Cagrilintide Combined with semaglutide as CagriSema
Peptide · long-acting amylin analogue Large human trials
What it is A lab-made, long-acting analogue of amylin, a hormone the pancreas releases alongside insulin after meals. It is being developed by Novo Nordisk, mainly in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema).
How it's thought to work It activates amylin and calcitonin receptors in the brain, which increases feelings of fullness and slows stomach emptying. This is a different pathway from GLP-1, so the two can be combined.
What the evidence shows In a phase 2 trial, cagrilintide alone produced up to about 10.8% average weight loss at 26 weeks, versus 3.0% with placebo. In the phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial, the CagriSema combination produced about 20.4% average weight loss at 68 weeks, versus 3.0% with placebo.
Regulatory status Investigational. CagriSema was submitted to the US FDA in December 2025 but was not approved as of November 2026. Cagrilintide alone is not approved.
Safety notes Digestive side effects such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea were the most common in trials. Key sources
Lau DCW, et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management. Lancet. 2021. Garvey WT, et al. Coadministered cagrilintide and semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (REDEFINE 1). N Engl J Med. 2025. Open the full Cagrilintide page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
AOD-9604 hGH fragment 176–191 (modified)
Peptide · growth hormone fragment Large human trials
What it is A modified fragment from the end of human growth hormone. It was developed in Australia in the 1990s and 2000s as an anti-obesity drug.
How it's thought to work It was designed to copy growth hormone's fat-breakdown effect without its effects on growth or blood sugar.
What the evidence shows Early studies looked promising. A larger phase 2b trial in roughly 500 people with obesity found no meaningful weight loss compared with placebo, and development as an obesity drug was stopped.
Regulatory status Not approved as a medicine anywhere. Prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Safety notes It was generally well tolerated in trials, but injectable products sold online are unregulated. Key sources
Metabolic Pharmaceuticals. Phase 2b obesity trial results (company announcement), 2007. Open the full AOD-9604 page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
5-Amino-1MQ Small molecule · not a peptide Lab & animal studies only
What it is Despite being sold alongside peptides, 5-amino-1MQ is a small molecule, not a peptide. It blocks an enzyme called NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase).
How it's thought to work NNMT is highly active in fat tissue. Blocking it is thought to shift fat cells toward burning more energy and storing less fat.
What the evidence shows In mice with diet-induced obesity, it reduced body weight and fat mass. No human clinical trials have been published.
Regulatory status Not approved for any use.
Safety notes Its safety in humans is unknown. Key sources
Neelakantan H, et al. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of NNMT reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018. Open the full 5-Amino-1MQ page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
BPC-157 Body Protection Compound-157
Peptide · 15 amino acids Lab & animal studies only
What it is A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide based on a sequence from a protein found in human gastric juice.
How it's thought to work Animal research suggests it may promote blood-vessel growth and interact with nitric oxide and growth-factor signaling, which could support tissue repair.
What the evidence shows Many rodent studies report faster healing of tendons, muscles and the gut, largely from one research group. Human data are limited to very small reports. No large controlled trials have been published.
Regulatory status Not approved anywhere. In 2023 the US FDA listed it among compounding substances that may pose significant safety risks; in 2026 it moved to the FDA's "nomination withdrawn" list, which is not an approval. Prohibited by WADA.
Safety notes Long-term safety in humans is unknown. Because it may encourage blood-vessel growth, there is a theoretical concern about effects on existing tumors. Key sources
Seiwerth S, et al. BPC 157 and standard angiogenic growth factors. Curr Pharm Des. 2018. US FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks. 2023. Open the full BPC-157 page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
TB-500 Thymosin beta-4 fragment
Peptide · synthetic fragment Lab & animal studies only
What it is A synthetic peptide based on the active region of thymosin beta-4, a natural protein involved in cell movement and wound repair. It has been widely used in veterinary and horse-racing settings.
How it's thought to work Thymosin beta-4 helps cells move into injured tissue and supports new blood-vessel formation.
What the evidence shows The full thymosin beta-4 protein has been tested in small human trials for eye and skin wounds, with mixed results. The TB-500 fragment itself has little published human research.
Regulatory status Not approved for human use. Prohibited by WADA.
Safety notes Human safety data are lacking. Key sources
Goldstein AL, et al. Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2012. Open the full TB-500 page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
CJC-1295 (no DAC) Modified GRF (1-29)
Peptide · GHRH analogue Small human studies
What it is A synthetic version of the first 29 amino acids of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), altered to resist breakdown. 'DAC' is a chemical add-on that makes the peptide last for days. The version without DAC lasts roughly half an hour.
How it's thought to work It signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone, which raises IGF-1 levels.
What the evidence shows The DAC version raised growth hormone and IGF-1 for several days in small human studies in 2006, but clinical development stopped. The no-DAC version has very little published human research.
Regulatory status Not approved for any use. Prohibited by WADA. Tesamorelin is the only approved medicine in this class.
