I get asked about peptides constantly, in person and online. Most people asking are confused. They don't know what peptides are, which ones are safe, how to use them, or where to get them.
This article is a 101 explainer.
But first, some caveats:
- This is not medical advice, nor a recommendation
- I run Superpower, a health super app focused on bringing the best of health to all. That gives me a view into this space. We will launch peptides in the future (superpower.com/peptides)
- I've personally used several of the peptides discussed below. My account of their effects is subjective, not clinical
What are peptides?
A peptide is a chain of amino acids.
Amino acids are also what make up proteins. You've probably seen them on the label of whey protein before. There are millions of peptides already in the human body.
In oversimplified terms, the way the body works is that we have:
- DNA, which encodes for
- RNA, which produces
- Proteins and peptides, which regulate many biological functions
Some chains of amino acids we consume every day. Other chains become pharmaceutical drugs that can be taken to produce a certain effect in the body.
Insulin is a peptide.
Ozempic is a peptide.
Endorphins are also peptides.
When people talk about "peptides" as a category, they tend to refer to peptide pharmaceuticals which can be injected to produce a certain positive effect on the body.
Peptide-related searches hit 10.1 million per month in the US by January 2026 and we're just getting started.
The most popular peptides, explained
The below is not intended to be a medical claim. Do your own research and consult a medical professional.
Peptides tend to have many effects, so these categories are descriptive, not exclusive, but this is the simplest way to think about which peptide does what.
To lose weight: semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide
- Let's start with semaglutide. When you eat, your body releases a peptide called GLP-1 that tells your brain you're full. It only sticks around for a few minutes. Semaglutide is a synthetic version of GLP-1 that lasts for days, which is why one weekly shot keeps you feeling full almost all week. You know it as Ozempic or Wegovy and it's FDA-approved. Ever since it became mainstream, the entire "body positivity" movement vanished. It got so culturally big that South Park made an entire special about it.
- Tirzepatide is semaglutide's more powerful cousin. It does the same thing but hits two receptors instead of one (GLP-1 and GIP, another peptide your body releases after meals). You know it as Mounjaro or Zepbound. It's also FDA-approved and tested in tens of thousands of people. Together with semaglutide, it's the safest peptide on this list. If GLP-1 fits your goal, this is where you start.
- Retatrutide is the strongest cousin out of these three. It's not approved yet, but the Phase 3 data is strong. It hits three receptors (GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon) instead of one (like semaglutide) or two (like tirzepatide). I microdose retatrutide for focus because it eliminates all food noise and makes it easier to stay on track. Even though it's still experimental, it already has near-mythical status online. If Phase 3 holds, this will be the best-selling drug of all time.
To put on muscle: CJC-1295, ipamorelin, sermorelin, and tesamorelin
These peptides all work by telling your pituitary gland (a small gland in your brain) to release more growth hormone, instead of replacing it directly.
- CJC-1295 and ipamorelin are usually stacked together because they trigger growth hormone release through two different pathways. CJC-1295 mimics growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Ipamorelin mimics ghrelin, which is another peptide your body uses to signal growth hormone release. They're popular in bodybuilding and recovery circles because people see them as a way to increase growth hormone instead of taking HGH directly.
- Tesamorelin and sermorelin are both part of the "make your body produce more growth hormone naturally" category. People usually take them for recovery, body composition, and muscle maintenance. Sermorelin has been around for decades and has become popular in anti-aging and recovery clinics. Tesamorelin became interesting because of its effects on visceral fat. This is the fat around your organs. You can look relatively healthy and still be carrying dangerous amounts of it. Tesamorelin has one of the strongest evidence bases in this category and is FDA approved for HIV-related fat loss.
