Section
Peptides
15 pages in this section, most recently updated September 4, 2026. Each opens with a plain-English summary and cites its sources.
01 · Peptides
FeaturedBPC-157: what the human evidence is, and what FDA has said
You'll get: BPC-157 has hundreds of rat studies but no controlled human trial of any kind.
BPC-157 has hundreds of rat studies and no controlled human trial. FDA placed it in Category 2 in 2023, later listed it as withdrawn, and the compounding advisory committee discussed it in July 2026. Grade D + X.
Updated September 4, 2026
02 · Peptides
TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment): the trials people cite are for a different molecule
You'll get: TB-500 is a small piece of a natural protein, thymosin beta-4, and the human trials people cite used the whole protein.
TB-500 is a seven-amino-acid fragment of thymosin beta-4. The controlled human trials are of full-length thymosin beta-4 in eye drops and intravenous infusion. FDA reports no human exposure data for the fragment. Grade D + X.
Updated September 4, 202603 · Peptides
CJC-1295: two human studies from 2006 and an FDA safety note
You'll get: CJC-1295 raised growth hormone for days in one small 2006 study, but no trial measured fat, muscle, or any real outcome.
CJC-1295 is a long-acting growth hormone releaser with two small 2006 human studies and no outcome trial. FDA cites heart-rate side effects. Grade C + X.
Updated September 4, 202604 · Peptides
Ipamorelin: one failed phase 2 trial, and still in FDA's Category 2
You'll get: Ipamorelin triggers a short pulse of the body's own growth hormone that fades within about two hours.
Ipamorelin triggers a pulse of growth hormone. Its only outcome trial, in 117 surgery patients, failed. The FDA still lists a safety concern. Grade C + X.
Updated September 4, 202605 · Peptides
Sermorelin: the GHRH analogue that was an approved drug
You'll get: Sermorelin was an FDA-approved drug, Geref, for children who lacked growth hormone, but it was discontinued.
Sermorelin (Geref) was FDA approved in the 1990s for children lacking growth hormone, then discontinued. Adult anti-ageing use has no trial. Grade B.
Updated September 4, 202606 · Peptides
FeaturedTesamorelin (Egrifta): an approved GHRH analogue, and what its label actually covers
You'll get: Tesamorelin, sold as Egrifta, is FDA approved to reduce excess belly fat in adults with HIV and abnormal fat build-up.
Tesamorelin (Egrifta) is FDA approved to cut excess belly fat in adults with HIV. Two trials in 806 people and a full warnings list. Grade A for that use.
Updated September 4, 202607 · Peptides
MOTS-c: mouse data, human blood measurements, and no human trial
You'll get: MOTS-c prevented weight gain and improved fitness in mice, but no published trial has ever given it to a person.
MOTS-c is a small peptide with metabolic effects in mice. It has only been measured in people, never given in a published trial. FDA flag 2023. Grade D+X.
Updated September 4, 202608 · Peptides
GHK-Cu: a cosmetic topical literature and no trial of the injectable
You'll get: GHK-Cu is the copper peptide in skin creams, and the small human studies are all of creams, not injections.
GHK-Cu is the copper peptide in skin creams. Injected GHK-Cu has no controlled human study and an FDA safety flag; non-injected is under review. Grade D+X.
Updated September 4, 202609 · Peptides
NAD+ injections and infusions: Category 1 status, and the evidence that is not there
You'll get: NAD+ is not a peptide, but the same clinics sell it by injection and IV drip, so it is covered here.
NAD+ is not a peptide but the same clinics sell it. Under FDA review with no safety flag, yet the one human infusion study tracked blood levels. Grade D.
Updated September 4, 202610 · Peptides
Semax: Russian stroke studies, a nootropic reputation, and an FDA flag
You'll get: Semax is registered in Russia for use after a stroke, but it has never been reviewed or approved by the FDA.
Semax is a Russian peptide used after stroke there. Its studies are small, open and from one group. FDA flagged it in 2023; not approved. Grade C + X.
Updated September 4, 202611 · Peptides
Selank: small anxiety trials against benzodiazepines, no placebo, and an FDA flag
You'll get: Selank was tested for anxiety in three small Russian studies, each against an older anxiety drug and never against a placebo.
Selank is a Russian anxiety peptide tested in three small trials against older anxiety drugs, never against placebo. FDA flagged it in 2023. Grade C + X.
Updated September 4, 202612 · Peptides
Epitalon (epithalon): telomerase in a dish, a thin human record, and a common substitution
You'll get: In lab dishes, epitalon lengthened telomeres, the protective ends of DNA strands, but no one has measured this in people.
Epitalon lengthens telomeres in lab cells. Its human record is one small study; the famous longevity trial used another product. FDA flag 2023. Grade C+X.
Updated September 4, 202613 · Peptides
FeaturedPT-141 (bremelanotide, Vyleesi): an approved drug with a narrow label
You'll get: PT-141, sold as Vyleesi, is FDA approved for low sexual desire in women who have not reached menopause.
Bremelanotide (PT-141) is FDA approved as Vyleesi for low sexual desire in premenopausal women, on two trials in 1,267 women. Not for men. Grade A.
Updated September 4, 202614 · Peptides
AOD-9604: a growth hormone fragment whose obesity trials were never published
You'll get: AOD-9604 is a small piece of growth hormone that was tested for obesity, but the trial results were never published.
AOD-9604 is a fragment of growth hormone once tested for obesity. Results were never published, and the FDA flagged safety concerns in 2023. Grade D + X.
Updated September 4, 202615 · Peptides
The GLP-1 peptides: where the evidence actually is
You'll get: Semaglutide and tirzepatide are peptides too, and they are the ones with FDA approval and large human trials.
Semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide are peptides with FDA approval and trials in thousands of people. A pointer to the GLP-1s Explained site. Grade A.
Updated September 4, 2026