Research. Evidence. Peptides.
Explore evidence-based guides to peptides, emerging research, clinical studies, regulatory developments, and the science behind compounds being investigated around the world.
Popular peptides
Also known as Body Protection Compound 157, PL 14736, PL-10
Tissue & Recovery Research • Gastrointestinal Research
A synthetic 15-amino-acid sequence derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. Extensively studied in rodent injury models; almost no published controlled human data.
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Also known as Thymosin β4, Tβ4, TMSB4X (gene)
Tissue & Recovery Research • Immune Research
Thymosin β4 is a naturally occurring 43-amino-acid actin-binding peptide that has completed randomised human trials as an eye drop. "TB-500" is a shorter synthetic fragment sold as a research chemical — and the two are not interchangeable.
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Also known as Copper tripeptide-1, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II), GHK
Skin & Dermatology Research • Tissue & Recovery Research • Longevity Research
A naturally occurring three-amino-acid peptide that binds copper, found in human plasma and widely used as a topical cosmetic ingredient. Strong mechanistic and gene-expression data; thin controlled clinical evidence.
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Also known as CJC-1295 with DAC, DAC:GRF, Drug Affinity Complex GHRH analog
Growth Hormone & Endocrine Research
A long-acting analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone. Early human trials established that it raises GH and IGF-1 for days after a single dose — but hormone levels are a surrogate, not a clinical outcome.
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Also known as NNC 26-0161, Ipamorelin acetate
Growth Hormone & Endocrine Research • Gastrointestinal Research
A selective growth hormone secretagogue that reached Phase 2 human trials for postoperative ileus — where it missed its primary endpoint. One of the few compounds in this space with a published, well-conducted negative trial.
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Also known as Egrifta, Egrifta SV, Egrifta WR
Growth Hormone & Endocrine Research • Metabolic Research
The only GHRH-class analog with FDA approval. Approved narrowly — for reducing excess visceral abdominal fat in adults with HIV and lipodystrophy — and explicitly not indicated for weight loss.
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Also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Metabolic Research
A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist and one of the most extensively trialled peptide drugs ever developed, with approvals spanning diabetes, weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction and liver disease.
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Also known as Mounjaro, Zepbound, LY3298176
Metabolic Research
A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. The first drug approved for obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with obesity, and the compound that established that multi-receptor agonism outperforms GLP-1 alone.
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Also known as LY3437943, Triple hormone receptor agonist, GGG tri-agonist
Metabolic Research
An investigational triple agonist at the GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors. Phase 3 results report the largest mean weight reductions yet published for a pharmacological agent — and it is not approved.
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Also known as Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c, Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Mitochondrial Research • Metabolic Research • Longevity Research
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome. Striking metabolic effects in mice; no published controlled human trials.
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Browse peptides by research area
These are fields researchers are studying — not categories of treatment. A compound appearing under a research area has been investigated in that context; it has not been shown to treat any condition unless its profile says so explicitly.
Glucose regulation, appetite signalling, body composition and energy balance.
5 compounds
Growth hormone release, IGF-1 signalling and pituitary axis regulation.
3 compounds
Wound healing, tendon and ligament repair, angiogenesis and cell migration.
3 compounds
Mucosal protection, gut barrier function and inflammatory bowel research.
2 compounds
Cellular ageing, senescence and healthspan models.
2 compounds
Neuroprotection, neurotransmitter signalling and central nervous system models.
0 compounds
Collagen synthesis, extracellular matrix remodelling and cutaneous wound repair.
1 compound
Immune signalling, inflammation and host defence models.
1 compound
Mitochondrial signalling, metabolic stress response and exercise biology.
1 compound
Latest research
Peptide Science
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. What separates a peptide from a protein, why the body uses them as signals, and why that makes them both useful drugs and difficult ones.
4 min read
News
Sponsor-reported Phase 3 results put retatrutide's mean weight reduction above any published figure for a drug. Here is what was measured, what was not, and what still has to happen.
3 min read
Regulation
The phrase appears on nearly every research peptide sold online. It is a statement by the seller about intended use — not a regulatory designation, and not a safety assessment.
3 min read
Peptide Science
The peptide/protein boundary is a convention, not a chemical fact — but it has real consequences for how these molecules are made, dosed and regulated.
2 min read
Peptide Science
Half-life is the single number that decides whether a peptide can be a once-weekly medicine or nothing at all. How it is measured, how it is engineered, and how it is misused in marketing.
2 min read
Clinical Trials
How to search ClinicalTrials.gov for a peptide, what each field on a trial record means, and how to tell an active programme from an abandoned one.
3 min read
Peptide comparisons
Every comparison distinguishes approved drugs from investigational compounds and laboratory research chemicals — because that distinction usually matters more than anything else in the table.
Two research compounds discussed interchangeably for tissue repair. Their mechanisms, their evidence bases and their regulatory positions are not the same.
Two growth hormone secretagogues with different receptors and very different evidence. One has Phase 1 hormone data; the other has a published Phase 2 trial that missed its endpoint.
One, two and three receptors. Two approved drugs and one investigational compound. What the trials measured, what the labels say, and where the differences actually lie.
Two GHRH analogs with the same upstream mechanism and completely different evidence. What separates an approved medicine from a discontinued research compound.
Peptide research status
Every compound on Peptide Insider carries one of five evidence labels. The label describes the published research record — not a recommendation, and not a prediction.
Multiple adequately powered randomised controlled trials in humans, with published results.
Human trials exist but are small, early phase, single-site, or limited to surrogate endpoints.
Evidence is confined to animal models, tissue, or cell-culture work. No meaningful human data.
Only a small number of studies exist, or the available studies have serious methodological limits.
There is not enough published, independently verifiable research to characterise the compound.
Peptide Insider provides educational information about peptide science and research. Content is not medical advice. Read the full disclaimer, our editorial policy and how we grade evidence.