Safety notes Raising growth hormone can affect blood sugar and cause fluid retention. Long-term safety is unknown. Key sources
Teichman SL, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006. Open the full CJC-1295 (no DAC) page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Tesamorelin Egrifta
Peptide · GHRH analogue Approved medicine
What it is A stabilised synthetic version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It is the only approved medicine in its class.
How it's thought to work It stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone in a natural, pulsing pattern, which reduces visceral (deep abdominal) fat.
What the evidence shows Phase 3 trials in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy showed reductions of roughly 15% in visceral fat over 26 weeks versus placebo. It is also being studied for fatty liver disease.
Regulatory status US FDA approved in 2010 for excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy.
Safety notes Joint pain, injection-site reactions, swelling and muscle pain are common. It can raise blood sugar and is not for use in pregnancy. Key sources
Falutz J, et al. Effects of tesamorelin in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010. Egrifta US Prescribing Information. Open the full Tesamorelin page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
NAD+ Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
Coenzyme · not a peptide Small human studies
What it is Not a peptide but a coenzyme found in every cell, essential for turning food into energy and for DNA repair. Levels fall with age in some tissues.
How it's thought to work Raising NAD+ is proposed to support cell energy and repair pathways linked to aging.
What the evidence shows Small human trials of oral precursors (NR and NMN) show they raise blood NAD+ levels, with mixed effects on health measures. Directly injected or infused NAD+ has very little controlled human research.
Regulatory status Not approved as a treatment for aging or general wellness.
Safety notes Infusions commonly cause flushing, nausea and chest tightness, especially when given quickly. Key sources
Rajman L, et al. Therapeutic potential of NAD-boosting molecules: the in vivo evidence. Cell Metab. 2018. Open the full NAD+ page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
SS-31 Elamipretide, Forzinity
Peptide · 4 amino acids, mitochondria-targeted Approved medicine
What it is A small synthetic peptide that concentrates in mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of cells.
How it's thought to work It binds cardiolipin, a fat in the inner mitochondrial membrane, helping stabilise the machinery that produces cell energy.
What the evidence shows It has been tested in trials for mitochondrial myopathy, heart failure and Barth syndrome, with mixed results. A large trial in mitochondrial myopathy did not meet its main goal.
Regulatory status On 19 September 2025 the US FDA granted accelerated approval (as Forzinity) for Barth syndrome, a rare inherited disease, in patients weighing at least 30 kg. It is not approved for general wellness or anti-aging.
Safety notes Injection-site reactions were the most common side effect in trials. Key sources
Stealth BioTherapeutics. Elamipretide clinical program and FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome, 2025. Open the full SS-31 page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
MOTS-c Peptide · 16 amino acids, mitochondria-derived Lab & animal studies only
What it is A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, discovered in 2015.
How it's thought to work In animals it acts like an exercise signal, improving how muscles use glucose and boosting insulin sensitivity.
What the evidence shows In mice it prevented diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance and improved physical capacity. Human research so far measures natural MOTS-c levels; there are no completed efficacy trials.
Regulatory status Not approved for any use.
Safety notes Human safety data are lacking. Key sources
Lee C, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015. Open the full MOTS-c page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
DSIP Delta sleep-inducing peptide
Peptide · 9 amino acids Small human studies
What it is A 9-amino-acid peptide first isolated in 1977 from the blood of rabbits in induced deep sleep.
How it's thought to work Its mechanism remains unclear. No dedicated receptor has been identified.
What the evidence shows Small human studies in the 1980s gave inconsistent results on sleep. There is little modern research.
Regulatory status Not approved for any use.
Safety notes Human safety data are limited and dated. Key sources
Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle. J Neurochem. 2006. Open the full DSIP page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Epitalon Epithalon, AEDG
Peptide · 4 amino acids Small human studies
What it is A synthetic four-amino-acid peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) modelled on epithalamin, an extract of the pineal gland.
How it's thought to work It is claimed to activate telomerase, the enzyme that maintains the protective ends of chromosomes.
What the evidence shows Most research comes from a single research group in Russia: cell and animal studies plus small human studies. There are no large, independent randomised trials.
Regulatory status Not approved for any use.
Safety notes Independent human safety data are lacking. Key sources
Studies by Khavinson VKh and colleagues, St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology (various papers). Open the full Epitalon page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Selank Peptide · 7 amino acids Small human studies
What it is A synthetic 7-amino-acid peptide based on tuftsin, a natural immune peptide, with a stabilising tail added.
How it's thought to work It is thought to affect GABA signaling and other brain chemistry related to anxiety.
What the evidence shows Small clinical studies, mostly from Russia, report reduced anxiety. Independent trials are lacking.
Regulatory status Approved in Russia as nasal drops for anxiety. Not approved by the US FDA or the European Medicines Agency.
Safety notes Reported to be well tolerated in small studies, but independent data are limited. Key sources
Zozulia AA, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in generalized anxiety disorder. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008. Open the full Selank page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Semax Peptide · 7 amino acids Small human studies
What it is A synthetic 7-amino-acid peptide based on a fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), with a stabilising tail.
