Peptide Wiki
Educational reference for research peptides and GLP-1 compounds. Learn what they are, how they work, and what self-directed communities report about protocols and dosing.
Healing & Recovery
5Peptides commonly reported for tissue repair and injury recovery.
BPC-157
Since it originates from gastric juice, a lot of the early studies looked at BPC-157's role in the gut lining, including research related to ulcers and inflammatory bowel conditions. Several studies have looked at how BPC-157 relates to tendon healing, especially around Achilles tendon injuries, tracking how the tissue changed over time. Some research has looked at BPC-157 in the context of muscle tears and injuries, examining how the tissue responded during healing. A smaller amount of research has explored BPC-157 in relation to nerve regeneration, though this area is less developed than the gut and tendon research.
Read entryBPC-157 + TB-500 (Wolverine Stack)
Both peptides have been studied individually for their role in tissue repair processes, which is the main reason researchers pair them. BPC-157's research base centers on the gut lining and blood vessel formation, while Thymosin Beta-4's centers on cell migration and wound closure. Each peptide has separately been studied in animal models of muscle and tendon injury, with BPC-157 research focused on tendon-to-bone healing and Thymosin Beta-4 research focused on directing cell movement to the injury site. Because the two mechanisms don't overlap directly, researchers studying recovery-related processes sometimes look at how the two peptides might complement each other rather than duplicate the same pathway.
Read entryKPV
A significant body of KPV research has focused on inflammatory bowel conditions, where studies have found it reduces markers of inflammation in animal models of colitis. KPV has also been studied in models of skin inflammation, building on its parent hormone's known anti-inflammatory role in that tissue. Beyond specific tissues, foundational research has focused on exactly how KPV produces its anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level, including comparisons to how the full-length alpha-MSH hormone works.
Read entryLL-37
The foundational area of LL-37 research is its ability to directly kill or disable a broad range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses as part of the body's innate immune response. Research has found LL-37 plays a distinct role in skin wound closure, showing up at high levels in healing skin and appearing to support the movement and growth of the cells that reseal a wound. Beyond wound closure specifically, LL-37 has been studied for its ability to promote the formation of new blood vessels, a related process that supports tissue repair.
Read entryThymosin Alpha-1
The most established area of Thymosin Alpha-1 research addresses chronic hepatitis B, where a randomized controlled trial found it improved rates of viral response compared to standard care. Beyond hepatitis specifically, a broader body of research has examined how Thymosin Alpha-1 modulates immune cell activity across a range of viral infections, describing its interaction with several immune signaling pathways. Interest in Thymosin Alpha-1 for sepsis grew out of smaller earlier trials suggesting benefit, but the largest and most rigorous trial to date, involving over 1,100 patients, found no reduction in mortality compared to placebo, a result that meaningfully tempers the earlier, more promising findings.
Read entryMetabolic & GLP-1
5Compounds reported to affect metabolism, appetite, and weight.
5-Amino-1MQ
Studies in mice have looked at how blocking NNMT affects fat tissue specifically, with research showing a reduction in fat mass that did not extend to muscle tissue. Research has examined how NNMT inhibition affects the rate at which cells use energy, with studies pointing to increased energy use in treated animals. Some research has looked at how reducing NNMT activity relates to glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in animal models.
Read entryCagrilintide
The core research focus on Cagrilintide is how it interacts with amylin receptors in the brain to influence appetite and food intake signaling. Research in both animal models and human trials has looked at how Cagrilintide affects body weight, with studies specifically tracking changes in fat mass relative to lean mass. A significant portion of current research pairs Cagrilintide with GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, studying whether the two mechanisms produce a more complete signal than either compound alone.
Read entrySemaglutide
Semaglutide's original approval was for type 2 diabetes, based on its ability to lower blood sugar by increasing insulin release and reducing glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. A large body of clinical trial data, most notably the STEP trial program, has examined semaglutide's effect on body weight in people with overweight or obesity. A large-scale trial in people with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, but without diabetes, found that semaglutide reduced the rate of major cardiovascular events compared to placebo over roughly three years of follow-up.
