Introduction to Peptide Therapy
Peptide therapy is among the fastest-growing areas in regenerative and longevity medicine. This guide compiles the most relevant science, clinical experience, and practical guidance to help you understand how peptides work, which are most studied, and how to approach them safely.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are short-chain amino acid sequences that function as biological signaling molecules. The human body produces thousands of endogenous peptides that regulate everything from growth hormone release to immune function, wound healing, and metabolism.
Categories of Therapeutic Peptides
Growth Hormone Secretagogues: CJC-1295, Ipamorelin, MK-677, GHRP-6. These peptides stimulate the pituitary to release growth hormone in a pulsatile, physiological pattern.
Healing & Tissue Repair: BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu. These have demonstrated the ability to accelerate healing of tendons, ligaments, gut mucosa, and neural tissue in preclinical studies.
Metabolic: AOD-9604, Tesamorelin. These target fat metabolism and body composition.
Cognitive & Neuroprotective: Selank, Semax, Dihexa. Research into these peptides is earlier stage but promising.
Safety Profile
Therapeutic peptides generally have favorable safety profiles compared to many pharmaceuticals. Their selectivity, short half-lives, and alignment with endogenous biology reduce the risk of systemic side effects. However, quality control in the compounding space is critical.
How to Get Started
Peptide therapy should be initiated under the guidance of a qualified medical provider who can assess your baseline biomarkers, recommend appropriate protocols, and monitor outcomes. Self-administration without oversight is strongly discouraged.