How it's thought to work It is thought to raise brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and protect nerve cells.
What the evidence shows Russian clinical studies in stroke recovery and cognitive disorders report benefits. Independent trials are lacking.
Regulatory status Approved in Russia as nasal drops. Not approved by the US FDA or the European Medicines Agency.
Safety notes Independent human safety data are limited. Key sources
Russian clinical literature on Semax (various authors); independent trials are lacking. Open the full Semax page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Kisspeptin Kisspeptin-10
Peptide · reproductive hormone Small human studies
What it is A hormone made in the hypothalamus. Kisspeptin-10 is its shortest active form.
How it's thought to work It triggers release of GnRH, which drives LH, FSH and the sex hormones that control puberty and fertility.
What the evidence shows It has been given to people in research settings, including IVF trials using it (as kisspeptin-54) to trigger egg maturation and studies of sexual and emotional brain responses.
Regulatory status Research use only. Not approved as a medicine.
Safety notes Generally well tolerated in short research studies. Repeated or continuous exposure can desensitise the reproductive hormone system. Key sources
Abbara A, et al. Efficacy of kisspeptin-54 to trigger oocyte maturation in women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. J Clin Invest. 2015. Open the full Kisspeptin page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
KPV Lys-Pro-Val
Peptide · 3 amino acids Lab & animal studies only
What it is A three-amino-acid peptide taken from the end of α-MSH, a natural hormone with anti-inflammatory effects.
How it's thought to work It appears to dampen inflammatory signaling (NF-κB) inside cells.
What the evidence shows It reduced inflammation in cell and mouse models of colitis and skin inflammation. No human trials have been published.
Regulatory status Not approved for any use.
Safety notes Human safety data are lacking. Key sources
Dalmasso G, et al. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology. 2008. Open the full KPV page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
GHK-Cu Copper peptide
Peptide · 3 amino acids + copper Small human studies
What it is A three-amino-acid peptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) bound to copper. It occurs naturally in blood, and levels fall with age.
How it's thought to work It is thought to support collagen production, wound repair and antioxidant activity in skin.
What the evidence shows Small studies of topical creams report improvements in skin appearance, and lab studies support wound-healing effects. Injected GHK-Cu has little human research. Blends that combine GHK-Cu with BPC-157, TB-500 or KPV have not been studied as combinations.
Regulatory status Used as a cosmetic ingredient. Not approved as a drug.
Safety notes Topical use is generally well tolerated. Injected products are unregulated. Key sources
Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018. Open the full GHK-Cu page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
AHK-Cu Copper tripeptide-3
Peptide · 3 amino acids + copper Lab & animal studies only
What it is A copper-bound tripeptide (alanyl-histidyl-lysine) used in hair and scalp cosmetics.
How it's thought to work In lab studies it stimulated the cells that support hair follicle growth.
What the evidence shows Evidence comes from cell and hair-follicle culture studies. Controlled human trials are lacking.
Regulatory status Used as a cosmetic ingredient. Not approved as a drug.
Safety notes Topical use is generally well tolerated. Key sources
Pyo HK, et al. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007. Open the full AHK-Cu page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Snap-8 Acetyl octapeptide-3
Peptide · 8 amino acids, cosmetic Small human studies
What it is A cosmetic peptide that extends Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3), designed for creams and serums.
How it's thought to work It is designed to slightly interfere with the protein complex nerves use to signal muscles, softening expression lines. The effect is far weaker than botulinum toxin.
What the evidence shows Evidence comes mainly from manufacturer studies of topical products. Injecting it has not been studied.
Regulatory status Cosmetic ingredient for use on the skin. Not approved as a drug.
Safety notes Intended for topical use only. Key sources
Manufacturer technical data (Lipotec); peer-reviewed data are limited. Open the full Snap-8 page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.
Glutathione Used in 'gluta' drips and pushes
Peptide · 3 amino acids Small human studies
What it is A three-amino-acid peptide (glutamate, cysteine and glycine) made in every cell. It is the body's main antioxidant.
How it's thought to work It is thought to shift skin pigment production from darker to lighter melanin.
What the evidence shows Small trials of oral and topical glutathione show modest and inconsistent skin lightening. There is little good evidence for injected or IV glutathione.
Regulatory status The Philippine FDA has warned (Advisory 2019-182) that injectable glutathione is approved only as an add-on treatment during cisplatin chemotherapy, and that no injectable glutathione is approved for skin lightening.
Safety notes Reported problems with injected glutathione include skin rashes, rare severe skin reactions and possible effects on the liver and kidneys. Unregulated IV products also carry infection risks. Key sources
Sonthalia S, et al. Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: facts, myths, evidence and controversies. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2016. Philippine FDA advisories on injectable glutathione for skin lightening. Open the full Glutathione page → Educational summary only, not medical advice. Products sold as “research peptides” are not approved medicines, and their contents, purity and sterility are not verified.