Peptides: Compound Reference
Peptides are short chains of amino acids used for growth hormone release, fat loss, recovery, and tissue repair. Categories include GHRPs (growth hormone releasing peptides), GHRHs (growth hormone releasing hormones), and specialised peptides like BPC-157 for healing and melanotan for tanning.
Peptides (29)
HCG
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
BPC-157
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.
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)
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.
Tesamorelin
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)
CJC-1295 DAC
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.
Ipamorelin
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
IGF-1 LR3
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
Melanotan II
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.
Gonadorelin
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
HMG
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
GHRP-2
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
GHRP-6
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
Sermorelin
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
CJC-1295 no DAC (mod-GRF)
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
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
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.
GHK-Cu
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.
KPV
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.
LL-37
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.
Thymosin Alpha-1
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.
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)
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.
Kisspeptin
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.
DSIP (Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide)
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.
Semax
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.
Selank
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.
AOD-9604
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.
Epithalon
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.
MOTS-C
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.
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
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).
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
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.
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