All peptides

Porcine-brain-derived neuropeptide preparation used decades-long in Austrian, Russian, and Eastern European stroke / TBI / dementia clinical practice. Bornstein 2018 meta-analysis + CARS stroke trial (Muresanu 2016) are the canonical evidence base. IV / IM. Not FDA-approved in the US.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimetic and angiotensin IV analog. Animal data shows ~7 orders of magnitude greater synaptogenic potency than BDNF. Crosses BBB. Research-only. Concern: HGF mimetics carry theoretical oncogenic risk — nasal route may localize exposure better than oral.

Small CNTF-derived peptide that stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis in mouse models. Mechanistic interest in cognitive aging and Alzheimer's research. No human clinical trials. Research compound only; not therapeutically established.

7-amino-acid synthetic analog of tuftsin developed in Russia for generalized anxiety. Acts on enkephalin-degrading enzymes; produces calm without sedation, no withdrawal syndrome. Prescription drug in Russia/CIS, research-only in US/EU. Standard delivery is intranasal spray for fast onset.

A synthetic heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-7) with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro motif for peptidase resistance. Developed in Russia; used clinically there for ischemic stroke, ADHD, and cognitive support. Intranasal delivery is the clinical standard.

The most popular growth-hormone secretagogue stack. CJC-1295 (a GHRH analog) stimulates pituitary GH release; ipamorelin (a selective ghrelin receptor agonist) amplifies that release without raising cortisol or prolactin. Designed to mimic natural pulsatile GH secretion rather than replacing it.

WADA prohibited

An orally active, long-acting ghrelin-receptor agonist (growth hormone secretagogue) that raises GH and IGF-1 by stimulating the pituitary. Convenient as a once-daily oral, but its sustained, continuous activation is more desensitization- and side-effect-prone (water retention, appetite, insulin sensitivity) than a selective pulsatile injectable like ipamorelin.

WADA prohibited

29-aa GHRH analog. FDA-approved 1997 (as Geref) for pediatric GH deficiency; withdrawn 2008 for commercial reasons, now exclusively compounded. Produces tight physiologic GH pulses (~10 min half-life) — contrasts with CJC-1295's sustained 8-day elevation. Daily SC dosing, typically pre-bed.

WADA prohibited

GHRH analog FDA-approved (as Egrifta) for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Reduces visceral adipose tissue by ~15-20% via endogenous GH/IGF-1 elevation. Off-label use for visceral fat reduction in metabolically unhealthy adults; gaining traction as a 'muscle-sparing' adjunct to GLP-1 weight loss.

WADA prohibited

An orally administered octapeptide that acts as a tight-junction regulator (zonulin antagonist) to reduce intestinal permeability. The most clinically advanced of the 'leaky gut' peptides, studied in controlled celiac-disease trials, though it has not gained approval.

C-terminal α-MSH tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) with documented mast-cell-stabilizing and NF-κB-inhibiting activity. Phase 2 evidence in ulcerative colitis; off-label use in MCAS, IBS, and inflammatory skin protocols. Oral bioavailable via the PepT1 transporter.

Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase). Animal-model data shows fat-loss + metabolic-regulation effects via SAM-cycle and NAD+ modulation. Minimal human data. Research compound, not a peptide — included for the platform's metabolic-research scope.

A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed from research on the pineal peptide epithalamin. Promoted for longevity and telomere/telomerase effects, primarily on the basis of Russian rodent and cell studies; rigorous independent human evidence is lacking.

47-amino-acid D-retro-inverso peptide designed to disrupt FOXO4-p53 binding and trigger apoptosis in senescent ('zombie') cells. Baar 2017 Cell paper showed clear effects in aged mice. Zero published human trials. Pre-clinical research candidate; ProxofIM is the clinical-development spinout.

Fragment of growth hormone (residues 176-191) originally developed for lipolysis. Failed Phase 2b trials for weight loss (Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, 2007). Currently used compounded as an adjunct compound; clinical evidence base is thin and the GH axis indications never reached registration.

Novo Nordisk's fixed-dose combination of cagrilintide (long-acting amylin analog) and semaglutide. REDEFINE 1 (March 2026) reported ~22.7% mean weight loss vs ~16.1% for semaglutide alone over 68 weeks. Filed with FDA Q1 2026; PDUFA expected late 2026.

