What is actually known about 55 peptides.
Each stands on one of five steps, set by what has been published about it. Every claim names its source.
All 55, by level of evidence.
Strongest evidence first, then A to Z. Each line says where you are likely to have met the name. Open one for the full record.
Pick a step to see what stands on it.
Approved medicineApproved by the European or US regulator for a named condition.21 peptides
- DegarelixApproved for advanced prostate cancer, as the fast-acting alternative to the older hormone-blocking injections.
- Desmopressin (DDAVP)Approved to control water balance and to treat specific bleeding disorders.
- DulaglutideApproved for type 2 diabetes, and in the US also for reducing heart attacks and strokes in people who already have it — but not approved anywhere for weight loss.
- ExenatideApproved for type 2 diabetes since 2005, and the first medicine of its kind anywhere — a synthetic copy of a lizard peptide, not a human hormone.
- GoserelinApproved for prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids and thinning the lining of the womb before surgery.
- hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)Approved for fertility treatment and for low testosterone in men, and promoted separately for weight loss and for restarting testosterone after steroids.
- IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1)Approved as mecasermin for a rare growth disorder in children, and sold separately online as IGF-1 LR3 for muscle growth.
- Insulin (human insulin)Approved to control blood sugar in people with diabetes.
- Leuprorelin (leuprolide)Approved for prostate cancer and other conditions controlled by sex hormones.
- LiraglutideApproved for type 2 diabetes and weight management.
- OctreotideApproved for acromegaly and symptoms caused by certain hormone-producing tumours.
- OxytocinApproved to start and strengthen labour and to control bleeding after birth; promoted separately, as a nasal spray, for trust, bonding and connection.
- PT-141Approved for low sexual desire that causes distress, in women who have not been through the menopause.
- SemaglutideApproved for type 2 diabetes and weight management.
- SetmelanotideApproved for obesity caused by hypothalamic damage, Bardet-Biedl syndrome or three named gene faults — not for ordinary obesity.
- SomatropinApproved for growth failure in children and growth hormone deficiency in adults, and promoted far beyond that for anti-ageing, fat loss and muscle.
- SS-31 (elamipretide)Approved in the United States to improve muscle strength in Barth syndrome, an ultra-rare inherited disease, and sold online as a mitochondria and anti-ageing peptide.
- Teriparatide (PTH 1-34)Approved for osteoporosis to strengthen bone and reduce fractures.
- TesamorelinApproved in the United States to shrink the deep belly fat of adults with HIV-related lipodystrophy, and promoted elsewhere for fat loss, muscle and anti-ageing.
- Thymosin alpha-1Approved in Italy only as a helper for flu vaccination in adults with a weak immune system, and promoted far more widely for immunity, inflammation, long COVID and ageing.
- TirzepatideApproved for type 2 diabetes and weight management.
Still being tested in peopleIn registered human trials. Not approved anywhere yet.7 peptides
- CagrilintideBeing studied for weight loss, mainly in combination with semaglutide.
- IpamorelinPromoted for muscle growth and recovery, although its human trials studied bowel recovery after surgery.
- MazdutideApproved in China for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, and experimental everywhere else.
- MK-677 (ibutamoren)Promoted for muscle growth, better sleep and slower ageing through higher growth hormone levels.
- PemvidutideBeing studied for weight loss and for fatty liver disease; not approved anywhere.
- RetatrutideBeing studied for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.
- SurvodutideBeing studied for weight loss and fatty liver disease.
Tested in people, but barelyHuman studies exist, but they are small, short or weak.23 peptides
- Acetyl hexapeptide-8Sold in skincare for expression lines and wrinkles.
- AOD-9604Promoted for fat loss, and increasingly for joints, cartilage and anti-ageing.
- BPC-157Promoted for injury recovery, tendon healing and gut problems.
- CarnosineSold as a supplement for ageing, exercise performance and eye health.
- CJC-1295Promoted for muscle growth, strength and recovery through higher growth hormone levels.
- Collagen peptides (hydrolysed collagen)Sold as a supplement for skin, hair, bones and joints.
- EpitalonPromoted for slowing ageing and extending lifespan.
- GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1)Sold in skincare for wrinkles, skin repair and hair growth.
- GHRP-2Approved in Japan only as a one-off injection for diagnosing growth hormone deficiency; promoted online for muscle, appetite and recovery.
- GHRP-6Promoted for muscle growth and for appetite, and sold as a research chemical.
- GlutathioneSold as an antioxidant supplement, and as a drip into a vein for lightening skin.
- HexarelinPromoted for muscle growth and recovery through higher growth hormone levels.
- KisspeptinPromoted for libido, fertility and testosterone, and sold as a compounded injection.
- Lactotripeptides (IPP and VPP)Sold in fermented milk drinks and supplements for blood pressure.
- LL-37Sold online for infections, wound healing and gut problems; a peptide the body makes itself.
- Melanotan IISold online as a tanning injection, and separately as something that produces erections.
- Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4Sold in anti-wrinkle skincare.
- Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Sold in skincare blends for wrinkles and irritated-looking skin.
- Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Sold in skincare to support collagen and soften wrinkles.
- SelankSold online as an anti-anxiety and focus spray; a prescription medicine in Russia only.
- SemaxApproved in Russia as nasal drops for poor blood flow in the brain; promoted elsewhere as a focus and memory drug.
- SermorelinSold by anti-ageing and hormone clinics, and online, to raise growth hormone for muscle, fat loss and sleep.
- SNAP-8Sold in skincare for expression lines and wrinkles, as the longer version of Argireline.
Only tested on animalsAnimal, cell or computer studies only.3 peptides
No real evidence at allNothing published worth citing.1 peptide
Or start from a goal.
A goal is what a peptide is sold or prescribed for. It is never a promise that it works. Each bar shows where that goal's peptides stand: one segment per level, strongest first.
- Approved medicine
- Still being tested in people
- Tested in people, but barely
- Only tested on animals
- No real evidence at all
12 goals. A peptide can sit under more than one.
- Weight loss951116 peptides
- Blood sugar6118 peptides
- Heart & blood pressure11 peptide
- Muscle & strength42612 peptides
- Injury & recovery426 peptides
- Bones & joints1124 peptides
- Immunity & inflammation1113 peptides
- Skin & hair91111 peptides
- Ageing414110 peptides
- Hormones101415 peptides
- Sex & libido123 peptides
- Brain & mood134 peptides
Also on Peptide Reader
- Weight-loss trialsHow much weight people lost in each published trial, set beside what the placebo group lost.8 trials
- Rules & lawWhat legally counts as a medicine, what a face cream may claim, and what the doping rules say.6 sections
- How we gradeThe five levels in full, with the rules every entry has to survive before it is published.5 levels