Read entryTirzepatide
Tirzepatide's original approval was for type 2 diabetes, based on its ability to improve blood sugar regulation through its dual receptor activity. The SURMOUNT trial program studied tirzepatide's effect on body weight in people with obesity or overweight, reporting some of the largest average weight reductions seen in this drug class. A head-to-head trial directly compared tirzepatide against semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes, finding tirzepatide produced greater reductions in both blood sugar and body weight over 40 weeks.
Read entryRetatrutide
The primary focus of retatrutide research has been its effect on body weight, with a Phase 2 trial in people with obesity reporting average reductions of up to roughly 24% at 48 weeks with the highest dose tested. A separate Phase 2 trial in people with type 2 diabetes evaluated retatrutide's effect on blood sugar regulation alongside its effect on body weight in that population. Because retatrutide activates the glucagon receptor in addition to GLP-1 and GIP, research has also expanded into areas like liver fat, since glucagon signaling is tied to energy expenditure and fat metabolism beyond appetite alone.
Read entryGrowth Hormone
8Secretagogues and releasing hormones reported to affect GH levels.
CJC-1295 No DAC
The core area of research is how CJC-1295 No DAC activates the GHRH receptor on the pituitary gland, which is the first step in the body's natural growth hormone release process. Because it clears the body quickly, researchers have studied CJC-1295 No DAC for how closely it mirrors the body's own pulsatile release pattern, compared to longer-acting versions that produce more sustained activity. CJC-1295 No DAC is frequently studied alongside other growth hormone secretagogues, such as Ipamorelin, since the two act on separate receptors that both feed into growth hormone release.
Read entryCJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin
CJC-1295 without DAC has been studied for its ability to activate the GHRH receptor and stimulate growth hormone release in a pattern that mirrors the body's natural pulses. Ipamorelin has been studied specifically for its selectivity, meaning research has found it stimulates growth hormone without meaningfully raising cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH the way some earlier compounds in its class did. Because the two peptides act on separate receptors that both feed into the same downstream hormone, researchers have looked at whether combining them produces a more complete signal than either compound alone.
Read entryIGF-1 LR3
The original research on IGF-1 LR3 examined how reducing its binding to carrier proteins affected organ growth and circulating hormone levels in animal models. Animal studies have also looked at how sustained IGF-1 LR3 exposure affects the body's own hormone production, including growth hormone and native IGF-1 levels, since the body's feedback systems respond to how much IGF-1 signaling is already present. Beyond whole-animal studies, IGF-1 LR3 is used in cell-based research to study the signaling pathways activated when IGF-1 receptors are engaged for extended periods.
Read entryIpamorelin
The defining area of ipamorelin research is its ability to stimulate growth hormone release while leaving other pituitary hormones, including cortisol, prolactin, and ACTH, largely unaffected. A dedicated human trial characterized how ipamorelin behaves in the body over time, mapping out its absorption, clearance, and the timing of the growth hormone response it triggers. Because ipamorelin sits alongside other growth hormone secretagogues developed over several decades, researchers have reviewed how it compares mechanistically and in selectivity to earlier compounds in the same family.
Read entryHexarelin
Like other peptides in its class, hexarelin has been studied for its ability to trigger pituitary growth hormone release through the ghrelin receptor pathway. A significant body of hexarelin-specific research has focused on its effects on heart tissue, including studies on coronary blood vessel activity and protection of heart muscle during periods of reduced blood flow. Beyond the heart specifically, hexarelin and related GHRPs have been studied more broadly for cell-protective effects across different tissue types, an area of research that has developed over several decades.
Read entrySermorelin
The core clinical evidence for sermorelin comes from its original approved use. A multicenter trial found that daily sermorelin produced sustained increases in growth velocity in growth hormone-deficient children over 12 months of treatment. Beyond treatment, sermorelin has also been studied and used as a diagnostic tool, since how a patient's pituitary responds to a sermorelin dose can help distinguish different causes of growth hormone deficiency. Separate from its pediatric approval, sermorelin-related research has extended into adult populations, including a study examining long-term GHRH(1-29) administration in older men and women and its effects on the growth hormone and metabolic axis.
