Explore peptide medicines, naturally occurring peptide hormones and investigational compounds by purpose, biological pathway, evidence level and regulatory status. Select any peptide to open its detailed profile or compare up to three peptides side by side.
100+Reference Entries
14+Health Categories
A–DEvidence Guide
Compare 3Side By Side
Important Medical & Regulatory Notice
This encyclopedia is provided for general education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment guidance, dosing guidance or a recommendation to use any peptide. Some entries describe FDA-approved prescription medicines for specific indications. Others describe naturally occurring signaling peptides or investigational compounds that may have limited human safety or effectiveness data. FDA approval for one indication does not establish safety or effectiveness for anti-aging, athletic performance, bodybuilding or other off-label wellness purposes. Treatment decisions should be made with an appropriately licensed healthcare professional.
Understand the Evidence
Not All Peptides Have the Same Level of Evidence
Peptide science ranges from established prescription medicines supported by extensive human clinical research to experimental compounds supported primarily by laboratory or animal studies. Use the evidence indicator as a quick guide to the maturity of the research.
A
Established Strong human evidence and/or an established FDA-approved medical use.
B
Substantial Meaningful human research, although use may be indication-specific or not FDA approved.
C
Preliminary Limited or early-stage human research. Important questions remain.
D
Experimental Primarily preclinical, laboratory, animal or very limited human evidence.
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Compare Peptides 0 of 3 selected
Think of Many Peptides as Biological Signals
Peptides can interact with receptors or biological pathways and influence what cells, glands or organs do next. The signaling concept does not mean a peptide is automatically effective, appropriate or free of side effects.
Sermorelin
Signals through the GHRH receptor to stimulate endogenous pituitary growth-hormone release.
Ipamorelin
Activates the ghrelin/GHSR pathway and can stimulate a growth-hormone response.
Kisspeptin
Activates reproductive signaling upstream of GnRH, LH and FSH.
Semaglutide
Activates GLP-1 receptors involved in satiety, glucose regulation and gastrointestinal signaling.
Responsible Peptide Education
What “Investigational” Really Means
A compound can have an interesting biological mechanism without having established clinical effectiveness or a well-characterized human safety profile. Popularity online is not equivalent to regulatory approval or high-quality clinical evidence.
FDA-approved drugs are approved for specific indications—not automatically for every purpose for which they are discussed or marketed.
Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved products and do not undergo the same FDA premarket review for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality as approved medicines.
Peptide purity, sterility, aggregation, contamination, immunogenicity and peptide-related impurities can be clinically relevant.
Human evidence for many popular research compounds is considerably more limited than for established prescription medicines.
Athletes subject to anti-doping rules should independently verify the current prohibited-substance status of any drug, peptide or supplement.
Provider-Guided Wellness
Interested in Learning Which Options May Be Appropriate for You?
Zealous Wellness can help connect you with qualified healthcare professionals for individualized education and consultation. Treatment decisions should be made between you and your licensed medical provider after reviewing your health history, goals, medications, laboratory data and individual risk factors.
Important: This comparison is an educational summary. An evidence rating is not a recommendation to use a compound, and peptides within the same category can differ substantially in mechanism, clinical evidence, approved indications, contraindications and safety.
