Popular names,
explained simply

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

Activates three receptors at once: GLP-1 (appetite and slower digestion), GIP (insulin secretion), and glucagon (energy use).

Phase 2: up to 24.2% average weight loss at 48 weeks. Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 (topline, May 2026): 28.3% average loss at 80 weeks on 12 mg.

Studied once weekly. In Phase 2, most groups started at 2 mg and increased about every 4 weeks to 1, 4, 8, or 12 mg (see the escalation table). There is no approved dose.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are common. Glucose and liver enzymes are monitored; people with a history of pancreatitis were not suitable candidates. Full GLP-1 breakdown

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

Slows stomach emptying, increases fullness signals in the brain, and boosts glucose-dependent insulin release.

About 15% average weight loss at 68 weeks (STEP 1) and 15.2% at 104 weeks (STEP 5) on 2.4 mg weekly.

For weight management, the label starts at 0.25 mg once weekly and increases about every 4 weeks to a 2.4 mg maintenance dose.

GI effects are most common early and after dose increases. Gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, and a boxed thyroid C-cell tumor warning are on the label. Low appetite can undercut protein intake.

Glycemic control and chronic weight management under specific approved labels.

Mimics two incretin hormones (GIP and GLP-1), improving insulin response and reducing appetite.

Up to 20.9% average weight loss at 72 weeks on 15 mg (SURMOUNT-1).

Starts at 2.5 mg once weekly, increased in 2.5 mg steps every 4 weeks as tolerated, up to 15 mg weekly.

GI distress early on; high-fat meals often worsen nausea. Carries the same thyroid boxed warning as other GLP-1 medicines. Adequate protein helps limit lean-mass loss.

Body weight and appetite. Not FDA approved as a standalone medicine.

How it works

Mimics amylin, a hormone released with insulin after meals. It slows stomach emptying, increases fullness through the brainstem, and lowers post-meal glucagon.

Evidence

REDEFINE 1 (Phase 3): about 11.8% average weight loss at 68 weeks on cagrilintide alone, vs 3.0% on placebo.

Dosing

Studied once weekly, escalated to 2.4 mg in trials. There is no approved dose.

Side effects & cautions

Nausea, constipation, and other GI effects, most common during dose increases. Amylin pathway explained

Chronic weight management. Novo Nordisk filed for FDA approval in December 2025. Check the FDA’s current status.

How it works

Combines two fullness signals: GLP-1 (slower digestion, appetite control) and amylin (satiety, lower post-meal glucagon).

Evidence

REDEFINE 1: 20.4% average weight loss at 68 weeks vs 3.0% on placebo, or 22.7% among people who stayed on treatment.

Dosing

Trials escalated both components together to 2.4 mg + 2.4 mg once weekly. Products sold as fixed 1:1 blends can’t change the ratio between the two.

Side effects & cautions

GI effects were reported in about 80% of participants (vs 40% on placebo), mostly nausea, constipation, and vomiting. Semaglutide’s warnings also apply.

Body weight in adults with obesity or overweight. Not FDA approved.

How it works

Activates amylin receptors selectively, aiming for amylin’s fullness effects with fewer off-target effects.

Evidence

48-week Phase 2 (Lancet 2025, 263 people): 9.5% (1 mg), 12.4% (3 mg), 17.6% (6 mg), and 20.1% (9 mg) average weight loss vs 0.4% on placebo. Phase 3 is underway.

Dosing

Studied once weekly at 1–9 mg, including stepwise escalation arms. There is no approved dose.

Side effects & cautions

Mostly mild-to-moderate GI effects and fatigue. These were more frequent at higher doses and lower with gradual escalation.

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

Studied in animals for promoting new blood-vessel growth (angiogenesis), collagen formation, and nitric-oxide signaling. Discussed for tendon, ligament, muscle, and gut-lining repair.

Often described as well tolerated, but there are no large human safety studies. Injection-site redness is reported. Because it is studied for promoting blood-vessel growth, people with cancer should be especially cautious.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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

Linked to thymosin beta-4 research on actin binding, cell migration, blood-vessel growth, and inflammation. Discussed for whole-body recovery rather than one site.

Fatigue or lethargy early on is reported. Because it promotes cell migration, it is not appropriate for people with active cancer. Prohibited in tested sport.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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

A peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. It activates AMPK, an energy-sensing pathway linked to insulin sensitivity and metabolic resilience.

Mostly cell and animal research; human data is early and limited.

Reported effects include mild fatigue, warmth after injection, and headaches.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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.

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

A GHRH analog: it signals the pituitary to release growth hormone, which raises IGF-1 and increases the breakdown of visceral (deep belly) fat.

