COMPOUND LIBRARY

Popular names,
explained simply

Investigational

Retatrutide

A triple receptor agonist studied across GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon pathways.

Research focus

Body weight, appetite, glucose control, and energy expenditure. It is not FDA approved as of this guide’s publication.

Approved medicine*

Semaglutide

A GLP-1 receptor agonist with approved prescription uses and extensive human evidence.

Research focus

Appetite, glycemic control, and body weight. Approval depends on the specific product and indication.

Approved medicine*

Tirzepatide

A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist used in approved prescription products.

Research focus

Glycemic control and chronic weight management under specific approved labels.

Limited human evidence

BPC-157

A synthetic peptide widely discussed in tissue-repair communities but lacking established clinical approval.

Evidence note

Much of the published evidence is preclinical. Online popularity should not be confused with proven human safety or efficacy.

Preclinical focus

TB-500

A synthetic fragment associated with thymosin beta-4 research and tissue signaling.

Evidence note

Human therapeutic evidence is limited, and products sold as TB-500 are not FDA-approved medicines.

Investigational

MOTS-C

A mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for metabolic signaling and stress adaptation.

Research focus

Metabolic homeostasis, mitochondrial communication, exercise response, and aging biology.

Approved medicine*

SS-31 / Elamipretide

A mitochondria-targeting peptide with a specific approved prescription product, Forzinity.

Approval update

Forzinity received accelerated U.S. approval in 2025 to improve muscle strength in people with Barth syndrome weighing at least 30 kg. This does not approve research SS-31 vials or general energy and anti-aging uses.

FDA prescribing information
Approved medicine*

Tesamorelin

A GHRH analog approved for a specific medical indication—not general-purpose fat loss.

Evidence note

Its approval is indication-specific. Medical screening and monitoring matter because GH/IGF-1 signaling has meaningful risks.

Not FDA approved

Ipamorelin

A growth-hormone secretagogue studied for its activity at the ghrelin receptor.

Research focus

GH release and endocrine signaling. Marketing claims often run ahead of clinical evidence.

Research compound

Selank

A synthetic tuftsin analog researched for neurobehavioral and immune-related signaling.

Evidence note

Regulatory status and evidence differ by country. It is not an FDA-approved medicine in the United States.

Research compound

Semax

A synthetic peptide studied in neurological and neuroprotective research.

Evidence note

Claims about cognition and recovery should be separated from the quality and scale of supporting human evidence.

Cosmetic research

GHK-Cu

A naturally occurring copper-binding peptide studied in skin, wound, and hair biology.

Research focus

Extracellular matrix remodeling, collagen-related pathways, and topical cosmetic applications.

Formula-dependent blend

Glow

A blend name used for skin and cosmetic positioning. The name alone does not identify its ingredients.

Evidence & interpretation

Confirm each ingredient and amount. A 70 mg total does not tell you how much of each compound is present. Claims for individual ingredients do not establish the blend’s benefits.

Formula-dependent blend

Klow

A blend name often used in recovery and inflammatory-pathway discussions.

Evidence & interpretation

The supplied reference does not confirm the formula. Do not infer ingredients, gut benefits, safety, or equivalence from the name or an 80 mg total.

Limited clinical evidence

CJC-1295 / Ipamorelin

A combination discussed for growth-hormone signaling, sleep, and recovery research.

Evidence & interpretation

These are two different compounds. The exact CJC form and ingredient ratio matter; a combined vial total is not an ingredient breakdown. FDA identifies safety concerns for both.

FDA source
Prescription hormone

HGH / Somatropin

Human growth hormone is a protein hormone involved in growth and metabolism. Somatropin is a manufactured medicine.

Evidence & interpretation

Prescription uses depend on the product and diagnosis. General anti-aging, physique, and workout claims should not be treated as approved indications. GH replacement differs from stimulating GH release.

Early research

5-Amino-1MQ

A small molecule studied in metabolism research; it is not a peptide.