Read entryTesamorelin
The core evidence for tesamorelin comes from its approved indication. A pivotal Phase 3 trial in 412 adults with HIV-associated abdominal fat accumulation found a significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue compared to placebo over 26 weeks. A pooled analysis combining two large Phase 3 trials, totaling more than 800 participants, confirmed a consistent reduction in visceral fat with tesamorelin treatment, reinforcing the original trial's findings at a larger scale. Beyond the fat reduction itself, research has examined whether that change in visceral fat translates into broader metabolic improvements, finding that reduced visceral adiposity was associated with a more favorable metabolic profile in treated patients.
Read entryTesamorelin + Ipamorelin
Tesamorelin's approved research base centers on reducing visceral abdominal fat, with large Phase 3 trials showing significant reductions in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Ipamorelin's research base centers on its ability to stimulate growth hormone release while leaving other pituitary hormones largely unaffected, a selectivity profile established in its original characterization. Because the two peptides activate separate receptors that both feed into growth hormone release, researchers combining them are generally interested in whether the two signals together produce a more complete response than either alone.
Read entryLongevity
5Peptides explored for their reported anti-aging and cellular health properties.
Epithalon
The central focus of Epithalon research is its effect on telomerase, an enzyme involved in maintaining the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, called telomeres, which shorten as cells divide over time. Several animal studies from the same research group have looked at how long-term Epithalon exposure relates to lifespan and age-related markers in mice and rats. Because Epithalon is modeled on a pineal gland substance, some research has also looked at its relationship to melatonin production and the body's internal clock.
Read entryGlutathione
The central and most established area of glutathione research is its role neutralizing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the unstable molecules tied to oxidative stress and cellular damage. A key question in the field has been whether taking glutathione actually raises the amount available in the body. A controlled human trial found that sustained oral supplementation did meaningfully increase glutathione levels in blood and immune cells. As more human trials have accumulated, researchers have started pooling the data together. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of glutathione supplementation trials found that higher doses and longer durations were more consistently associated with increased body glutathione levels.
Read entryMOTS-c
The foundational area of MOTS-c research is its effect on metabolism, with the original study finding it improved glucose regulation and reduced signs of insulin resistance and obesity in animal models. Beyond metabolism specifically, research has found MOTS-c moves into the cell's nucleus in response to metabolic stress, where it appears to help regulate the activity of genes involved in the body's stress response. A more recent area of study has looked at MOTS-c's connection to physical activity, since it increases in response to exercise and has been studied for its role in supporting muscle function as animals age.
Read entrySS-31 (Elamipretide)
The most clinically developed area of SS-31 research addresses Barth syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that disrupts normal cardiolipin structure. A Phase 2/3 trial and its long-term extension found meaningful improvements in physical function and cardiac measures in patients treated with elamipretide, ultimately supporting its FDA approval. Foundational biophysical research has examined exactly how SS-31 interacts with mitochondrial membranes at a molecular level, providing the mechanistic basis for its effects across different disease models. Beyond Barth syndrome specifically, SS-31 has been studied in models of heart failure, kidney injury, and other conditions where mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a role, reflecting how central mitochondrial health is across many different tissues.
Read entryNAD+
The foundational role of NAD+ is its participation in redox reactions central to energy production, DNA repair, and chromatin remodeling, functions that touch nearly every aspect of cell biology. A major area of research has tested whether precursor compounds, molecules the body can convert into NAD+, actually raise NAD+ levels in humans. A controlled trial found that nicotinamide riboside supplementation was well tolerated and increased NAD+ levels in healthy middle-aged and older adults. More recently, researchers have taken stock of the accumulated human trial data and found a more complicated picture than animal research originally suggested. A 2025 review concluded that evidence for an age-related NAD+ decline in humans has been consistently observed in only a limited number of studies, and that human trials of NAD+ precursors have shown limited efficacy so far.
Read entrySleep & Circadian
1Peptides studied for sleep onset, circadian rhythm, and neurological signaling.
Hormonal & Fertility
1Approved and research hormones studied for testosterone, fertility, and endocrine signaling.
Skin & Hair
6Peptides studied for collagen, skin structure, pigmentation, and hair-related research.
GHK-Cu
The largest area of GHK-Cu research looks at its effect on collagen, elastin, and other structural proteins that make up the skin's supportive matrix. Beyond skin specifically, research has looked at GHK-Cu's role in remodeling connective tissue more broadly, including studies on wound healing and tissue repair in other organs. A more recent area of interest is how GHK-Cu affects gene activity at a broad scale. A widely cited review found it influences the expression of a large portion of genes measured in a major genomic database.
