Peptides, without the guesswork
FDA now lets pharmacies compound six peptides with a prescription. Know what each of 37 peptides does, what the research really shows, and which labs tell you if it is working.
Free to join · One email when peptide care opens · Most lab results in 3–5 business days
- Profiles
- 37 peptides and growing
- Sources
- PubMed, FDA, NCPA, WADA
- Approach
- Prescribed, then measured with labs
Peptides, in short
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as signals in the body. Some are FDA-approved medicines, like insulin and GLP-1s. Others, like BPC-157, TB-500, MOTS-c, KPV, Semax and epitalon, are studied for recovery, metabolism, focus and healthy ageing, and since October 2026 can be compounded with a prescription.
Medically reviewed by Robert Lufkin, MD (opens in a new tab)
Chief Medical Officer, Vitals Vault · Updated · 2 sources
Start with your goal
Each chapter explains the biology behind the goal, compares the peptides studied for it, and shows which labs to check first.
- 01Peptides for injury recovery
BPC-157, TB-500 and thymosin beta-4: what each does to healing tissue, what the human trials tested, and what rehab still has to do.
BPC-157 · TB-500 · Thymosin beta-4
3 peptidesRead the chapter - 02Peptides for muscle growth
Growth hormone releasers, IGF-1 variants and myostatin blockers: what each does to muscle, and what the human trials measured.
CJC-1295 · GHRP-2 · GHRP-6 · Hexarelin · IGF-1 DES · IGF-1 LR3 · Ipamorelin · Mechano growth factor (MGF) · MK-677 · Sermorelin · Tesamorelin · Follistatin-344
12 peptidesRead the chapter - 03Peptides for weight loss
Which peptides have real weight-loss evidence, which stalled in mice, and why the brain decides the difference.
MOTS-c · Tesamorelin · AOD-9604 · Fragment 176-191 · 5-Amino-1MQ
5 peptidesRead the chapter - 04Peptides for gut health
KPV, BPC-157 and the gut peptides that became medicines: what each is studied for, and what the evidence shows.
BPC-157 · KPV · Glutathione · LL-37
4 peptidesRead the chapter - 05Peptides for brain and focus
Semax, Selank, Dihexa, DSIP and Cerebrolysin: what each is studied for in focus, mood, sleep and memory, and how good the evidence is.
Semax · Cerebrolysin · Dihexa · DSIP · Selank · Humanin
6 peptidesRead the chapter - 06Peptides for longevity
Epitalon, humanin, MOTS-c and glutathione: what each is studied for in aging, the evidence, and the growth hormone trade-off.
MOTS-c · Epitalon · Glutathione · Humanin · GHK-Cu
5 peptidesRead the chapter - 07Peptides for immune health
Thymosin alpha-1, thymulin and LL-37: what the immune peptides do, what the trials found, and why zinc and vitamin D sit upstream of two of them.
Thymosin beta-4 · LL-37 · Thymosin alpha-1 · Thymulin
4 peptidesRead the chapter - 08Peptides for skin, hair and tanning
Copper peptides, tanning peptides and hair: what GHK-Cu, Melanotan I and Melanotan II actually do to skin, and how strong the human evidence is.
GHK-Cu · Melanotan I · Melanotan II · PT-141
4 peptidesRead the chapter - 09Peptides for sexual health
PT-141, kisspeptin and gonadorelin: how peptides act on desire and the reproductive hormone chain, what the trials found, and what is approved.
Melanotan II · Gonadorelin · Kisspeptin-10 · PT-141
4 peptidesRead the chapter
Browse all peptides
Every peptide in the guide, A to Z by area. Each profile explains how it works, what it is studied for, what the research shows and which labs to check.
- Recovery and repairBPC-157
BPC-157
Body protection compound-157
Tendon, ligament, muscle and gut repair
A 15-amino-acid peptide from a stomach protein, studied for tendon, muscle and gut repair.
Early research - Recovery and repairTB-500
TB-500
Thymosin beta-4 fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ)
Wound, soft-tissue and heart repair
A seven-amino-acid piece of thymosin beta-4, the repair protein studied for wounds, eyes and the heart.
