Every peptide, one honest verdict each.

5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule commonly researched for metabolism and body-composition questions. Human data is thin, so treat it as an early-stage research compound, not a finished answer.

Amycretin is Novo Nordisk's investigational unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor agonist, studied in both oral and injectable forms for metabolic endpoints. It is early-stage and not approved or available for human use.

AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone commonly researched for fat metabolism and body composition. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; the human weight-loss results were disappointing, and effects and long-term safety in people are still being studied.

The recovery crowd's favorite peptide. Huge animal-study buzz, thin human data, and a lot of hype to sort through.

AI-discovered 12-amino-acid peptide commonly researched for appetite — striking animal data, zero human trials, not available for human use.

Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin-analog peptide commonly researched for appetite and body-weight endpoints, most visibly as the amylin half of the investigational CagriSema combination with semaglutide. It is not FDA-approved; effects in humans are still being studied.

CJC-1295 is a GHRH-analog peptide commonly researched for its effect on growth-hormone and IGF-1 markers. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; the physique claims made for it run well ahead of the human evidence.

Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) are short chains of amino acids taken by mouth, commonly researched for skin elasticity, hydration, and joint comfort. They are one of the few options in this space with repeated human trials behind them. They are sold as a dietary supplement, not a drug, and are not FDA-approved to treat any condition.

DSIP is a naturally occurring nine-amino-acid peptide commonly researched for sleep and stress. Its human data is old, small, and inconsistent, and it is not FDA-approved; it is sold for laboratory research use only, and whether it reliably affects sleep in people is still being studied.

Epitalon (epithalon) is a synthetic four-amino-acid pineal peptide commonly researched for telomere biology and markers of aging. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; effects and long-term safety in people are still being studied.

A follistatin isoform commonly researched for myostatin inhibition and muscle growth in animals; human evidence is extremely limited.

Copper tripeptide with real cosmetic data — topically. The injectable form is a different, unproven story.

Potent ghrelin-receptor GH releaser — moves markers, but raises cortisol, prolactin, and appetite.

Ghrelin-receptor GH releaser best known for a strong appetite surge; moves markers but human outcome data is missing.

The GLOW stack bundles three research peptides — GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500 — into one vial, marketed for skin and recovery. Each part has its own separate research story, but the blend itself has never been studied as a blend, and it is not FDA-approved.

One of the most potent GH-releasing peptides, with a distinctive cardiac research angle and thin human outcome data.

IGF-1 LR3 is a long-acting lab-made version of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It is commonly researched around muscle and growth-factor signaling, but there are no controlled human trials and it is not FDA-approved.

Ipamorelin is a small growth-hormone-secretagogue peptide commonly researched for its effect on growth-hormone release. It is not FDA-approved, is sold for laboratory research use only, and its effects in humans are still being studied.

KLOW is a multi-peptide blend commonly sold for skin and recovery, combining GHK-Cu, KPV, BPC-157, and TB-500. Each part has its own separate research base, but the bundle itself has not been studied as a stack, and its components are not FDA-approved. It is sold for laboratory research use only.

KPV (lysine-proline-valine) is the C-terminal tripeptide of the alpha-MSH hormone, commonly researched for anti-inflammatory activity in the gut and skin. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; effects and safety in people are still being studied and rest almost entirely on cell and animal work.

LL-37 is the only human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, a 37-amino-acid fragment your own immune cells release. It is commonly researched for antimicrobial activity, immune signaling, and wound healing. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; its effects in people are context-dependent and largely preclinical, and the same peptide has been linked to both healing and inflammatory conditions.

Mazdutide (IBI362, LY3305677) is a glucagon/GLP-1 dual-agonist peptide commonly researched for weight management and metabolic outcomes. It has genuine human trial data and was approved by China's regulator for chronic weight management, but it is not FDA-approved in the United States; research-grade mazdutide sold for lab use is for laboratory research only.

Melanotan 2 (melanotan II) is a synthetic melanocortin-receptor peptide commonly researched for skin pigmentation and, separately, sexual arousal. It is not FDA-approved and is sold only for laboratory research use; regulators have repeatedly warned against human use, and dermatologists have documented real safety concerns.

MK-677 (ibutamoren) is an orally active growth-hormone secretagogue commonly researched for its effect on growth hormone and IGF-1 levels. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; effects and long-term safety in people are still being studied.

MOTS-c is a small mitochondrial-derived peptide that has been studied mostly in cells and animals for metabolism and exercise biology. Human data is thin, and it is not FDA-approved.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every living cell, not a classic peptide. It is commonly researched in the context of aging, cellular energy, and metabolism. It is not FDA-approved as a longevity therapy; the human evidence for the outcomes people want is thin and still being studied.

Investigational GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist from Altimmune, studied in early trials for obesity and MASH.

PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a melanocortin-receptor peptide commonly researched for sexual arousal and desire. The branded prescription version, Vyleesi, is FDA-approved for one narrow use; research-grade PT-141 sold for lab use is not that product and is not FDA-approved.

Retatrutide (LY3437943) is an experimental triple-agonist peptide commonly researched for weight management and metabolic outcomes. It has genuine human trial data behind it, but it is still investigational and is not FDA-approved; research-grade retatrutide is sold for laboratory research use only.

Selank is a synthetic tuftsin-derived peptide commonly researched for anxiety and focus. Most of its human data comes from small, mostly Russian trials, and it is not FDA-approved; it is sold for laboratory research use only, and its effects in broader populations are still being studied.

Semax is a synthetic nootropic peptide, developed in Russia, commonly researched for focus, memory, and neuroprotection. It is not FDA-approved and is sold for laboratory research use only; effects and long-term safety in people are still being studied.

GHRH analog that prompts the pituitary to release its own growth hormone; the age-reversal claims outrun the human evidence.

Topical expression-line peptide pitched as a needle-free Botox alternative, with early cosmetic data and a real penetration caveat.

SS-31 is a research peptide studied for how it interacts with mitochondria — the tiny power plants inside your cells. Human data is early and it is not FDA-approved.

Investigational GLP-1/glucagon dual agonist posting notable weight and liver numbers in trials — not approved or available.

TB-500 is a synthetic fragment related to thymosin beta-4, commonly researched for tissue repair and recovery. It is not FDA-approved, its human evidence is thin, and it sits on the WADA prohibited list — a real problem for tested athletes.

Tesamorelin is a growth-hormone-releasing factor (GHRH) analog commonly researched for visceral abdominal fat and the growth-hormone/IGF-1 axis. The branded prescription version, Egrifta, is FDA-approved for one narrow use; research-grade tesamorelin sold for lab use is not that product and is not FDA-approved.

Thymosin Alpha-1 is a 28-amino-acid peptide fragment your thymus makes naturally. It is commonly researched for immune modulation, and the research-grade version sold for lab use is not an FDA-approved drug.

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist commonly researched for weight and blood-sugar outcomes. The branded prescription versions, Mounjaro and Zepbound, are FDA-approved for narrow indications; research-grade tirzepatide sold for lab use is not those products and is not FDA-approved.

VK2735 is Viking Therapeutics' investigational dual GLP-1/GIP receptor peptide, developed in both injectable and oral tablet forms and commonly researched for weight management. It has early human trial data behind it, but it is still investigational and is not FDA-approved; research-grade VK2735 sold for laboratory use is not the trial drug.