Eli Lilly's first non-peptide oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. Small-molecule structure means no SNAC carrier required, no food-timing restrictions (unlike Rybelsus), and no injection. Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 read-out April 2026 showed ~14.7% mean weight loss at 72 weeks. PDUFA date pending.

Lilly's triple GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon receptor agonist for chronic weight management. TRIUMPH-1 Phase 2 reported ~24% mean weight loss at 48 weeks — exceeding both semaglutide and tirzepatide trial benchmarks. Phase 3 TRIUMPH program in progress; not yet FDA-approved.

GLP-1 receptor agonist (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus). FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, and cardiovascular risk reduction in obesity. STEP-1 mean weight loss 14.9% at 68 weeks; SELECT 20% MACE reduction in adults without diabetes.

Triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (DA, NE, 5-HT) originally developed for Alzheimer's. Phase 3 trials show ~10% weight loss — comparable to early GLP-1 era results. Approved in Mexico (2023) as a non-peptide weight-loss drug; FDA application stalled over CV safety concerns.

The first dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist. Eli Lilly's tirzepatide produced superior weight loss to semaglutide in the head-to-head SURMOUNT-5 trial (20.2% vs 13.7%), making it the most effective peptide weight-loss drug currently approved.

A 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, largely through AMPK activation, and is often described as an 'exercise-mimetic' in preclinical work. Evidence is almost entirely animal and mechanistic; human data is minimal.

Pentadecapeptide derived from a human gastric-juice protein, extensively studied in rodent models for tendon, ligament, and gut-tissue healing via angiogenesis and fibroblast-migration mechanisms. Human evidence base remains thin. FDA Interim Category 2 pending July 2026 PCAC review.

WADA prohibited

Thymosin β-4 fragment with documented actin-binding and pro-angiogenic activity. Stacks with BPC-157 for tendon, ligament, and soft-tissue recovery. Animal model evidence robust; no human RCT. Interim FDA Category 2 status pending the July 2026 PCAC meeting.

WADA prohibited

Synthetic α-MSH analog with broad melanocortin-receptor agonism. Originally researched for tanning; off-label use for libido and skin pigmentation. Documented case reports of fatal cardiac events, severe priapism, rhabdomyolysis. Banned for human use in UK, Australia, New Zealand. NOT recommended.

Nonapeptide. FDA-approved IV for labor induction; off-label intranasal use for social bonding, sexual response, and autism research. Heinrichs trust-game studies are foundational. Context-dependent: chronic stress, attachment style, and partner dynamics modulate response substantially.

Bremelanotide. Melanocortin receptor agonist FDA-approved as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Off-label use in men and post-menopausal women is common; mechanism is central rather than vascular. Subcutaneous; ~6h onset.

A hypothalamic neuropeptide (product of the KISS1 gene) that sits at the top of the reproductive axis, stimulating GnRH release and downstream LH/FSH. Has the best human research base of the newer 'libido' peptides, including controlled studies on reproductive hormones and sexual brain processing.

Acetyl hexapeptide-8 — 'Botox in a bottle' topical peptide. SNAP-25 inhibition mechanism, different molecular target than botulinum toxin but adjacent expression-line softening effect. Modest RCT evidence (Blanes-Mira 2002, Wang 2013). Topical-only.

Copper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys + Cu) with decades of cosmetic-industry research. Documented mechanism on collagen synthesis, matrix-metalloproteinase modulation, and antioxidant defense. Widely available as cosmetic-grade topical under standard cosmetic regulation.

WADA prohibited

Combination of two palmitoylated peptides that signal collagen and fibronectin synthesis in dermal fibroblasts. Best clinical evidence among topical anti-aging peptides — multiple split-face trials show measurable wrinkle reduction over 8-12 weeks. Often layered over GHK-Cu in technical stacks.

8-aa elongation of Argireline's mechanism with stronger SNARE-complex inhibition. Marketed as more potent than Argireline at same concentration. Limited independent peer-reviewed studies; manufacturer (Lipotec) data shows ~30% expression-line reduction over 4 weeks. Topical only.

A naturally occurring nonapeptide first isolated from the brain of sleeping rabbits and named for its early association with delta-wave (deep) sleep. Studied for sleep, stress, and neuromodulatory effects, but the evidence is old, mixed, and inconsistent, and its mechanism remains poorly defined.