Evidence & interpretation

The reference describes body-composition and energy claims. These are not established human benefits, and the guide does not endorse it as a weight-loss treatment.

Coenzyme, not a peptide

NAD+

A coenzyme involved in cellular energy reactions and other essential biological processes.

Evidence & interpretation

Its role inside cells does not prove that injections improve energy, cognition, recovery, or lifespan. Route, formulation, and clinical evidence must be evaluated separately.

Product-specific distinction

Melanotan I / Afamelanotide

A melanocortin-related compound associated with pigmentation research.

Evidence & interpretation

Do not equate a vial marketed as Melanotan I with an approved afamelanotide implant. A shared compound name does not establish equivalent formulation, quality, or authorized use.

Safety concerns

Melanotan II

A melanocortin peptide discussed for pigmentation and sexual effects.

Evidence & interpretation

FDA notes reports of serious adverse events. It should not be presented as a safe tanning product.

FDA source
Limited human evidence

Epitalon

A short peptide discussed in cellular-aging and circadian research.

Evidence & interpretation

Claims of longer life or dependable sleep improvement are not established clinical outcomes. FDA describes inadequate safety information.

FDA source
Formula-dependent nutrients

Lipo-C / B12

A nutrient blend name; B12 is a vitamin, not a peptide. Ingredients vary among products.

Evidence & interpretation

A bottle size in mL is volume, not the amount of each nutrient. The ingredient list and concentrations are needed to understand the formulation. Do not assume a blend produces fat loss.

Limited clinical evidence

AOD-9604

A growth-hormone-derived fragment investigated in fat-metabolism research.

Evidence & interpretation

A fragment is not equivalent to full growth hormone. FDA notes limited safety information; marketing descriptions do not establish effective weight-loss treatment.

FDA source
Preclinical focus

KPV

A three-amino-acid peptide discussed in inflammatory-pathway and tissue research.

Evidence & interpretation

Gut and skin claims should be distinguished from demonstrated patient outcomes. Human safety evidence is insufficient.

FDA source
Evidence varies by use

Thymosin Alpha-1

A peptide studied in immune signaling, including T-cell-related pathways.

Evidence & interpretation

Specific clinical research should not be generalized into a promise of stronger immunity. Regulatory status varies by country and product.

Approved medicine*

PT-141 / Bremelanotide

A melanocortin receptor agonist used in a specific prescription product.

Evidence & interpretation

Bremelanotide’s approved product has a defined patient population and indication. This does not validate generic libido, fertility, or performance claims, or unregulated PT-141 vials.

Investigational

Kisspeptin-10

A reproductive-signaling peptide studied in hormone and fertility research.

Evidence & interpretation

Hormone signaling is not proof of improved fertility or sexual function. FDA identifies insufficient safety information.

FDA source
Limited human evidence

DSIP

Delta sleep-inducing peptide is discussed in sleep and stress research.

Evidence & interpretation

Its name does not demonstrate an effective insomnia treatment or predictable sleep improvement. FDA notes missing safety information for proposed administration routes.

FDA source
Unproven combination

BPC-157 / TB-500

A blend of two compounds separately discussed in tissue-repair research.

Evidence & interpretation

Read the individual BPC-157 and TB-500 entries above. Combining them does not establish faster healing, clinical effectiveness, or safety; the ingredient ratio also matters.

Prescription hormone

HCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone used in selected fertility and hormone treatments.

Evidence & interpretation

FDA-approved HCG products require a prescription. HCG is not approved for weight loss.

FDA source
Limited human evidence

Pinealon

A three-amino-acid peptide discussed in brain-aging and neuroprotection research.

Evidence & interpretation

The reference’s cognitive-wellness positioning should not be read as proof of improved memory, prevention of brain aging, or a treatment for neurological disease.

*“Approved medicine” does not mean every formulation, source, use, or person is approved or appropriate.

Next: GLP-1, GIP & glucagon