Early research - Metabolism and weightMOTS-c
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c
Insulin sensitivity, weight and exercise capacity
A peptide coded in your mitochondrial DNA, studied for insulin sensitivity, weight and exercise capacity.
Early research - Gut and inflammationKPV
KPV
Lys-Pro-Val, an alpha-MSH fragment
Gut and skin inflammation
A three-amino-acid piece of the hormone alpha-MSH, studied for calming gut and skin inflammation.
Early research - Brain, mood and sleepSemax
Semax
Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, an ACTH(4–10) analogue
Stroke recovery, memory and focus
A seven-amino-acid nasal peptide used in Russia for stroke, studied for memory, focus and BDNF.
Human trials - LongevityEpitalon
Epitalon
Epithalon, AEDG (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly)
Telomeres, sleep rhythm and healthy aging
A four-amino-acid pineal peptide studied for telomeres, melatonin and healthy aging.
Early human data - Recovery and repairThymosin beta-4
Thymosin beta-4
Tβ4, RGN-259 (eye), RGN-137 (skin), RGN-352 (injectable)
Corneal, skin and heart repair
The full 43-amino-acid repair protein behind TB-500, tested in eye, skin and heart trials.
Human trials - Growth hormone and muscleCJC-1295
CJC-1295
Modified GRF(1-29) with drug affinity complex (DAC)
Growth hormone and IGF-1 release
A long-acting growth hormone releasing hormone analog, studied for raising growth hormone and IGF-1.
Early human data - Growth hormone and muscleGHRP-2
GHRP-2
Growth hormone-releasing peptide-2, pralmorelin
Growth hormone release, GH deficiency testing and appetite
A six-amino-acid ghrelin-receptor agonist that triggers a sharp pulse of growth hormone. Used in Japanese diagnostic research.
Early human data - Growth hormone and muscleGHRP-6
GHRP-6
Growth hormone-releasing peptide-6
Growth hormone release and ghrelin receptor biology
An early synthetic ghrelin-receptor peptide, a six-amino-acid chain that triggers growth hormone release.
Early human data - Growth hormone and muscleHexarelin
Hexarelin
Examorelin
Growth hormone release and short-term heart pumping function
A potent six-amino-acid ghrelin-receptor agonist studied for growth hormone release and heart function.
Early human data - Growth hormone and muscleIGF-1 DES
IGF-1 DES
Des(1-3)IGF-1, truncated IGF-1
Cell growth, gut tissue and muscle in laboratory research
A shortened natural form of IGF-1 that binds few carrier proteins, studied in cells and animals.
Early research - Growth hormone and muscleIGF-1 LR3
IGF-1 LR3
Long R3 insulin-like growth factor-1, LR3-IGF-I
Muscle and cell growth in laboratory research
A lab-modified IGF-1 that resists its binding proteins, studied in cells and animals and never approved for people.
Early research - Growth hormone and muscleIpamorelin
Ipamorelin
Aib-His-D-2Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
Growth hormone release, body composition and gut motility
A five-amino-acid growth hormone secretagogue that mimics ghrelin, studied for its selective release of growth hormone.
Early human data - Growth hormone and muscleMechano growth factor (MGF)
Mechano growth factor (MGF)
MGF, IGF-1Ec, PEG-MGF
Muscle repair and stem cell activation in laboratory research
A splice variant of the IGF-1 gene that muscle makes after mechanical load, studied for muscle stem cell activation.
Early research - Growth hormone and muscleMK-677
MK-677
Ibutamoren, MK-0677
Growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, lean mass and frailty in older adults
An oral, non-peptide ghrelin-receptor agonist that raises growth hormone and IGF-1. FDA lists a heart failure concern.
Human trials - Growth hormone and muscleSermorelin
Sermorelin
GRF(1-29), Geref
Growth hormone release in children, diagnostic testing and older adults
A 29-amino-acid fragment of growth hormone releasing hormone, once FDA-approved as Geref and since discontinued.
Human trials - Growth hormone and muscleTesamorelin
Tesamorelin
Egrifta, TH9507, GHRH(1-44) analog
Visceral fat, liver fat and lipids in HIV-associated lipodystrophy
An FDA-approved growth hormone releasing factor analog (Egrifta) for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
FDA-approved - Growth hormone and muscleFollistatin-344
Follistatin-344
FS344, FST-344, follistatin 344
Muscle mass and strength by blocking myostatin
A muscle-regulating protein that binds myostatin. Strong in animals. Human FS344 data come from gene therapy, not injected protein.
