Peptides: Compound Reference

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Mimics LH to maintain testicular function.

Effects: Stimulates testosterone production (mimics LH), prevents testicular atrophy on cycle, can elevate estradiol, does not restore pituitary function

Body Protection Compound-157. Synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from human gastric juice. Used for healing tendons, ligaments, muscle injuries, and gut repair.

Effects: No significant direct impact on standard blood markers. May support liver healing (limited evidence of normalising liver enzymes in damaged tissue). Does not affect hormones, lipids, or haematology. Research primarily from animal studies.

Synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4. Used for tissue repair, wound healing, reducing inflammation, and promoting flexibility.

Effects: No significant direct impact on standard blood markers. May reduce inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR) through anti-inflammatory activity. Does not affect hormones, lipids, or haematology. Limited human data.

Synthetic GHRH (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) analog. FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Used in bodybuilding for GH release and visceral fat reduction.

Effects: Increases GH and IGF-1 levels, may elevate fasting glucose mildly (less than exogenous GH), can improve lipid profile (reduces triglycerides), reduces visceral adipose tissue, may mildly affect thyroid function (monitor TSH/FT4)

Synthetic GHRH analog with Drug Affinity Complex for extended half-life. Provides sustained GH elevation. Often combined with Ipamorelin.

Effects: Elevates GH and IGF-1 levels (sustained release), may mildly elevate fasting glucose, can cause water retention and numbness/tingling, less cortisol/prolactin impact than GHRP-6. Generally well tolerated on blood markers.

Selective growth hormone secretagogue peptide (GHRP). Cleanest GHRP with minimal cortisol and prolactin release. Often stacked with CJC-1295 or mod-GRF.

Effects: Increases GH and IGF-1 levels, does not significantly raise cortisol or prolactin (unlike GHRP-2/6), minimal impact on appetite (unlike GHRP-6 and MK-677), may mildly elevate fasting glucose with prolonged use

Long-acting Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 analog. Extended half-life vs native IGF-1. Used for muscle growth, recovery, and hyperplasia.

Effects: Can cause hypoglycaemia (insulin-like effects on glucose uptake), significantly elevates IGF-1 levels, may worsen insulin sensitivity with prolonged use, can promote gut growth at high doses, does not directly affect liver enzymes or lipids

Synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist. Used for skin tanning, libido enhancement, and appetite suppression. Also improves erectile function.

Effects: No significant impact on standard blood markers. Does not affect hormones, lipids, or haematology. Can cause nausea, facial flushing, and increased mole pigmentation. Primarily acts on melanocortin receptors in skin and brain.

Synthetic GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone). Used to maintain LH/FSH production and testicular function during AAS cycles. Alternative to HCG.

Effects: Stimulates endogenous LH and FSH release from the pituitary (unlike HCG which mimics LH directly), helps maintain testicular function on cycle, may partially preserve intratesticular testosterone, less estradiol elevation compared to HCG

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin. Contains both FSH and LH activity. Used for fertility restoration post-AAS, more effective than HCG alone for spermatogenesis.

Effects: Directly stimulates FSH and LH receptors, promotes spermatogenesis (FSH component) and testosterone production (LH component), more effective than HCG alone for fertility recovery, can elevate estradiol

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2. Synthetic hexapeptide GH secretagogue. Potent GH release with moderate appetite and cortisol/prolactin increase.

Effects: Elevates GH and IGF-1 levels, moderate increase in cortisol and prolactin post-injection (more than Ipamorelin, less than GHRP-6), mild appetite stimulation, may mildly elevate fasting glucose with prolonged use

Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6. Synthetic hexapeptide GH secretagogue. Strong GH release with pronounced appetite stimulation. Popular for bulking phases.

Effects: Elevates GH and IGF-1 levels, significant appetite stimulation (ghrelin mimetic), transient cortisol and ACTH elevation post-injection, may mildly elevate prolactin, can elevate fasting glucose with prolonged use

Synthetic GHRH analog (GRF 1-29). Stimulates natural pulsatile GH release from the pituitary. Originally FDA-approved for paediatric GH deficiency. Used off-label for anti-aging and body composition.

Effects: Increases pulsatile GH and IGF-1 levels, may mildly elevate fasting glucose (less than exogenous GH), can cause subclinical hypothyroidism in ~6.5% of users (monitor TSH/FT4), generally well tolerated on blood markers

Modified GRF(1-29). Short-acting GHRH analog with four amino acid substitutions for stability. Provides pulsatile GH release. Often combined with Ipamorelin.

Effects: Elevates GH and IGF-1 through pulsatile release (more physiological than DAC version), minimal impact on cortisol or prolactin, may mildly elevate fasting glucose with prolonged use, generally well tolerated on blood markers

Mechano Growth Factor. Splice variant of IGF-1 (IGF-1Ec) produced in response to mechanical stress. Activates satellite cells for localised muscle repair and growth.