FDA approved (Egrifta) to reduce excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Pivotal trials showed about a 15% reduction in visceral fat over 26 weeks. Use for general fat loss or body recomposition is off-label and not established.

Once-daily subcutaneous injection; the amount depends on the specific product (for example, 2 mg daily for the original Egrifta formulation).

Joint pain, water retention, injection-site reactions, increased hunger, and higher blood glucose. IGF-1 and glucose are monitored. Not for use in pregnancy or with active cancer.

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

A selective ghrelin-receptor agonist (GHRP) that triggers a growth hormone pulse. Early studies found little effect on cortisol or prolactin compared with older GHRPs.

A human trial for post-surgical bowel recovery did not meet its goals. Effects on muscle, fat, or sleep in healthy adults are not established.

Water retention, increased hunger, and possible temporary insulin resistance.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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

A synthetic analog of tuftsin, studied for effects on GABA signaling, anxiety, and immune cytokines.

Approved as a nasal product in Russia; most studies are small and Russian-language. Not approved in the U.S.

Described as well tolerated; nasal irritation is possible.

No U.S.-established dose.

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

A synthetic fragment of ACTH (4-10) studied for raising BDNF, a protein involved in learning, memory, and nerve repair.

Approved in Russia for certain neurological uses; not approved in the U.S. Evidence for focus or brain fog in healthy people is limited.

Nasal irritation; overstimulation, especially combined with stimulants.

No U.S.-established dose.

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

A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide studied for collagen production, tissue remodeling, wound healing, and antioxidant activity.

Strongest support is for topical cosmetic use and lab studies. Injected use for recovery or hair has little clinical evidence.

Topical use is generally well tolerated. Injection can cause local irritation, and blue discoloration at the site has been reported.

Topical products are dosed by concentration on the label. No established injectable dose.

Hair-follicle biology and topical cosmetic use.

How it works

A close relative of GHK-Cu. In lab studies, it stimulated growth of human hair follicles and the cells around them.

Evidence

Mostly lab (in vitro) and cosmetic-formulation studies. No controlled human trials of injected AHK-Cu.

Side effects & cautions

Injection-site stinging is commonly reported. The mixed solution is normally blue-green. Copper from AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu adds together when both are used.

Dosing

Topical products are dosed by concentration on the label. No established injectable dose.

The most commonly listed formula is GHK-Cu 50 mg + BPC-157 10 mg + TB-500 10 mg (70 mg total). In that formula, GHK-Cu makes up about 71% of every draw, and BPC-157 and TB-500 about 14% each (see blend math). Products using the name can differ, so confirm each ingredient and amount on the label and COA. None of the ingredients has an established human injectable dose, and claims for individual ingredients do not establish the blend’s benefits.

The most commonly listed formula is Glow’s three ingredients plus KPV 10 mg (80 mg total): GHK-Cu about 62.5% of every draw, and BPC-157, TB-500, and KPV about 12.5% each. Formulas vary, so confirm on the label and COA. Because KPV and BPC-157 are already inside, adding separate vials of either doubles those ingredients. Do not infer gut benefits, safety, or dosing from the blend name.

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.

CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) and ipamorelin (a ghrelin-receptor agonist) act on two different signals for growth hormone release, aiming for a larger GH pulse together.

The combination has not been tested in controlled human trials. Claims about fat loss, sleep, and recovery come from mechanism, not outcome studies.

Water retention, increased hunger, fatigue, and tingling. IGF-1 and glucose are the markers usually watched.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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.

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.

A small molecule (not a peptide) that blocks the enzyme NNMT, which is linked to fat storage. This is thought to raise NAD+ and improve cellular energy use.

Animal studies only, including roughly 5% weight reduction in obese mice. No published human trials.

Dry mouth and nausea are reported anecdotally.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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

Oxidative stress, detoxification pathways, and skin pigmentation.

How it works

Neutralizes reactive oxygen species and helps recycle other antioxidants. Cells make it from glutamate, cysteine, and glycine.

Evidence

Its role inside cells is well established. Evidence that injections improve energy, aging, or detox is limited. The FDA has warned that injectable skin-lightening products, often containing glutathione, may be unsafe.

Side effects & cautions

Injection-site pain. Serious reactions have been reported with injectable skin-lightening products. The mixed solution degrades quickly, and it should not share a syringe with other products.

Dosing

No FDA-approved injectable glutathione product for these uses and no established dose.

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.

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

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

A four-amino-acid peptide studied for telomerase activation, pineal gland and melatonin regulation, and DNA repair.

Mostly lab, animal, and older small human studies. Anti-aging claims are unproven in people.

Generally reported as mild; rare sleep disruption. Course lengths seen online are not based on controlled trials.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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.

