Peptide Education

Browse educational peptide information by category. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Weight Management & Metabolic Research

5-Amino-1MQ

5-Amino-1MQ, also known as 5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium, is a synthetic small-molecule compound investigated for its potential effects on fat metabolism, cellular energy regulation, and metabolic function. Although frequently grouped with peptides in research catalogs, 5-Amino-1MQ is not technically a peptide. It belongs to a class of compounds known as NNMT inhibitors, which target the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase. NNMT is involved in the metabolism of nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, and is associated with pathways involving NAD+ metabolism and cellular energy regulation. 5-Amino-1MQ has attracted research interest because of its potential effects on metabolic processes associated with obesity and adipose tissue.

Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide is an investigational long-acting amylin analog being developed for weight management. Amylin is a naturally occurring hormone released by the pancreas alongside insulin after eating. It helps regulate appetite, fullness, food intake, and digestion. Cagrilintide was designed to mimic these effects while remaining active long enough for once-weekly administration in clinical research.

Retatrutide

Retatrutide is an investigational once-weekly peptide being studied primarily for obesity and metabolic health. What makes Retatrutide unique is that it activates three hormone receptors: • GLP-1 • GIP • Glucagon ***Because it targets all three pathways, Retatrutide is often referred to as a triple-receptor agonist or “triple agonist.”

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a once-weekly peptide medication that activates two important hormone receptors: • GIP – Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide • GLP-1 – Glucagon-Like Peptide

AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide derived from a small portion of human growth hormone (HGH). It contains a modified sequence corresponding to amino acids 176–191 from the C-terminal region of HGH. AOD-9604 was developed to investigate whether some of HGH's effects on fat metabolism could be separated from its growth-promoting and blood-sugar effects.

CJC-1295 (No DAC) + Ipamorelin (Hulk Blend)

What Is CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin? CJC-1295 (No DAC) and Ipamorelin are two investigational peptides commonly paired in research involving the body's natural growth hormone (GH) pathway. Rather than supplying growth hormone directly, both peptides signal the pituitary gland through different receptors involved in GH release. CJC-1295 (No DAC) is a short-acting GHRH-related peptide. Ipamorelin is a growth hormone secretagogue that activates the ghrelin/GHS-R1a receptor. Together, they are researched for their potential complementary effects on natural GH signaling.

Sermorelin

Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid synthetic peptide based on the naturally occurring hormone GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone). Rather than supplying growth hormone directly, Sermorelin signals the pituitary gland to release the body's own growth hormone (GH). It has been studied for its effects on growth hormone production, recovery, body composition, and age-related changes in the GH pathway.

Tesamorelin

What Is Tesamorelin? Tesamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog. Rather than supplying growth hormone directly, Tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary gland to increase the body's own production and release of growth hormone (GH). This increases downstream IGF-1 and influences processes involved in fat metabolism and body composition. Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

ARA-290

ARA-290, also known as Cibinetide, is an investigational 11-amino-acid peptide derived from a portion of erythropoietin (EPO). It was designed to capture some of EPO's tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling without stimulating red blood cell production. ARA-290 has been studied primarily for its potential effects on small nerve fibers, inflammation, neuropathic symptoms, and tissue protection.

Wolverine Stack

What Is the Wolverine Blend? The Wolverine Blend is a research combination of two peptides: BPC-157 – a 15-amino-acid peptide studied primarily for tissue protection and repair. TB-500 – a synthetic peptide fragment related to Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring protein involved in cell movement and tissue-repair processes. The combination has become known as the “Wolverine Blend” because of its research focus on healing, recovery, and tissue regeneration.

DSIP

DSIP stands for Delta Sleep-Inducing Peptide. It is a naturally occurring nine-amino-acid peptide first identified during research into sleep and brain activity. DSIP has been studied primarily for its potential role in sleep regulation, stress response, and nervous-system function. Despite its name, DSIP does not simply act as a traditional sedative or sleeping medication.

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a naturally occurring 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide. Unlike most peptides encoded by DNA in the cell nucleus, MOTS-c is produced from genetic information found within the mitochondria — the structures responsible for cellular energy production. MOTS-c has attracted research interest for its potential role in energy metabolism, glucose regulation, exercise adaptation, and healthy aging.