Effects: No significant direct impact on standard blood markers. Does not elevate systemic IGF-1 significantly at typical doses. Does not affect hormones, lipids, or haematology. Primarily acts locally at injection site. Limited human data.

Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex. Naturally occurring copper peptide. Stimulates collagen synthesis, wound healing, hair growth, and tissue remodelling.

Effects: No significant impact on standard blood markers. May mildly modulate inflammatory markers (preclinical evidence of reducing IL-6, TNF-alpha). Does not affect hormones, lipids, haematology, or liver enzymes. Primarily acts locally on tissue remodelling.

Lysine-Proline-Valine. Anti-inflammatory tripeptide derived from alpha-MSH. Potent NF-kB inhibitor. Used for gut inflammation (IBD), skin conditions, and systemic inflammation.

Effects: May reduce inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha) through NF-kB pathway inhibition. No significant direct impact on hormones, lipids, liver enzymes, or haematology. No melanotropic (tanning) effects despite alpha-MSH origin.

Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. 37-amino acid cationic peptide with broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immune-modulating properties. Used for infections, biofilm disruption, and wound healing.

Effects: May reduce inflammatory markers and WBC if used for active infection. May modulate CRP. No direct effect on hormones, lipids, or liver enzymes. Primarily acts on innate immune system and microbial membranes.

28-amino acid peptide from the thymus gland. Broad immunomodulator. Enhances T-cell function, NK cell activity, and dendritic cell maturation. FDA-orphan drug status.

Effects: May improve immune cell counts (lymphocytes, NK cells) on CBC. May modulate inflammatory markers (CRP). No significant direct effect on hormones, lipids, or liver enzymes. Enhances immune surveillance without immunosuppression.

Synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist (MC3R/MC4R). FDA-approved as Vyleesi. Enhances sexual desire and function centrally via dopamine pathways. Derivative of Melanotan II.

Effects: May cause transient blood pressure elevation post-injection. No significant impact on hormones, lipids, liver enzymes, or haematology. Does not directly affect testosterone or estradiol. Can cause nausea (~40%), flushing, and mild skin hyperpigmentation with repeated use.

Neuroendocrine peptide that stimulates GnRH release. Upstream regulator of the entire HPTA axis. Used for fertility support and HPTA recovery. Alternative to Gonadorelin and HCG.

Effects: Stimulates pulsatile GnRH → LH/FSH release → testosterone and estradiol production. May raise LH, FSH, testosterone. Does not directly affect liver enzymes or lipids. Acts upstream of Gonadorelin in the HPTA cascade.

Nonapeptide first isolated from rabbit brain. Promotes delta-wave (deep) sleep without sedation. May modulate the HPA axis for stress protection.

Effects: May modulate cortisol levels (stress-protective HPA axis effects). Does not significantly affect hormones, lipids, liver enzymes, or haematology at standard doses. No pharmacological tolerance reported with continued use.

Synthetic heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-10). Nootropic and neuroprotective. Elevates BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Approved in Russia for cognitive disorders and stroke recovery.

Effects: May cause slight blood pressure fluctuations. May mildly modulate cortisol (ACTH-derived but minimal HPA effect at standard doses). No significant impact on standard blood markers, hormones, lipids, or haematology.

Synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin. Anxiolytic and nootropic without sedation. Approved in Russia for anxiety and neurasthenia. Does not cause dependence.

Effects: No significant impact on standard blood markers. May mildly modulate immune markers (tuftsin-derived — immunomodulatory properties). No effect on hormones, lipids, liver enzymes, or haematology. No sedation or cognitive impairment.

Synthetic HGH fragment (amino acids 176-191) with a tyrosine addition. Promotes fat loss without the metabolic side effects of full-length GH. Does not elevate IGF-1.

Effects: Does not elevate IGF-1 or impair glucose tolerance (unlike full-length GH). Does not affect hormones, liver enzymes, or haematology. May preferentially reduce visceral/abdominal fat. Placebo-like safety profile in clinical trials.

Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) based on epithalamin from the pineal gland. Activates telomerase. Stimulates melatonin production. Used for anti-aging and longevity.

Effects: May normalise melatonin and cortisol circadian rhythms. No significant direct impact on standard blood markers, hormones, lipids, or liver enzymes. Animal studies show reduced tumour incidence and improved cardiovascular markers over long-term use.

Mitochondrial-derived peptide. 16-amino acid exercise mimetic. Activates AMPK to improve insulin sensitivity, fat oxidation, and exercise capacity. Emerging longevity peptide.

Effects: May improve fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity (AMPK activation). May reduce visceral fat. May improve lipid profile through enhanced fat oxidation. May reduce liver fat (preclinical). No direct impact on hormones or haematology. No completed human clinical trials.

Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide. Binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane to optimise electron transport, reduce ROS, and enhance ATP production. FDA-approved for Barth syndrome.

Effects: May improve markers of mitochondrial function and exercise capacity. No significant direct impact on standard blood markers, hormones, lipids, or liver enzymes. May reduce oxidative stress markers. Injection site reactions common (~80% in trials).