Read entryGHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500 (Glow Stack)
GHK-Cu's research base centers on collagen production and the enzymes involved in maintaining connective tissue structure. BPC-157's research base centers on blood vessel formation and gut-related signaling, both of which relate to how tissue receives blood flow and support. TB-500's research base centers on actin, the protein that lets cells move and change shape, which has made it a subject of study in wound closure and directed cell movement.
Read entryGHK-Cu + KPV
GHK-Cu has been extensively studied for its role in collagen production and tissue remodeling, making it one of the more established peptides in skin-related research. KPV has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammatory signaling pathways, with a particular research base in gut tissue and skin models. Because inflammation and structural repair are connected processes, especially in skin and gut tissue, some research has looked at pairing a structural peptide with one that calms the inflammatory signals that can interfere with repair.
Read entryKPV + GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu has been extensively studied for its role in collagen production and tissue remodeling, making it one of the more established peptides in skin-related research. KPV has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammatory signaling pathways, with a particular research base in gut tissue and skin models. Because inflammation and structural repair are connected processes, especially in skin and gut tissue, some research has looked at pairing a structural peptide with one that calms the inflammatory signals that can interfere with repair.
Read entryMelanotan 1 (MT-1)
The foundational area of MT-1 research is its ability to trigger melanin production and skin darkening, first demonstrated in an early human trial that established its tanning activity. MT-1's most developed clinical research addresses erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare genetic condition that causes severe pain on sun exposure. A pair of Phase 3 trials found the approved afamelanotide implant increased how long patients could tolerate sunlight without pain. Because MT-1 is also sold outside regulated channels, researchers have separately reviewed the safety differences between the approved pharmaceutical form and unregulated versions sold for tanning purposes.
Read entryMelanotan 2 (MT-2)
Like Melanotan 1, MT-2's earliest research documented its ability to darken skin, established in a pilot Phase I human trial in the 1990s. Because MT-2 activates receptors beyond the pigmentation pathway, a distinct area of research examined its effect on erectile function, finding it could initiate erections in men with certain forms of erectile dysfunction. Because MT-2 is sold outside regulated pharmaceutical channels, a body of research has specifically reviewed the safety risks associated with its unregulated use, including case reports of serious adverse effects.
Read entryNeurological
3Peptides studied for neuroprotection, cognitive function, anxiety, and brain-based signaling.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
The core clinical research on PT-141 addresses hypoactive sexual desire disorder, with two Phase 3 trials involving over 1,200 premenopausal women finding it significantly improved measures of sexual desire and reduced related distress compared to placebo. Earlier preclinical research examined how PT-141 affects sexual function through brain pathways specifically, distinguishing its mechanism from peripheral, blood-flow-based approaches. As with several approved medications, more recent researchers have gone back and reanalyzed the original trial data. A 2024 reanalysis raised questions about the actual size of PT-141's effect and how meaningful the reported improvements are in practice.
Read entrySelank
The central area of Selank research is its anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing, effect. A Russian clinical study comparing Selank to a standard anxiolytic medication found comparable effects on anxiety symptoms, along with additional benefits on fatigue. A body of mechanistic research has looked at exactly how Selank produces its calming effect, examining its interaction with several different neurochemical systems rather than a single target. An early and specific line of research found that Selank inhibits the enzymes responsible for breaking down enkephalins, the body's own opioid-like signaling molecules, which researchers proposed as one mechanism behind its effects.
Read entrySemax
The most established area of Semax research addresses acute ischemic stroke. An early clinical and electrophysiological study found that adding Semax to standard stroke treatment influenced the rate of neurological recovery compared to conventional therapy alone. A separate line of research examined how Semax affects brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein involved in neuron survival and plasticity, finding that Semax specifically binds and increases BDNF levels in animal models. Building on the earlier acute-stroke research, a more recent open clinical study examined Semax across both acute and recovery phases of ischemic stroke, tracking motor function, daily living measures, and plasma BDNF over several months.
Read entryFor educational and research purposes only. Not medical advice.