What every popular peptide actually does, and what we don't know yet.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. Some are well-tested prescription drugs. Some are everyday supplements and skincare ingredients. Many sold online have never been tested in people. This guide shows the human evidence, legal status, and known risks for each one.
How to read this guide
- FDA-approved drug
- Available by prescription as an FDA-approved product for specific uses.
- Related drug approved
- A related or branded version is approved, but the research-grade compound is not that product.
- Investigational
- In formal clinical trials. Not approved for any use.
- Not FDA-approved
- No approved human use in the US. Products sold as "research only" are not legal for human use.
- Supplement or cosmetic
- Sold legally as a dietary supplement or skincare ingredient, with limits on what can be claimed.
Explore and compare
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It is a prescription drug, and research-grade or unapproved versions are not the approved product.
Read the evidence →Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide activates both the GIP and GLP-1 receptors and is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It is a prescription drug.
Read the evidence →Tesamorelin
Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog that is FDA-approved as Egrifta to reduce excess abdominal fat in people with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. It is a prescription drug for that specific use.
Read the evidence →hCG
hCG is a hormone that is FDA-approved by prescription for certain fertility and hormone conditions. The FDA has stated it is not approved for weight loss, and over-the-counter hCG products are illegal.
Read the evidence →Retatrutide
Retatrutide is an investigational drug that activates GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. It is in late-stage trials and is not approved for any use.
Read the evidence →PT-141
PT-141 is the research name for bremelanotide, which is FDA-approved as Vyleesi for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. Research-grade PT-141 is not the approved product.
Read the evidence →Collagen peptides
Collagen peptides are hydrolyzed collagen sold as a dietary supplement. Randomized trials suggest modest benefits for skin hydration and elasticity, though study quality varies.
Read the evidence →CJC-1295
CJC-1295 is a synthetic version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. Small early studies showed it raises growth hormone and IGF-1, but it was never approved and development stopped.
Read the evidence →Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a synthetic peptide that triggers growth hormone release. It was tested in people for gut recovery after surgery without clear benefit and is not approved.
Read the evidence →Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a short version of growth-hormone-releasing hormone. It was once FDA-approved, but the branded product was discontinued, and there is no approved product on the market today.
Read the evidence →AOD-9604
AOD-9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone that was developed as an obesity drug. Human trials did not show meaningful weight loss, and it was never approved.
Read the evidence →GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper peptide widely used in skincare and scalp products. Topical use is legal as a cosmetic. Injectable GHK-Cu is not approved.
Read the evidence →Kisspeptin-10
Kisspeptin is a natural hormone that controls the reproductive hormone system. It is being studied in clinical research for fertility but is not approved.
Read the evidence →SS-31
SS-31 (elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeting peptide. It received FDA accelerated approval for Barth syndrome, a rare genetic disease. Research-grade SS-31 is not that product.
Read the evidence →Selank
Selank is a synthetic peptide approved in Russia as an anti-anxiety nasal spray. It is not FDA-approved, and the human research is small and mostly from Russian groups.
Read the evidence →Semax
Semax is a synthetic peptide approved in Russia, mainly for stroke recovery and cognitive conditions. It is not FDA-approved, and most studies are small and from Russian groups.
Read the evidence →Glutathione
Glutathione is a natural antioxidant tripeptide sold as an oral supplement. Evidence for health or skin benefits is limited, and IV or injectable glutathione is not an approved product.
Read the evidence →Matrixyl
Matrixyl is a family of signal peptides used in anti-aging skincare. Small studies suggest it can improve the look of fine lines.
Read the evidence →Argireline
Argireline is a skincare peptide used to soften the look of expression lines. Small studies show modest effects, much weaker than injectable treatments.
Read the evidence →Carnosine
Carnosine is a natural dipeptide found in muscle and brain tissue and sold as a supplement. Human evidence for health benefits is limited.
Read the evidence →BPC-157
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide studied mostly in animals for tissue healing. It is not FDA-approved, there are almost no human trials, and it is banned in sport.
Read the evidence →TB-500
TB-500 is a synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4, a natural protein involved in tissue repair. It has not been tested in human trials and is not approved for any use.
Read the evidence →MOTS-c
MOTS-c is a peptide made by mitochondria that has been studied in animals for metabolism and exercise capacity. There is almost no human trial data, and it is not approved.
Read the evidence →DSIP
DSIP is a peptide first studied in the 1970s for sleep. Results in people have been inconsistent, and it is not approved for any use.
Read the evidence →
The biggest risk is often the product, not the peptide.
You can't know what's in the vial
Independent tests of "research" peptides have found wrong strengths, wrong compounds, and contamination. A certificate from the seller is not independent proof.
Measuring errors cause real overdoses
The FDA has reported people hospitalized after mixing up milligrams, milliliters, and syringe units with unapproved GLP-1 vials.
Non-sterile products cause infections
Products made outside regulated pharmacies may not be sterile or free of bacterial toxins.
"Research use only" isn't a loophole
Products labeled this way are not legal for human use, and athletes can fail drug tests for many of them.
If you're considering any peptide therapy, the safest route is a licensed clinician and an FDA-approved product or a licensed pharmacy. BOTH does not publish dosing, mixing, or injection instructions.
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