To heal fast: BPC-157 and TB-500
- BPC-157 shows up in the gastric secretions of your stomach. When something gets banged up in your body, BPC-157 helps the repair happen faster by supporting blood flow and amplifying the signals your cells already use to heal themselves. The mechanism is plausible, the animal data is strong, but human data is thin. Joe Rogan, MMA fighters, and people with chronic pain talk about BPC-157 almost like Wolverine serum. It's not clinically approved, but I predict we'll see more and more data in favor of it working.
- TB-500 is a synthetic version of a peptide your body already makes called thymosin beta-4. It works on tissue repair through a different pathway than BPC-157, which is why they're almost always paired. It has the same evidence pattern as BPC-157: solid animal work, limited human trials, and a mountain of anecdotal evidence online.
To have glowing skin: GHK-Cu
- GHK-Cu is a copper-binding peptide that helps with collagen, skin repair, wound healing, and potentially hair density. It became huge in skincare circles, TikTok, and of course, "looksmaxxing" communities because it's one of the few peptides where people feel like they can literally see the results in the mirror.
To be smarter: semax and selank
- Semax and selank are Russian brain peptides. People use them for focus, calmness, and mental acuity. You can take them as injectables or nasal spray. These two developed almost a cult-like following because people wanted the focus of stimulants without feeling wired or anxious, and semax and selank appear to offer that.
To increase energy: MOTS-c and SS-31
- MOTS-c + SS-31 target your mitochondria (parts of your cells that produce energy). Longevity researchers became increasingly interested in mitochondria since they realized energy production might sit underneath aging itself. That's why these peptides became popular. If your cells produce energy better, everything else may work better too. The science is still early, but the interest is exploding.
To sleep better & live longer: epitalon and pinealon
Both these peptides come from Russian research on the pineal gland (the small gland in your brain that produces melatonin).
Epitalon is a four amino acid peptide studied for telomere length (the protective caps on your DNA that shorten as you age). People take it for longevity and better sleep.
Pinealon is a three amino acid peptide studied for cognitive function and neuroprotection. People take it for focus and mental clarity.
Russian clinics have used them for decades. Most of the research comes from one group, which is the main reason to be careful. The mechanism is plausible, but long-term safety data is thin.
All in all, promising but not proven.
To not get sick: thymosin alpha-1
As someone who used to stack everything under the sun to prevent sickness, I’ve found only thymosin alpha-1 to work every single time.
This peptide helps regulate and strengthen parts of the immune system. It's actually been studied for decades in infections, inflammation and immune dysfunction.
And unlike many of the peptides I listed, TA-1 has a surprisingly deep clinical research history.
How to think about using peptides
If you decide to try a peptide, here is what I would tell a friend (not medical advice):
- Start with a well-researched peptide like GLP-1s. The well-researched options are the safest options.
- Get bloodwork before you start. Then get bloodwork while you're on a peptide. Stay on top of how the peptide impacts your biology.
- Work with a doctor who knows this space. Most regular doctors don't as they weren't trained on peptides. They will either dismiss you or tell you everything is dangerous. You need a doctor who understands the molecules, the doses, and the trade-offs.
Start low, go slow, and listen to your body.
Where to get them
You can get many peptides via a prescription from your doctor, fulfilled via a pharmacy.
You can get peptides that are legal for compounding from sites online, like Ageless RX or Maximus.
Many people are sourcing the remaining experimental peptides from Research Use Only sites like peptidesciences.com (the largest, but closed down), peptime.com (popular nowadays), and Peptaura (from China).
The safe approach is to wait for the FDA to legalize compounding of medications rather than sourcing from an RUO site.
The bigger picture
Peptides are having a moment for a reason.
GLP-1s were the catalyst, and now tens of millions of people have experienced what it feels like to take a peptide and watch a problem they thought was permanent get smaller or disappear.
Every generation eventually discovers a limit it was told was final, and in our case, we were told it's the body.
But today, aging, fat, fatigue, pain, physical and cognitive decline... all of it is starting to look less like a standard sequence of events and more like a problem with a solution.
Weight loss was the first domino, but it won't be the last.
The peptide era is just getting started.
