The Research Hub explains what published science says about each compound we carry, in plain language, for laboratory research purposes only. This is not a guide to human use. For batch-specific purity testing, see our Lab Results page.
TB-500 is a lab-made peptide built from a small active piece of a natural protein called Thymosin Beta-4, which your cells already use in small amounts.
The main thing researchers have figured out is that Thymosin Beta-4 grabs onto a protein called actin, which cells use like an internal skeleton to move and change shape. By controlling actin, it seems to help cells migrate to where they’re needed, which is part of how wounds heal and new blood vessels form. One lab study also found it can calm an inflammation-related signaling pathway called NF-kB. There’s a large body of published research on Thymosin Beta-4 (over 800 papers), but TB-500 itself remains an investigational compound with no FDA approval.
Sources:
- Thymosin Beta-4 Modulates Cardiac Remodeling (NCBI)
- Thymosin Beta-4 and TB-500 in Tissue Healing (MDPI, peer-reviewed)
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This is simply BPC-157 and TB-500 combined into one vial — two separately studied peptides paired together for research into tissue repair.
Each of these two peptides has its own body of animal and lab research — see the BPC-157 and TB-500 pages on this site for details on each. We did not find any published studies that tested the two combined together specifically, so what’s known comes from studying each peptide on its own.
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Cagrilintide is a lab-made, long-lasting version of a hormone called amylin, which your body normally releases along with insulin to help control appetite and how fast your stomach empties.
Researchers designed cagrilintide with chemical modifications that stop it from breaking down as fast as natural amylin, so it stays active in the body much longer. It works on amylin and calcitonin receptors in brain regions that control feelings of fullness. In early clinical trials, it produced meaningful weight loss — over 10% of body weight in some studies — though nausea was a more common side effect than with an older amylin drug called pramlintide.
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PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a lab-made version of a natural hormone called alpha-MSH. Unlike many peptides on this list, it works mainly in the brain rather than the rest of the body.
PT-141 activates melanocortin receptors, especially one called MC4R, found in brain regions tied to desire and arousal. In one of the earliest published studies, men given PT-141 showed a fast, dose-dependent increase in erectile activity. Based on this line of research, the FDA approved a version of this same peptide, sold as Vyleesi, in 2019 for treating low sexual desire in premenopausal women.
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CJC-1295 is a lab-made version of a natural hormone your brain makes called growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which signals your pituitary gland to release growth hormone.
A chemical add-on lets CJC-1295 stick to proteins already circulating in the blood, so it stays active far longer than natural GHRH. In a human study, a single injection raised growth hormone levels for 6 or more days and a related hormone, IGF-1, for 9 to 11 days, and it was described as safe and well tolerated at the doses tested. In mice bred without their own GHRH, once-daily doses kept growth normal.
Sources:
- Prolonged Stimulation of GH by CJC-1295 (PubMed)
- CJC-1295 normalizes growth in GHRH knockout mice (PubMed)
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This pairs CJC-1295 (a peptide that mimics GHRH) with Ipamorelin (a peptide that works through a different, ghrelin-related receptor). They’re studied individually, and researchers often combine them because the two mechanisms are complementary.
See the CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin pages on this site for what’s actually been studied on each peptide. We did not find published research testing this specific two-peptide combination.
Sources:
- Prolonged Stimulation of GH by CJC-1295 (PubMed)
- Ipamorelin, the first selective GH secretagogue (PubMed)
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Ipamorelin is a small lab-made peptide, just 5 amino acids, that tells your pituitary gland to release growth hormone through a different switch than GHRH-based peptides like CJC-1295.
Ipamorelin works on the same receptor as ghrelin, the hormone your stomach releases when you’re hungry. What stands out in the research is its selectivity — in animal studies, it triggered growth hormone release without also raising cortisol or ACTH, two stress-related hormones, even at doses over 200 times higher than needed for its main effect. In rats, it also encouraged longitudinal bone growth.
Sources:
- Ipamorelin, the first selective GH secretagogue (PubMed)
- Ipamorelin induces longitudinal bone growth in rats (PubMed)
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Tesamorelin is a lab-made version of GHRH, the same natural hormone family as CJC-1295 and Sermorelin.
This is one of the more thoroughly studied peptides in this list — it’s actually FDA-approved, since 2010, for a specific condition: excess abdominal fat in HIV patients with a fat-redistribution problem called lipodystrophy. In a large pooled study of over 800 HIV patients, it raised growth hormone and IGF-1 levels and reduced visceral (deep abdominal) fat without major safety concerns. In separate studies with obese and type 2 diabetic patients, it did not significantly worsen blood sugar control.
Sources:
- Tesamorelin for HIV-associated lipodystrophy (PubMed)
- Safety and metabolic effects of tesamorelin RCT (NCBI)
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This pairs Tesamorelin (a GHRH-mimicking peptide) with Ipamorelin (a ghrelin-receptor-based peptide) — the same idea as the CJC-1295/Ipamorelin pairing, using a different GHRH-type peptide.
