What Are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids—the building blocks of proteins. Your body naturally produces thousands of peptides that act as signals, telling cells what to do.
Therapeutic peptides are designed to mimic or enhance these natural signaling molecules. They can target specific pathways related to healing, metabolism, immune function, or hormone regulation.
How Do Peptides Work?
Unlike medications that block or suppress body processes, peptides typically work by:
- Mimicking natural hormones or signaling molecules
- Activating specific cellular receptors
- Supporting repair, recovery, or metabolic processes
- Modulating immune or inflammatory responses
Because they're similar to compounds your body already makes, peptides often have fewer systemic side effects than traditional drugs—though they still require medical oversight.
Categories of Peptide Therapy
Peptides can be grouped by their intended purpose:
Metabolic Peptides
Support weight management, blood sugar control, and appetite regulation (e.g., GLP-1 medications)
Recovery Peptides
May support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and aid healing (e.g., BPC-157, TB-500)
Longevity Peptides
Target cellular aging, mitochondrial health, and repair pathways (e.g., Epitalon, Thymosin Beta-4)
Cognitive Peptides
May influence focus, memory, mood, or stress resilience (e.g., Semax, Selank)
Performance & Energy Peptides
Support growth hormone pathways, energy production, or physical recovery (e.g., CJC-1295, Ipamorelin)
FDA Status & Regulation
Not all peptides are FDA-approved medications. Some are:
- FDA-approved drugs: Like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)
- Compounded peptides: Made by licensed pharmacies for individual patient use, regulated under state pharmacy law
- Research peptides: Used in clinical studies but not yet approved for routine medical use
Your physician will explain the regulatory status of any peptide prescribed to you.
What the Research Shows
Research quality varies widely across peptides:
- Some peptides (like GLP-1 medications) have robust, large-scale human trials
- Others have promising early data from animal studies or small human trials
- Some are used based on clinical experience and mechanism of action, with limited formal research
Your physician will discuss the strength of evidence for any peptide therapy recommended for your care.
Safety & Monitoring
While peptides are generally well-tolerated, they still require medical supervision:
- Dosing must be individualized based on your needs and response
- Some peptides may interact with other medications or conditions
- Long-term safety data is limited for many peptides
- Regular follow-up helps ensure safe and effective use
Administration
Most therapeutic peptides are administered by:
- Subcutaneous injection: Small, shallow injections into fatty tissue (similar to insulin)
- Oral capsules: For certain stable peptides
- Nasal spray: For select cognitive or hormone-related peptides
Your care team will provide clear instructions and support for any administration method.
Important: Peptide therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Your physician will carefully review your medical history, goals, and current health status before recommending any peptide medications. All prescriptions are individualized and monitored for safety and effectiveness.