Essential coenzyme for cellular energy production and DNA repair. Not a peptide but commonly available as injectable. Levels decline with age. Central to sirtuin activation and mitochondrial function.

Effects: May improve markers of metabolic health: fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity. May modulate inflammatory markers. No direct impact on hormones, lipids, or haematology at standard doses. IV infusions may cause flushing, nausea, chest tightness during administration.

Glycoprotein that binds and neutralises myostatin (GDF-8) and activin A. Two human isoforms exist: FST-315 (circulating) and FST-288 (cell-surface bound). FST-344 is the gene-therapy precursor that is processed into the FS-344 / FS-315 mature isoform. Used in research and grey-market bodybuilding for hypertrophy via myostatin blockade.

Effects: May increase muscle mass via myostatin and activin A inhibition (preclinical and small human trial data). Can elevate creatine kinase (CK) from increased muscle activity. Activin A blockade has theoretical effects on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and reproductive function, though not consistently observed at peptide doses. May raise blood pressure and worsen lipids if combined with AAS. No direct effect on liver enzymes from the peptide itself.

Pegylated form of Mechano Growth Factor (MGF, the IGF-1Ec splice variant). The polyethylene glycol modification extends the half-life from minutes (native MGF) to hours, allowing systemic SubQ dosing rather than immediate post-workout intramuscular injection. Used in grey-market bodybuilding for satellite cell activation and localised hypertrophy.

Effects: Activates muscle satellite cells (preclinical evidence). Does not significantly elevate systemic IGF-1 at typical doses. Should not raise fasting glucose or HbA1c the way IGF-1 LR3 does. Does not affect hormones, lipids, liver enzymes, or haematology. Limited human pharmacokinetic data; almost all evidence is preclinical or anecdotal.

Endogenous 28-amino-acid neuropeptide of the secretin / glucagon family. Acts on VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors. Potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and vasodilatory effects. Used clinically (intranasal) in mould / chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) protocols (Shoemaker), and explored as a therapy in pulmonary hypertension and sarcoidosis. Niche tier-2 peptide compared to mass and recovery peptides.

Effects: May reduce inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha). Causes systemic vasodilation; can lower blood pressure (especially with first nasal doses). Does not directly affect hormones, lipids, liver enzymes, or haematology. May mildly modulate cortisol via HPA axis. Reports of transient lipase elevation in some users on nasal protocols.

Synthetic hexapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHRP) of the same class as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6. The most potent acute GH releaser of the early GHRPs but causes the strongest receptor desensitisation, the largest cortisol and prolactin rise of the GHRPs, and shows distinct cardioprotective effects via CD36 binding.

Effects: Sharply elevates GH and IGF-1 acutely; both responses blunt within 2 to 4 weeks of continuous use due to receptor desensitisation. Notable cortisol and prolactin elevation (more than Ipamorelin, comparable to GHRP-2). Mild appetite increase (less than GHRP-6 or MK-677). May favourably affect cardiac contractility and post-ischaemic recovery via CD36 receptor (preclinical and small human trials).

Synthetic 16-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176 to 191). Promotes lipolysis without elevating IGF-1 or impairing glucose tolerance. Often confused with AOD-9604, which is a closely related but distinct molecule (AOD-9604 has an added N-terminal tyrosine for stability and was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals into a GRAS-classified product).

Effects: Stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis (preclinical evidence). Does not elevate IGF-1, does not impair glucose tolerance, does not promote organ growth. No significant effect on hormones, liver enzymes, or haematology. Generally considered a placebo-like safety profile, with the caveat that injectable peptide product purity varies widely.

Synthetic 11-amino-acid peptide derived from helix B of erythropoietin (EPO). Binds the innate repair receptor (IRR), a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor. Provides EPO's tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory effects without the haematopoietic effect (no rise in haemoglobin or haematocrit). Investigated for diabetic neuropathy, sarcoidosis-associated small-fibre neuropathy, and chronic neuropathic pain.

Effects: May reduce inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta) and improve symptom scores in small-fibre neuropathy (small randomised trials). Does NOT raise haemoglobin, haematocrit, or red blood cell count (the key differentiator from EPO). May modestly improve corneal nerve fibre density and HbA1c in trials. No significant effect on testosterone, lipids, or liver enzymes.

Research-only peptidomimetic (Fat-Targeted Pro-apoptotic Peptide). Couples a peptide that homes to white adipose tissue vasculature (binds prohibitin) with a pro-apoptotic D-amino-acid sequence (KLAKLAK)2. Selectively induces apoptosis in adipose blood vessels, causing rapid fat loss in preclinical models. Not approved for human use; not recommended for human use; nephrotoxicity is dose-limiting in animal studies.

Effects: Marked fat loss (preclinical only): up to ~30% body weight loss in obese rhesus macaques over 4 weeks. Improved insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose in animal models. Dose-dependent renal tubular damage (proximal tubule) is the dose-limiting toxicity in primates. No human pharmacokinetic, efficacy, or safety data exist.