See the Tesamorelin and Ipamorelin pages on this site for what’s actually been studied on each peptide individually. We did not find published research testing this specific combination.
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Sermorelin is the shortest piece of GHRH that still works — just the first 29 amino acids of the natural hormone.
Because it’s essentially the active core of GHRH, it has been used for decades both as a research tool and as a diagnostic test to check how well someone’s pituitary gland responds. Studies in children with growth hormone deficiency showed once-daily dosing could help promote growth.
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GHK-Cu is a tiny, naturally occurring peptide, just 3 amino acids, that binds to copper. Your body makes small amounts of it on its own, but levels drop as you get older.
The copper it carries matters — copper is a building block for enzymes involved in making collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin and connective tissue firm. Lab studies have shown it can switch certain genes on and off related to tissue repair, and reduce oxidative stress in skin cells exposed to UV light. Animal studies have also shown it can speed up wound healing. It’s currently classified as a cosmetic ingredient, not an FDA-approved drug.
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G-L-O-W is a combination of three peptides in one vial: GHK-Cu (50mg), BPC-157 (10mg), and TB-500 (10mg).
Each of the three ingredients has its own separate research history — see the GHK-Cu, BPC-157, and TB-500 pages on this site for what’s actually been studied on each. We did not find any published research on this specific three-peptide combination as a formulation.
Sources:
- Skin Regenerative Actions of Copper Peptides (MDPI, peer-reviewed)
- BPC-157: Biopharmaceutical Challenges (PubMed)
- Thymosin Beta-4 Modulates Cardiac Remodeling (NCBI)
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KLOW is a combination of four peptides in one vial: GHK-Cu (50mg), BPC-157 (10mg), TB-500 (10mg), and KPV (10mg).
KPV is a very small peptide, just 3 amino acids, taken from a piece of the natural hormone alpha-MSH. Lab research has found it blocks a key inflammation switch inside cells called NF-kB, without needing to bind the usual alpha-MSH receptors. Like the other three ingredients, KPV has its own research history on its own — see the GHK-Cu, BPC-157, and TB-500 pages for those. We did not find published research on this specific four-peptide combination as a formulation.
Sources:
- KPV: dissection of anti-inflammatory effect (PubMed)
- Skin Regenerative Actions of Copper Peptides (MDPI, peer-reviewed)
- BPC-157: Biopharmaceutical Challenges (PubMed)
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NAD+ isn’t a peptide — it’s a molecule every cell in your body needs to make energy. Think of it as a helper molecule that keeps your cells’ internal power plants (mitochondria) running.
As people age, NAD+ levels naturally decline, and this drop has been linked to problems like cognitive decline, muscle loss, and metabolic disease in published reviews. NAD+ is also required by a group of proteins called sirtuins, which are involved in how cells respond to stress and age. Researchers are actively studying whether restoring NAD+ levels could help with age-related health issues — this remains an active, ongoing area of research rather than a settled conclusion.
Sources:
- NAD+ metabolism and its roles during ageing (PubMed)
- NAD metabolism: senescence regulation and aging (PubMed)
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Semax is a lab-made peptide first developed in Russia, built from a small piece of a hormone called ACTH. It’s studied mainly for its effects on the brain.
Research suggests Semax boosts a brain chemical called BDNF, which supports the growth and health of brain cells — that’s the main reason it’s researched as a “nootropic,” a substance studied for cognitive effects. In a rat study looking at brain injury from reduced blood flow, Semax and a related fragment increased the growth of new brain and blood vessel cells during recovery.
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Selank is a lab-made peptide, also developed in Russia, based on a natural immune-system peptide called tuftsin.
In animal studies, Selank has been linked to calming, anxiety-reducing effects, working through the brain’s GABA system, the same system targeted by common anti-anxiety medications, and through effects on enkephalins, natural pain- and mood-related brain chemicals. One rat study found it reduced signs of distress during morphine withdrawal. It’s registered as a prescription anti-anxiety medication in Russia under the brand name Selanc.
Sources:
- Selank attenuates morphine withdrawal signs in rats (PubMed)
- Selank, peptide analogue of tuftsin, protects against… (PubMed)
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TA-1 (Thymosin Alpha-1) is a lab-made version of a natural peptide made by the thymus gland, an organ that plays a central role in training your immune system.
This is one of the more extensively researched peptides on this list. It works by activating specific immune cell receptors called Toll-like receptors, which switch on signaling pathways that ramp up immune cell activity. Research has shown it can boost specific white blood cells called T cells, including types important for fighting viral infections. It’s been studied in contexts including viral infections and as a support for cancer immunotherapy, and it’s approved for medical use in more than 30 countries, though not in the United States.
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SS-31 (also called elamipretide) is a lab-made peptide designed specifically to find and stick to mitochondria, the tiny structures inside your cells that produce energy.