Early research - Metabolism and weightAOD-9604
AOD-9604
Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, hGH 177-191 with a tyrosine
Fat metabolism and obesity
A fragment of human growth hormone designed to break down fat. It reached human obesity trials but did not beat placebo.
Early human data - Metabolism and weightFragment 176-191
Fragment 176-191
hGH 176-191, HGH fragment 176-191, Frag 176-191
Fat metabolism and body composition
The last 16 amino acids of human growth hormone, studied in animals for fat metabolism. It has no human efficacy trials.
Early research - Metabolism and weight5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1MQ
5-amino-1-methylquinolinium, 5A1MQ, NNMT inhibitor
Fat mass, insulin sensitivity and fatty liver in obesity models
A small molecule that blocks the enzyme NNMT. It is sold next to peptides but is not one. Studied in obese mice.
Early research - Brain, mood and sleepCerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin
Porcine brain-derived peptide preparation
Stroke recovery, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
A mixture of peptides and amino acids from pig brain, used in some countries for stroke and dementia, with weak evidence in Cochrane reviews.
Human trials - Brain, mood and sleepDihexa
Dihexa
N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide, PNB-0408, an angiotensin IV analogue
Memory and synapse formation in animal models
A lab-made angiotensin IV analogue studied in animals for memory, with no human trials and a retracted mechanism paper.
Early research - Brain, mood and sleepDSIP
DSIP
Delta sleep-inducing peptide, emideltide
Sleep, stress, withdrawal and pain
A nine-amino-acid peptide first isolated in 1977 and named for sleep, with thin human evidence.
Early human data - Brain, mood and sleepSelank
Selank
Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, a tuftsin analogue (TP-7)
Anxiety, stress and cognition
A seven-amino-acid peptide built on tuftsin, developed in Russia and studied for anxiety.
Human trials - LongevityGlutathione
Glutathione
GSH, gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine
Antioxidant status, oxidative stress in aging and skin color
The body’s main antioxidant, a three-amino-acid peptide sold as a supplement and given by IV in clinics.
Early human data - LongevityHumanin
Humanin
HN, MT-RNR2 peptide, mitochondrial-derived peptide
Brain protection, insulin sensitivity and healthy aging
A peptide coded in your mitochondrial DNA, studied for brain protection, insulin sensitivity and healthy aging. Levels fall with age.
Early research - Immune healthLL-37
LL-37
Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (hCAP18 fragment)
Wound healing, antimicrobial defense and skin inflammation
The only human cathelicidin, a 37-amino-acid defense peptide your skin and white cells make, studied for wounds and infection.
Early human data - Immune healthThymosin alpha-1
Thymosin alpha-1
Thymalfasin, Ta1, Zadaxin
Immune function, vaccine response and infection outcomes
A 28-amino-acid thymus peptide approved abroad for hepatitis B and C and studied as a vaccine adjuvant and in sepsis.
Human trials - Immune healthThymulin
Thymulin
Facteur thymique sérique (FTS), nonathymulin
T cell maturation, inflammation and immune aging
A nine-amino-acid thymus hormone that needs zinc to work, studied for T cell function, inflammation and aging.
Early human data - Skin, hair and tanningGHK-Cu
GHK-Cu
Copper tripeptide-1, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
Skin repair, collagen and hair
A copper-binding tripeptide found in human blood, studied for skin repair, collagen and hair.
Early human data - Skin, hair and tanningMelanotan I
Melanotan I
Melanotan 1, MT-1, NDP-alpha-MSH ([Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH)
Skin pigmentation and light tolerance
A synthetic version of the pigment hormone alpha-MSH, studied for tanning. As afamelanotide, the same peptide is a prescription implant for one rare disease.
Early human data - Skin, hair and tanningMelanotan II
Melanotan II
Melanotan 2, MT-2, MT-II
Skin pigmentation and erectile function
A synthetic melanocortin peptide that darkens skin and affects sexual function. Unapproved, with documented safety reports.