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

A modified fragment of growth hormone (amino acids 176–191) designed to increase fat breakdown without raising IGF-1 or blood sugar.

An early 12-week human trial reported about 2.8 kg lost vs 0.8 kg on placebo, but a larger later trial did not show meaningful weight loss and development as an obesity drug stopped.

Few side effects reported in trials; headaches are possible.

Human trials used an oral formulation. There is no established dose for the injectable products sold online.

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

A three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH that blocks NF-κB, a major inflammation pathway, and is studied for gut-lining repair.

Mainly cell and animal colitis models; no controlled human trials.

Few side effects reported, but human safety data is lacking.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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

An immune-regulating peptide that improves T-cell, dendritic-cell, and natural-killer-cell function.

Approved in several countries outside the U.S. (Zadaxin), mainly for hepatitis B and immune support. Not FDA approved.

Where approved, the label uses 1.6 mg subcutaneously twice weekly.

Injection-site discomfort and short-lived fatigue or flu-like aches.

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.

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

FDA approved (Pitocin) only as a hospital IV or IM medicine for labor and postpartum bleeding. Nasal sprays and injections for mood, social, or sexual uses are not approved in the U.S.

How it works

Acts on oxytocin receptors in the uterus, breast tissue, and brain regions involved in social behavior. It has a very short half-life, measured in minutes.

Evidence

Social-behavior research is mixed. A large NEJM trial (2021) of daily nasal oxytocin in children and teens with autism found no improvement in social function vs placebo.

Side effects & cautions

In medical use, it can cause strong uterine contractions and water retention, and it can lower sodium at high doses. It should not be used during pregnancy outside medical care.

Dosing

Labeled dosing exists only for the obstetric hospital use. No established dose for other uses.

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

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.

BPC-157 is discussed for local repair and TB-500 for whole-body recovery, so the blend is marketed for injuries in multiple areas.

Neither compound has solid human data, and the combination has never been studied in people.

Injection-site reactions and fatigue. Because both are linked to blood-vessel growth and cell migration, they are not appropriate for anyone with active cancer.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

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

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.

Stimulates GHRH receptors in the pituitary to increase the size and length of growth hormone pulses. The “DAC” version binds to blood proteins, keeping levels elevated for days.

Early human studies showed sustained GH and IGF-1 increases, but clinical development was discontinued and it is not FDA approved.

Water retention, fatigue, increased appetite, and flushing. IGF-1 is monitored to avoid overstimulation.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

Clears quickly, so it produces shorter GH pulses that more closely mimic the natural nighttime pattern than long-acting analogs.

It was FDA approved (Geref) for growth hormone deficiency in children and later discontinued by the manufacturer. Adult anti-aging and body-composition uses are not established.

Flushing, headache, and injection-site reactions.

There is no current FDA-approved product; the discontinued label was dosed by body weight in children. No established adult wellness dose.

Changes to the molecule reduce binding to IGF-binding proteins, so it stays active much longer than natural IGF-1 and directly stimulates muscle-cell growth signals.

No published human trials. It is different from mecasermin (Increlex), an FDA-approved IGF-1 medicine for severe primary IGF-1 deficiency.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a key risk. Not appropriate for anyone with a cancer history; excessive use may cause acromegaly-like effects.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

Stimulate the ghrelin receptor to release GH. GHRP-6 strongly increases hunger; GHRP-2 is more potent for GH with less hunger but can raise prolactin and cortisol.

Used in human research on GH release, and GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) has been used as a diagnostic agent in Japan. Not FDA approved, and body-composition benefits are not established.

Strong hunger (GHRP-6), prolactin and cortisol increases (GHRP-2), fatigue, and water retention. Prohibited in tested sport.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

Disrupts bacterial membranes and biofilms, recruits immune cells, and is studied for wound healing and gut barrier repair.

Small human trials have tested topical LL-37 for chronic leg ulcers. Injected use for gut or immune issues has no controlled human evidence.

Flu-like symptoms and fatigue from immune activation. LL-37 is also studied as a driver of inflammation in conditions like psoriasis and lupus, so people prone to autoimmunity should be cautious. Not for long-term use.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

Acts on the HGF/c-Met pathway to encourage synapse formation (neuroplasticity) in animal models.

Animal and lab studies only; no published human trials.

Overstimulation and anxiety are reported anecdotally. The HGF/c-Met pathway is also linked to cancer growth, a theoretical long-term risk.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.

Blocks the interaction between FOXO4 and p53 inside senescent cells, pushing them to self-destruct.

Mouse and lab studies only. Anti-aging effects in people are unknown.

Long-term safety is unknown; fatigue and immune reactions are reported anecdotally. Not FDA approved.

No established human dose. Doses circulating online are not based on controlled human trials, so Pep Guide does not list them.