SS-31 binds to a fat molecule called cardiolipin, found only in the inner membrane of mitochondria. By stabilizing the folded structure of that membrane, it appears to help mitochondria produce energy more efficiently and reduce damaging byproducts called reactive oxygen species. Research has studied this in animal models of kidney disease and heart-related mitochondrial problems.
Sources:
- SS-31 ameliorates kidney disease (NCBI)
- Elamipretide: Structure, Mechanism, Therapeutic Potential (NCBI)
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AOD-9604 is a small lab-made piece of human growth hormone — specifically just the tail end of the molecule (amino acids 177-191) that’s linked to fat metabolism.
Researchers isolated this fragment because they wanted the fat-metabolizing effect of growth hormone without its other effects, like unwanted tissue growth or blood sugar issues. In a study on obese rats, daily treatment cut body weight gain by more than half compared to untreated animals, and unlike full-length growth hormone, it did not appear to hurt insulin sensitivity. It later went through Phase IIb human trials for obesity, but those trials did not meet their goals and development was stopped in 2007.
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MOTS-c is unusual — it’s a peptide made from instructions hidden inside your mitochondrial DNA rather than your regular genes, part of a small family called “mitochondrial-derived peptides.”
Research shows MOTS-c activates a cellular energy sensor called AMPK, the same pathway targeted by some diabetes medications. In mice fed a high-fat diet, MOTS-c treatment helped prevent obesity and improved how their cells responded to insulin. Other studies have looked at its effects on muscle energy production and metabolic health, mostly in animal and cell models so far.
Sources:
- MOTS-c Functionally Prevents Metabolic Disorders (PubMed)
- MOTS-c: a promising mitochondrial-derived peptide (NCBI)
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Melanotan 2 is a lab-made peptide based on a natural hormone called alpha-MSH, the same hormone your body uses to control skin pigmentation.
It works by activating melanocortin receptors, and it’s not selective — it activates several receptor types (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) throughout the body and brain. Activating MC1R on skin cells triggers them to produce more melanin, which is why it darkens skin. Because it also affects other melanocortin receptors, research has noted side effects like appetite loss and fatigue. It has never received FDA approval or approval from any other drug regulator.
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Tirzepatide is a lab-made peptide that acts on two different hormone receptors your body normally uses to manage blood sugar and appetite: GIP and GLP-1.
Both GIP and GLP-1 are natural hormones released after you eat, and both play a role in insulin release and appetite control. Tirzepatide activates both receptors at once, though research shows it actually engages the GIP receptor somewhat more strongly than the GLP-1 receptor. Studies found it improved insulin sensitivity and the function of insulin-producing cells more than medications that only target GLP-1 alone, suggesting the dual-receptor approach adds something beyond either pathway individually.
Sources:
- Tirzepatide, a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist (PubMed)
- Tirzepatide – a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist (PubMed)
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Semaglutide is a lab-made version of GLP-1, a natural hormone your gut releases after eating that helps control blood sugar and appetite.
Research shows semaglutide works in two places at once. In the brain, it activates “fullness” signals and quiets “hunger” signals in the hypothalamus. In the gut, it slows down how fast food leaves your stomach, helping you feel full longer. Studies in mice found that blocking GLP-1 receptors in the brain significantly reduced how well the drug worked, showing the brain effect is a major part of the mechanism. It was originally developed for type 2 diabetes and has since been extensively studied for weight loss.
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Retatrutide is a lab-made peptide that goes a step further than tirzepatide — it acts on three hormone receptors at once: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon.
Adding glucagon receptor activity is what sets it apart, since glucagon affects how the body burns energy, not just blood sugar and appetite. In phase 2 human trials, it produced substantial weight loss — an average of 24.2% after 48 weeks in people with obesity. In a separate trial in people with type 2 diabetes, it significantly improved blood sugar control. A pooled analysis of multiple trials also found reductions in waist size and fasting blood sugar.
Sources:
- Retatrutide – A Game Changer in Obesity Pharmacotherapy (PubMed)
- Efficacy and safety of retatrutide, meta-analysis (PubMed)
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BPC-157 is a lab-made peptide based on a small piece of a protein naturally found in the stomach. Scientists have studied it for over 30 years to understand how it might help the body repair itself.
Most of what’s known about BPC-157 comes from animal and lab studies, not human clinical trials. Researchers have found it activates a cell-signaling pathway involving a protein called FAK-paxillin, and it appears to boost nitric oxide and VEGF, both of which the body uses to grow new blood vessels and repair tissue. Early lab and animal studies have looked at its effects on the gut, muscles, tendons, and even the nervous system. Despite decades of research interest, there is still no FDA-approved version of BPC-157 and no completed human Phase II trial.
Sources:
- BPC-157: Biopharmaceutical Challenges (PubMed)
- Multifunctionality and Possible Medical Application of BPC 157 (PubMed)
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