Clear guides to individual compounds

BPC-157

Also cited as Body protection compound 157

Synthetic pentadecapeptide

A laboratory-made peptide made of 15 amino acids. Almost all published research involved cells or rodents rather than people.

Research stage: Early research in cells and animals

CJC-1295

Also cited as CJC-1295 with DAC / modified GRF

Long-acting growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue

A modified growth-hormone-releasing peptide designed to last longer in the blood. Only early-phase human data was published before development stopped.

Research stage: Phase 1 results published; development discontinued

DSIP

Also cited as Delta sleep-inducing peptide

Nine-amino-acid neuropeptide

A peptide isolated from rabbit brain in the 1970s. Early sleep findings were never reliably reproduced.

Research stage: Small historic human studies; not reproduced

GHK-Cu

Also cited as Copper tripeptide-1

Copper-binding tripeptide

A small, naturally occurring peptide that binds copper. Researchers mainly studied it in skin cells and gene activity experiments.

Research stage: Mostly cell research, with a few small human skin studies

GHRP-2

Also cited as Pralmorelin

Growth hormone secretagogue

A small peptide that triggers growth hormone release. In Japan it was approved as a diagnostic test rather than a treatment.

Research stage: Approved as a diagnostic agent in Japan; no treatment authorisation

GHRP-6

Growth hormone secretagogue

One of the earliest growth-hormone-releasing peptides studied. Human work stayed at the level of short hormone-response experiments.

Research stage: Early human physiology studies only

HGH

Also cited as Human growth hormone / somatropin

Recombinant protein hormone

A hormone the pituitary gland makes. A licensed prescription version treats defined deficiency conditions; anti-ageing claims are not supported by trials.

Research stage: Licensed medicine for defined deficiency conditions

IGF-1 LR3

Also cited as Long R3 IGF-1

Modified insulin-like growth factor analogue

A laboratory reagent version of IGF-1, altered to last longer in cell culture. It has never been studied in human trials.

Research stage: Laboratory reagent; no human trials published

Ipamorelin

Growth hormone secretagogue (ghrelin receptor agonist)

A laboratory-made peptide that acts on the ghrelin receptor. Early human research ended without the compound becoming an authorised medicine.

Research stage: Early human research; development stopped

Kisspeptin

Also cited as Metastin / kisspeptin-54

Hypothalamic reproductive hormone

A natural brain hormone that sits at the top of the reproductive hormone chain. University research groups have studied it in people.

Research stage: Early-phase academic human studies published

KPV

Also cited as Lys-Pro-Val

Alpha-MSH fragment tripeptide

A three-amino-acid fragment of a natural hormone. Published research on inflammation is in cells and rodents only.

Research stage: Pre-clinical only

Mazdutide

Also cited as IBI362 / LY3305677

Dual GLP-1 / glucagon receptor agonist

An experimental peptide based on a natural gut hormone. Researchers studied it mainly in phase 2 and phase 3 trials in China.

Research stage: Phase 3 results reported in Chinese study groups

Melanotan 1

Also cited as Afamelanotide

Selective MC1 receptor agonist

The peptide behind a licensed medicine for a rare light-sensitivity disorder. Research-grade material is not that medicine.

Research stage: Phase 3 results published; licensed for one rare condition

Melanotan 2

Also cited as MT-2

Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist

A peptide that stimulates pigment cells. It was never approved anywhere, and UK health bodies have issued warnings about it.

Research stage: No completed controlled trials; safety concerns documented in case reports

MOTS-c

Mitochondrial-derived peptide

A peptide made of 16 amino acids and encoded by mitochondrial DNA. Researchers studied it mainly in metabolism and exercise models.

Research stage: Early cell and animal research, plus observational human studies

NAD+

Also cited as Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

Coenzyme (not a peptide)

A coenzyme every cell uses to move energy around. Most published human work studied precursor molecules rather than NAD+ itself.

Research stage: Multiple small human trials of precursors published

Oxytocin

Natural nine-amino-acid hormone

A hormone the body makes for childbirth and milk release. A prescription medicine version exists; research-grade material is not that medicine.

Research stage: Licensed medicine for obstetric use; behavioural trials inconclusive

Pal-GHK

Also cited as Palmitoyl tripeptide-1

Cosmetic peptide

A fat-modified version of the GHK tripeptide used in skincare. Human data comes mainly from tests of complete formulations.

Research stage: Cosmetic formulation studies only

PT-141

Also cited as Bremelanotide

Melanocortin receptor agonist

A peptide that activates melanocortin receptors. Phase 3 trial results were published, and it was authorised for one use in the United States.

Research stage: Phase 3 results published; licensed for one condition in the United States

Retatrutide

Also cited as LY3437943

Triple incretin receptor agonist

An experimental peptide that acts on three hormone receptors. Researchers studied it in phase 2 trials involving weight and blood sugar.

Research stage: Phase 2 results published; phase 3 trials under way

Selank

Tuftsin-derived neuropeptide

A peptide developed in Russia and studied there for anxiety. Very little of that research appeared in international peer-reviewed journals.

Research stage: Regional clinical reports only

Sermorelin

Also cited as GRF (1-29)

Growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogue

A short copy of the body's own growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It was once sold as a medicine for testing growth hormone in children.

Research stage: Historic licensed diagnostic use overseas; no current authorisation

SNAP-8

Also cited as Acetyl octapeptide-3

Cosmetic peptide

An eight-amino-acid peptide used in cosmetic formulations. Published evidence is mostly laboratory work and manufacturer testing.

Research stage: Cosmetic ingredient testing; little independent research

SS-31

Also cited as Elamipretide

Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide

A four-amino-acid peptide aimed at the energy-producing parts of cells. It reached late-stage trials in rare mitochondrial diseases with mixed results.

Research stage: Phase 3 results published in rare disease groups

TB-500

Also cited as Thymosin beta-4 fragment

Peptide fragment of thymosin beta-4

A laboratory-made piece of thymosin beta-4, a natural protein. Researchers mainly examined it in early cell and animal studies.

Research stage: Early cell and animal research on TB-500; early human research on the full protein

Tesamorelin

Growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue

A laboratory-made version of a natural hormone. Human trials were published, but it is not licensed as a medicine in the UK.

Research stage: Phase 3 results published; licensed for one condition in the United States