Early human data - Sexual and reproductive healthGonadorelin
Gonadorelin
GnRH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone
Restoring LH, FSH and fertility in hypothalamic failure
Synthetic GnRH, the hypothalamic signal that tells the pituitary to release LH and FSH.
Human trials - Sexual and reproductive healthKisspeptin-10
Kisspeptin-10
KP-10
Reproductive hormone release, fertility and hypothalamic disorders
The shortest active piece of kisspeptin, the brain signal that switches on the reproductive hormone axis.
Early human data - Sexual and reproductive healthPT-141
PT-141
Bremelanotide, Vyleesi
Low sexual desire and erectile function
Bremelanotide, an FDA-approved melanocortin peptide for low sexual desire in premenopausal women, sold as Vyleesi.
FDA-approved
Free peptide tools
A dosage calculator that turns vial strength, water and a prescribed dose into syringe units, an mcg, mg and IU converter, and a free tracking toolkit.Open the toolsOctober 29, 2026
FDA opens compounding for six peptides
On October 29, 2026, NCPA reported that FDA granted enforcement discretion so 503A compounding pharmacies can make six peptides: BPC-157, TB-500, epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c and Semax. You need a prescription. None of the six is FDA-approved, no end date was given, and the final rule is still pending.
What it means for youWhat are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, usually 2 to 50 long. Link more of them and you get a protein. Your body uses peptides as messengers: insulin is a peptide, and so are the gut hormones that GLP-1 medicines are modelled on.
Each peptide carries a specific message. BPC-157 and TB-500 signal tissue to repair, MOTS-c tells muscle to use glucose, KPV settles inflammation in the gut, Semax supports brain cell growth and epitalon acts on the pineal gland and telomeres.
Types of peptides and what they do
Peptide list and what they do
Every peptide in the guide on one page, with what it is studied for and how strong the evidence is.
| Peptide | Studied for | Evidence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157Tendon, ligament, muscle and gut repair | Tendon, ligament, muscle and gut repair | Early research | 503A compounding allowed |
| TB-500Wound, soft-tissue and heart repair | Wound, soft-tissue and heart repair | Early research | 503A compounding allowed |
| MOTS-cInsulin sensitivity, weight and exercise capacity | Insulin sensitivity, weight and exercise capacity | Early research | 503A compounding allowed |
| KPVGut and skin inflammation | Gut and skin inflammation | Early research | 503A compounding allowed |
| SemaxStroke recovery, memory and focus | Stroke recovery, memory and focus | Human trials | 503A compounding allowed |
| EpitalonTelomeres, sleep rhythm and healthy aging | Telomeres, sleep rhythm and healthy aging | Early human data | 503A compounding allowed |
| Thymosin beta-4Corneal, skin and heart repair | Corneal, skin and heart repair | Human trials | In clinical trials |
| CJC-1295Growth hormone and IGF-1 release | Growth hormone and IGF-1 release | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| GHRP-2Growth hormone release, GH deficiency testing and appetite | Growth hormone release, GH deficiency testing and appetite | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| GHRP-6Growth hormone release and ghrelin receptor biology | Growth hormone release and ghrelin receptor biology | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| HexarelinGrowth hormone release and short-term heart pumping function | Growth hormone release and short-term heart pumping function | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| IGF-1 DESCell growth, gut tissue and muscle in laboratory research | Cell growth, gut tissue and muscle in laboratory research | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| IGF-1 LR3Muscle and cell growth in laboratory research | Muscle and cell growth in laboratory research | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| IpamorelinGrowth hormone release, body composition and gut motility | Growth hormone release, body composition and gut motility | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| Mechano growth factor (MGF)Muscle repair and stem cell activation in laboratory research | Muscle repair and stem cell activation in laboratory research | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| MK-677Growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, lean mass and frailty in older adults | Growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, lean mass and frailty in older adults | Human trials | Not FDA-approved |
| SermorelinGrowth hormone release in children, diagnostic testing and older adults | Growth hormone release in children, diagnostic testing and older adults | Human trials | Not FDA-approved |
| TesamorelinVisceral fat, liver fat and lipids in HIV-associated lipodystrophy | Visceral fat, liver fat and lipids in HIV-associated lipodystrophy | FDA-approved | FDA-approved |