NAD+

NAD+ stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, a naturally occurring coenzyme found in virtually every cell in the body. It plays an essential role in cellular energy production, metabolism, DNA repair, and normal cell function. NAD+ levels can change with age, metabolic health, illness, and cellular stress, making NAD+ an important area of research in metabolism and healthy aging.

Selank

Selank is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide derived from tuftsin, a naturally occurring peptide involved in immune function. It was developed primarily for research involving anxiety, stress regulation, mood, and cognitive function. Unlike traditional sedating anti-anxiety medications, Selank has been investigated for potential anxiety-reducing effects without prominent sedation or cognitive impairment.

Semax

Semax is a synthetic peptide developed from a short fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Unlike ACTH, Semax was designed to produce neurological effects without significant hormonal or corticosteroid activity. It has been researched primarily for its potential effects on cognition, memory, neuroprotection, and recovery following neurological stress or injury.

SS-31 (Elamipretide)

SS-31 is a small mitochondria-targeting peptide also known as Elamipretide. It was developed to interact directly with mitochondria — the structures inside cells responsible for producing most of the body's usable energy. SS-31 has been studied for its potential ability to support mitochondrial function, improve cellular energy production, reduce oxidative stress, and protect tissues during cellular stress or injury.

GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) is a naturally occurring copper-binding peptide found in the human body. It is made from three amino acids — glycine, histidine, and lysine — combined with copper. GHK-Cu has been researched for its role in skin regeneration, collagen production, wound healing, inflammation, and tissue remodeling.

Klow Blend

KLOW Blend combines four research peptides with areas of study involving inflammation, skin health, tissue repair, gut health, and recovery. KPV – researched primarily for anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal and skin-related inflammation. GHK-Cu – studied for collagen production, skin regeneration, wound healing, and tissue remodeling. BPC-157 – investigated for tissue protection, gastrointestinal health, and connective-tissue repair. TB-500 – related to Thymosin Beta-4 research involving cell migration, wound healing, and tissue remodeling.

Melanotan I

Melanotan 1 (MT-1), also known as afamelanotide, is a synthetic peptide modeled after the body's natural alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It primarily acts on the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), which regulates production of melanin — the pigment responsible for skin color and tanning.

Glutathione

Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant produced by the body. It is made from three amino acids: Glutamate • Cysteine • Glycine Glutathione is found throughout the body and plays an important role in protecting cells from oxidative damage, supporting normal liver detoxification pathways, recycling antioxidants, and maintaining cellular health. It is often referred to as one of the body's major intracellular antioxidants.

KPV

KPV is a short three-amino-acid peptide made from lysine, proline, and valine. It is derived from the C-terminal portion of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a naturally occurring hormone involved in pigmentation, inflammation, and immune signaling. Unlike the pigmentation-related effects associated with α-MSH, KPV is researched primarily for its potential anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties.

VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)

VIP stands for Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid peptide found throughout the body. Despite its name, VIP is not limited to the intestines. It acts as both a neuropeptide and signaling molecule in the nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems. VIP has been researched for its potential role in inflammation, blood-vessel function, airway regulation, gut health, and immune signaling.

Kisspeptin

Kisspeptin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone that plays a major role in regulating the body's reproductive system. It acts as an important upstream signal within the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls reproductive hormone production in both women and men. Kisspeptin has been studied extensively for its role in puberty, fertility, ovulation, reproductive hormones, and sexual function.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone and neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. It consists of nine amino acids, making it a nonapeptide. Oxytocin is widely known for its involvement in childbirth, breastfeeding, social bonding, and emotional processing. Synthetic oxytocin has also been developed for medical and scientific research involving hormonal signaling, reproductive physiology, and neurological function.

PT-141 (Bremelanotide)

PT-141, also known as bremelanotide, is a synthetic peptide that acts on the body's melanocortin receptor system. Unlike medications that primarily increase blood flow to the genitals, PT-141 acts mainly through pathways in the central nervous system involved in sexual desire and arousal. An FDA-approved form of bremelanotide is available under the brand name Vyleesi for a specific sexual-desire disorder in certain premenopausal women.