in a dark bathroom cabinet. Within an hour, they returned to liquid. ## What I Learned **Room temperature storage is mandatory** for PG/water blends. They remain stable for 2-3 weeks at room temperature in dark conditions. **Smaller batches make more sense.** Instead of 50mL lasting 6+ weeks (with degradation), I should make 25mL batches that match the 2-3 week stability window. A fair amount of my **5g** batch will go to waste because of the room temperature storage requirement. The crystallization mistake cost about $30 in wasted materials and time, but it accelerated my learning curve significantly. ## Two Weeks of Daily Dosing I've been taking ~1mL (90mg) sublingually each morning for two weeks now. Early observations: **Taste:** Bitter even with peppermint masking. Not pleasant, but manageable. **Staining:** The solution leaves orange stains on everything it touches - teeth, tongue, sink. **Effects:** Too early for definitive assessment, but I'll document any changes over the coming weeks. ## The Reality Check Based on the taste, staining, with homemade solution, I'm likely moving to pre-made injection kits for future 5-Amino-1MQ use. **The color issue is the deal-breaker.** Because of the orange staining that affects mouth and teeth, I wouldn't attempt this oral solution approach again with 5-Amino-1MQ. However, for white powders like SLU-PP-332, I might consider smaller batches covering 3-4 week windows to match the room temperature stability requirements. ## Educational Disclaimer **This post is purely educational documentation of a personal experiment.** I'm sharing the process, mistakes, and lessons learned - not recommending others replicate this approach. The taste, staining, and storage issues I experienced highlight why commercial preparations exist. If you're interested in 5-Amino-1MQ, this will work but likely more of a pain to deal with than pre-made capsules or injection kits. ## Process Summary For those interested in the technical overview, here's the complete process without images: 1. **Surface prep:** Spray counter with 75% isopropyl alcohol, wipe with paper towels 2. **Sterilize equipment:** Boil all glassware for 10 minutes 3. **Prepare water:** Boil distilled water for 10 minutes, cool to warm temperature 4. **Sanitize tools:** Soak rubber droppers and caps in 75% isopropyl alcohol, air dry 5. **Calibrate scale:** Zero scale and verify with calibration weight 6. **Weigh powder:** Measure 5g (account for transfer losses by adding ~200mg extra) 7. **Mix with PG:** Add 25mL propylene glycol to powder, stir until dissolved 8. **Add water:** Gradually add 25mL warm distilled water while stirring 9. **Final mixing:** Stir until completely homogeneous 10. **Bottle:** Split into amber vials, add peppermint drops 11. **Store:** Room temperature only (refrigeration causes crystallization) ::subscribe[{"variant":"default"}] --- **Disclaimer:** The information provided on this site is for **educational and informational purposes only** and reflects my **personal experiences and opinions**. It is **not** intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Retatrutide is an **investigational drug** that is **not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)** for any use outside of clinical trials. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medications, supplements, or medical treatments. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this site may be affiliate links.