| Follistatin-344Muscle mass and strength by blocking myostatin | Muscle mass and strength by blocking myostatin | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| AOD-9604Fat metabolism and obesity | Fat metabolism and obesity | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| Fragment 176-191Fat metabolism and body composition | Fat metabolism and body composition | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| 5-Amino-1MQFat mass, insulin sensitivity and fatty liver in obesity models | Fat mass, insulin sensitivity and fatty liver in obesity models | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| CerebrolysinStroke recovery, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | Stroke recovery, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease | Human trials | Not FDA-approved |
| DihexaMemory and synapse formation in animal models | Memory and synapse formation in animal models | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| DSIPSleep, stress, withdrawal and pain | Sleep, stress, withdrawal and pain | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| SelankAnxiety, stress and cognition | Anxiety, stress and cognition | Human trials | Not FDA-approved |
| GlutathioneAntioxidant status, oxidative stress in aging and skin color | Antioxidant status, oxidative stress in aging and skin color | Early human data | Compounded with a prescription |
| HumaninBrain protection, insulin sensitivity and healthy aging | Brain protection, insulin sensitivity and healthy aging | Early research | Not FDA-approved |
| LL-37Wound healing, antimicrobial defense and skin inflammation | Wound healing, antimicrobial defense and skin inflammation | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| Thymosin alpha-1Immune function, vaccine response and infection outcomes | Immune function, vaccine response and infection outcomes | Human trials | Not FDA-approved |
| ThymulinT cell maturation, inflammation and immune aging | T cell maturation, inflammation and immune aging | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| GHK-CuSkin repair, collagen and hair | Skin repair, collagen and hair | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| Melanotan ISkin pigmentation and light tolerance | Skin pigmentation and light tolerance | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| Melanotan IISkin pigmentation and erectile function | Skin pigmentation and erectile function | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| GonadorelinRestoring LH, FSH and fertility in hypothalamic failure | Restoring LH, FSH and fertility in hypothalamic failure | Human trials | Not FDA-approved |
| Kisspeptin-10Reproductive hormone release, fertility and hypothalamic disorders | Reproductive hormone release, fertility and hypothalamic disorders | Early human data | Not FDA-approved |
| PT-141Low sexual desire and erectile function | Low sexual desire and erectile function | FDA-approved | FDA-approved |
Start with your labs
A blood test before you start and a retest after shows what actually changed for you. It is how Vitals Vault approaches every treatment.
- TestA baseline panel at Quest Diagnostics.
- DecideA licensed clinician reviews your history and results.
- RetestThe same markers again, side by side.
Peptide questions
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, usually 2 to 50 long. Proteins are longer chains. The body uses peptides as hormones and signals; insulin is one.
What are peptides used for?
Approved peptide medicines treat diabetes, weight and osteoporosis, among other conditions. Compounded peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500, MOTS-c, KPV, Semax and epitalon are studied for recovery, gut health, metabolism, focus and healthy ageing.
What do peptides do in the body?
They carry messages between cells. Different peptides tell tissue to repair, cells to use glucose, inflammation to settle or the brain to grow new connections.
Are peptides safe?
Approved peptide medicines have well-known safety profiles. For compounded peptides, the safest route is a prescription from a licensed clinician, a regulated 503A pharmacy and lab monitoring, rather than unregulated research vials.
What is peptide therapy?
Peptide therapy is a clinician prescribing peptides for goals such as recovery, metabolic health or healthy ageing. Good practice includes a health history, baseline labs and follow-up testing.
Are peptides steroids?
No. Steroids are built on a four-ring lipid structure. Peptides are chains of amino acids, a different class of molecule.
Which peptides can be compounded in the US?
Since October 29, 2026, FDA allows 503A pharmacies to compound BPC-157, TB-500, epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c and Semax under enforcement discretion while final rulemaking is pending.
Peptides, prescribed and measured
Vitals Vault is opening peptide care that starts with your blood work, is prescribed by licensed US clinicians and ends with a retest. Join the waitlist to hear first.
- Prescription only
- Licensed US clinicians
- Quest Diagnostics labs